Deeko2

Obviously no change if possible. However if May is a bit iffy, even 90 percent he'd still play but we have to pick Hunt as sub. Smith has the speed and is better in the air but Jayden has more flexibility playing roles up forward, on the wing and proved himself down back this year as well. Id probably have him as the sub even with no change over JJ who clearly hasn't done anything wrong. I don't envy the selection team next week. Hearts will be broken

This doesn't really relate to Cerra but Jackson and Rivers can now tick off playing a winning "home" final in Perth in front of 60,000 fans. Another reason for them to stay.

10. Gawn. I don't know what I just witnessed but I feel pregnant..... and im a 37 year old male. 6 votes doesnt do his game justice. 5. Trac. Amazing game. Just a brute. 4. Brown. Great hands up forward and got motoring clunking grabs on the wing whilst having a good defender on him. 3. Viney. People writing this bloke off earlier in the year need to have a look at themselves. For once we didn't have t rush him back from injury and eased his way back into it. This bloke when fit is made for finals. 2. Oliver. A standard great Clarry game. 1. Salem. Defended well, one some good groundball 50 / 50s and rebounded well.

I actually think Geelong are at there most dangerous when the game is played quick as it allows Hawkins and Cameron to get one on ones which they rarely lose. Smith has to play next week on Cameron as we'll need his closing speed. Petty to Rata/Stanley.

Geez, it must be hard being a mid for GWS right now looking up and seeing bugger all up forward to go to. Very deflating. Cats are piling numbers back which GWS are matching to prevent intercepts but it just means the Cats forwardline looks empty and its very hard to stop Hawkins and Cameron in one on ones. I hate Geelong more than any team but they're home here. GWS will need to kick at least 6 more goals to win (conservatively) and I just don't think they have the manpower. They'd have to be seething at Toby after crapping the bed again in finals.

In 2018 he was great and he was my smokey for the Brownlow as he was kicking goals while playing in the guts. No idea what's happened but he looks slow and unskilled now. Edit - thanks Lord Travis for the update, completely forgot about his injury

The only people seriously looking into Rhys would be his team mates and coaching staff. His Lions comrades would have to be incredibly embarrassed when reviewing his game. The whack on Kozzie was pathetic by itself. However the charging into Maxy absolutely reeked of a coward footballer. Every AFL footballer would have been watching our game and the fact he didn't have eyes on the pill or even look at the ball at any stage or try turn his body to attempt the spoil was truly humiliating. His team mates, trying to promote a tough brand would genuinely be ashamed for his antics.

I've been very impressed how shrewd we have been over the previous years with our draft and trading. Now that we're at the pointy end of the year and we know roughly how ladder positions will finish (or close enough) we can see how our future draft pick trades from last year look. The trade with Brisbane last year that netted us two late first rounders I wasn't super on at the time (long term MFCSS sufferer) but from a position solely based on draft points, we look to have come out on top. If we end on top (hopefully) and Brisbane end up say fourth, the trade points look as follows: Received: Pick 21 @ 878 points (was 18 before F/S and academy) Pick 22 @ 845 points (was 19 before F/S and academy) 2021 Rd 2 being pick 33 @ 563 points Total points = 2286 Gave up: Pick 30 @ 629 points Pick 68 unused Pick 69 unused 2021 Rd 1 pick say pick 18 @ 985 Total points = 1614 The difference in points works out to about pick 30. So it's going to be a very nice win. The Ben Brown trade which (before academy an F/S) got us Brown, pick 28 (677points) and Norths fourth round pick 55 (207) saw u give up 26 (729), 33 (563) and 69 (49). The difference in points (457) shows that we picked up Brown solely for about pick 39. A very nice win as well imo. Can't imagine us being super active this year with minimal candy available as our first pick is Brisbane's second rounder but looking forward to once again being pleasantly surprised. Wouldn't be surprised to see next years first rounder offered up but it's not as appealing noting it hopefully starts at P18.

This bloke just continues proving me wrong after writing him off big time over the years.... and Nibbler, I love it. Played a cracker last night and has been super important

A lot of umpires i know wouldn't report the player on the spot because of pure intimidation reasons. Toby plays (and lives) on the edge and if he's happy to basically walk through an umpire, who knows what he'd do. The umpire might have felt safer to wait till after the game. Hes my favourite non dees player to watch but I'm expecting at least 6 weeks. A message must be sent. Id be horrified seeing this happen in the bush somewhere where the umpires get minimal support. No wonder there's a shortfall everywhere. They must be supported

I always had a soft spot for Frosty with his effort and aggression (and still do) but christ im happy with May/Lever/Petty down back and not stressing seeing him near the ball. He did everything right in the last contest getting in front to take a game winning intercept mark only for him to fumble it and his man kicks the game drawing goal.

