old55

Insightful analysis, thanks. Simon says we need to improve our game and win stoppage and i50 because while it's great that we have found other ways to win, it's not sustainable in the long run. It will be interesting to see where we go from here.

Maintaining the rage on the Maynard incident and advocating that Kossie avoids suspension are incompatibly hypocritical for me. Maynard should have got 4-6 weeks.

... reminded the boys that they're flat-track bullies.

We kicked for goal exceptionally poorly in the losses and exceptionally well last night.

Ben Brown just loving his footy. So wonderful to see.

We were fortunate to win IMO. Port were generally better across the match but we hung in which is no small thing. The Fox Footy [censored] were chipping Max about Goody talking about Expected Score in last year's finals - would he mention it last night when we clearly lost it? But there’s a lot of truth in that. I was as [censored] off as anyone to lose last year when we should have won, I'm going to eat my own dog food here when the boot's on the other foot. Very happy to win though.

We hung in and stole that one. Impressive...

I'm inclined to go for Petty back and Fullarton forward/ruck. We're defence focussed and Petty is far superior to Tomlinson and he makes for a better mix with TMac and Lever. Petty is likely far superior to Fullarton forward too, but Fullarton and JVR could take a bit more ruckwork and spell Max for the short turnaround.

I'm keen for you to explain again why retaining BBB and TMac was a terrible list management decision.

Far too inflexible and unable or unwilling to make in-game moves. Must have been Mini's idea.

McKercher and Sanders.

I especially liked the one where you said we might go well this year and win the flag but you were also worried that we might bomb out. Groundbreaking!

Brisbane has the bye next week and Collingwood have the Saints. If the Saints can win then it will be Grand Finalists Collingwood 0-3 vs Brisbane 0-2 in Brisbane the following week.

But they always win the close ones ...

Assuming Gus' contract is out of the cap we'll have a lot of extra cash to splash on Petty and JVR. I think we can match anything Adelaide or WC can offer.

KB is a Collingwood home game. I can't go but my daughter tried to by tickets on the day they were released and very few were available - the only options were $90 each. There'll be 80,000 Collingwood fans there - good luck booing Maynard.

I think the FD must prefer TMac to Tomlinson because TMac is more versatile, he can go back, forward and do ruck minutes. He did have a good pre-season. Good to see Hore for Bowey, if so that means Salem stays in the midfield. Interesting to see whether it's BBB or Fullarton for Love Shack.

Selection conundrums ... Bowey is out. We could move Salem back but that would disrupt the new midfield set-up. If we do then the logical replacement appears to be Woewodin. The other backman choice is Hore but they may be worried about a lack of pace with Tomlinson and Lever. The left-field alternatives backline replacements are headlined by Billings who is experienced and could learn the system quickest and is a lovely kick. Woewodin and K.Brown are punts. Spargo sounds injured, apparently seen hobbling in duress at the Sydney airport and in the rehab group at Monday's training. The logical replacement is the ubiquitous Woewodin. Longer odds on Tholstrup, AMW, K.Brown or Sestan. Laurie was subbed but IMO, given Spargo's situation, is likely to be retained in the 23. Assuming Woewodin replaces Spargo then again the candidates are Tholstrup, AMW, K.Brown or Sestan. Schache - it seems "the hate Shack is a little old place that we can get together". The replacement candidates in order of longest out of rehab but shortest on recent proven record are Fullarton, BBB and Petty. I think TMac is a backline replacement these days. They may stick with the love Shack. I left out that Kosi is an automatic in. C'mon and bring your jukebox money ...

I think you're having an arithmetic problem. Backs against Sydney: Bowey + McVee = 2 Your plan for backs against the Dogs: 1/2 McVee + 1/2 Salem = 1 You're still short one small back.

Maybe, but I don't think talk about playing both Salem and McVee in the midfield does anything to address the need for cover for Bowey.

Yes Hore is first cab in the rank. Maybe we might worry about being too slow back there with Tomlinson, Lever and Hore. Alternatives are all left field now Gus has retired. IMO Billings is next best suited, he's experienced and could learn the system the quickest and he's a very nice kick on both sides.

Let's hope not. Maybe Billings to HB could be an option. He's a very nice kick on both sides.

Seriously any AFL footballer is likely to murder all but a very few posters here. I played with a guy in juniors who "only" made AFL Reserves level but he was honestly 10x better than me.

Right back at ya baby if you'd trade Petty and JVR for JUH.

Petty + JVR >> JUH