Bring-Back-Powell

Assume they finish 5th, they'll still have to win a semi or prelim in Brisbane or Adelaide. Venues they've been utterly atrocious at over the last few years, including this year. At the moment they're playing a finals brand of footy, but they'll have massive obstacles to get over, past week 1.

Agreed. There might be some mystery injuries and illnesses into the Sydney game if that scenario arises. I think it will be the least upset I'll ever be after a loss (aside from the Jordon McMuffin shenanigans in 2009) if it means we finish 4th and play week 1 at the MCG where we are 10-2 for the season as opposed to beating Sydney and copping an interstate trip at prospective venues we have not played well at this year.

To contradict myself and the MFC website, tickets went on sale this afternoon on Ticketek. Not cheap at $57 incl booking fee to sit in the opposition area.

We're 17-0 since the second last game of 2020 when May, Lever and Tomlinson all play in the same side. These include wins this year over the premiers elect and the same team that we lost to on the weekend. Can someone please explain why we abandon this formula at the drop of a hat?

Yeah it’s definitely not a football first decision by our club. Hopefully we get rid of it some time in the near future.

Port probably have second locked up, and the all important home final, if they can beat Freo on the road next week.

Unlike our last 5 opponents since the GWS loss, Carlton went the full distance in terms of defensive pressure. Definitely 2017 Richmond/2021 Melbourne vibes about them. Credit to us for never giving up but we’ve probably blown top 2.

Agreed. We proved in 2021 that you don’t need to serve a final’s apprenticeship to win a flag.

Crows by a point at half time. Dare to dream?

As the great David King once said, it’s not who you play, it’s when you play them. Essendon in gather round being a prime example.

Adelaide missing their 3 most important defenders in Doodee, Butts and Murray. Be hard to see how they can contain Brisbane’s dangerous attack.

Essendon ahead of Geelong on the ladder despite being belted twice by them. Sometimes the ladder lies.

I actually agree the poster. J Daicos is the best winger in the AFL. He was All Australian last year and will earn another this year. He’s an absolutely brilliant player.

Speaking of Melbourne being banged up in last year’s finals series. Did anyone hear Fagan on SEN the other week on “Fireball Friday”? He mentioned that Brisbane were severely banged up in their semi final against us and that they were out of juice for the following week’s prelim V Geelong. Perhaps we just weren’t good enough in September last year.

I think the Saints are bit of a show against Geelong next week being at Marvel, but yeah, Geelong are near certainties to play finals. Tonight was not a “must win” for Geelong.

Win/loss for the final 3 games that would see Brisbane finish first: Bris 3-0 Melb 2-1 Coll 1-2 Port 2-1 Not overly likely, but not out of this earth unrealistic either.

That's a tremendous crowd if it happens considering we couldn't get 50K to our home Friday night game in round 12.

There's a scenario which involves Collingwood finishing second and us finishing third. But that likely ends if Collingwood win tonight.

Probably better for us if Collingwood lose to Geelong tonight. It give us more options. 1) We will likely finish higher than Collingwood on percentage if we go 3-0 and they go to 1-2, and therefore securing a top 2 spot. 2) Should us and Port go 2-1, Collingwood go 1-2, and Brisbane go 3-0, we would finish third and play second placed Collingwood. Don't mind that scenario at all.

I wouldn’t hate De Goey and Trac alternating between mid and forward.

I think Melksham played on Weitering late last year and he played his career best game with 4 snags.

In - Tomlinson, Oliver Out - Petty, Harmes, Hibberd (to start as sub again) Using the template of the Brisbane game when we kicked 16 goals without Petty in the forward line. 1) Joel Smith takes BBB's spot as one of our tall forwards. 2) Tomlinson takes Petty's spot as the third tall defender. May and Lever are a disaster without that supporting key defender that Tomo or Petty provides. Hibberd's a good sub option as Goodwin can assess which Carlton forward is doing the most damage. Hibberd can come and curtail that forward and perhaps sub out Tomlinson if we're too tall. Tossed up between JJ or Harmes making way for Clarry. Went Harmes as he's just too incompetent with the footy these days. The two poor misses against Richmond or the kicking out of bounds on the full from a 10 metre chip pass on the wing against North last week amongst his other clangers. Goodwin would make a great poker player if he selects Grundy. His demeanour and body language have been getting less and less enthusiastic about the potential of Grundy's return as each week has passed.

BBP's doomsday (but not unrealistic) scenario based on a loss to Sydney in round 24: PORT - beat all of GWS (h), Freo (a), Richmond (h) MELBOURNE - beat Carlton, thrash Hawthorn, lose to Sydney BRISBANE - beat Adelaide, lose to Collingwood, beat St Kilda. Finish 3rd and play interstate against Port (2nd) instead of finishing 4th and playing Collingwood at the G because our percentage bested Brisbane's.

Americans say "Could care less" Australians say "Couldn't care less" Not actually sure which term is correct.

If nothing else at least we know we've got a serious forward line next year of Petty, JVR, Fritta, Kozzie and Chandler. Compare that to last pre season where a lot of our eggs where in the T Mac and BBB questionable basket.