Nasher

A few weeks ago I had OMac coming out for Gawn to address the structural issue, but his game against Collingwood and then following up against Bulldogs threw that idea in to flux. The most junior of the three tall defenders is the one playing the best footy. I expect Salem to spend more time in the middle with Jones out. I think, for one week at least, a back six of Hibberd, Hunt, Jetta and the three talls could work. OMac is the only three of the talls who is of the lumbering variety - TMac and Frost are both runners. Frost in particular is fast - not just for a tall, but fast full stop. In the era of 'zone defence' I don't think the fact that he's tall matters per se. I agree that this setup has a lot of dodgy kicks in the back half - but realistically the alternatives are to import someone from Casey like Wagner - another dodgy kick - or an inferior midfielder like JKH or Stretch to enable Salem to continue playing back - also not ideal. It'll become evident pretty quick if it doesn't work. I'd back Goodwin to make in game changes if it's not working (perhaps move Gawn forward, put TMac back in to the ruck), and adjust the side accordingly the following week. We worry about how to fit Hogan in when the time comes. There are too many variables that haven't happened yet - there are probably at least two weeks worth of form, injuries and structural effectiveness to be observed before we need to make that call.

Out: Jones In: Gawn Easy as that I think. Misson says he expects Watts, Hunt and Jetta to all get up. No mention at all of Hibberd - where has that talk come from? Bummed about Jones though. That's interfered with my mood more than any injury has this year including Hogan. Not because he's the best player but because he's not supposed to break, feels like it's upset the universe a bit.

Worrying players will leave is so 2012. Why would any player want to leave now? Madness.

Clangers is a stat that is nearly always proportional to disposals. Players who get it the most have the most opportunity to make a mistake with it. It can't be used in isolation as a metric for quality of ball use.

"Wanchors"

One Bulldogs supporter on BF was bemoaning that even though they'd copped a drubbing, nobody was ringing callback radio on SEN to complain. I actually laughed out loud.

Round 13, 2017 vs Bulldogs. ?

You only need to read the comments to that second one to see why he's doing it. That last one says literally nothing and look at the saltiness of all the comments. He's just winding everyone up for a laugh.

We're the only team to presently be on a three game winning streak. I looked at the ladder and got a touch of vertigo.

Why hasn't he been in the side for the last two seasons then? Pre-injury Trengove was a gun.

This crossed my mind also, but then, slowest player on the biggest ground? Hm.

Absolute non-event. Up there with the Hogeshasadartgate.

It's only natural after such a bitterly disappointing loss.

I reckon that Nathan Jones fella is turning in to a pretty handy midfielder too.

Garlett should have had another bag of 5 today. Lock him in for his first 50 goal season. Can't believe his turnaround in form this year.

Most dominant 3 goal half ever. Supporters will honestly tell themselves anything in denial to take the edge off the pain.

Nothing will top the Crows fans woes after we rolled them. It was simply a stunning performance considering their team was still first on the ladder - and haven't been dislodged since either! I've always been harsh on D'landers about carry-on when we lose, but that was a real eye-opener.

Jones out isn't confirmed as far as I know. The man has missed a grand total of 5 games since his debut season and has played 109 games in a row, so I'll believe it when I damn well see it. The man is super human.

Going to really stick my neck out here: In: Gawn Out: Injured player If no player is injured, I quit. Too hard.

When he said on 360 that he was going to bounce back in a big way, I believed him. He mentioned being a proud player, but he's also obviously very confident and knows what he is capable of. Last week obviously stung.

I think on current form, you'd have to play them all and wait until it becomes apparent which one doesn't fit in. You'd think Pedersen and OMac were still the most vulnerable, but I can't see how you'd justify dropping either of them. Anyway, I'm nearly in a good enough mood to stop stomping on@picket fence's fingers and let him on the bandwagon.

Roger that. Bring it the F on, West Coast.

Been feeling all year that we've been on the verge of being a good team. Could we have just crossed the line?

And a Hogan fan.

I find it hard to believe that we're not better off with Spencer as the chief ruck instead of TMac and TMac as key defender instead of OMac, although I'm less convinced of the latter than I was last week. I think that stands even if WB don't have a ruck either. Struggling with this one, I've got to say. I don't buy that it's because they don't rate him - this setup would have been unfathomable prior to Spencer getting injured. Must be concerns over his form, it's the only answer that makes sense to me. It might be that we see the ruck as being redundant now and won't bother with one unless he's a star (Gawn). Sucks to be Spencer if that's the case, but again I have doubts. I acknowledge that I don't know squat and I trust team Goodwin's judgement.