Bring-Back-Powell

I heard that they’re also going to land Cadman in addition to King, and also receive both club’s first round draft picks.

That's not a great sign for a club that was supposed to be in contention for a flag this year. (and I don't disagree with you) At this point in time, the only two sets of contending supporters that know what type of team are going to show up are Sydney and Collingwood right now. Sydney lost a GF but have won 11 of their last 12, while Collingwood have won 15 of their last 18. And just as importantly, they put out a product that is successful and predictable to their supporters.

And the week before we broke the North hoodoo (round 3 2018) we played Brisbane at the Gabba at night (round 2 2018) All the planets are aligning.....

Almost their version of Kent Kingsley.

Whilst that does sound like an advantage, they'll be coming off a 7 day break in a laugher of a result. They'll be fine. Hope you're right though.

Hickey and Reid apparently still unavailable according to the AFL website which is at least something. Clarke who shut Salem out of the game in the final as a defensive forward is also supposed to be out. https://www.afl.com.au/news/891822/in-the-mix-r3-who-s-under-the-pump-pushing-for-selection- Putting them aside, they have a pretty full list and are flying. I don't care if they've only beaten GC and Hawthorn, they're a well drilled outfit with highly skilled and talented players.

Jackson played 2 decent games last year and one of them he was as our number 1 ruck when Gawn was out of the side against Brisbane. He's clearly a better ruck than forward and yet Freo are going to play him as a 75/25 forward because Darcy is clearly their number one ruck. Unless Jackson can start taking 1.5 contested clunks a game up forward and kick his 1.5 goals a week, I can't see how he'll be justifying his hefty wage.

He's been on the sidelines all year so hopefully he won't make it to the line this week. Agreed, he always has the better of us and had his way with Tomlinson last year.

Agreed. Even in 1993 and 1994 when they were worse than hopeless and were ok to good, they still upset us. Fast forward to 2019-2020 and they still beat us despite being a bottom 4 rebuilding side. The only time we've gained a bit of ascendancy on them was way back in 2000-2001 when we won 3 in a row against them. I'm curious as to why they've had the wood over us.

We got 51,000 to this corresponding 3:20 game in late 2018 so there’s precedence and potential for an excellent crowd on what’s expected to be a 20 degree sunny afternoon. If we can beat the 1986 Anzac Day crowd of 40,000 between these two sides, then I think the club will be happy.

Clarry was on track for a career worst games and yet still managed a coaches vote. He absolutely controlled the game after the resumption.

Any idea if Hickey will be back for Sydney? Without a recognised second ruckman for us, Sydney could now exploit us in the ruck with Ladhams/Hickey. How things change in the space of a week.

Yep. Even after round 1 moderately sized wins over Freo in 2021 and the Dogs in 2022, we were still top 4 after round 1 and stayed there.

Definitely not the worst MFC player to have changed colours over recent years. I wonder if it was more us wanting him out or the other way around?

I think you’d be looking at about 40,000. 70/30 split to us. Whilst we had more of the crowd in last year’s game, their supporters were definitely louder and more boisterous than ours as the game wore on. Then add in the fact that interstate supporters tend to over celebrate wins at the home of footy due to the rare opportunities of seeing their side playing there.

Fair point. But you can judge losing 8 of our last 9 MCG games to Sydney. Most of them when we’ve become a half competent football side.

Can’t believe we’re currently favourites to win this one.

Wouldn’t mind Sydney having a bruise free 100 point win and feeling comfortable about themselves into next week. Clearly facing a team on the rebound worked against us on Friday.

Didn’t look like he hit a target all night but Viney miraculously went at 68% efficiency. He had just one score involvement which was one less than Harmes.

May to replace Tomlinson but Petty should be on notice for his poor start to the year. JVR to replace Gawn. Jordon to replace Harmes Hibberd to replace McVee if they want some seniority back in the side. Laurie or Dunstan to replace Melksham as sub. Next week and the Collingwood game are benchmark games IMO to see if we’re able to compete with the elite of the comp. I think we’ll learn a bit about our side next week, even with Gawn out.

I actually thought they were very good until they called it a night when the lights went out.

I’m not talking about St Kilda winning the flag (because that’s Collingwood’s IMO) but I reckon there’s a bit of a whiff of Melbourne 2021 about them to start the season. After a couple of years in the wilderness, the group has a collective buy in and a major emphasis on defence and keeping the opposition to insanely low scores. Could not be more impressed considering their injury list, and have major upside in regards to returning players.

No it wasn’t.

Best case scenario he’s back for the Port game in round 9 if he’s fit and match ready. Only two matches against top 8 contenders (unless you’ve jumped on the Essendon wagon already) between rounds 3-8. Can certainly live with that.

Because JHF leaving North has everything to do with Collingwood, right? I’m at the game and they’re absolutely ripping into the kid. If the bookies don’t have Collingwood as flag favourites by tomorrow night then they’re having a laugh. Not sure if the stats back it up but the eye tells me they have the perfect blend of offence and defence to certainly win the flag.