Great win. I agree with the strategy late in the game of going long down the line but I don't agree with it vs the Eagles. They have some of the best contested marks in the comp and the last ten minutes we played directly to these strengths imo. Great games to Harmes being released into the mids. Better than what Viney produces and kicked a great goal. Well done to Melksham as well. A few Bomber supporting mates of mine backed him in this week saying he always plays well when back in like has has something to prove. We need to keep him on the edge it seems. He plays his role as a defensive forward well and in 2018 he did some great jobs on McGovern in Rd 22 and Sicily in semi. He takes his chances around goals as well so he must stay. ANB wonderful game and also LJ. Couldn't believe this kids contested grabs. I haven't always been a fan but it's clear he's going to be special. Trac and Ollie are just wonderful players and we're so lucky to have them. God help us if one goes down.... we'd be shot. No idea what people see in Brayshaw.....

Although it may helps us sneak in a higher ladder position, I just can't cheer on the bombers over the dogs. Along with the cats they remain my most hated team. I'll stick to hoping the Cats keep losing and play the dogs in the first final and we get a gig vs the Power.

I was big on getting him if he was keen but not on big money and obviously only if he was committed. Especially noting be would only cost $$ and not picks. I remember being disappointed when he didn't even take our phone calls. He's a very talented player and has played some great games as a hff which I think is his best spot and where he is playing at the moment for the blues. He's not ever going to rack up big numbers in this role but still, at present hes been very disappointing and looks like he could be wasting his career at the blues. I think he'd look like a rockstar at a decent team. If I was him I'd be filthy with the decision I'd made in going to the Blues over us.

Jack has completed some great tagging roles over his career and although I don't want him to become a full time tagger, I'm very happy for him to be our defensive side midfielder and allow Trac/Olly etc to attack. I thought Jack was ok on Thursday against Wines. The last 4 weeks Wines has been unbelievable for Port and I'm pretty sure he has been rated best on nearly every week. Yes he get some touches on Jack but he was hardly damaging which was a major reason why we got the chocolates after smashing them in the middle. He played an incredibly difficult and selfless role well. He doesn't look fully fit at the moment after a long break. Very happy for him to keep getting minutes and build his fitness in preparation for some September action. If playing a tagging role in the meantime keeps building his fitness base then I'm all for it. To the OP stating to rest Jack and play Toby - I love your passion for a young kid in Toby and suspect some form of personal / family connection as it's a bit of a shocker IMO. I hope Toby becomes a superstar but until he dominates the twos midfield over a period of 6 or so weeks then he can keeping chipping away for Casey. There is a major step up from VFL to AFL (even more at present with COVID) and he needs a big period of absolutely dominating here before he gets some game time with the big boys. Let's hope he gets there!

Well, lets hope his second and third are on par with Stevey's as well! Could be a thing of beauty. I was thrilled when we picked him up - especially so cheap but have to admit, it was rare that I watched him play. From the games I watched him play this year so far he has been pretty underwhelming imo - especially when the pill is on the ground. Reminds me of a baby giraffe. If he's back to full fitness however he needs a solid 4 weeks in the ones to see if he is the 'missing piece' as Picket says. I'm all for giving him some time to prove his worth and believe it's time to bring him in. No player should need a rest after the bye so unfortunately, I'd be tapping Sparrow on the shoulder for now as others have agreed with.

We have to shut him down I agree. It would help if his direct opponent around the ground (Brayshaw) completed some form of defensive gut running. I saw Merrett compete and win a ball on the wing and run forward whilst Brayshaw hung back. Merrett hit a team mate on the forward flank on the chest, fan past for the handball receive and nearly lace a player at full forward all whilst Gus was 70m away.

