Redleg

There is a bald bloke with a beard playing for us, who played 39 games in his first 5 years on the list and kicked 18 goals, while often played forward. Yes he had injuries, as did Weid. I am not comparing the two, only that sometimes careers turn around after poor starts. I would move Weid on if we had a better replacement, but we don't and we have no ruck back up either, after the current two. So unless there is a great deal to be done, that gets us a better player and a ruck backup as well, he stays another year.

Weid has rucked in the VFL and got a fair bit of ball around the ground. Who do we have after Max and LJ to ruck? Not saying he is a ruckman but he can pinch hit there and after BB and Tom who are the next key forwards? IMO he stays unless we have someone to replace him with.

Congrats Nathan and Jerri on adding to the Jones and MFC families. Wish you happiness and health for the whole family and a Premiership in 11 days.

I love this post and thread.

First I don’t think we will risk 2 just recently injured players and May just has to play. To me that means no Smith. Hunt of course was injured weeks ago but really should be fully fit and it wasn’t a hamstring. IMO Hunt is the only possible change barring a training mishap and it could only be for Hibbo, JJ or Sparrow. Sparrow seems on the inner now and Hibbo played well on Cameron, who may have been ill. So I think it’s an outside chance of Hunt for JJ or Hibbo, or more likely no change.

I can’t believe I am saying this, but physically Smith is a better matched opponent to Naughton than May. Naughton is far more athletic than May. May is more suited to the Hawkins types. Maybe Petty will get Naughton. Anyway, that said, I don’t think Smith will play. I think the only possible in is Hunt and it could be an unlucky JJ if that happened.

Tom Morris just said he will play. Weightman back too. We need a few Dogs injuries to good players.

A few of them have gibbed the contest and that is fatal in finals.

How much of the game did Hibbo play on Cameron? Cameron was basically destroyed. $1m a year for that effort. 2 first round picks plus to get him.

Hunt is possibly going to be the unlucky one . Jones, just heartbreaking for him.

Serious? He had 9 possessions in a quarter after sitting on his bum for 3/4. He was given a ranking ahead of 12 players who played the whole game. He laid 2 tackles and took 3 marks and got his possessions all over the ground, by running to make position or contest. He will be in the 23. Sparrow had 2 more possies and similar other stats in 4 quarters. Not sure what more you can expect of a sub.

Yes and he probably held the vigour back a couple of notches, because of not wanting any MRO issues. Get the feeling that won’t be the case in the GF.

Brilliant first half and possibly the best half he has ever played. Kept it up in the second half with less possessions but the same intensity. In our best 3 players. Well done Jack, enjoy and do it again in the GF.

Just win and no injuries.

Hawkins, Cameron, Rohan and Esava.

That suggests he is playing, unless Scott is trying to screw with us.

Well they haven’t protected Oliver to date, so why would they start now. They will be too busy dealing with the constant free kick appeals of Selwood and Hawkins.

Not your best post Froggy, for those of us locked down and not allowed to attend.

Since Kate has gone to Perth can I put my hat back on? ( see OP and thread Title. )

I think I am responsible for the turnaround and win the next week, as my after game speech was clearly awe inspiring. As I said I told them to "shower and move on".

No Hunt even as emergency. Would assume he was not quite right.

It was a nightmare. Record defeat at the time. Big Carl was the Coach and was so angry, he made the Team Manager ( me ) address the team after the game.I sat with the boys in the rooms for about 10 minutes and then told them to shower and move on, which we did. What else could you say?

You are not alone.

Knowing the way we operate and how we are now seen in the AFL, if the player wants to come to us and we want him, we will get it done. It may mean letting another player or two leave, especially if it is to go home, but as long as they are not an untouchable then we will do the deal and look to replace the ones leaving in the draft or through other smaller trades or delistings, FA's etc. We are now a destination club and that really helps. The managers and their players are far more keen and help to get the deals done. The main thing is that the core group stays and you keep improving it and the culture isn't harmed. Players leaving for more opportunities is not a culture buster. It in fact may help build it even stronger as we are seen as a , successful, smart and compassionate club.

Can Declase play a key forward role? If Turner comes on and can help with key defence roles and with Tomlinson back, then Petty can go forward as he has done early on. If we get Andrew that is another future forward. I still think Bradtke can improve and maybe pinch hit forward or back. Lastly we identify another young key forward either in the draft or trade. There are options if Weid goes,