Bring-Back-Powell

I agree with that. Our fixture has been the schedule from hell and totally uneven. 5 games away from the G and travel to Adelaide, Geelong, Alice Springs and Perth in that 5 week period. It had to have impacted us in some way. On topic, interesting that our third quarters were largely dominant in the first 10 games, in which we played 7 of them in Melbourne. Lately our third quarters have largely been even with the oppo but getting run over in the last quarter. I think travelling has something to do with our fadeouts. We seem to be galvanised on our interstate trips but run out of juice the week after we get back.

I think you mean Collingwood. He'll get 2 weeks IMO but obviously will be challenged at the Tribunal. Be interesting if Carlton take it to the appeals on Thursday should the tribunal uphold the suspension.

Since 2012 (18 team comp) the average percentage of a grand finalist is about 130. Our percentage last year was 131 and the Dogs had an impressive 133. Since 2012 the grand finalist with the lowest percentage was Richmond with only 113 in 2019, and their opponent GWS wasn't much better with 115. That year was a complete outlier compared to other years where the GF teams had much higher percentages. It would defy all logic if Collingwood make this year's GF, but they likely do make it IMO.

I hope SWYL doesn't read this post. He thinks we only won the flag because Jackson played the best quarter of footy in living memory, and that he's going to be the best player of all time. On a side note, Nathan Buckley on SEN has urged us to ask for Griffen Logue in return and thinks he could significantly improve our forward line next year.

Can’t see it happening. Saints just aren’t the same without Paddy Ryder. They have a heavy reliance on him.

Hoping Howe joins the exclusive two time grand final losing club later this year.

Bulldogs can still make the finals if they beat GWS and Hawthorn and Carlton lose to us and Collingwood. They would probably get them on percentage.

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.