Great Northern Summer

He had three clear chances to kick goals. Chances that were all far above 50/50 chances. If he nailed all of them, which he should have, we’d be praising his game. He’s putting himself in the right spot to get shots on goal, he’s just got to finish well. This is more than we can say about others, who’ve been in worse form and been liabilities for a lot longer (namely Neal-Bullen)

Jackson has played two good games this season that I can remember - both the Brisbane games - so he is a must this week. I’m sure he’s played another few satisfactory games but out of 22 or so he’s played, he’s been borderline pathetic. He’s only been getting a game really because lack of alternative options, and also to ensure his trade value remains high (I.e. hard to justify maximum compensation for someone leaving when they’re not getting a game).

Best outcome for us, but can't see Freo beating Swans at the SCG. I think we are on the better side of the draw now and probably prefer a PF against Geelong rather than Collingwood anyway. Geelong are relatively predictable, not overly quick, nor is their pressure any better than ours. Collingwood have everything Geelong don't, which is hit or miss, but we've noticed it's been a hit against us recently

Still picking a Swans v Demons GF. Said it before the game yesterday regardless of the result. Today just reaffirmed this - Geelong aren't that good. Also think Freo could genuinely knock off Collingwood next week, albeit it only extends either's season by a week

Bowey for Salem (gone completely backwards from last year and only getting a game on name only) and someone/anyone for Neal-Bullen (been a liability for months now). Maybe Chandler/Bedford/Dunstan? We really need another tall though but who do we have? Very tempting to go with TMac, maybe we have to give the Weid one final opportunity? Melksham’s game was just about a career worst if that is possible, but he’s been relatively good over the past month, so can’t just drop him.

Reckon Hibberd and Melksham will be keen to sign one year extensions. Both clearly can go around again, even if not in our best line up next season. Good to have around given we are in the window and need proven depth.

The only debate now is who will be our medi-sub for the Sydney game (and probably the rest of the finals), as Salem will replace Bowey, otherwise we will be unchanged. Unless there are injuries, there won’t be any changes, as Goodwin has never changed anything that doesn’t need to be changed. He’s spoken about continuity as a reason for improvement and success. I doubt one game would necessarily dent anyone’s spot in the side for the Prelim/Semi anyway. He won’t drop Neal-Bullen for the first time in two years in the finals if he hasn’t already. Bearing injuries, the only player I can see making way for anyone is Spargo, given his low numbers, but his use of the ball is first class and I can’t see Goodwin axing him either to be fair. Maybe TMac as medi-sub, as he can play anywhere really? His return probably dents any prospect for Joel Smith too. I’d be happy to go this way, orherwise Bowey, pending the situation and opposition.

Nah, let’s hope Collingwood lose this week and then to Freo the week after! I actually think that will happen too. They can’t ride this luck for much longer - not looking at all 9 of their 11 wins by under 10 points, but just 3 of the most recent - Essendon, us and Carlton - they only won those games because of idiotic mistakes from the other sides and being super lucky that everything fell their way. Take those three wins away and they’re barely a top 8 side. Freo will knock them off here just you wait and see!

I watched Collingwood in Lagos (Portugal), Carlton in Agadir (Morocco) until I literally had to leave four minutes before the end to get a 1pm pre-arranged taxi to the airport (where I was reconciling myself with a loss) and Brisbane in London, all through the Watch AFL app. Fortunately (from a watching perspective, not a lifestyle one), I’ll be back in Melbourne for the Sydney final.

After entering the MFC barcode it then prompts you to say whether you’re a Melbourne or Sydney member. You can actually click Sydney and all of a sudden you get access to far more and better seats that haven’t been taken, and buy them. Only issue is you’ll be stuck sitting with Sydney supporters (could be a lot worse of course).

Are you presuming we would lose to Sydney and win the semi then?

Would rather the inverse because that way, this will be the most likely Preliminary Final scenario - a more desired outcome

If we win against Sydney in the first week of the finals (most likely match) and Carlton win’s tomorrow, we will most likely be playing Freo or Brisbane at the MCG in a preliminary final. This is an ideal outcome. Winning that first final is ever so important.

