Chook

I'd argue they're 2 steps closer to the last game of the year if they win too, so it's also factually inaccurate as well as being an affront to crepe paper enthusiasts everywhere.

There it is - the first lead change of meaning this finals series. What a goal from Rozee

Correct me if I'm wrong - there have been zero lead changes so far this finals series right (after the first quarter)?

The realist says 12.5% of final 8 teams (1/8*100=12.5) win the flag, so that lines up nicely with the pessimistic view. If the realist and the pessimist are in lockstep then you've got a pretty good shot at it being real.

Love the optimism Jaded. Finally - where has this Jaded No More been?

100%. People had stars in their eyes imagining a glorious rout of the Pies, but it wasn't to be and we've got a hard row to hoe now as a result. In reality this list should have finished 2nd this year and it would have been a home final vs Brisbane instead. It's all moot though anyway as we are where we are.

Saints have done well to snag a goal just before half time. I so wish we could have done the same.

Love your work WCW but I'm sorry to inform you the quality of the crepe paper used in each team's banner does not portent the future.

Nice to see the former Melbourne forward line kicking goals 😆

"Thanks mate, that'll be great for my headaches." "No worries - Wait…is that Tom Morris hiding between your couch cushions?"

The fact Maynard failed to touch the ball for me is key. If he had then it would be a smother that had incidental contact. That he didn't means this was a bump and nothing else. I don't care what his intent was - the action was a bump, late, to the head.

I bet on each of those occasions supporters were absolutely wrist slitting too. 5 times in 20 years. So this means 25% of flag winners in the last 20 years have taken this route. I'll take those odds.

100%. This is one of the few times the Magpies are the smallest player in the room.

Ray Chamberlain would be great. Huge ego, massive interest in the game but no actual bias. Perfect for a role like this.

Since you're asking the question let me throw it back to you to answer. I reckon you'll find it happens more often than you think…just not last night which is my point. Players failed to execute to the coaches instructions. Don't hand out homework. Give me the answers to the quiz since I didn't sign up for one.

Seems a shame that players disobeyed instruction by kicking to a leading melksham to win the Brissy game then hey? Plenty of times I saw Gawn and other forwards motioning to get the ball in quicker but the player with the ball was indecisive and the moment was lost. That's not coaching that's on the players not executing the plan. Yes we have a plan to minimise damage by kicking to pockets and bombing at times but not all the time. The players lacked nuance in their play and that's on them not the coaching.

I think you'll find supporter morale at a post-flag year low. I'd be surprised to see dees fans turn out in much force unfortunately especially after putting up with Pies fans last week. A lot just won't want to go through that again.

That's just not true. Our forward line has functioned well at times this year and when it has it has come with quick entries. I think potentially our players were super-conscious of not letting Collingwood rebound from defensive 50 causing them to kick to contests which make them more likely to end in stoppages rather than pinging out through hands. However that would not have been the intent of the forward line coach. It would be the players failing to execute on the instructions they were given, which would of course have been to take the opportunity to hit a target inside 50 when it presents.

She's clearly given him a zoom and gone hang on buddy I know what you're going to do and let me tell you it's not happening on my watch. Very impressed with Laura Kane so far.

If it frees up May, Lever, Rivers to be more aggressive with their positioning and give us more drive from half-back that's exactly what we need. If it makes us even slower and stodgier moving the ball into our forward line then absolutely not, no thank you.

I seriously doubt that.

Your thoughts on Max Gawn as a forward?

Will do but if our players don't listen to their forward line coach what makes you think they'll hear me and my random mate?

Remind me to ping you early next year when Petty kicks 0.3 (two out on the full) after having the ball kicked on his head 21 times.

Yes like renowned forward Harrison Petty or longtime halfback flankers Jake Melksham and Bailey Fritsch?