Vipercrunch

I think Hibberd only comes in for an injured defender (Salem) or an omitted midfielder. I can't see any of the fit defenders that played against the dogs (May, Bowey, Hunt, Smith or Tomlinson) getting dropped. If we only play 6 pure defenders again and Lever is fit, then Lever IN, Salem OUT. If Lever isn't right, then Hibbo IN, Salem OUT. If we revert to 7 pure defenders (which was our preferred in 2021) and Lever is fit, then Lever and Hibbo IN, Salem and perhaps Jordan OUT

It's strange that most reporting about Morris that I've seen refers to only one recording about a colleague. As hurtful and unprofessional as that recording is, it's the other one that I see as the one that will cost him most.

Yes, two completely unrelated things. Tom Morris is a clear moron but that in no way justifies or remotely explains why Bevo was so unhinged last night.

I think the other grab is worse. Where he suggests that because he isn't black, Asian, a woman or gay he shouldn't be treated badly. I think that is the one that costs him career.

Yeah, I think his career is over.

https://www.bigfooty.com/forum/threads/tom-morris-leaked-audio-of-tom-morris-objectifying-female-staff-at-foxfooty-mysteriously-appears-on-the-internet-plus-second-nasty-video.1303307/ The two grabs of Morris (allegedly) are here. One is saying a female colleague from Fox is a lesbian (in very colorful language). The other is much worse where he says because he isn't black, Asian, a woman or gay, he shouldn't be treated badly. Appalling really. Complete side issue but someone has basically taken him out. I think his career is over.

To be fair to Cody, Smith's shadow hit him quite hard.

But why lose it because of the reporting of a minor selection change?? Of all the things?? That's the whole lunacy of this situation.

Absolutely spewing Kozzy didn't quite hold onto those marks in the first. Spectacular attempts and I hope he holds one real soon.

If you want some more history about Bevo's irrational carry on against the media, have a listen to the AFL Today podcast. He needs support.

I hope all the Smith doubters were paying attention. He was very solid both with his defending and disposing the ball. Watching at the game last night, while Brown lines up for our second goal, Gawn ran 50m to praise Smith after his efforts over near the members. Great captaincy and the praise was very well deserved. Lyon was also full of praise, saying just before the second quarter started "Joel Smith for me is the standout. You wanna talk about whether they're hungry, a bloke that doesn't play in the grand final keeps them all honest"

Spot on. Of all the things to get angry about, Bevo chose this? A minor and utterly inconsequential selection change comes out 10 hours early. Like whoop de dooo. And now people are praising Bevo for sticking up for his players who have been attacked?!?! How can anyone draw that conclusion.

Football is way importanter.

Didn't May have Naughton for most of the GF, even with Petty in the team?

Some people have very long memories and very rigid mindsets. And seem to be unaware players can improve.

Libba is the poster boy for faux tough guys. He should be embarrassed with his nonsense in the GF.

A very enjoyable 16 minutes. It gave some great behind the scenes footage into what happened at half time, on the bench during the third quarter and then at 3 quarter time ("Take 2 deep breathes" - and they all do!!!"). Loved, loved, loved it. I get why the Fox doco had to deeply explore the last 57 years, but if you've lived enough of those 57 years like a lot of us have, Momentum contains the stuff we really desperately wanted.

I thought Brisbane were the second best side last year, so if not us, I think they'll win it. GWS and GC would be the easiest teams to watch win it though. Does anyone know someone who seriously supports (not vague, nominal support) either of them? And winning the whole thing is probably the only way the AFL will see any return for the huge investment that has been put into those teams, which begrudgingly benefits us all. Apart from Greene, they don't have any players I dislike.

Couldn't agree more. The fake "whose free is it" after giving an obvious free away in a 1 on 1 contest had to stop. Hopefully they also clamp down on the standing over of a player to stop them getting up and taking the kick quickly (ala Cordy on top of BBB in the GF).

Most pleasing - Harmes. Moved better and with cleaner hands than I remember him doing so. Really liked his game. Clearly rusty - Viney and Lever. Both missed last week so perhaps understandable. Lever's game did start to resemble normality in the second half but Viney has some way to go. Worrying - Pickett, Jackson, Jordan. As good and as important as Pickett's defensive stuff is, he needs to get on the scoreboard (both himself and with assists). The less he impacts the scoreboard, the more he seems to get frustrated and down on himself. Jackson was beaten in the ruck all night and struggled to take contested marks like we know he can. Jordan hasn't captured his form of early last year yet. I'm sure they'll come good, but it would be nice to hit the season proper with them in better form. Can't understand the hate - Smith. Played another very solid game I thought. Some others here saw it that way, others obviously see it very differently. Ask me in 6 weeks if tonight meant anything, but Goodwin has lots of talking points now as we focus on Round 1.

It would be disloyal of us to demand more $$ from our sponsors just after winning. Sure, when it's time to renegotiate, and perhaps with some ongoing time at the top of the AFL world, we should attract and receive more remuneration. But now is not the time.

When fit, our backline will consist of 7 (a back 6 plus one on the pine as per the GF) of the following 10 players:- May (AA and automatic selection) Lever (AA and automatic selection) Salem (stiff not to be AA and automatic selection) then 4 of... Petty Tomlinson Smith (missed PF and GF due to injury) Hibbo Bowey Rivers Hunt (lost his spot with injury and couldn't win it back) And we have Turner who by his selection yesterday must be tracking ok. Going to be very interesting to see who lines up in 19 days. I'm not sure about that. I thought Petty was a slight improvement on Tomlinson.

You are obviously a big Hibbo fan, but until Smith was injured on the training track before the PF, our selectors had Smith ahead of Hibbo. Both bring strengths and weaknesses. Tough to be a selector, and very tough for whichever defenders miss out playing round 1.

Should we be concerned about the strapping on Trac's left knee? Wasn't there in the GF.

Bowey I think is safe unless he struggles next week. Hibberd took Joel's spot last year so he's the obvious one, but Rivers isn't a lock, and nor is Tomlinson to simply step in for Petty either.