dee-tox

The plan seems to be to go a full throttle contested game. I wonder how that will go on the wide open spaces of Traeger. Certainly puts the onus on Oliver, Petracca, Viney, Brayshaw and Vanders to do some damage on the outside when we get it.

So has Harmes. Maybe Picket has trouble reading?

For a do or die game six changes is a strange move. I don't like the the Lockhart decision but the rest of the changes seem justified. Brown may do better than TMac. Fritta's defensive efforts and kicking have been poor and Harmes has been lucky to play as often as he has. OMac may be brought in for a specific job. Not sure where they plan on playing Josh Wagner...

Reckon we could have a look at Matthew Ling from the Swans. High draft pick. Lightning quick and a precise left foot kick. Has had Achilles and toe problems. Debuted this year. Only 21 and may appreciate a move back to Victoria

Harmes' confidence is shot. For his sake he needs dropping. With that said, he should have tagged the Bont given his form last week.

Not sure Pickett has stuck a tackle all year. Plus you have to more than look dangerous to play AFL.

6. May 5. Lever 4. Langdon 3. Viney 2. Weed 1. Salem? Those giving Hibberd votes didn't notice Wallis' four goals, obviously!

Game plan fell apart after a couple of Beveridge tweaks. Three horrible missed opportunities in third quarter could have had then within two goals at three-quarter time. Midfield was soundly beaten. Hibberd was thrashed by Wallis. Should have had a hard tag on Bontempelli. If there was then that guy needs to take a good hard look at himself!

Obviously, I can't answer the question, but for those wondering why the 'vanden' is in lower case and one word, it relates to the origins of the name. Lower case and one word probably means that he is of Belgian origin and not Dutch. The Dutch tend to use a capital V and a capital D. So Van Den Burg. Van in Dutch means 'from' or 'of' while den is 'the' and burg or berg is mountain or slope. So the name literally means from the mountain. The only exception to this is if the name was Anglicised for reasons we don't know!

Was limping/cramping after the siren. Not surprising given his limited preparation.

He is horribly out of form. Fumbling, giving away stupid frees and missing targets by hand or foot. Nothing to do with role.

I had him in my best. Kicked a couple, tagged Maynard out of it and more than 400 metres gained. Was close to most effective player on ground.

Vander's was one of the most influential players on the ground in the first half. He splits packs, makes us walk taller and puts the fear of God in the opposition. I couldn't care if he had no stats!

Thought Lever had a shocker but has had a good month.

6. Oliver 5. Langdon 4. Petracca 3. Spargo 2. Melksham 1. Brayshaw

Hard to change. Keeping Vander's, Spargo and the Melkman was a stroke of genius!

Charlie Spargo, yes Charlie Spargo!

Big call bringing in Preuss with half a game match conditioning under his belt...

Lockhart is 25 next year. Draft another and he'll be ready in two/three years. Papley will cost too much. Easily a first rounder and some.

Needs: Replacements for Nev and Hibbo. Another winger. Two more skillful flankers. Out: Jones and Jetta to retire. KK delisted, the Wagners. Need to work out whether Bradke is going to make it. Decide also between Hore and Smith.

Technique wise, Weed and Fritta appear to be great kicks. Fritta when at Casey and in his early career rarely missed a set shot. Might be as simple as getting his follow through correct, or aiming more for the left hand goal post. Petracca's kicking has improved this season but the ball drop will always be too high.

Oliver is the outstanding pick. A chubby kid that didn't play in the National Championships was an inspired pick. Have a feeling the early investment in Jackson will be another. The signs are good. But plenty of water needs to pass under the bridge yet. All young players eventually sucumb to injury, form, confidence issues. It's a tough game. Pickett is very raw. In time he'll learn how to stick tackles, get to the right positions and nail set shots...

Probably a bit self-indulgent but I'd like Vanders in the team just to make a few Maggots look over their shoulders this week. He's a bit like Max Rooke when he played in those good Geelong teams. Makes our guys walk taller and makes the opposition think twice.

Written and authorised by Bob Marley!

Hibbo in front of Lever? Nah!