Nasher

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.

I thought (with absolutely no confidence) that Spencer would play. I hope it's just because it's because he was slow to blow out the cobwebs last week in the VFL, because I don't like the alternative.

It would've been nice symmetry. Apparently they are also good mates off the field.

Far out, we're at selection day already? I haven't finished enjoying the Pies win yet, bunch of spoil sports. Spencer in for Harmes or Melksham on that side. I see ANB as a notch above the other two at this stage. Coach taking the piss naming Kennedy and Weideman. As if they will play.

Because it's interesting?

I don't agree with this DD - he fell to where he did because clubs either didn't know about him at all or considered him far too speculative. At the time he was a player with pace but pretty much every other aspect of his game had a question mark, including likelihood of actually getting on the park. If clubs knew he'd turn out to be this player, he'd be top 20 already, even with the sometimes unfortunate kicking.

Who is worried about tackles?

Isn't that cute - it's like those adorable critters are trying to speak our language!

I nearly fainted too for the same reason. My companion at the game was a Collingwood supporter so I had to sit down on my own. My voice is still hoarse and my throat still sore. The other odd bit is that I can't remember any of the play after that. I watched the last two minutes clip earlier going "nup, this is all new" even though I watched it intently in real time.

Boring. The usual mishmash of borderline calls, legitimate free kicks and genuine umpiring mistakes. Funny how nobody ever seems to make videos or moan when their team wins.

Awesome description Ron. Time being suspended is a great way of putting it. In my memory Jack Watts is the only moving part - everyone and everything else is just static and silent. I was side on to the goals so couldn't see if it went through, but the sound that exploded from the fans down that end went through me. I have never lost it like I did then. Absolutely one of the most amazing experiences I've had.

To answer my own question a bit, looking at the numbers closely, our defenders are nearly all in the bottom few players for tackles. Hibberd and the McDonald bros regularly feature at the bottom end of the ladder. The inside mids (Viney, Oliver etc) sit at the top. The ladder for 1%ers - of which spoils is a key feature - almost looks like the tackles ladder in reverse, with Hibberd, McDonald bros, Frost and Jetta often featuring at the top.

I don't understand the lack of tackles - he's such a strong competitor in general and very hard to get the footy past; winning tackles seems like the next logical piece. He's got 4 tackles in total in 7 games for the MFC. That's a very low number whichever way you cut it. Maybe it is a genuine weakness in his game, but so far nobody cares because his contests and use of the footy out of the back line are first rate, and an element we've been absolutely screaming for. I'm sure not complaining at all, just trying to understand.

We will comfortably be able to find three or more players to turn over without delisting an injured first year rookie - I can count 5 without even stopping to think. Do rookie listed players count towards the three anyway? I thought the rule was you had to have at least three openings to participate in the National Draft.

I opened this thread with my cringing face on, and closed it laughing. Set the tone with the Titanic clips and maximum LOLs achieved with @Ted Fidge's meme. Great stuff.

Footy's a cut throat business, but it's hard to imagine them not giving him a second year at least. By picking him up in the first place, they've said "we reckon we can make you in to a player" - it makes the entire exercise a waste of time if they abandon him at the first bad injury. Unless of course their view on him as a player has drastically changed - but I can't see how it could have since he's barely been on the field. I'm very confident he'll be given his full measure of time. If I were the MFC list manager I'd be telling him now that his spot on the list for next year is safe, not to worry about it and just focus on getting the foot sorted.

All three teams are below us on the ladder Steve. I know that doesn't necessarily mean we're better, but it does mean they have plenty of flaws to be exposed, just as we do. Get around us!

I have to admit this thought also crossed my mind, but I thought it too tasteless to say out loud.