Bring-Back-Powell

Excellent analysis. We'll never truly know how much of an impact that pathetic 10 day mid season break had on our 2022 and 2023 seasons but it could not have helped. The last time we went from a Kings/Queens B'day Monday to the next Saturday week (which is what's happening this year) was 2021 and that worked out quite well. Meanwhile I would hope we'll stay in Adelaide during our 5 day break and be as comfortable and rested as possible, compared to last year's Gather round travel schedule.

Are you referring to Daniel Turner possibly missing the first half of the season?

I know it's more than reasonable for you to be unable to find a spot for Schache, but if he can't get a game with T Mac, BBB, Petty, Fullarton and McAdam all (potentially) missing round 0 then he and the club should call it a day. He's a "break glass in case of emergency" player and round 0 is looking like an emergency at the moment. I feel as though I'm hyping up Schahce and will probably be set up for disappointment given his track record, but he's all we've got at the moment if those calf and foot injuries linger. Tomlinson should be in defence in round 0 as May/Lever and him work well and our excellent defence is what will keep us in the game. Has Turner ever played forward?

If Richo's 8 weeks is correct, Fullarton should be available for Casey selection by the end of March/early April.

Anyone remember the day Schache kicked 3 goals in the last quarter against Hawthorn in 2019, as the Dogs came back from 30 points down at 3 qtr time to get the win? He kicked 4 goals for the day and was hailed the hero in that win. In the last 3 games of the home and away that year he kicked a total of 8 goals to help the Dogs sneak into the finals. Schache also played some good footy in late 2021, some as a defender including the win over us. He's clearly a confidence player and seems to lose it at the drop of a hat. I can't see how he's not a regular in the opening month. If you dislike or can't stand him as a player, you better get used to him.

Goody's going to be earning his money trying to solve the forward line issue for the first couple of games. He did extremely well in adapting after Fritta went down last year but this is absolutely next level. I would be very surprised if T Mac and McAdam are available if they have confirmed calf issue strains. The remaining forwards such as JVR, Fritta, Spargo, Chandler, Schache, Billings and ANB are all going to have to pick up the slack and play at their highest possible level if we're some sort of chance to beat Sydney. And the mids are going to have to make their lives easier compared to last year's finals.

Touch wood our defence is looking in outstanding shape heading into the season in terms of options, so we have the luxury of putting T Mac in the forward line to start the season. Not ideal but T Mac could still be capable of a 3-4 goal game at his best.

So a potential round zero forward line missing Petty, Pickett and McAdam (if his fitness isn't up to scratch) HF ANB JVR Spargo F Fritsch Schache Chandler And our forward line will be even smaller when Schache or JVR relieves Gawn. That Kozzie suspension will punish us for the Sydney game. He could've made the forward line his own based on what we saw in the second half of the Carlton final. Maybe they have no choice but to start T Mac in the forward line after all.

I forgot about that. Still irks me that the opposition's sub played a role in the last quarter, particularly in the match winning goal sequence while our sub sat on the pine the entire night. Oh well, we move on...

When the Pies beat Richmond in the 2018 prelim, did anyone go to sleep that night with a fleeting thought that 2018 could be our year? Richmond were absolutely the team to beat in that 2017-2020 era and if felt as though the door was kicked wide open for Pies, WC or us to win the flag. As others have mentioned, the 2018 finals at the G were amazing nights, particularly the Geelong game. Hopefully in 2024 we can finally once again win a final at the G as it's humiliating to be on the receiving end.

My prediction is that Melksham will be back for the North game in round 15 or Brisbane game in round 16. https://www.afl.com.au/news/1074815/brisbane-lions-tom-doedee-on-track-to-return-from-acl-injury-as-early-as-round-three-against-collingwood Using Tom Doedee (Brisbane defender) as an example above, he's targeting the final weekend of March as his return AFL game since doing his ACL in early June 2023. Essentially 10 months. Melksham did his knee in late August 2023. If you use Doedee's recovery time as an example, that puts Jake in the frame for a mid-late June AFL return. To add to that, I don't believe they'll be conservative with his recovery time due to his age, it might be his last chance at a flag and our forward line functions better to far better when he's in the side.

I reckon Max Gawn has been injured "in game" twice in his career. The Geelong game at Marvel in 2017 when he did his hammy and of course the Lions game in round 2 last year. Instead of using Schache as sub to serve only as a "break glass" for Gawn, the club should have played the odds and assumed Gawn would not get injured and play a smaller running type player - as Carlton did with Hollands. It was a warm night and we could have done with some fresh run late. However, as @old55 touched on earlier, we blew our premiership chances in the Pies final rather than the Carlton final. Collingwood were too good and too tough for us prior to the Maynard incident when finals are at their hottest, and also had all the answers in the third quarter when we were trying to come back. They were too good for us that night despite popular opinion.

Unfortunately Sam Walsh was phenomenal against us in the semi which didn't help matters.

Anyone know if Foxtel are showing the match simulations (Melbourne V Richmond on 18 Feb) even though they are exclusively KAYO telecasts? Last year the answer was yes, but not in 2022.

If Hunter misses and Windsor were to play round zero, I could see Brayshaw (thanks to his versatility) and Windsor sharing/rotating on one of the wings. When Windsor's on the wing, Brayshaw spends time in the centre or on the bench. I would imagine Windsor would get low minutes and then be subbed off if he isn't dominating. I couldn't see Windsor having a full game on the wing based on what I saw last Friday, and probably not a game full stop. Having said that, Laurie played the final praccy game against Richmond, looked miles off the pace, but was selected for round 1 last year. Billings could also be an option to play minutes on Hunter's vacant wing.

I thought these 4 guys had quiet match simulations last Friday, good to see positive signs today.

The SCG is really easy to get to from the CBD on game day. Just hop on a light rail tram in the city and it virtually takes you right to the front door. Getting back to the city on the other hand after the game.....massive lines to get back onto the light rail. Last year (round 24) I cheated by walking over the bridge and somehow getting a bus on Anzac Parade straight away.

And that's why the majority of the Port fan base are in disbelief that Hinkley is still in charge.

Hope not. Surely other clubs are copping niggles every other training session. A corky is a relief for Viney. May is injured every pre season Petty is however a concern for the early rounds given he's still not in full training. Hopefully Hunter gets himself right. He was good in the Carlton final.

He was also outstanding in last Friday's match sim. Looks ready for a big year.

Where did most people have us in Feb 2021? Maybe the players might perform better with lesser expectations. All the pressure is on Carlton to win the flag. Are they up to it?

Even though it feels like it's the end for BBB, he technically should be available for Casey for the VFL season opener, and if all goes well, AFL selection by say round 4/Gather Round. That's if Richo's 6-8 week recovery is on the money.

I watched 3x 15 minutes quarters and he probably took 1 or 2 marks for the entire game up forward and missed a set shot. Maybe he fired up in the last quarter. Interesting to note that PF has talked him up 2 or 3 times this year in his training reports. There is definitely an opening for him if he's good enough to take it.

Sounds like these two have a bit of work to do if they want to be in round zero calculations. McAdam was stationed at full forward in Friday's match sim and was very quiet unless the ball was in his area. Compare that to his days in Adelaide where he often played further up the ground.

Needs to be our “quarter back” this year. He needs to use his elite kicking from defensive 50 and make that surgical pass into the middle of the ground to set up our next goal from defence. I’ve got a feeling that he and Laurie are going to have big years.