pitmaster

Bottom six is an interesting theory and has some relevance but what really hurt the Saints was lack of pace and lousy disposal both around the field and up forward. Had Schneider's miss after the H_T siren, and his poster just after the restart both gone through, and a couple of other posters found the mark then the psychological pressure on Collingwood would have been totally different. I reckon their defensive mindset is crippling them, though and they don't get the best out of the best six as a result. I'd hate to watch them every week. Simply too slow to combat Pies press yesterday.

I know ye Demonians and today you wake in fear and dread, but take heart for there is comfort in this adversity. Recall ye how the Geelong tribe treated our people - with contempt and conceit. Remember the thrashings they so gleefully inflicted upon us. And remember too, that callow little [censored] who so arrogantly feigned boredom with defeating our people that he fell asleep during their victory chorus. Revel in his pain. Take heart too in your own grit, for you are staunch and stand by our tribe - not at all like those of Geelong who last eve fled the scene before the contest was half over. Aye it is true for I saw it with mine own eyes - the hand shake and the farewell a mere 26 minutes into the second period! There is a term: Weak As. Yet I, and many of you I know, stayed staunch through the challenges of 1988 and 2000 and more still. Take comfort that we are better than that. And if it come to pass that our oldest enemy shall ultimately triumph then remember too, that sometimes it is right that the best team win whoever they are for one day and more, we hope that will be us. Here endeth the lesson.

Our treatment of Junior was arguably very harsh. If we are going to be that tough on a proven loyal and valuable player (who just happens to be the skipper) then we are unlikely to recruit on sentiment. Most likely will not happen with the new professional aqpproach.

Form says it must stay.

This article tells us nothing new and there's no reason to panic. The kid has always had to agree to a father-son, or not. Nothing's changed. Wouldn't mind Todd coming over as an assistant though!

Thanks to WJ for that report on the Bluey. Do you, Jack, or does anyone else have a decent precis of Bail's speech that they can post here?

Tagging would not affect his voting - better than the rest of us those who vote know what is asked of the players any given week. Damian Barrett said Jones had asked for a meeting with the coach to discuss his future - and whether he is needed - looks like that could be right on the money. Congrats to Greeny, Frawls and the Russian - all richly deserved their recognition. Gotta worry a bit about Jones and Cale - I reckon both are needed: Jones for his terrific attitude and grit, especially with JMac finishing, and Cale for his potential. Incidentally, a good year for JMac - 10ths and having missed a third of the year. Anyone have a good explanation for us moving him on?

Interesting that according to that article his job has been turning a struggling group around and developing young players - both relevant to us. Wouldn't want him for sentiment, but he may bring something extra to the job if he qualified on the football professional counts.

He clearly was not arguing that case - quite the opposite in fact. And I agree with his sentiments re the squealer Harvey. Arguably the most umpire-conscious but nonetheless brave man playing the game.

It was Michael Osborne. That's the least he does any week.

No, no way should Junior be delisted. Consider what Hawks' mature bodies did to us in the wet, add that the only really mature bodied midfielder to come back is Moloney, and it's clear we need Junior to keep going. Just as well he wants to. And that he has had one of his best seasons ever. Junior retire? Perish the thought. We're simply not equipped to grow without him.

Well no. Of course not. That's the point. He was number one for a reason. Regardless, his progress has been steady. He would have impressed more yesterday if he had been a little more selfish but his tendency to look to give off the ball in the first quarter cost him (and us) an early goal. But he has already shown he knows: #how to find the ball in a contest and give off with quick, accurate hands; #how to take a contested mark; #how to run ahead of the play to take an uncontested mark in the forward 5o; #how to kick steadying goals when they count. That's enough in 15 or so games, I reckon. (As for Maric, I've yet to see anything.)

Articles are capped off brilliantly by the art work on the sport section's front page. Best damn looking demon seen in decades!

Interesting to get the story behind the breaking out of the song yesterday. I heard the chanting (from the MCC wing) and was rapt to hear it develop into our song. That's more attitude than we normally show I thought. It might have spread around the ground but for the fact that the on-field action went up a notch. It was a great answer to whatever was going on. Good on em.

Merritt was a Magpie - and a rare one - total class and a nice bloke from what I could gleen of his manner on telly. Highly skilled, beautiful stab pass (IE: a low, fast kick similar to a drop kick but lower trajectory and properly executed impossible for a defender to intercept) and all round good guy. Played through the 50s and was in the Woods' team of the century.

tks for the correction - it was our home game!

The Dean Bailey mantra all year has been about getting games into young players together as a group. I'd have thought a final would be worth two games experience so on that basis, yes let's hope we make it. If we don't it will not have much effect on expectations for next year. They will be high anyway. I've already got opposing supporters raving to me about how good the Dees will be!

We've had a lousy win-loss record with heritage jumpers and not so good with alternative strips either, partly because we have been rotten on the road. But I make last night our second win in the white guernsey this year (Darwin by 1 point being the earlier one). So does anyone now how many we have won in the non-traditional strip?

I have not rated him before - I've not seen any reason for him to have a guernsey before last Sunday - and it's too soon to rate him now. All that can be said is that he showed a bit...a bit of pace, a bit of dash, a bit of defensive pressure and some skill by foot. He did not get a lot of it but he gave reason to believe the recruiters were not totally off the pace when they drafted him (although 21 still looks a bit high). He should get another run but then, we need to find room for tapscott before the year is out as well as bring back grimes, jnr etc. Keep him this week for confidence sake and then see how he goes.

During On The Couch last night Healy showed a map of how the Woods, the Cats and Us played round 17. It showed us going wide much more than Geelong, similarly to, though not as much as the Pies. What was going on was our blokes running to create space against a team that likes to close the game down. Any other week we might be more corridor-centric - but not this week.

The most interesting thing about that swans website is how little any of them know about the game. Wolftone57 about the only exception. Most don't know diddly.

It's walk the walk, mate. Talk the talk, walk the walk. I hate it when people get that wrong so sharpen up big fella

[That was [censored] umpire - simply NOT in the back. Davey was wrong to dispute but the decision was wrong wrong wrong. Great comeback Bennell.

Sylvia misses - just like Bate earlier missing what should be a trademark goal for him - and what about Davey's handpass to Bail's ankles setting up that last Freo goal. FCS!

Second to the ball again