pitmaster

This is one 'blockbuster' or 'traditional clash', call what you like, that has some basis in history ie: setting the record h and a attendance on QB 1955. Anzac Day, success that it is, is an invention of modern football promotion. This one grew out of the game itself, before the term advertising concept was born. Before Mad Men even.

It's not that i quite like it or don't mind it. I actively like the white jumper! Almost bought one but opted for the predominantly red with blue demon which is my preferred clash jumper. But the white, harking back to the club's original Invincible Whites heritage, with a demon and red and blue - it's got the lot really. The trad jumper clashes with the Blues navy and the Bombers red (as Peter Walsh's game winning handpass to James Hird so clearly demonstrated a few years back.)

Because the Pies are strong in the ruck and because Jamar needs support (and Miller forgets when he is supposed to be in there which is why Sylvia took one bounce last week which cost us a goal). And maybe because I am a slow learner. Listen, if PJ does not get the nod and Miller is the back up big body then I hope Hughes gets a crack because like Dunn he can provide some movement and stronger hands up forward.

OK that's enough about Miller. He will play this week. It's a game for mature bodies. For the same reason, Watts will probably miss. His form does not warrant another crack and we can save him being targeted. Also to miss are Jones and Junior. Hammies both of them - one only slight, the other only a niggle but with a week off to follow, why risk them? Junior's leadership will be a big loss but let's get them right with only one week out where normally it might be two or three. Also clearly out is Sylvia - again he will be missed big time but it's a serious scare and I'd be very surprised a Thursday hospital discharge sees him on the park in a big one by Monday. Ins are McKenzie for Junior which is obvious: to regain tackling and midfield grunt. Dunn for Watts - simply, Dunny must be peristed with up forward. Reading BG's player review it sounds like Dunn really worked his body in front and showed how to play a key forward position. Let's hope it translates to the ones. I want Cheney for Jones - not to play the position though, but to go back to give us strength and run. Maybe Grimes to go to the middle. And the one to p--- you all off: again, guided by BG's player review and the need against Jolly to have a second ruckman: Paul Johnson. He disappointed last time but it's a big unit and it can ruck a bit and it can kick sweetly if it actually finds the ball. Bottom line, the Russian can't take on the Pies rucks solo. Frawley. He is a must: for Garland I guess, who has struggled. Others will say Rivers but I reckon he is starting to read it SUMMARY: Out: Sylvia, Jones, Junior Mac, Watts, Garland In: McKenzie, Cheney, Dunn, Johnson, Frawley(and Hughes unlucky to miss)

Sure it was 1955 for Barass misjudging those marks? Given Charlie Sutton last week said his favorite moment of the 1954 GF was having RDB run into his elbow, I think Ron may have arrived by then. Anyway, one G Lyon on Footy Classified made the interesting admission last night that in his very early days he had precisely the same problem as Watts, in keeping his feet. Lyon said there was an issue of growing into his body and building up leg strength. Neither he nor Grant Thomas had any doubt Watts will make it.

Excellent post. Despite the sniping from the usual know-alls, there are several keen observers who have been urging Dunn be given a go up forward this year. He spent a year as a midfielder tagging whoever, presumably to teach him some defensive skills, but has not been returned to the forward line. He is more mobile than Bate, and a sweet kick. Since Petterd went down we have really struggled up forward. We know Miller won't cut it, Watts is not ready and Green cannot do it all, so I am for Dunn getting a chance.

This year's goal (and victory) drought pretty closely corresponds with the injury to Petterd. Since he went down we have really struggled down forward. I under-estimated his impact. His ability to find space and kick consistently is seriously missed right now. He ain't coming back anytime soon so it could be a tough second half of the year. Here's hoping Dunn's Casey form stands for something bigger.

Not a day for forwards today, but the longer term answer is the lack of a seriously imposing mature forward of the sort David Neitz presented. Watts is a kid with a skinny body. If he were making his way a few years back when Neita was there to share the heat there would not be this anguish over Watts. As it is he draws heaps of attention from the opposition and we need an alternate target to take the limelight from him. Miller unfortunately cannot fill that role and now I don't see anyone on the list who can, as capable as B Green is. Most kids, most number one draft picks don't have to make their way as Watts is doing, so we just have to bide our time. I thought it was interesting today that he was playing such a central role early - I always saw him this year as HFF material. The FD is obviously trying to teach him stuff -playing in front would be a start - he knows that already but has not learned how to put himself in front at this level.

