Gawndy the Great

That certainly warrants another look. At first it looks like Fritsch runs into him, however Bonar clearly changes his line to 'check' Fritsch where the ball wasnt even near him. Hard to see how contact was made - maybe shoulder to the head - how does one bring this to the attention of the MRO? Can the clubs do anything ?

They have to appeal based on what I just on the Danger elbow in the GF. Didn’t realise how similar they are. If there ever was a precedent to use this is the one.

It’s a week. What irks me is how Tomohawk got off. The media is half responsible for this though.

I just think its very hard to turn on the high pressure for every game. You have to win a few games when you are only running at 80-90%. We don't need to bank the percentage when you are already at 150%. We turned it on in the second half and clearly came away with the chocolates. Given the significance of Sat night games against the Swans i would expect a return to what we have seen in the first 6 rounds. The other thing to not lose sight of is that sitting at #1 on the ladder, opposition teams will bring an extra level of intensity to try to knock off the top team. No easy games for us.

Does anybody have an idea when the actual decision is made/announced? Surely we should have heard by now?

Sparrow is very much a replacement for Viney. As for Viney's foot, this will be with him for the rest of his career (similar to BBB's knee). Have to manage it and be conservative with his workload's etc. I think he was probably due for a week off about now. He'll get another 2 weeks during bye weekend then probably rest in the lead up to finals.

Petty for Tomo Chandler for Melk Sparrow for Baker If Fritta goes bring in Bedford or Weed depending on matchups and weather

I thought he went for the Dees. Certainly seems that way on the Couch

I think this definitely had to factor in. We are all human after all. Was saying to a mate that Tomo needed to compose himself or remove himself away from the team as seeing him in distress ( which is absolutely ok) effected the teams focus.

Also forward 50 pressure seems to be the Doggies weakness. They are doing hack dumb kicks out when we hand balled out of D50.

Been saying all week - who have the Dogs beaten? Yet we were the ‘pretenders’. Tigers will win this by 30.

I like the lad, but against a deplorable team last night (without BBB) he should have kicked at least 8 goals and owned that forward 50. Frankly im not sure he will ever become the player we all had hoped for. I just dont know how you can fit BBB, LJ, TMac and Weid into the one forward line. i like Kozzy, Spargs and Fritsch in there to mix it up so you'd have to leave them as-is.

Weid needs to kick 8 goals this game at least.

Yep injured quad.

Agreed, he was great in 2018. But on current form you would have to question whether he could get a game this year. If we are not looking to trade in, I think he will request a trade out given lack of game time.

I think adding in Zac would be great but who makes way for him in the middle? From a salary cap POV, we will need room for Trac, who will be demanding north of 900K per year but is worth more than that on the open market obviously. Zac would command 750-800K minimum and i think teams will be throwing a lot more at him than that. So it will really boil down to how much we can afford to pay and what he is happy to relinquish. It is actually a good problem to have because it will tell you about the players intentions, motivations etc. You just have to look at what is happening at Carlton and the Saints who have traded in heavily - they now have a team of individuals. The Doggies got so lucky with Treloar given that the Pies are paying 300K of his salary but they have one too many stars in that team so i wouldn't be surprised if we saw one or two trades there in the coming year or two. Gut feel is that we are dreaming on this one and I would rather focus on developing/securing our existing squat and bringing in youth via the draft.

I tend to agree with you. I would play Jordan over him at the moment - he has a better footy IQ and will only improve with age and experience. Harmes may become trade bait at the end of the year given lack of game time.

i said in another thread...Who have the Doggies actually beaten this year that is worthy of praise? WC in Melbourne? We saw what the Cats did - they are still the side that cannot travel. Lions? Just ... and with Neale not firing. Richmond have there back up against the wall so i think we will see a real cracking game on Friday night. Tigers by 4 points. Still way to early to worry about ladder position and given our history of complacency, wouldn't want the boys to even think about it for another 10 weeks.

Just checked the first 6 rounds of the Doggies and the best team they have beaten are the Lions placed at 8 whilst we have beaten 3 in the top 8. Not discounting how good the Doggies are playing but why isn’t the media ( I.e King) saying they haven’t beaten anyone significant? .

According to the media it was ‘never an excuse but it was a reason’ what does that even mean. 2019 was absolutely caused by two main factors. 1) Preseason 2) 666 rule which exposed one of our major strategic weaknesses. 2020 was probably more COVID related and a change to game style which we are only really swing the fruits of now.

We beat the reigning premiers and did so convincingly. What i dont get is the garbage that King has dished up last night and this morning regarding the change in gameplan ( over handballing). How is this not a display of innovative coaching and maturity in the playing group's ability to adjust gamestyle within season? I think the other 17 coaches will have taken notice on Saturday night and skipped a few heartbeats thinking how the MFC will front up against them. We are still getting schooled in clearance / stoppage work. This has to be our in season project to get right for finals. It was one of our most potent weapons in 2018 and will be essential to take it to the Doggies.

TJ had such great talent.

We have Sparrow, Chandler, BBB, Weed, Lockhart, AVB, Jetta and Bedford waiting in the wings and 16 rounds to go. Need to consider rotating and resting a few out esp some of the young and elderly. I’d like BBB to come in for Melk. And if Kozzy or Spargs is a little sore, then give Chandler a crack. If Tmac gets suspended, bring in Weed as the roaming CHF.

Talk of the Norf game moving to Marvel next week and swapping our MCG game to Tassie. Not sure how I feel about that. Why should we have to give up a game at the G.

6-0. Looking at the live ladder, we have beaten 3 top 8 sides. Nothing to balk at. How long will this run last. Next 4 are all winnable games.