Lord Nev

You're massively overselling his options and opportunity mate. He wasn't 'going inboard', he was trying to win a contested ball and it to a player who 1 second before was right in front of him.

Mate, watch it again a few times, RIvers has it for a split second, doesn't even really gather it. He handballs to where Smith was standing facing him a second earlier but Smith has turned to find his man upon realizing he was miles away. Smith neither impacted the contest or stayed with his man. Poor mistake by him, which I'm sure he's learned from.

Rivers didn't have time to gather, look around, think about his options, he handballed it while still in the air to where Smith was standing a second earlier. Was a mistake sure, but Smith needed to either get involved in the contest or stick next to his man, he did neither.

Sure, Rivers got rid of the ball without checking if Smith was looking, but the goal would never have happened if Smith hadn't left his man open by 20 metres. I'm not a Smith basher, I don't think he was that bad tbh, but the first 2 goals were his fault IMO. Personally, I'd keep Smith in to play on Rohan if we end up playing Geelong.

Sorry mate, have watched it a ton of times and can't totally agree here. Smith gets drawn away from his man and towards the ball. He's neither on Cameron or attacking the ball so he's in no man's land. Initially Brisbane look like they're going to get it, and just before Rivers gets to it Smith realizes he's left his man and turns to try and find him which is when Rivers wins it and tried to dish the ball out towards Smith. The reason Cameron 'gets the break' on him is because Smith is nowhere near him. Sure, after that Smith won't be able to catch him, but that's entirely Smith's fault for not having any awareness and being indecisive.

Sorry mate, that's not correct, Cameron's first goal came after a long kick inside 50 that Brisbane won. Are you referring to the 2nd goal where Cameron gets it in the middle perhaps? If so, check the photo I posted in my next post, Smith's positioning in that contest was horrible.

After this goal, Smith can be seen gesturing to Salem and then after the bounce Salem is next to Cameron. This goal was either due to confusion about who was on him due to a switch not implemented properly or it was on Salem.

He's not "spreading from the contest". Riv turns it over, but look at Smith's positioning in relation to Cameron when it looks like Brisbane will win the ball.

Went back through the replay... Cameron Goal #1 - Smith is 100% on him. Standing right next to him with a hand on him as the ball is about to come in. He leaves Cameron to follow the ball, Cameron gets separation from him and kicks it. Poor by Smith, his fault. Cameron Goal #2 - Cameron is in the middle, Smith is with him. Smith gets drawn towards the ball and as it comes into the area he turns to get a hand check on Cameron, but it's too late and Charlie is off to the races. Poor by Smith, his fault. Cameron Goal #3 - Harder to tell, but looks like he was Salem's man at this stage. You can see Smith gesture to Salem after the goal and on the next play Salem is on Cameron. Salem's fault it seems. Cameron Goal #4 - Smith is on him. Goes to spoil but it comes to ground where Charlie is one of the best. Tough one, but potentially could have done better. Cameron Goal #5 - Free against Smith for holding. Just beaten by a smarter player in this one.

You could argue Bowey has a more 'wise head' than Hunt. Also, in terms of finals experience: Bowey 1, Hunt 0.

Should get minimum 2-3 weeks for this. Clearly intentional and an attempt to intimidate. Edit - apologies, just saw 'Mullets' post above.

Yeah agree that they'll try to get Hunt back in, hard call though hey? Smith is the obvious out, but I still feel he's a good matchup for Rohan, so don't know what we do there. TBH I prefer Rivers and Bowey to Hunt at the moment, both are just so much more 'safe' IMO. In saying that, for pretty much anyone but Geelong I would drop Smith for Hunt.

Ahhhhh gotcha, sorry. Ok, revised version: Geelong - Keep smith for Rohan GWS - Hunt in, Smith out

It's got to be dependent on who we play doesn't it? Geelong - Keep Smith in for Rohan Bombers - Hibberd in for Stringer, Smith out Dogs - Hunt in, Smith out

MFC membership/marketing whomever is usually in charge of this stuff absolutely nail it these days. Left in no doubt the importance of the members and supporters.

No, I called him 'crafty' ;)

Yeah, hate anyone who drops to their knees or ducks into tackles... Unless its Spargo, then it's just 'crafty' and he 'played it well'...

No late changes. Jordon and Mathieson the subs.

What a ridiculous thread and completely silly time to bring up the notion of umpire bias... It's like you're daring the Red Fox.

Can't believe they've already made this day his official day internationally too... https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/dog-day/

Smith. And if Cameron starts to fire then they can move May onto him and switch with Smith.

Never understood why people get so triggered by Champion Data. Their job is to to create, collect and provide stats. They do a bloody good job if it really, but some seem to think they 'get it wrong' or have no idea, but numbers don't lie, it's the context people don't get. They're just doing the stats and providing numerical analysis based on the stats.

Smith has been injured for the majority of this year though, so not sure that 'shows Goody's reluctance', especially given he was brought into the team not that long after he was available again after his knee injury. From memory, he started the year injured, then he only played a couple games in April before getting injured again and didn't return to any kind of footy until July. Given how few VFL games there's been in that time, I would argue the fact he's back into the AFL lineup after only a couple of games back from injury implies the opposite of 'reluctance'.