The Jackson FIX

Really? Only 1 player in 720-odd wins the Brownlow each year... he has had a handful (at most) of excellent games in his career. Travis Johnstone says hi by the way.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m excited to see him play but he’s not Chris Judd.

A skilled midfielder? Sure. Someone who has never played a final? We’ve had plenty of both.

Not sure poor old Weid would survive the Demonland-lynching in the likely event of a goalless outing against Weitering. Play Jackson for confidence. Or play Brown - it’s the sort of side he would feast on.

Hannebery at 2? Breust ahead of Shuey? Walters ahead of Beames? I’m already looking forward to the 2008-redraft redraft in 12 years’ time.

Waiting to see if we will ever get the ‘connection between mids and forwards’ right is annoyingly similar to the wait for Ben Simmons’ jump shot.

Marvel

We’ve got Carlton it appears. Saturday twilight.

Think this matter might be more ‘private’ in nature than some of the more sinister assumptions people are making. Still pretty f’d up though.

Our bigs are clear bottom-4 in the air. Our smalls don’t apply anywhere near enough pressure. Disastrous mix, sadly.

China had 19 cases once upon a time. Whilst there are concerns for mortality rates in the elderly/sick, my understanding is their biggest fear is the health system collapsing... and toilet paper running out

Oh dear, two pages on a light-hearted, unfunny comment from an opponent/ex-player. Bounce the ball please ump.

I’d like to buy a pair but concerned I’ll just spray the pill when I wear them

Hasn’t Salem been diagnosed with something similar before? I thought it was a long term thyroid issue he has to manage which is controlled via medication.... Not sure if there is a link to glandular or not but it derailed him for a significant period from memory

Claimed he attended the Carlton/Brisbane pre-season match on Sunday... not inconceivable he just woke up in the Robert Heatley stand after a heavy Saturday night at the Great Northern

Anyone catch AFL360 last night? Robbo was bordering incoherent, like a drunk man debating footy and life at the pub. He can barely remember players’ names let alone provide a balanced, robust assessment on the order of their standing in the game.

I’d go really small and quick against West Coast. Our forward line looked the best it has in a long time when Melk and Frit we’re isolated up there with the ball coming in quick. The game plan needs to revolve around that, not trying to find the ‘right’ big man to be there when we bomb it in (Wet Toast’s backline will towel us up if your entry looks anything like that).

Struggling to understand the Hibberd hate. Strange really, perhaps some aren’t watching the game properly. Pretty sloppy and boring footy on the whole (pre-season, makes sense) and nothing to suggest either side should be flag favourites HOWEVER; - our wing-recruits seemed to do the job they were brought In to to do - Jackson showed some. He has extremely long and sticky fingers in ruck contests. Will be a proper tap ruckman as well as a second-effort ruckman one day which will be dangerous - Geeze we looked different up forward when we moved it in quickly on the rebound. Beginning to understand why they’re tinkering around with the half backs (on top of recruiting new wings) - Petracca looks 48% smarter than previous years (on top of improved fitness). His footy IQ was never obvious but he did some really smart things tonight. - Best game from Viney in 18 months

Not sure I understand this one. His standout games have all been when he is led to the ball. I just feel we have other options to try in this rebounding HB role. Would prefer him in a more regular midfield rotation - taking some defensive pressure off Oliver/Trac/Brayshaw and allowing all three of them to rest forward more regularly (well, Trac and Oliver at least).

Behind paywall. Title of article not ideal

Sadly, I think his best footy coincided with a period when we ran two off half back (him often being one) to create numbers around the contest up the field. I miss those days...

the between the lines in here is interesting; - pert has time to ‘start construction’ on homebase. nothing in there about when the deal gets done, its all about the first brick that gets laid - goody has no time... not lots of wiggle room when you say ‘finals every year’. the Pres can’t miss the first clear goal and not take a scalp

I’m curious why Nev isn’t firmly in the conversation. The guy is a great story and seemingly well-loved. Perhaps from the inside is quieter than we are aware of but he represents grit and resilience, qualities we’ve lacked the span of our premiership drought.

Not convinced his physical condition has been his greatest impediment... I hope he is focusing as much on keeping his mind ‘switched on’ as he is on dropping a few kilos