Bring-Back-Powell

One of the anomaly's of the final 8 system is that while 1st place has the advantage of playing the 4th ranked team in week 1, the second place team actually plays the 4th ranked team in the prelim if all week 1 and 2 results went according to ladder position. For example, Port who finished 1st last year ended up playing their prelim against Richmond (#3) rather than the lower ranked Geelong (#4) and lost accordingly Therefore if there was a massive gulf between #3 and #4, it's the second ranked team that actually benefits come prelim week assuming they win their qualifying final...if that makes sense. Moral of the story is that there is absolutely no difference between finishing 1st and second. \ Secondly, we're not playing like a top 2 side at the moment. Thirdly, I'd rather not have the hype that being top of the ladder provides.

As others have mentioned I wouldn’t mind Hunt playing as a forward this week. Unlike most of our list, Hunt can actually nail a set shot and takes a good mark while leading at out at full pace inside 50. Our inaccuracy finally cost us a game of footy and blokes like Hunt, BBB and Melksham can assist in this department.

Yeah fair call. Pies were certainly the better side on that day too. The point I was trying it make is that I can handle losing to GWS more than Collingwood as they’re a flat out better side than the Pies.

Have a sneaky feeling we’ll be playing GWS in week 1 finals at the G - 5th v 8th. And I’d expect we’d win that game.

Full credit to GWS. Can you remember them giving us any easy uncontested possession? The 3 holding the ball calls against Hunt in the last qtr were a clear reflection of their defensive appetite throughout the game. Unlike the Pies and Adelaide games, we were flat out beaten by a better side on the day that brought defensive intent and superb skills, as per Kelly and Whitfield goals.

Exactly. If we want to win a flag this year, we need to finish top 2. Finishing 2nd and playing Brisbane at the G is so much better than finishing 3rd and travelling to Brisbane. Therefore winning a game when your $1.20 favs is simply not negotiable.

Parish is a gun. Super impressed with how he’s going this year.

May was on Toby Greene at stages in round 3 and had goals kicked on him in the last quarter after Greene gave Jetta a bath. Finlayson needs attention. He’s an absolute dead eye around goals. I think they’ll really make us earn the win today and I hope we don’t them lightly. They’re a highly talented midfield on paper.

5 day break into Port would explain why BBB didn't get selected this weekend.

Essendon V Adelaide on a Friday night eh. Makes complete sense.... As this rate they'll be putting the Essendon V Sydney game on Friday night in preference to the Dees and Dogs in round 20.

12-14K. It's going to be a very small crowd. The fact that we're continually in and out of lockdown and constantly under crowd restrictions is really turning the non "die hards" off this year. Plus the ticketing issues and the fact that many people have gotten into a routine of watching at home since 2020. No club will be selling out their games anytime soon. Essendon couldn't even get 20K to their game last week which is surprising given their supporters were as up and about since their glory days of 2000.

Channel 7 news reported last night that our game is in the box seat for Friday night, but I take your point that Thursday night may be an option. Are Thursday nights locked in for the rest of the year? With clubs reluctance to play on 5 day breaks, perhaps we won't have many or any more.

Channel 7 news last night. Either Tom Browne or Stevo reported it.

Interesting that the AFL wants Dogs V Sydney to be the Friday night game next weekend rather than Port V Melbourne. However the Dogs are refusing their second 5 day break for the year meaning that Port V Dees will most likely now be the Friday night game. Clearly the AFL and/or channel 7 consider the Dogs as the more attractive side to put on prime time despite Port and Melbourne being closer on the ladder together than the Dogs and Sydney.

If the club thinks BBB isn’t AFL match fit, then why is he an emergency?

B Brown didn’t get selected

I wonder if Jess Hogan will be returning this weekend. 8 goals from 2 games he's kicked.

In dramatic breaking news Fremantle V Carlton now at the MCG on Saturday night. For those sticking around for the double header, you'll have leave the ground after the Dees game and then organise tickets for the night cap. https://www.afl.com.au/news/639760/double-header-is-go-freo-blues-venue-locked-in-as-afl-finalises-r16-puzzle First double header at the MCG since 1986. We beat Geelong by 7 points in the arvo game and North flogged the Bulldogs in the 5pm game according to AFL tables.

I’d take more pleasure in Collingwood’s demise if we were one of the long list of clubs to have actually beaten them this year.

I would never in a million years barrack for more cases to pop up in SA over the coming days but if they do, our game against Port will surely be moved. However, it sounds like further community transmission was unlikely with the existing cases and we’ll be playing over there next week. Moving the Adelaide squad to VIC was a probably a bit over the top by the AFL considering further transmission is unlikely.

Freo V Carlton highly likely at GHMBA on Saturday night. Won't affect us.

All 18 teams now in VIC. Even Adelaide who are supposed to be playing at home this Saturday in a state that currently isn't locked down. https://www.afl.com.au/news/639559/update-crows-power-off-to-victoria-as-sa-covid-cases-emerge Here's what my 18 team Melbourne hub looks like for round 17: Port Adel V Melbourne GMHBA - Thu 7:20pm Bulldogs V Sydney - Marvel - Fri 7:50pm Hawthorn V Fremantle - Launceston - Sat 1:45pm West Coast V North Melb -GMHBA - Sat 4:35pm Essendon V Adelaide - Marvel - Sat 7:25pm Carlton V Geelong - MCG - Sat 7:25pm GWS V GC - Ballarat - Sun 1:10pm Richmond V Collingwood - MCG Sun 3:25pm Brisbane V St Kilda - GMHBA - Sun 4:40pm

Yes, good point. TAS like to close their borders as quick as the best of them. That will be a dream scenario to play Port in VIC. Even Ballarat will suffice.

SA has had a family test positive. Lockdown imminent. We play Port over there, likely on Friday week. Could it moved to VIC or TAS (but hopefully VIC)??

I'd be flabbergasted if we miss top 4 with a 17-5 record. Would mean the other sides from 2nd to 5th are basically all going perfect for the rest of the H&A. WC and Adelaide missed top 4 in 2016 with a 16-6 record, but I'm almost certain a side has never missed top 4 with 17 wins in the 18 club era.