Skuit

Goodwin actually did - as being very good coming into the middle last week. But still, it was subdued praise, and he included Hannan and Harmes in that mix.

I know I wouldn't spend a week hanging around Darwin if I didn't have to.

Perhaps it's a deliberate ploy from Rawlings and the coaching staff as a strategy to manage Petracca's 'excitable' personality traits?

Goodwin has said he doesn't really look at 'outside' and 'inside' mids but expects players to be both - hence Billy bundled back to the 2's to work on his inside-craft. If he doesn't think Trenners has the capacity to effectively spread from the contest, then the idea of selecting him for the hard-ball in the middle won't be enough. And that's why so-called 'NQRs' like Harmes and ANB are selected ahead - hard at the contest and hard on the spread.

True and accepted in regard to my referenced contribution. But my point still stands. Shut down the space and we should be okay. Viney and Jones were big in that but others should be able to step up in this regard i.e. it won't necessarily be won on the back of our clearance ability but our efforts to control tempo and space. And I agree that there should be a Lever-plan in place and that spreading the forward line is a good option.

Same as Oscar, right? Edit: I'm still in your camp re. Oscar.

Cutting off the Crow's center corridor through pressure and closing down space was the primary contributing factor in our last triumph. The Crows will have counter-measures in place, but do it again and we should be sweet.

Fiddling with Cam's juvenile nickname is letting the pedo's win.

And still trying to work out in what possible professional capacity you could be attending TAC matches and still be free to criticise MFC players online and share your insights on potential recruitees. Whatever it is, godspeed, and I think I want that job . . .

Always liked Zaharakis. Good head on his shoulders and well spoken too. He's got some traits we're looking for, but at 27 it's probably a fraction too late. Still, we're entering our window now and should consider not only personnel for the long-term but our short-term needs to climb through it. It is imperative that we win a flag as soon as we can, as it's a major key to any long-term and sustainable success.

I had to double-check you hadn't misspelled Petracca on this description. Could ex-ball players Petrucelle and Petracca come together to perfect the 'petra-dish' (TM) in the MFC forward line? Need to get Bugg in that mix as well. Apologies - I'm avoiding a work assignment. Please carry on with your adult discussions.

This is a classic Paul Roos move coming out of the Cattery. Put a casual focus on a perceived inequity with a mildly disruptive play and then quietly walk away. I see the Cats have backed down now.

A big congrats to Bernie on his 208th career game. Hope the club sees fit to relax the drinking restrictions so the boys can have a small celebration.

Baulderstone - absolutely yes. Big body and beautiful booming kick for a ruck. Put him in an AFL program and see how he goes. Barry - I was going to raise his name the other day when someone argued the merits of sending JKH to Darwin, because, you know, he's indigenous and all that. I think Neeld thought the same and selected Dom for the trip. His blistering speed wasn't much use on the day finishing with maybe one kick and a handball (though, to be fair, I think he may have been the sub).

You went and got a tattoo after just a four-game winning streak? Would love to be around for your post-GF celebrations.

Last time I went (2015) I caught a regular bus from Casuarina. And I'm pretty certain it was free even without a match ticket. Otherwise, public transport is super cheap in Darwin.

I'm a fan but seriously, talking of trading a player is not highly disrespectful. Indeed, his name was raised as having some genuine trade value - i.e. he was respected as a player. Todd Viney and Jason Taylor must be some nasty pieces of work.

Jack 'Ruby' Watts?

Yup, and JKH hasn't been seen since.

Jake's girlfriend is a private-school teacher, right? Surely the esteemed MFC is far better placed to cough cough help her with potential employment opportunities than those ferals out West?

How about if ProDee agrees to exchange 'gun-shy' for 'tentative' or 'hesitant', and you can use 'unfair' in place of 'outrageous', and we can prevent this forum from sounding like Hansard or the Herald Sun comments section?

Love this, but I desperately want to come against Richmond and Geelong again in our march on the flag. (Note: will regret writing this no doubt - no need to bump - I'll take superstitious revenge on myself). Anywho, great to look ahead, but a few weeks back I would have said we'd be good for at least six wins. Future injuries and return-from-injury-form will play a part. We're banking on the return of some of our key players, but lose some others along the way due to the extra workload or misfortune and we could be focaccias. I won't raise specific examples.

How am I coping? Through alcohol. Just the same as when we were losing, but now it's to calm the nerves and in celebration. Hooray.

It can't be understated how much I hate pineapple in curry . . .

I'm not saying I personally think it's an issue. But if a slight alteration in the events on the w/e would have likely led to a serious public outcry followed by ad hoc AFLHQ tinkering, then they haven't thought it through or they have a contingency without a plan.