old55

North are going to have 43 mids and Larkey if they lose McKay and take Reid and Sanders. IMO they should be positioning for Curtain.

Agree Jimmy, we need to go with Grundy now. I obviously agree with everyone that it would have been far better if Petty had not been injured, and Grundy/Gawn won't be nearly as effective forward, but we're not screwed ... With Max solo rucking we've been able to play an extra mid which has been helpful with our rotations. Yesterday vs North (apart from Petty and Hibberd - the sub pair) - Viney, Harmes, Brayshaw, (Bowey), Jordon and Petracca - our entire midfield played least game-time in that order, and all less than 80% with Viney at 71% down from his usual mid-80s. That gives us flexibility with the sub. If we replace Petty with Grundy we can roll the dice, ruck Grundy heavily in the first half with Max forward part-time, and plan to sub Grundy sometime in the second half without needing to worry about an in-game injury because we have an extra runner anyway. Hibberd can remain sub, Grundy comes off and Smith goes forward like yesterday. Max can go full-time ruck when Grundy comes off. The main risk with this plan is an in-game injury to May who is the irreplaceable in this set-up. We could take some insurance and play Tomlinson as sub but that's not my preferred variation. Out: Petty, Harmes/JJ In: Grundy, Oliver

My wife concurs.

It'll soon be "we'll lose 2 of the last one" Jimmy. Try walking on the sunny side of the street again, it suits you.

It's very disappointing but Collingwood and Port are losing and have worse injuries than us, and Brisbane aren't in red hot form either. "Season over" catatrophisers take a deep breath

I think Viney 71% gametime was part of the idea there.

I thought Harmes was pretty good, and our midfield limited LDU who has been on fire recently. ANB and Hunter were very good.

I've been buying Collingwood stock but a bit of gloss has progressively gone off in the last 3 weeks, they were lucky against Port who are no great shakes themselves at present. Maybe they are loading, but top spot isn't exactly locked in, if they lose to Geelong and Brisbane, it's possible all of the top 4 finish on 68 points.

"second place is there for the taking"

We play Hawthorn - they were impressive.

I'm advised one of the three was a kick-in following a Hawthorn behind. So really 2 in a half ...

The great Nicky D - 3 possessions to half-time. Been Maginnessed?

Is player distance covered per game across the season available anywhere? I searched for "Telstra Tracker 2023" but didn't get anything useful, Thanks ...

True, but I've found St.Agnes are producing some great drops locally, Snap.

Brandy is superior.

I think that's right. Adding Sparrow for Woewodin, and retaining JJ and Harmes, gives us a deeper midfield rotation and enables us to give Viney less load. I like this if it happens. As you say, the other is a choice among three for the 3rd tall back Tomlinson/Smith/Hibberd. I: Petty, Sparrow, Harmes, Tomlinson/Smith/Hibberd

I don't recall any celebration for his 500th game, maybe I missed it, but that is a massive achievement.

Well he only needs to take a quick look.

Sounds like Walsh and Cerra out vs Carlton, and Clarrie back. That will be helpful. https://www.afl.com.au/news/992970/voss-backs-handling-of-gun-mid-blues-won-t-rush-star

Do you have time and interest to visit any Charles Rennie Mackintosh sites while you're in Glasgow, Luci. He's a favourite of mine, e.g.: https://www.gla.ac.uk/hunterian/visit/ourvenues/themackintoshhouse/

Good CBAs attendance resource: https://dailyfantasyrankings.com.au/resources/afl/cba.php

Re 186 ... https://www.facebook.com/uselessaflstats Useless AFL Stats post some amusing stuff on Facebook. Something I didn't realise was that the "games played experience" difference in the 186pt loss to Geelong was the 2nd greatest in (UAS recorded) history going back at least to the 90s because there's a game from there in the table. There's some mitigation there. Scroll down a bit for the article in question ...

I think it's a mistake not playing Grundy - Goldstein and Xerri physically will work over Max and JVR to their detriment.

I think Brodie plays this week. North, Carlton and Hawthorn each run two rucks. Despite Max's great form and high gametime, I don't think we want to [censored] him solo over that period. In the last 3 weeks when he has gone solo, it has been against opposition with a solo ruck. After Hawthorn, I think it depends. Selection will be fascinating.

We're going to have to beat Collingwood at the MCG somewhere along the line in the finals to win the flag, and FWIW I think we're the only team that can do it. I'd probably prefer it's early rather than late, I'm not sure I'm ready for a Melbourne vs Collingwood GF.