Lord Nev

For sure, but there's a real chicken and egg thing going on there. The forwards are barely moving to make leads or create space so it makes it hard to deliver well - but maybe they're not working as hard on that because so many kicks just get bombed to a pack 35 out?

Aside from personnel changes, also think we'd benefit from Gus getting back to the wing (Rivers or Hibberd in), and Kozzy attending a few centre bounces again. Reckon we need to shake up the clearance setup a bit.

There's not one answer, but you don't just continue with out of form players when others are performing at VFL level. We've been down that path as a club, it didn't go well. Absolutist answers are pretty lame.

Nope. But Burgess is famous for his belief in it. We went through a very very similar flat patch at the same time last year. And looking at the players the last 2 weeks they are looking tired, skills are flat, ability to cover the ground is diminished. You could also make a case for that being part of why Salem came straight back in. So no, don't know it as a fact, but going off evidence it's what I believe.

You pick on form. Weid had 3 goals and 10 marks, Brown is badly out of form. Pretty simple decision really.

We'll lose next week. Finish up the training loading during the bye. Then we'll get better every week from then out until we romp home in another Grand Final.

Neither Tommo or Daw are playing in the team next week. Weid is the obvious answer rather than all these wild ideas IMO.

Jacko needs to sort out his leading patterns as well though, was watching him closely tonight and he runs straight towards whoever the other tall forward/s is.

Ben Brown over the last 3 games (including an 8 goal win against North): 2 marks per game. 1 tackle per game. 4.6 disposals per game. 0.6 contested marks per game. 0 goals per game. Must be dropped.

TMac looks to be out for at least a lengthy period - he told supporters at the game tonight he could be done for the year - so bring in Weid now for a chunk of games, say 6 weeks, and give him that run at it. We really have nothing to lose, our tall forward setup has not been working at all, and this is a way we can shake it up AND give Weid a consistent go. I disagree there are 'numerous' other options. Weid kicked 3 and took 10 marks today. Who are the other 'numerous' better options?

I do watch. I disagree we've been going to pockets much lately. Tonight especially it was just bomb it 35 out straight in front, and the majority of the blame is on the forwards who were just flat out not leading or moving.

Agree, which is the other part of that plan - means Jacko gets a more consistent role for a game or two (or more if it works out).

Living in the past. Pick on form. Weid was good today, deserves a shot. Both Browns were wearing concrete shoes and Ben had the hands to match. At least one of them will come out, quite possibly both.

He doesn't move. That's the problem. I agree the entries have been poor, but when you're at the games and watch the forwards they all just plant in one spot and refuse to lead or separate.

Ben Brown isn't reliable this year. Don't understand why so many live in the past.

Ah yes, 8 disposals and 4 tackles. Nicely followed up with 0 goals and 0 behinds. Ripper.

Brown will be dropped this week. Lock it in. 'Helping the cause' is not picking players who are horrendously out of form and don't even move to make space or lead. He's out. Play Gawn more forward, Jacko can ruck more and Weid can do the backup ruck work. Need to change the mix as it's a disaster forward at the moment.

Probably when he kicked 3 against the Tigers in round 6, or maybe when he kicked 4 in round 3... Here's a brief comparison for this year of that 'historically good' Brown vs the 'disrespected' Weid. GOALS Brown 1.7 Weid 1.5 MARKS Brown 3.2 Weid 3.2 TACKLES Brown 0.6 Weid 1.2 DISPOSALS Brown 8.1 Weid 8.2 CONTESTED MARKS Brown 0.8 Weid 1.3 It's bizarre how people stick to their perceptions now matter the factual evidence. Brown is badly out of form.

Mitch Brown did nothing tonight mate, and for a bloke with 'fresh legs' he was as stationary as anyone in the forward line.

Ben Brown has been poor nearly all year. Take off the ginger goggles. History of good games means absolutely nothing.

People are either entrenched in their anti-Weid glasses or didn't go to the game if they honestly think Ben Brown should stay in ahead of him after tonight.

Nah.

OUT: B.Brown, M.Brown, Tomlinson, Hunt IN: Weideman, Bedford, May, Hibberd

Haha I hear that. Ankles can be tricky though, they can be one of those injuries that ends up way worse the next day or so. I did mine a million times in both footy and basketball and it would vary from being able to pay out the game after a few minutes pain to not being able to play for weeks. My experience was the higher up the strain the worse it would be, which is why i wondered if that's maybe what happened to TMac.

Judging by the video above, Melksham and Rivers both playing for Casey, so you'd assume Brown in for TMac and Bedford as sub.