Bring-Back-Powell

I don’t think they’ll do much next week against Brisbane, and if they are to win they’re going to have step up their scoring. 18 scoring shots isn’t going to pay the bills next week. I found them to be a step down in class compared to Collingwood, although Walsh was something else.

Agreed. I cannot fathom why a team would not use their sub in a high stakes game like last night. We automatically conceded a competitive advantage by Carlton having a fresh Ollie Hollands run around in the last quarter.

Assume we get a higher draft pick if Port lose (small mercies)

Impressed with Joel Smith’s set shot accuracy tonight and for the season. He was up to the pressure tonight. I don’t think he’s missed a set shot since Kings Bday.

If it’s any consolation Sydney had more scoring shots than us in last years qualifying final.

Clubs will be queuing up for Tomlinson, and like Grundy we’ll happily help out another club.

How do you manage 9.17 on one of the nicest September nights you’ll ever possibly get.

West Coast smashed the 2018 finals series without Nic Nat, Gaff and Sheppard. You can be successful despite a few injuries to the integral part of your best 22.

Hollands sub for them if anyone cares.

Guessing Josh Shac replaces T Mac if he’s having a stinker 🤔

The rumour of Gawn being a late withdrawal will not die a death. In reality Gawn would have to have one of his legs amputated in order to miss tonight.

Thanks mate. I almost fell off my chair when I saw that AFL Gold members of all competing clubs (not just competing clubs) also have access to the Brisbane prelim.

I have. Thankfully airlines have invented this thing called a travel bank.

I reckon Hibberd fits that bill for tonight's sub. Laurie not up to it. Not since 2011 has a ruckman been a sub so it won't be Grundy. I doubt it will be Schache. He could have been an option to relive Gawn throughout the game and then be subbed out at 3 qtr time, but not to be.

Be interesting to see the amount of goals Carlton get from centre bounce clearance when T Mac or Smith (who's registered 1 hit out in his career) are relieving Gawn. Not sure we want to be conceding such a ruck advantage against one of the best "goal from clearance" sides in the league.

I'm expecting the original thread to return at about 10:30pm tonight after a long hiatus, if things go south.

It was a reverse Melbourne performance whereby we won the game with 6 less scoring shots. That was genuinely one of our best wins in our history. Certainly was from the late 80's onwards.

That has to be on the head coach surely. And if it happens in 2 finals in a row, he's going to have to alter and evolve his coaching philosophy over summer, as the club isn't getting it done enough against the big dogs.

Kozzy actually had a better game last week than I thought he did. Was in everything in the second quarter and could’ve had 2 goals on the board that quarter had Fritsch actually applied a shepherd on the goal line to prevent Murphy from touching it. Wonder if he has a 3-4 goal performance because you’ll know he’ll probably have 3-4 shots at goal. Salem is grossly out of form and may be paying the price for his interrupted pre season and knee injury in the early rounds.

And that streak started in the second last game of 2020 V GWS at the GABBA.

His form is certainly a concern.

We're 1-2 this year when Tommo plays and either May or Lever is injured. We're 5-0 this year when Tommo/Lever/May all play. I'm sure we'll eventually lose a game when all these 3 play, but the facts are we haven't lost a game when these three are in the same side since 2020. In actual fact, our defence was brilliant in the early rounds of 2021 with Tomlinson taking a key forward each week before his knee reco. Petty took over his role successfully.

I think Pies will be locked in for Friday night given they were the higher ranked side.

The last 10 years has seen the number 1 ranked side get the Friday night prelim. Thus I expect Collingwood will get the Friday night prelim. I think the AFL are currently determining what time the Brisbane game should commence on the Saturday to ensure the winning VIC club gets home late Saturday to prepare for the GF. You'd imagine it will start somewhere between 3:20 and 4:40pm. Return flights from Melbourne are starting at $860 according to Webjet. I shudder to think what they'll be come this Saturday

Imagine what Grundy would be thinking on Friday night when he's up in the stands watching Schache taking his first centre ruck contest of the night. I understand the potential selection because one can play forward and the other can't, but it's still hard to get your head around.