Just re-visiting last years trade with the Lions which so far has been a win - in points value at least. We gave up: 2021 first pick (currently 18 @ 985 points) Pick 25 @ 756 points Pick 68 @ 59 points Pick 69 @ 49 points Total = 1849 We received: Pick 18 @ 985 points Pick 19 @ 948 points 2021 Lions second pick (currently 33 @ 563 points Total = 2,496. The difference of 650+/- rates to around pick 29. If NGA & Father Sons pop up our 2021 first pick that the Lions own may drop a few spots which makes the trade even more favourable. Obviously if we drop a few games the difference will drop and the trade doesnt look as good. So as positive as this has been, it leaves us with bugger all trade currency with our first two picks currently sitting at 33 and 39. If we're keen to play in trade week, I definitely wouldn't be surprised to see someone like a Weid offered up

I really rated this kid early in his career but he's gone backwards tremendously. He's horribly inconsistent. The only role I could see him playing for us would be a high half forward or wing which involves a lot of selfless running which I'm not sure he's the guy for. Maybe a change of scenery & some better players/mentors would help. You're right with the trade value. I wouldn't offer anything higher than a late third.

I get your point SWYL however he's not playing as the deep forward to really do this. He jagged 7 two weeks back then played high last week and a mixture of high and deep last night. He took two grabs in close within range and gave them off and still kicked 4.4 under the roof which was a good result. The challenge will remain for him playing in the gale forced winds at some of the VFL grounds, primarily at home. Not sure if he will be a deep key forward back in the ones (if/when he gets back) as surely that will go to BBB. I think a lot of people forget that he as a scrawny, weak 18 year kid with bung ankles (I think) when we picked him against Hogan who was a man child finishing a year in the VFL. Comparing the two is irrelevant. He showed a lot during the middle of last year but struggled again towards the end when our matches become scrums rather than the open footy that's going on this season. I don't think he'll ever be a star but believe he is an above average forward and believe he will be a very good role player - similar to TMac with a similar ceiling. Fortunately for us (and unfortunately for Sam) 2018 TMac has returned. I'm not sure of the answer if we remain injury free but I do worry about losing a key forward who has another 8 years left at the top level who would get a game for 17 other teams right now if he remains in the twos. Especially when in my thoughts, he had more of an impact on the first two VFL games of BBB.

Sammy is the kid I was most looking forward to seeing play this season to see how much he has developed. I've seen both VFL games that Sammy has played this year and he is clearly far too good for this level. He played some really good footy last year and now about to hit his mid 20's, I was expecting big things this season. T-Mac and LJ are doing a really good job and I'm happy to see BBB jag a game this weekend but I wonder if he wasn't a new recruit, would he be getting a game above Weideman as from what I have seen in the two games, Weid has been better. I get that he is competing with T-Mac for his gig but my concern is (and its a great concern) is what if T-Mac, BBB and LJ keep going all season - or we continue rotating two of the three. Where does this leave the Weid??

I'd be surprised with any forced changes after that effort. I want Weid and BBB in more than anyone but I just cant them getting game time with T-Mc and Jacko playing the way they are. It's crazy that they're fit and firing and playing twos. We won't be dropping Melksham or Spargo. They're never going to win a lot of possessions and there pressure looked ok.

6. Petracca. Bullied there mids and his clearance work was incredible. Gave him the votes over Salem only because he wins more of his own pill and was just a bully tonight. It was great. 5. Salem. A wonderful game and moved beautifully. 4. McDonald. Kicked back to back clutch goals that I think put the final nail in the Tigs coffin. Was super cool and continues a great year. Still have no idea what the hell we do with the two lads in the twos.... what a problem to have!! 3. Oliver. Just another great Oliver game. 2. Gawn. Just another great Gawn game. 1. Jackson. This kid is developing beautifully right in front of our eyes. What a talent!

I'll put my hand up and say I have been wrong about Jacko - well not necessarily wrong, I was just never as big on him as others and had my heart always set on Noah Anderson. On here during his first year, I thought a few got a bit "fanboyish" every time he got near it and I still had my doubts after being burnt before with high draft picks. Those doubts have definitely been put to bed now after that performance tonight and his season to date. He's basically doubling his output from last year and showing some great signs moving around the oval. He's a very exciting player and really could be anything!

I didn't realise how much I missed footy! Stoked its back. Couldn't give a stuff about the result, just happy to watching the real stuff again. I've forgotten how good Cripps is. He's just been a bull tonight busting through tackles and using it beautifully. He's everything I want Oliver to be. As for Dusty, imagine the luxury of leaving him forward where he's your most dangerous player and then roll him through the guts when you need some clearances. I still think he's the best player in the comp. He's everything I want Trac to be.