Skuit

If we win this, and then apply a 'last start' formula to predicting the outcome for the remainder of our matches for the season, we pick up 13 W's and almost certainly play finals. But forgetting formulas, a win here would be huge. We'll have our tails up for a soft front-end draw, and with a cocky young team full of confidence at a potential and genuinely realistic 7-0 approaching the turn, who knows? If we lose, whatever. We'll still be playing finals. Go Dees!

It's understandable you might want to draw attention to some undeserved praise for getting the changes 'spot on' as you yourself achieved exactly that without note. It's also understandable that I would bring attention to that as I agreed wholeheartedly. It's the first time ever the selection committee has shared my precise thoughts. I shall now spend a lot of time this week thinking about the recruitment of Allen Jackovich as a mentor for Jesse Hogan.

No wonder I'm unemployed.

Not one Maverick has ever played a game for Melbourne. I know this because I'm currently unemployed. And I bet Tim Smith never thought he would be remarked upon for having a unique name.

Are you saying our stubborn old administration would have played Hogan regardless of his suspension?

Clarry sounds like me when I see ANB pop up with the ball.

Viney's been a bit flat lately. A stopping role on Selwood wouldn't cost us a great deal of output and could go a long way toward our chances of a win. (I think Bernie going to Danger again is a fantasy).

'Fell out of a bin' would just about leapfrog Howe's frisbee finger on the bizarro injury leader-board. Ditto a 19y/o Oliver suffering an acute sudden heart attack.

A relatively staid Rusty Jackson with an overview of the AFL's reactionary approach to rule changes: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2017/apr/05/confusion-over-afl-rules-a-byproduct-of-policy-on-the-run Just as an aside (to save you the googling) - in 1991 & 92, Allen Jackovich's kick-to-handball stats were 292/19.

I'm obviously just digging for goss. But we've seen it before in the media when a player has verbally crossed the line and it could help to turn public opinion. Which I don't really care about either (but I'd be happy if it ramped up our rivalry with Carlton).

The average Cats' fan will be looking at our named forward line and wondering who the hell all these players are. Should add some salt if the dynamic works and they combine for a big 'un.

Were they secret codes? Not sure why you wouldn't feel comfortable reporting on what was said?

Melbourne.

For those who can't be bothered reading the article: 'As he is a rookie-listed player, the athletic defender will be permanently added to the club's primary list at the end of this season.'

I noticed at one time in the Saints game Jones grew a little impatient with Stretch for not pushing forward and just ripped the ball straight out of his hands. Stretch will be a very good player once he gets some greater confidence.

I'm calling BS on the Hogan decision having any relation whatsoever to Paul Roos. Everyone knew exactly how long Roos would be at the club. Why would Jesse ever even bring it up as a factor in re-signing?

He smacked the ball about 40m straight up in the air at the end of the Saints game - after tapping it to himself, putting it on the boot and then getting to the fall of own kick (and after, ahem, coming off earlier in the match with a back issue from trying to the smack the ball too far).

The match report on the AFL site even mentioned the Blues' immaturity as a factor in allowing us to get on top.

Maybe if in this era of hectic football players and supporters would get past the 'ignominy' of being dropped and saw it as team management or the opportunity to practise certain aspects of a game without the pressure of top-flight football. It would help if the AFL started handing out premiership medallions to contributors over the course of a season. But I digress - unless Gus is earmarked for a future in the forward-line, him being there isn't a important to our team development, but getting a heap of it in the seconds may well be.

Going by Plapp's report, Kent is ready to roll. I honestly can't recall Brayshaw's input at the end of last season, but according to his stats at least, he was averaging a sluggish 11 possessions per game at the start of the season, and then 20-odd after his return (I do remember him racking them up at some stage in the VFL though prior to his come-back). Still, he currently seems a contested and delivery shadow of his first season. Get him in the guts now, even if it's a tagging role, or let him find some touch at Casey.

Do you not think Kent could potentially provide greater potency in the half-forward role Gus is currently occupying with bursts up the wing and in the middle? Gus isn't quite right at the moment and we've seen it before - whether it's the continual head-knocks or whatnot putting him off his game - but if we don't acknowledge that we're already playing favourites. It's getting difficult to comment on a player's form around here without people extrapolating that as a criticism of a player and his potential.

Spencer is up to AFL standard (for a ruck - not a ruck/forward, and certainly not as part of our set-up up front). We just happen to have a well-above standard AA ruckman starving him of any hope of a getting a game. And big Jake being up to AFL standard is part of our problem. With Spencer qualifying for free-agency next year, we have a serious list-management issue on our hands in trying to retain him as a back-up. It's an issue most teams face in an era of run-run and reduced interchanges, but our kids are nowhere near ready, and it's almost impossible to get top-flight ruck games into anyone without sacrificing overall on-field performance. Expect Spencer to have suitors in the off-season - and and unless we can squeeze him in as a regular, which I hope we don't unless it's genuinely warranted - expect him to follow any offer of a decent on-field opportunity and reasonable dollars. It's the nature of contemporary AFL: first-ruck, utility, or bust. Maybe we can chase a undervalued but semi-decent forward-ruck in return.

Welcome bringbackthebiff. Do you think it is possible to believe Brayshaw will be a star at the same as thinking he could do with a run in the VFL? Primarily so that he can get his hands on the footy and regain some confidence?

What was building was Cripps' possession count and influence. Goodwin put the hit out - even mentioned Cripps specifically in his live comments during the break. If I recall correctly, Tmac also took his eyes off the ball at one stage to put some hard contact on Cripps. Lewis may have gone too far but he knew what needed to be done. The MRP knew it as well.

Yup. The only thing I would add is that Angus should consider practising in some head-gear at Casey. That way he can look like both Robert Harvey and Nathan Burke at the same time.