Bring-Back-Powell

The GWS, Freo and Essendon losses were pathetic on our part. The Carlton loss was our best performed loss of the year and definitely no shame in losing to them. Another poster suggested the Port loss was a silly loss, but we gave it our all that night in trying conditions against a team in red hot form.

Yes 4th place is likely our spot (assuming we win this week) so the Swans game would be a dead rubber. I wouldn’t rule out Freo beating Port if they’re near their best, but unlikely. Tonight’s result would’ve definitely played havoc with peoples ladder predictor.

For those thinking Collingwood could lose next week, just a reminder that they’re playing the team that beat West Coast and North by a combined margin of 10 points in their prior 2 games.

Wow didn’t think of that. That would make Sydney a critically must win if Pies lose next week.

I heard there was a bunch of illness and general soreness going around the club next week. Dunstan, Harmes and Jordon to take the opening bounce.

Good night top 2. Too many silly losses through to early July have cost us, when we went in as clear $1.20 favourites.

Do you think the AFL umpiring is out to get Melbourne, and only Melbourne?

Yeah, if Collingwood were hell bent on winning tonight, then they would have played De Goey. They could afford not to take the risk.

If Brisbane lose and we beat the Hawks, then I'll be cheering Fremantle on extremely hard on Sunday evening.

The number 1 priority is Carlton losing. If that occurs then we can pop open the champagne at 4:50 tomorrow afternoon and celebrate another top 4 finish. Hopefully Carlton "Carlton" it up as they usually do on the Coast. Port and Brisbane both losing and top 2 is back on the agenda. If it comes to a scenario where Brisbane lose, we win and then posters hope Port beat Freo for us to get a better draft pick at the expense of a top 2 spot, then I'd have to wonder where their priorities lie.

Possibly. Between round 17-20 he was averaging 6.5 marks and 2.5 goals a game. Last 2 games it's down to 2 marks and 0 goals per game. If that rolls into a third game, it might be curtains for him for the year with Fritsch likely back next week.

Tomlinson should come in. The Lever/May/Tomlinson defensive combination is undefeated since our win against GWS in round 17 2020 at the GABBA. The combination works effectively and I have no idea why the club deviates from it. Tomlinson is statistically one of the best one of one defenders in the AFL according to Champion Data, which enables Lever to have an intercept picnic.

Wished I put money on Freo at $8 at qtr time in our round 11 game.

Impressed.

Really hope Fritta gets up for round 24. It's a perfect opportunity to get the rust off and have a run around against a highly competitive side. The game could be a dead rubber if Brisbane and Port go a combined 4-0 and we beat Hawthorn, and therefore no pressure for him to contribute in a meaningful way. Then have a VFL game (if permitted) or a heavy training session in preparation for week 1.

You know it was going to be one of those years where we could manage a whopping 2 goals to 3 qtr time on a beautiful mid 20’s day.

Sydney did exactly that against St Kilda in round 23 last year (IMO) Cruised to an early 6 goal win, were headed towards second spot and a home final against the Dees. But they also realised that they matched up really well against us at the MCG and then noticeably took the foot off the gas in the last quarter and a half for an eventual 2 goal win. Otherwise you would've thought they'd continue to go hell for leather after their early lead, on the way for a big win over St Kilda and secure a week 1 SCG final.

And to think this game was supposed to be out end of season percentage booster... Suddenly you've got supporters of the third worst club in the AFL supremely confident of knocking off a 14-7 side

A Pies v Dees qualifying final just got a bit more real with that news.

Absolutely spot on. We probably have the worst forward line of the 5 contenders heading into the Hawthorn game this week. The only silver lining of Carlton taking our spot in the top 4 is we'll get two MCG finals in the elimination and semi finals, if we get that far.

I think posters might be underselling the difficulty of playing Port Adelaide in Adelaide in a week 1 final. I agree that Brisbane at the GABBA is probably the tougher proposition but Port in front of a hostile territory with Rozee, Butters and JHF potentially at their devastating best isn't exactly beer and skittles. Furthermore, our Adelaide oval record hasn't been good this year, compared to prior years, albeit both games have been wet. If we're not finishing second, let's finish 4th.

Saw a stat on one of the FOX footy programs suggesting they're hopeless when either of Sicily or Lewis doesn't play.

If there's a premiership at stake for them, maybe that will give them enough motivation to sustain their pressure for another 6 games. In fact they could get away with losing one of their last 2 games so they don't even have to be up for 14 straight games. Hope I'm wrong of course but that was the hardest and most impressive team we've played against this year.

Who thinks Carlton are a genuine premiership contender? Not just an honourable semi final contender but a team that go all the way.

Surprising we got more to Anzac Eve than Kings Bday given how well Collingwood were/are going. The Carlton home game only got 48,000 on a Friday night which will disappoint Pert and Co. That would have gotten 65K if Carlton weren't a disaster at the time.