I'd love to upset the Cats and I have seen us do it down there but it is unlikely. Carlton will in fact be a very good measure of where we are. They should be a couple of years ahead of us in development but I reckon we are a real show. It's one I have been looking forward to for a couple of weeks now.

I'm looking forward more to the Blues game - they should be a couple of years ahead of us in development but I reckon we're not that far off them. And we play them at a better venue, the G, which does not so much give us an advantage as put us both on equal footing. I agree we have to win at a range of grounds to be successful but K Park is so unlike anything else as to be a joke.

Is that a margin or their total?

It's a shocker of a decision but he's got form for being rubbed out for bugger all. They clearly don't like him. He will be sorely missed. Mature bodies are needed to take on the likes of Chapman. Beamer was the man.

We can't over estimate the challenge this week. Not only are the Cats travelling superbly but we get to play at that disgrace of a ground of theirs. Consider this: 170 metres long (10 longer than the 'G) and 115 metres wide - that is 26 metres narrower. It's not an oval. It's a tube. So it's no surprise we kick out on the full a couple of times whenever we play there. Since the government redeveloped the place they should have made it conform to something like a regular ground. Instead it's a taxpayer underwritten homeground advantage.

Looks like an invented premise. Everything that follows is tainted by its phoniness.

The group going to Yuendumu are going up Thursday early. There are Darwin clinics on Friday as well so a few players will be needed for them but only a handful, so the rest of the team might go up Friday. The Yuendumu crew and a few players go on to Tiwi Islands on Sunday for more clinics. Sounds like a blast.

Reading BG's review of Miller " rated Millsy as excellent - I think he and Joel were our best two players. As a forward, Millsy had twenty possessions, eleven marks, and kicked four goals two. He presented well and structured the forward line. Hes in great touch, and has been really consistent over the last month" He lost me a while back - say round one - but since we lost Petterd the forward line is desolation row. Wonna's had two games - maybe needs one more - Sylvia's not firing, Davey out of touch. Johnno suffered from a lousy all round showing last week but even so, gave us next to nothing. So Millsy is the only forward with form so if he is not in this week we can rule him out for all time. YA GOTTA ASK CAN WE AFFORD TO LEAVE HIM OUT AGAIN?

I was in the cattle pen in the south east forward pocket that day - $50 for a carp seat - but it was worth every cent to hear the cow cockies howl at the end.

I'm not sure about that RR. This year we have been putting the ball between the player and the goal for the run-on attack quite a bit. Bail has worked to this tactic several times. Had that ball held up just a tad, or had Jack had more kick in his run, he was set for an uncontested mark running with the flight and a set shot from only a few metres out. That's was Jack's chance to add some icing to a game that was generally pretty promising anyway.

Best chance ever to take down the Crows at aami - i might even get over there for that one. Port is possible...and I don't discount shaking up the Saints. Remember last year we had to tank - sorry restructure the side - late in the second quarter to get the Aints up and firing. If their season continues to wobble anything is possible. Carlton is not out of the question either - they're up and down like us. We should expect to win 2 of the 6 and hope for 3-3.

In the medical room. and PJ a great disappointment

The problem I have with this is the extraordinary and unprecedented lengths the field umpire went to in the Green case to force a backdown from the goal umpire who had no doubt. I have never seen such protracted interference - roping in both boundary umpires. Be as clinical as you like RR, what went on was highly unusual.

Like everyone else on this site, I am gutted this am. Even at quarter time when we trailed by 14 I thought Melbourne had been the better side in general play. It was only a little more polish and luck in front of goal that edged the Flogs to the front (and a disallowed goal of Greeny's). We were the better side for the most part - stuck to a game plan that did not seem suited to the conditions and made it work with run and commitment. And yes we were done over by some key umpiring decisions - even their choice of shirt colour! with Bart's last quarter handpass. But looking to the future, how much brighter is ours! Welcome Danny Hughes. I have not been hanging out to see him. Only his name name rang a bell somehow. But this bloke looks the goods. Strong mark and kick - at least in the warm up and once he had settled - pity about his first quarter miss but we'll forgive first game nerves. He is another promising young one to add to Scully, Trengove etc. Our FD will make sure they learn from this and we will overtake the Flogs real soon. Win next week and we're 4-4. I'd have taken that at the start of the year - and we can add another great kid. And who expected McKenzie to be as good as he is? Be happy Dees.

From the club 4.36pm Thursday "Closing on 32,000" Great result

No contest. Paul Johnson - and can ruck forward.

you're hilarious