Wodja

Isn’t it great having both Smith and Tomlinson both up and about! This with all the ‘mids’ it now gives us a depth of talent (as well as flexibility) across the field. Hope everyone holds / improves their form. This will allow us to test / rest / manage players over the coming weeks. Also an opportunity to refine / test our systems….and keep the opposition guessing. Ultimately, come finals selectors will pick players in best form as well as ‘best fit’ depending on who we play. It’s a tough gig if you don’t make the final 23. In my mind it is the squad that wins a premiership, not just the final 23.

I’ll take a punt that the answer to the question will in part include strategic considerations being given to resting / rotating players as well as refining / testing systems over the next few rounds. Can’t wait to see the team they choose for the Geelong game. Come September the 66 million dollar question will be selecting the starting 22 hopefully from a full, fit list. I’m guessing this will also be influenced by whom we are fronting up against.

We ‘will’ win at the Cattery… (Just fixed a typo, cheers)

Apparently information will only be given out on a ‘knees’ to know basis.

I am so glad I read your response. It was beginning to do my head in. Can’t work out if people are trying to get a lend of us or not. Bizarre!

It is interesting to hear what coaches say at press conferences. Typically you would not expect them to give too much away for obvious reasons. Having said that, McRae certainly seemed to mean it when he said in his Melbourne loss press conference he would rather see Collingwood take risks and take the game on when they are behind in the last quarter to try and win and would not be disappointed if they then lost by 10 goals. Not that it is any sort of secret, that is their general game plan. However, if you are the opposition coach it must be a very nice to know likely strategy of Collingwood if you are going to play them and are in front at the final break. Knowing that, I’ve been shocked about how many teams that tried to go into defensive mode when they were leading against the Pies at 3/4 time and lost (eg Essendon). Sure, you must defend but surely launch counter attacks wherever possible. (Like we did bar the last couple of minutes- we will learn from that)

Oh dear, who do I despise more, Cox or Ginnivan? I think I’ll have to toss a coin.

I have come to the conclusion that some people just see things differently. I would not at all be surprised if there were people out there that would find fault or perhaps an opportunity for improvement with say a couple having sex who manage to pull it off (excuse the pun) and come at the exact same time. Ladies first?

If both Tomlinson and Smith stay in the side that is to play against Geelong and put In extremely good games again, it will give the selectors plenty to think about how to fit Petty back in the following week (if he is fit). I wouldn’t even consider putting forward a suggested scenario of who comes in / goes out. I presume (hope) that the selectors take the opportunity to look at the long game and rest / rotate players in order to make sure we have the fittest list available at year end to choose from. Even if unfortunately we lose a ‘star’ to an injury come finals we should then be able to cover them with a player that is blooded and understands our processes and can play their role in our system. I like our selectors having big headaches. It gives them opportunity to maximise the strength and depth of the squad. I feel bad for the players who miss out.

To be honest I have no idea who will be the ‘ins’ and ‘outs’ for the Geelong game. What I do know is that the football department has a tough job coming up and I as always will trust their judgment. For the first time since we beat Geelong and then Richmond (or the other way around) in 2021, I can put my hand on my heart and say that we are once again ‘serious’ contenders. (In 2022 even after winning the first 10 games the best I could think is that we were contenders) GO DEES!!

Good question! Bit hard for me to be definitive because I have a earpiece in one ear so that I can listen to the game. At a guess it sounded like a 50 / 50 crowd but they may have had more attend. My take on this is the way they played didn’t give their supporters the opportunity to get on board. The exact opposite for us. We seemed to get louder as the game progressed. It was good to experience this. Contrast this to our 2nd game against them last year where they pipped us at the post. They were incredibly loud and in my opinion, their crowd support got them over the line. I keep saying (as Goody inferred in his press conference) it is just so important that we the supporters get on board with our boys. They both need us and appreciate us when we are there for them. GO DEES!!!

Keep this up and you will be in a good position to ask for crowdfunding support

As much as I ‘love to hate’ him and that Ginnivan the little free kick seeking twerp I have to give Cox credit where due- he does not like Trump. Big tick from me.

Tomlinson, much maligned player on this forum for some time. I am just so pleased for him right now

I am always nervous about Melbourne crowds (size and noise wise). I am also aware that on this forum there is a bit of a ‘us’ and ‘them’ views on this matter (other view being, that is just us we are quiet and refined etc). After hearing Goody’s press conference I am so much more convinced that the team really are hanging out big time for buy in from our supporters in terms of fronting up and making NOISE! (He / they appreciated the pick up of both this game). So….I repeat once again (for those of us that can), keep turning up on game day, get behind our boys and be LOUD. That simply is the most tangible way we can actually help our lads on game day. GO DEES!!!

Best part of the game? Five minutes to go and seeing the ferals leaving the ground….and us taunting them Priceless

Team - Well done lads Football department- Well done lads Forwards - Choco kicking academy GO DEES!!!!

Agree but at least I don’t now have to put up with the feral supporters going into orgasmic ruptures when he gets anywhere near the ball. There is a god.

Steady on. I think that is a bit harsh and over the top wishful thinking. What’s wrong with forceful sterilisation?

Oh please, please be on the money- he really irks me big time

I know I should be happy if we get over the line but I want more, I want us to smash them. If we can’t achieve that, a one point victory will do.

Sounds like a plague of magpie supporters!

And should be heat on the umpires as well

Umpires!!!

Not sure who milks free kicks better, Weightman or Ginnivan