Jjrogan

If Gawn is fully fit, he will give Hickey an absolute bath around the ground. Huge class difference. But Gawn's been copping some serious whacks in marking contests in recent weeks. Its not ok to strike a guy in the jaw with a fist but its ok to use your forearm and slam his head the guise of spoiling??? The umps need to pay attention.

The match committee has been reticent to make changes all year and doubt they will to a team 7-0. I think baker and tomlinson will be the only outs to make way for sparrow and weed. Im not as down on the game as most. North had a game plan and executed to amazing precision in that first half. Melbourne readjusted and won the 2nd half by 50 points. That's impressive from the coaching and playing group imo. sort of win that give the club belief and confidence and a wake up call that nothing is easy or a gimme.

Baker has been putrid entering 50. He's a total liability with the ball in his hands meanwhile north are hitting target after target. Pray he doesnt touch it next half and we might have a chance.

I'll set the over/under on the game time it takes for concern about his lack of tackling and pressure at 4 minutes. Luckily, he replaces Melksham whose line is usually set at 2 minutes. 3/4 goals a game is his key benchmark imo.

This is exactly right. And if you have a look at the "1st round" picks available in those drafts we might realistically have taken, its a whole bag of nothing. Lever in the hand was worth 2 in the bush unquestionably.

I agree. Constant rule changes. Longer quarters. Been ok. Sure they've missed some howlers but that happens every single year in every sport that has ever existed. They're professionals but so are the players and they [censored] up all the time (and by a lot more). Just because you're paid to do something doesnt mean you wont make mistakes. But its easy and carthartic to whinge so play on i guess.

Not once, but twice he was at the end of a 'fast break' for a goal. Gets to so many contests for a ruckman he will be unstoppable in a few years time if not sooner

And if so, who? Hibberd?

I would. Perhaps i was being a little generous with his goals (19 in 13 games last year) but all im suggesting is that if he kicks his two and contributes a bit here and there thats all we should be expecting to get. Maybe he lays a tackle. Maybe he doesnt. (6 in 13 games last year). I see Ben Brown a match winner brought in for these mature elite defences and for me he is unquestionably the better option, especially since Goodwin has declared them both fit. And agreed with most that we cant bring in both this week.

I like the guy, but I hope all the people automatically putting Weid in for his one day out in the vfl s ok for a 11 disposal, 3 mark, 2.1 goal performance if he gets selected. Thats basically been his output bar a handful of games in his 40 odd game career and there's no reason to expect more. So please no slagging him off for dropped marks or being ineffective when the ball hits the deck!!!

David Mundy is on the other side of 35 and still considered elite by the coaches. Respect.

ok, Weid had a day out today, but from all reports did not get near it last week. I dont see how he has enough runs or consistency on the board to merit selection over a coleman medalist playing against the men of Richmond. No one would suggest he is the better player or have more upside. If both are fully fit, he cant be picked first imo.

When you read other supporters' opinions, the one thing that stands out is the almost universal praise and consideration for Gawn. Very, very few players get that level of respect from opposition fans. He is a class above and the best for a generation at least.

G train played a year or two down back early in his career iirc .

Forward or not, beside the point i think. Showing so much potential in the ruck and stoppages, I suspect he'll be a top 3 ruckman once his career blossoms. Imperative to sign him for a long term extension. 17 other clubs would happily pay overs to have a footballer like him on their list.

Bad joke. Better said, playing North will boost everyone's percentage and scoring stats this year.

Our present scoring efficiency (46 %) versus the opposition's (61% ) is about as extreme as it gets. Any reversion to the mean will be welcomed. Overall we're started the year very strong and balanced. Our ratio of scoring shots to opposition is actually only second best because the doggies had a bye last week. If we dominate the midfield one of these weeks it has potential to be a blow out.

It does not count in cricket. Andy Bichel carried the drinks 19 times. He also, by coincidence, officially played 19 test matches. (Not recorded as 38 caps)

I dare say he is the one fringe player that could afford a poor game. There's almost no chance the club he's been a loyal part of and sacrificed for 15 years strand him on 298 or 299 games. Beyond that, his spot is up for grabs agree.

Our ability to 'connect' was decent last week and if not for errant kicking in the last quarter we'd have won by 6-7 goals. Glass half full for now. With Viney back the midfield will bounce, we play the ground well, handled their small brigade last time and our stars edges theirs. Demons by 5 goals and stay in the top 4.

MFC average pull from a Freo home match in recent years is around 23k. The 'excitement' of first game of year and 'footy is back' clearly offset by interstate supporters couldn't travel. Others definitely chose to stay away from crowds. Fair nuff. Crowds were down across the weekend for every match vis a vis historical levels (even factoring in caps) So really, the 21k is pretty much bang on reasoned expectations. Everyone cant be hating their team and sending a message surely.

Kelly is out for 12 mandatory days due to an avoidable bump causing a concussion. (And he missed the rest of the game) The starting point for suspension has to be that surely. How can the concussed played be required to miss more game time that the deliberate bump infringer?! 2 minimum. 3 right length (and message). 4 if the players involved were reversed.

Oliver. Close thread.

On paper, we bat (marginally) deeper than them. 7 goals to 4 gets it done. Top of the ladder here we come.

Looking at their forward line, ill be positive and predict we shall sit atop the afl ladder for the first time in 16 years? 7 goals to 3.