Lord Nev

Goody post game: "We had a ruthless edge tonight...." Man, can't believe he's still playing 'ruthless bingo' and baiting the media.

I'm not defending the media analysts mate. I agree we rarely get fantastic in-depth discussion from the majority of them. None of that has been my point.

I'm in the loading camp mate, always have been. But it's obvious from those comments those posters think all the talk from the club during the week about ruthlessness and complacency was a front for the media to hide the fact we're loading. "Hook, line and sinker" "Club taking the [censored] in the media" "Playing 'ruthless' bingo" This conspiracy belief that the club made up a narrative and sent out our coach, footy boss and a couple of our leaders to deliver it in the media is just silly. The simple answer is that was the theme of the week, that's why it was front of mind, that's why numerous people from the club used the exact same words. Because I believe we were loading I think we were more capable of delivering it, playing how we want to play, but we wouldn't be talking about attitudes within the club if our only focus was loading.

Pretty clear narrative here IMO. The 'ruthless' commentary wasn't for real (Goodwin, Richo, Gus and Trac all talked about it), we weren't 'complacent' (Richo said pre-game we were), there was no "pow wow" and even if there was it wouldn't matter (Richo said pre-game there'd been extra meetings and honest conversations this week) it was all just a ploy by the club to say things in the media that weren't true to cover up the fact that we were loading and that was the one and only thing that would change our fortunes.

Wasn't directed at you mate. Hadn't actually read your post when I commented. Just had a read and it's a good post, completely agree, and it's what I'm getting at here - it's not one thing or the other, it's a combination of things.

Yep, and it's pretty clear Goody isn't a fan of Weid and even with our probable lack of key forward depth end of this year he might still be gone. Just staggered some still haven't adjusted their expectations about him and still get so upset when he doesn't play a good game.

Exactly. Personally I believe in the loading and am on record about it, but to think that's the only thing happening at the club and to think they all got together and said 'let's troll the media by saying "ruthless" lots this week' is one of the silliest things I've read on Demonland.

No wonder they built a cage into the new stadium...

Stay classy WA.

Jon Ralph said post-game Ben Brown would be back in for Collingwood. Assume he's actually heard that from the club.

My appraisal is making appraisals based on one game is silly.

Depending on concussion protocol timing; Harmes might not be able to play next week. OUT: Weid IN: Brown

Seriously. Dumb comment. it fell short and there was a pack on the line. He's been poor tonight but don't start inventing stuff.

Weirdly, reckon his game is opposite to last week... Go lots of reward for less effort last week, this week he's having a crack, going hard in packs, laying tackles, but not getting near the pill.

Yeah just realized I looked at the wrong number there. Has been poor, but find it pretty [censored] even by Demonland standards that that's what people are focusing on.

Same amount of disposals as Lobb, but has had more tackles. Might not be a night for the key forwards.

Playing some midfield time tonight according to Goody and Richo.

I like it tbh. We're not irrelevant anymore.

Richo tonight said they were hopeful but it was a long shot. Be interested to hear what Ralph says.

Mate, you don't have the exact same words coming up from the coach, the footy boss and 2 senior players as purely a coincidence. That's a very different thing compared to making information about injuries public.

We've been rubbish and all the recurring words from club insiders this week have spoken to attitude so I reckon we have to cop the criticisms until we prove them wrong. Richo said tonight we've been complacent and there's been more conversations this week than normal so just seems hard to argue something isn't going on with team attitude. If the football boss and usually straight bat is using a word like 'complacent' then there's been a bit happening IMO.

Just find it strange that all of Goody, Trac, Gus and Richo all say we haven't been ruthlessness enough, Richo tonight even said we've been complacent, and we take it on board, but then a media type says it and we crack it.

Richo on SEN tonight: 'We haven't been as ruthless as we need to be... possibly been a little complacent...' (Re 'Pow Wow') 'This week's there's been a bit more than usual... there's been an honest conversation'