old55

It's early to call but ... Grimes is UFA - he'll seek opportunity elsewhere, who can blame him? Terlich can't break in - he'll be delisted IMO Dunn and/or Garland will be on the trade table and there is likely to be a market for them.

I'm unconvinced that McEvoy-Hale is a quantum better than a Gawn-Spencer combination that we've hardly tried. Quite frankly, to channel Hannibal, I'd prefer we're headed towards a premiership structure in 2019, than winning games right now.

They didn't win in solely because they played 2 ruckmen but that was an integral part of the very successful combination and game plan they went in with. They definitely had the option of going with one and rucking Roughy part time a la Pedo but they didn't.

Spencer would be more effective than Frost was forward and actually offers something in the ruck..

Hawthorn have won the last 3 flags playing two ruckmen.

Newton for Michie? Hmmm which type of Parsley garnish would I prefer?

Frost is no-brainer for tall back role IMO - his closing speed is incredible and he has the size to spoil anyone. His kicking is even more dodgy than TMacs - that's the downside - the opposition will let him have it in his hands deep.

Frost went off in the 3rd? with reported back spasm and didn't come back on. He was very ginger post-match, looked lower back. I was pleased to see him playing back ahead of that, nothing special but his size and great pace were on show.

I think there's horses for courses - against the Dogs we could have done with some extra inside grunt (or more contribution from Jones and Oliver), I don't think that's what we'll need against Brisbane with their current make-up so ANB and Trengove may not get the look in they probably deserve.

I agree with that. I also noticed at least twice yesterday when he won very clean possession of super hot contested ball. I think we'll persist, ultimately he will improve in his areas or will be replaced by a very good player.

Dogs a class above. Harder inside, better outside and cleaner. Margin flattered us.

Observations: ANB in everything Hulett is exciting Brayshaw unlucky Sandy scoreboard only has one number 5

It was your example and it doesn't help your case. You're now saying someone not as good as Smith for King, Hulett and Spencer is a better plan than a cheap contract extension for Jake?

You mean like burning the picks we used on Mitch King and Liam Hulett?

Please give me your list of replacements?

Analysis lacking imagination. Spencer's manager: "Jake is UFA this year and I've had some inquiries. He really wants to stay the course with the Demons."

Agree. I think Pedersen has him covered overall at present because he has those around the ground assets, but "Betty" must be a better option than say Frost in this role.

I don't think it's out of the question that Gawn and Spencer play together sometime this year. I'm on record saying this is not on, but if Pedersen is missing ...

Great result!

I think Hogan would be a massive loss and I'm 100% behind keeping him at the club. But ... If he is determined to return to Perth then the way the Dockers year has unfolded has significantly improved our market position. They will finish bottom 3, not top 4. if it has to happen we need to make it happen THIS year while that pick is there and they are not trying to improve their position. I think the market would be 2016 and 2017 1st rounder and possibly a player - Judd was 3, 20 and Kennedy (pick 4). OOC player value plummets - Freo will secure McCarthy for relative peanuts this year when they were offering 2 x 1st rounder last year when he was in contract.

IMO Dawes is competing for Watts place in the forward line. Unless he rucks which seems improbable, he's not competing with Pedersen.

Sum of the IQs probably around 180 though.

I wasn't down on Garland for this week's work, and he's clearly trying to attack more. Tom McDonald has obviously struggled at times too - although those who criticising him for "bad decision making" when he attacks but misses his target through a skill error are completely missing the point. He's trying hard to do what has been asked of him. I think it seems like they need to get with the new plan quickly. If they refuse or can't get into the spots needed for the plan then they have to go - a la Colin Sylvia.

Yes quite possible too. Here's a hint - it's not Roos.

I think it's most likely that Garland was dropped because he failed to implement the zone defence required and as a leader more is expected of him. I also agree with other posters that it is likely that he needs to take the game on more and the example of him running through the middle is a good one despite how "free" Oliver may have been, the example is about his intent to attack in a way he has been unprepared to do previously. Dunn was dropped for the failing to implement the zone properly against St.Kilda. I'm not sure how much of a line can be drawn through his high possession game for Casey. It's about transitioning to play a new style for him. Quite frankly, one or both may be traded at the end of the year and they would have some market value for the right customer.