Bring-Back-Powell

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.

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.