bandicoot

I think he was just sick of talking about an individual player instead of the team. He doesn't like to single out any one player especially in a negative light.

Anyone else see watts not making the distance from 45 out at Casey? Used to slot those in. Maybe still not confident with his hamstring

It's something that the coaching staff need to work on over the pre season. We seem to be kicking the ball to 50/50 contests instead of finding the free man. Brisbane were consistently kicking to free men playing the same brand as hawthorn. The problem with kicking to contests is that it's taxing on the players. Every play you need to be a hero to win the ball. I'm not so much concerned about contested marks. Most of the season we haven't played with Gawn or hogan who would account for 2-3 a game each.

today's game was frustrating to watch. Bottom placed Brisbane made Melbourne look like a side of amateurs. Stretch did sweet FA. It almost looked like Brisbane were gearing up for the finals not Melbourne

We have an inability to play against the clarkson style game plan. Fagen has replicated hawthorn just with different jumpers.

Correct. We can win today and still miss out if we lose to pies and eagles beat crows by 5-6 goals.

Brisbane is now playing for the spoon. Number 1 pick on the line. Their administration and coaches wouldn't want to win today. Let's hope they make demon like changes (aka brad Miller in the ruck). Raynor is head and shoulders the best from the draft.

Interesting that we are a 91% chance to make the finals if we beat Brisbane.

Goodwin saying that viney might also miss next week and is a week to week proposition. He is so important to our midfield. Will be a big out for the next 2 weeks. hopefully we can win without him and have him ready for finals which would essentially give him a 4 week rest from last weeks game

Alister lunch and Brad Johnston also tipped Brisbane. Don't think lynch rates us at all

Forecast is sunny and 15... let's not mollycoddle the players

There are a handful of players in the whole league the consistently put in every week. The other 800 players are mere mortals. Your expectations of watts being superman are unrealistic

Brisbanes mids are surprisingly good on paper. No idea how they are bottom. beams, zorko, rocklif, mccluggage, Lewis Taylor, rich, bastinac and a very handy mobile ruckman. They have class in defense with Andrews and mcstay. Both have played 50+ games and forwards with hipwood. wouldnt surprise me if they are playing finals in a couple of years.

Very harsh to judge someone's class with gale blowing Antarctic winds after a 4 week hamstring layoff.

I think both port and Sydney will lose this week which means that whoever wins by more in the last round will finish 5th. Swans play Carlton and port play GC. Could both be 100 point wins.

Team of 40: Hibberd, Jetta, Oliver. Cant see garlett, jones, viney making it as year has been inconsistent. Jetta should be a lock and hibberd very close to top 22.

Can't see him being rushed back against Brisbane. If he is however close to returning this week then he must be a solid starter against pies. Would be a good lead in game for the finals

Should poll in the top 10. Might even make top 5

Played a great game on the weekend. Was the main reason why we were up by 40 points. Saints only came back when he gave up in the ruck for the fear of having a free paid against him. The umpires cost of massively in the 3rd qtr and should be disciplined.

I think you are right. The least saleable match with be Melbourne vs Port and will be given Thursday night. Not a real issue IMO. We would have had a big enough break at that point already.

No idea how they were given an extra pick in last years draft??

The best teams have 100 point + wins 2-3 times a year. If we want to be the best then this is the new expectation. I think this will come with time when our current core players hit 150 games and 25-26 years age. Might be 2-3 years off from this.

Also half decent % in a while

Most likely outcome is 7th and playing port 6th. Win that we likely play loser of Adelaide vs Richmond. Massive game vs Richmond at G.