hells bells

I agree bandicoot, I think the defenders will match up ok against their forwards. The worry for me is Reiwoldt, he doesn't have an obvious matchup from a height and weight perspective. Brayshaw is the closest. Watts is another option but I think he needs to play forward. Hannan an option but it would be a massive baptism of fire. Did anyone see the Saints JLT games? Has Reiwoldt slowed down noticeably?

Agreed Nasher

They should arrange for someone independent to inspect the condition of the ground and comment on it's condition. The players association should arrange it. Then if someone gets injured as a result of the turf shifting they can claim it was an unsafe workplace. Until then the AFL will continue to push the line that the ground is fine, regardless of the injuries. I'd be furious if we lost Hogan or Gawn with a knee due to a dodgy surface.

This, more than anything gives me reason to be confident that we are a good chance this weekend. Oliver, Lewis, Salem, Stretch, Melksham are a far better group than M. Jones, VDB, Kennedy, White, Grimes and that's 1/4 of the team.

Any pearls of wisdom or points of interest from the co-captain?

Old, out of interest how many of our best 22 do you have missing?

Actually Frost might be in my best 22.

Completely agree. Hibberd is the only one I have missing from my best 22.

I don't think Garland will play. Who is the 3rd tall after Oscar and T.Mac. Frost has been ruled out.

It also means that for 12 months Spencer has been training 1 on 1 against the AA ruckman. Something to consider as it can't have hurt his development.

Do you think Joel Smith will play Round 1? I had him ahead of Garland already.

His hands in close remind me of Simon Black.

Sounds like you've heard something promising ox_5 - care to offer any hints?

One thing that I don't think has been mentioned is that this group tends to play well in games that are "built up". We've played well the last couple of Queens birthday matches. We've played well the last couple of Anzac Eve games. We've played well the last two Round 1 games. This game has already been built up by the media. By the time the game starts it will probably be close to game of the round. The Saints are playing well, but they are not unbeatable. Also if we manage to get over the line, what a great way to start the year by knocking off two more of those long standing hoodoos. Etihad and the Saints. Two birds with one stone.

I think Frost has hurt his toe again. It was reported last week.

Did anyone go?

I'm not sure how you can be so sure Garlett and Hibberd won't play. Garlett will have had 5 weeks for a minor hammy he would have to be more likely to play than miss. Hibberd is probably 50:50 given the extent of his injury is vague. Likewise Jetta must be close. i think it's safe to put a line through VDB, Frost and Wagner, and agreed Kent is probably unlikely. My two issues are, one - if VDB, Frost and Wagner are out the difference between us winning and losing against the Saints then our list is in worse shape than either of us want to admit. Personally I don't have VDB or Wagner in my best 22 and Frost would be borderline. Secondly, you've identified our weaknesses but ignored any on the Saints side. They have players that miss targets, they have Backs that our forwards have beaten before. If the Saints come out and torch the Swans this week then maybe It'll change my opinion, but I don't think they are a massively better side than us. Certainly not to the extent you make out.

You should take the $26 on offer for the Saints to win the flag. You make them sound unbeatable.

2 of the 6 listed automatically drop out due to the further reduction from 24 to 22. By round 1 Garlett will have had another 2 weeks recovery from his hamstring - he reportedly trained strongly today and you'd expect him to come straight in. Bugg and Harmes played nearly every game last year so they are solid citizens. So take two out of Spencer, Garland, ANB and Trengove out of the list. Replace another with Garlett. I think we're in pretty solid shape.

Watts for VDB Tyson for JKH both are upgrades.

Was Joel Smith elevated off the rookie list?

Peter Jackson is incredibly impressive when he talks. Can't underestimate his impact on the Melbourne Football Club.

I don't have either in my best 22 for round one.

I've been hoping for this since it happened. Excellent!!!

When asked who would win a contest between Oliver, Brayshaw and Petracca, he felt Oliver would be the most likely.