Swooper1987

No, they have been a little bit ahead of us the whole time. Even last year although we finished four positions higher on the ladder, they had us covered comfortably in round 23 and we were fortunate to beat them in QB. They are a good side but we are very close to theem and closing fast.

Jones is finished as an automatic selection sadly. He has been a great warrior but his finals campaign was largely disappointing and he has shown signs of deterioration for some time. Gawn stands out as the obvious choice to co captain with Viney and I expect that should Lever make a full recovery he would be the vice captain next year.

If we are serious about winning a flag the best place for Jordy next year is the coaches box. Slow, fumbly and lacks conviction in the contest. He has battle fatigue and in all honesty has had it for most of the last two years. Clarkson moved him on at the right time. He has an acute footy brain and is a great communicator but if he is still more value in our side than Fritsch, Hunt or Lever next year, we aren't making finals, let alone competing for premierships.

6 Harmes 5 Oliver 4 Salem 3 Hibberd 2 Vandenberg 1 Gawn

Not one for rash statements after a bad loss but I think the evidence in our poorer performances stacks up against the same personnel. Usually Lewis and Jones, but also some of the other usual suspects including Neal-Bullen (who tries his guts out but lacks polish) and Tyson (who just isn't sharp enough with pace or skills). The decision to play Smith forward for large parts of the game proved that Fritsch should have played as well. We will need to fit a few different players in next season so the clock is ticking for a few of this year's regulars.

They played a great game and it was the Tigers worst performance since they got pumped by St Kilda last year before they went on their big run. They can't play that well again and we have what Richmond don't - a ruckman to match and then beat Grundy, and a midfield which is accountable and will close down Sidebottom, Treloar, Adams and Pendlebury. If we get over the Eagles today and emerge relatively unscathed then we are a huge chance. My only concern is that traditionally Prelim final weekend has one very tight game, and it clearly wasn't last night. Buckle up for a cliffhanger!

Dunno, if Clarry ends up with two Brownlows, a flag and a Normie I reckon it's a good comparison that he'd live with, slow and unathletic notwithstanding!

His attitude, and his handball skills are very Greg Williams like. I like it!

6. Viney 5. T Mac 4. Jetta 3. Gawn 2. Oliver 1. Hibberd

Laughable! Lewis will be gone in 12 months, Jones not long past that. Tyson has an important role to play in this side over the next few years.

Will be top 6 in the B and F.

6. The Weed - the matchwinner, on a night when both teams struggled to kick goals he got 3. Sure ball handling and physically influential. 5. Harmes - just keeps doing what needs to be done. Becoming an elite mid - and handy that he can tag as well. 4. Viney - born for finals 3. Gawn - he is so good now that it is easy to overlook his contribution. His stats don't tell the full story - watch the replay! 2. Salem - a stunning last three quarters and another with the right temperament for the big occasion. 1. Lewis - a great display of finals experience, leadership and footy smarts. Oliver unlucky

I actually don't mind Razor. Despite his theatrics his decision making is usually pretty spot on. His low five with Gus was pretty funny too!

Was trying to think who it was that Bernie reminded me of and then last night I turn on the MVP awards and there is Terry Daniher sitting with Gerard, Robbo and Derm. TD was universally admired, a great bloke, loved by his team mates and could tell a great story. He also was a total pro on the field and as Dermott said, the most competitive bloke he ever played against. Sounds a lot like Bernie and he couldn't be in better company.

A fantastic result for Max and Clarry too. Geez Cripps is a hell of a player. To poll 91 votes in a team that won just two games for the season and got hammered in most of them is a brilliant performance. I'll be really interested to see how he polls in the Brownlow. Great effort from Gus too. Interesting to see Heppell poll so well from the coaches but not get a look in for AA.

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N1 B 7 and 8 in the Redlegs area!! Yeesss!!

6. Gawn - has completed the most dominant season by a ruckman in the last 20 years and that is saying something because Grundy has had an All Australian year as well. 5. Harmes - the most improved player in the comp in the second half of the season. 4. Salem - finished off a great home and away season with his usual style. Top 6 in the Bluey awaits 3. Brayshaw - another great display of gut running. 2. Oliver - a master class in how not to fumble. 1. Frost - love his attacking mindset. Will be crucial in two weeks against Hawkins.

1987 - that was a fantastic last two months of the season. We were 6 wins and 10 losses and then got on a massive role after beating the Cats at VFL Park. Ticked off the Magpies, Tigers, Bears and WC Eagles at the G on a Friday night - losing Grinter and O'Dwyer to suspension after that game and took on the Doggies at the Western Oval. The rest is history. Warren Dean was a star and could have been anything but for his wonky knees. I loved that team but I believe our current side is more talented. The 1987 team also had to compete with Hawthorn and Carlton - two great sides. I think Richmond are a really good team, but they don't compare to Hawthorn of the 80's. We could do something really special over the next month if we get a solid run with injury.

A very happy day. Not quite the emotion I felt in 1987 as a 17 year old at the Western Oval but I'm thrilled for all the true believers who have maintained the faith over a very long period. I'd like to thank Paul Roos, Bernie Vince and Daniel Cross who made the decision to be a part of the rebuild of this club 5 years ago. The foundations those guys built are the bedrock of what is about to unfold.

fantastic second half of the season for Harmes.

A lot of Tyson's touches today were very effective. He played a very good game despite a couple of stereotypical Dom floaters.

Gawn was wonderful today. By a significant margin was the most influential player on the ground. 6. Gawn 5. Harmes 4. Melksham 3.Brayshaw 2. Tyson 1. Oliver

Hogan is a gun and the other 17 clubs would be lining up for him. Unfortunately our style of play is not suited to anyone playing deep forward. He is far from the problem - his dodgy kicking today not withstanding.

I actually thought they were ok today and I'm no Nicholls fan. Can only blame the blokes in pink and blue for todays result.