Bring-Back-Powell

Expecting a mid season drop off like we did in 2018 - (Pies, Port and Saints losses in June 2018). But the big difference is this year we’ve banked far more wins than we did in 2018 which puts us well in the frame for a top 4 finish. The club has shown far too much in the first few weeks to throw it all away like North did in 2016. There appears to be a massive emphasis and a premium placed on defence, unselfishness, and being mentally in the game for 4 quarters. Characteristics that describe the best sides and certainly not the MFC of the modern era.

I reckon Fritsch got the number 1 defender in Rampe last week. Might go some way to explaining his poor performance.

If no more cases drop then it should be ok.

I don't think Fritta's head was in the game ever since he was offered the 1 week. That's the only way I could explain his diabolical performance. It was by far the worst individual performance from an MFC player this year. It made Jones's effort against Hawthorn look half decent. It got to the point where I was looking to Goodwin to take him off the ground in the second half as his errors and lack of intensity was at risk of costing us the game. He has credits in the bank but he'd want to lift his performance this week.

I just don't get it. Sutton comes out yesterday to complain that complacency has crept back into society, re: COVID. And yet he ticks off having level 4 of the Southern, Olympic, and Ponsford stands closed, which as you say promotes crowding. Sunday should get 45,000, and with the top levels closed, there won't be many empty seats in the lower levels, and thus no social distancing.

No issues if they get one. They look like a 1-21 side. It would take a calamity of a performance for a team to lose to them this year. GC have been rubbish for 10 years and they've received a couple of late.

This is becoming a joke IMO. Rain once again predicted on Sunday and yet 30 rows of seats undercover are closed off. Please MCG - open up the top level of the southern stand FCS.

For those advocating for Harmes to be dropped, the coaches essentially voted him the fourth of fifth best player of the night. He won't be dropped.

Yeah you're right. In 1998 we wore blue socks in a win up there at the SCG. I barely noticed the socks on the weekend as basically every player in the league has their socks down aside from Buddy, Tex Walkers and Joe Daniher.

Maybe look to rest 1 or 2 against Adelaide as we have back to back 6 day breaks after Carlton.

Can't imagine we'll be able to afford a big fish after all the re-signings we've managed.

“Treloar slams the door shut” - Brian Taylor in reference to a Doggies goal that brings them within 19 pts (as opposed to kicking the sealer) Geez BT says some strange things.

Hannan hasn’t been good in his 1 and a half games for the Dogs, at this point.

Over the last 30 years the club has certainly had better forward lines. But there’s no way known we’ve had a better defence than this years squad IMO.

We beat him in 2019 at the SCG.

Maybe leave a few for T Mac.

2010. We’re about 3-9 at the MCG against Sydney since 2000

Have a gut feel we’re going to have our first close finish of the season. Either side by a point.

Be very interested to see how a BBB, T Mac, Fritta, resting ruckman forward line functions.

The names of Harmes, Melksham and Sparrow aren’t going to decide this game,. They’re simply role players. The big 3 of Gawn, Petracca and Oliver all playing high quality games will decide the game. A functioning forward line of BBB, T Mac, and our 3 smaller fwds in Kozzie, Spargo and ANB will decide the game. And the best 1-2 defensive combo in the league of May and Lever being able to successfully cover the loss of Tomlinson (and guiding Petty) and thus continuing their respective brilliant seasons will decide this game.

Lever’s captaining this club after Gawn.

There’s no surer bet that when Bontempelli signs an 8 year contract extension in July, the media will get around the Dogs and praise them for such a bold signing.

“Geelong’s the best team we’ve played this year” - Hardwick Fair enough call given that Geelong smashed them by 5 more goals than us. Just wondering if Hardwick rates Geelong a class above us.

Now the Swans assistant coaches have been granted exemption to fly down. https://www.afl.com.au/news/608563/update-swans-coaches-get-green-light-to-fly-superstar-returns

He had a 20 possession/1 goal game against Freo. I didn't think it that bad and he would've played the following week had he not gotten injured. Willing to give him another chance this weekend for a bit of experience that we're lacking in the midfield, as others have touched on.