Bring-Back-Powell

I reckon Sydney are a real shot to be one of the grand finalist for this year. Collingwood or Geelong the other. We’ve just been far too inconsistent since round 11 and starting to lose games in Victoria on a regular basis to be considered a flag contender at this stage.

Freo look on tonight and have two bottom 4 sides to finish the season. We Might have to win 2/2 to finish ahead of them.

Not sure as supporters that we have the knowledge or insight to blame Selwyn Griffiths on the second half fade outs. But geez, you wouldn’t exactly be endorsing him either like the proven Darren Burgess.

Brisbane have a fantastic record at the Gabba so the odds would suggest they’ll beat us up there. However, we’re the best travelling side in the league so you may be correct and we do end up going 2-0 to end the season.

I have Brisbane and Sydney winning out, Pies going 1-1 and us 1-1. Geelong 18-4 Sydney 16-6 Brisbane 16-6 Collingwood 16-6 Melbourne 15-7 Fremantle 14-7-1 Bulldogs 13-9 Richmond 12-9-1 As others have mentioned, if we can get through Richmond or Bulldogs in week 1, we’ll likely have the Pies (or Geelong) in a packed MCG semi final and then on the road to Sydney or Brisbane for a prelim if we’re still alive. If we do face Collingwood again I hope we go in as under dogs with the pressure on Collingwood not to go out in straight sets.

Anyone get on the Collingwood/Geelong GF quinella that was paying $71 the day after Queens Birthday?

I’m more accepting of that loss than the Queens Birthday loss. Back in round 13 I considered Collingwood a flash in the pan side that fluked a 4 game winning streak and had the wood on us a bit. However I was sure we’d get one back on them later in the season. Last night, I think we just got beaten by a better side who are right in the thick of this year’s premiership. If you don’t think they’re better than us, go and firstly check the wins column on the ladder and then go and look at the recent record between Collingwood and Melbourne since round 23 2017. Sure their percentage is mediocre but I was alway taught that wins count more than percentage. I also think we as supporters make too many excuses against Collingwood. QBday- oh Petty, Turner and Gawn spent time off the ground Last night - Oh the umpires crucified us, they were too accurate etc… If Pickett and Gawn nailed their regulation goals then we would’ve won and no excuses would be required.

Would be lucky to be currently in the top 18 in the Bluey.

How do you have 93 more possessions but lose a game of footy? Pies are unfortunately the real deal and a few have been late to the party to acknowledge this. I’d be surprised if they don’t play in this year’s GF.

I feel the wet track will favour us more than them as it takes their fast/helter skelter offensive transition away from them a bit. I also feel that this post probably won't age well.

If Cox can't take a mark I'm not sure what else he provides? The two games he's destroyed us, it's been a dry track.

I wouldn't rule them out. They'll be seething from last week and Essendon aren't that good.

Arguably Hunt.

Yes am serious. Weid involves himself more as a pinch hitting ruck and is more of a goal kicking threat than Jackson when inside 50. Add in the minor detail that Jackson is having a terrible season when combining injury and the distraction that is his future. Would be lucky to be in the top 18 in the bluey.

Fair point. If Weid replaced Jackson as the second ruck tonight, how much worse would be off? I'd argue not much.

Agree with you to some point. We have an atrocious record against Sydney at the MCG (losing to them in 2018 and 2022) but did win our most recent meeting up there at the SCG in 2019 (but did lose to the Pies last year there) Was thinking more about the fact that after last year's lockdown, the club would be keen to have all of its finals in Melbourne so all can attend.

One thing you'll notice tonight is how insufferable the Collingwood supporter base are towards the umpires. By far the worst of all clubs. All it will take is one marginal free kick go against them or not paid to them in the first quarter and they'll all be out of their seats and booing the umpires for the rest of the game as if they've already cost them the game. Last week against Port, they booed and hurled abuse to the umpires in the AFL members both at half time and full time (despite actually winning the game) because they couldn't get over the fact that Ginnevan didn't get paid a free in the first 5 minutes of the game.

I think we're going to need to win all 3 games to finish top 2 as I can see Sydney going 3-0 and making up the percentage on us as they'll likely have a 10 goal + win against North on Sunday. Sydney have a very healthy percentage. Assuming we (unfortunately) go 2-1, the only way we could avoid a trip to Sydney in week 1 is if Collingwood beat Sydney next week. I'm sure Sydney will go at least 2-1 to finish the season unless they implode against St Kilda in round 23. Obviously the destiny is in our own hands tonight and the following two rounds if we want to finish top 2.

That was the very reason I was hoping Grundy would've returned this week at the expense of Cox. Will not be able stomach the "USA USA" chant if Cox has his way against us again.

I’m assuming Ed hasn’t referred to our recent 1-6 record against the side he’s just trashed talked.

Not too fussed with Langdon's comments except for the fact that we've been a disgrace against Collingwood since they knocked us out of the finals in 2017. Would've rather he trashed talked a team that we have solid record over.

In - BBB Out - Weid, Chandler Sub - Harmes I don't think Harmes has particularly been shooting the lights out since his mid season hammy (he was kicking a goal or two a week to start the season) but also acknowledge he brings versatility to the side.

Also missing one of his all time favourites: "They're not in this game, but they're not necessarily out of it either" In reference to a team that's down by 5 to 6 goals at three quarter time but have never really had a sniff. He also loves the "Snuck it in by a coat of paint"

I wonder if Collingwood have been loading, particularly around the time (round 17 and 18) they trailed North by 25 pints and couldn't put Adelaide away for the entire day.

Doesn't help that Collingwood have by far the most representation of all AFL Members. It can often resemble the Collingwood members reserve.