Bring-Back-Powell

So I’m guessing knocking players into next week is back in fashion if he gets off. Really hoping Cripps doesn’t replicate his 4 goal 30 possession game against us in the pre season, if he’s available.

We have a 2-10-1 record over Sydney since that brilliant day under Bailey. Needless to say we struggle big time against Sydney as you’ve pointed out above. We often go in as favourites and lose to them (see 2018, 2020 and 2022)

Clubs should cop an extra week for wasting everyone’s time if not successful. There should be a disincentive and risk to appeal a tribunal call if it’s just a matter of trying to get your best player to play on the Saturday.

A few.

The optimism in me has us playing Sydney at the MCG in week 1 in a qualifying final, with Collingwood facing the toughest assignment possible first up in the form of Geelong. The pessimist in me has us playing Richmond at the MCG in a week 1 elimination final. Then a date with Brisbane in a GABBA semi final if we get past RIchmond. So much revolves around the Sydney/Collingwood result.

Hate Geelong but more than happy for them to go full 2011 on Collingwood in the GF if we don't make it. That would be 2-11 (and 2 draws) in grand finals since 1966 - happy to be corrected on that stat.

Kane Cornes thinks we should go for Grundy. Says he'd be a significant upgrade on Jackson for the next two years, is a better ruckman than Jackson and feels sorry for the poor fella who's gone 10 rounds in the ruck with Gawn, only to then come up against a fresh Brody Grundy or vice versa Max Gawn. And that's not even accounting for the bounty of picks we'll get for LJ. I'll be annoyed if Geelong once again score a trade or draft pick over us (eg - Isaac Smith, Max Holmes)

As others have mentioned, Jackson may end up being the better player long term than Grundy, but it's hard to argue that Grundy wouldn't be an upgrade on LJ for next year. Grundy in 2021 - 19 possessions/4 marks/0.6 goals/32 hitouts per game Jackson in 2022 -- 14 possessions/3 marks/0.5 goals/10 hitouts per game. You could argue that the hitouts aren't comparing apples with apples as Grundy spent more time rucking in 2021 than Jackson has in 2022, however the goal kicking output looks way more favourable on Grundy as Jackson has spent way more time up forward. Jackson has been a disappointment when up forward this year, however in fairness is a more reliable shot for goal than Gawn. I'm all for the recruitment of Grundy if Jackson leaves.

With Carlton supporters going full doom and gloom mode, you'd imagine this crowd won't be as big as it was looking like it was going to be a month ago. There's also afternoon and evening rain predicted. I'm expecting low 50's. On a side note, it would be lovely to finally see a win live after attending the Geelong, Dogs and Pies losses recently. If we lose it would be the first time since 2014 (2020 aside) that we've lost every Victorian game from round 16 onwards in a given season.

Geelong interested too. They’ve already stolen Isaac Smith, Max Holmes and Brent Grgic off us.

Same time, same place, Thursday night?

His highest tally is 12 in a season (2021) so not overly great. But still 2 more goals than the generational talent that’s currently relieving Max in the ruck.

All fair points. And yes, I probably should've clarified that were parts of the second half where they didn't give us a sniff rather than the entire half. Agreed we had our chances in the opening minutes of the 3rd quarter to possibly break their spirit but as usual our lack of efficiency and poise cost us. However, I gave up trying write Collingwood off the day they couldn't have played any worse against North but yet still won. They may be on the same fairy tale path as we were last year. Sometimes you just have to shrug your shoulders and acknowledge that a team that goes 11-0 are the real deal, no matter how they get the job done. They may fail spectacularly come finals, however they play the G very well and have enough players who have been there and done it in September, particularly the 2018 campaign. (Sincerely Hope I'm wrong)

Since 2012 the average percentage of a grand finalist is 130. But on the other hand, winning is the most important KPI in this business and Collingwood have the second most of them. I feel as though the majority of non Collingwood people are finding any reason to write them off without actually realising that they're a damn good side that combines devastating offensive transition with rabid commitment to defence. They didn't give us a sniff in that second half. Those two key attributes will take them far in September. Perhaps a lack of A grade forwards might be their downfall. Not sure you can rely on Mihocek, Johnson, Elliott (who is A grade) and Ginnavin to get them through an entire campaign.

Thought this thread was going to discuss the merits of recruiting him as a second ruck.

Put a few bucks on a multi consisting of Brisbane- Fremantle - Collingwood to all win this weekend. It’s Paying $4.92 and it will probably come up considering barely any result has gone our way in the last month or so.

Happen to notice Collingwood's ratio by any chance? They look fit and play out games well.

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.