More recently probably the WCE win in Perth in 2018

I was at Lords today and I can go one degree better, it was 26! Will be watching from my iPad tomorrow morning ready to be back for finals.

Maybe just bring Weid in for Brown and keep the current set up. Brown isn’t offering much with his one arm in the air mark attempts and running under the ball all the time. At least Weid has more potential atm

If we lose to Brisbane, we need two of Carlton to beat Collingwood, GWS to beat Freo and St Kilda to beat Sydney to happen. I realistically think the first is more likely than not, the second not a long shot at all as GWS are great when they’re on, they’re at home, and might put one last effort in for the coach. The last is very unlikely as St Kilda are way off with an unreliable full-forward, albeit they would have beaten the Lions if they kicked accurately. If we win, it’s simple, Sydney at the SCG in all likelihood. Don’t see that as an issue, esp with the pre-finals bye meaning no consecutive weeks of travel, plus the added incentive to win that and get another week off before a home preliminary final, potentially even against Freo (based on my ladder predictor).

He’s having a great game but he’s missed three sitters still which might be costly. Were they not sitters? We must be watching different games

The man who has missed three sitters

A rare time I’m not at the game, watching in Morocco on an iPad. I have noticed Brayshaw, when he gets it, just rushes it onto his boot and often shanks it. So many of these times he could give it off or use a better option but just rushes.

Get Jordan off now. Killing us.

Gotta call it as I see it. We’ve had an absolutely blessed run with injuries. Had a few players out here and there earlier in the season, and a few banged up, but we’ve basically been full strength for over a month now, with only TMac out of our best 22. It’s not exactly like TMac is one of our AA players either, albeit he’s important to the team’s structure. That being said, missing the top 4 would really be a massive underachievement and questions would need to be raised. Yes, the fixture is flawed (ie Geelong getting two wins for free due to double-ups against North and WCE). Carlton are also getting a bit heckled at the moment, but they’ve got 1/3 of their list out, and were not reigning premiers. I expect us to win our last two and finish 2nd (getting enough % to finish higher than Sydney). We will then be at the same position as last year really, home finals right through. My reasoning for this is our form over the last two weeks. We win that Collingwood game 9 times out of 10. Despite looking at issues we need to fix (like anyone does after a loss), if we got over the line, we’d be lorded for such a powerful performance. The ultimate result was a massive abnormality and here’s hoping it proves to be a massive wake up call that wasn’t too late.

I guess you’re in WA? I just booked myself a ticket to the Freo game next weekend. I happen to be in town for the game. I can’t believe how ridiculous the stadium’s prices are! Hopefully we have a few supporters there converted from last season.

Why not? It was this coming weekend last year when we lost to the Bulldogs at the MCG and ‘experts’ were writing us off because of our forward line woes. We then went 4-0 before the finals. Granted, this season we have a harder draw on the run home, but we’ve set ourselves up very well for a top 2 spot, and at worst a top 4 spot. We travel very well too, so winning in Perth/Bris isn’t a concern (as I’m sure we will see in coming weeks). We have almost a full squad to pick from. Unless we cop a bad injury run on the way home, or have games where our perennial inaccuracy actually costs us games, we will be fine. Last year, most couldn’t decide between about 4-5 sides for the flag a week or so out from the finals. This season, once all has been said and done, it’s probably down to two sides (Geelong and us). I can’t see Freo or Bris winning a final at the MCG, and ultimately I don’t think Syd are talented enough. I still don’t know why people are getting carried away with Geelong being a different team this year, except their players being a year older, which isn’t a positive with their ages group. They don’t play a finalist this year twice, whilst they get double-up games against Nth and WCE, which is automatically two extra wins plus percentage gift over other similar sides (such as us). I saw enough in the Brisbane win to know what we will do when it matters. That wasn’t long ago. Geelong won’t be able to defend this. When we are at our brutal best in the midfield and winning clearances with quick ball movement, all of a sudden our forwards have space and we get shots on goal - this will happen.

3-2 with our percentage will almost certainly guarantee us top two, unless our wins don’t include Freo or Bris. 2-3 should almost guarantee top 4 given teams are playing each other in the 8. In saying that, we want to win these games against fellow finalists and build momentum rather than limp into the finals.