Nasher

The Allies might have been a laughable concept but the bottom line is there is an odd number of states able to field a likely competitive side. Without playing a long series, you need some mechanism to make sure the strong teams play their game(s) against teams that are competitive. It'd (even more of a) waste of time if, say, WA played one of their games against Tas, NSW or Qld and beat them by 120 points.

It won't depend on that. If Spencer is fit he comes in, it's an absolute no brainer. Pedersen can go forward. I think after reading the brief training report on afl.com.au It'll be Spencer and Salem in for OMac and Wagner. Hogan has really only just started doing the work to get back, so I'm not tipping him to come in at this stage.

That was my interpretation too. No point going too early on the contact drills. Get his fitness and touch up now and test the shoulder out closer to the time - gives the maximum chance of him being ready. I'm expecting him as an 'in' based on that. Hogan is a longer shot to return I think.

I love the post match threads days later, when people have had an opportunity to calm down and watch the replay. It is usually absolute pox immediately after the game with the exception of Wiseblood and a couple of others who seem capable of regulating their emotions.

Garland, vandenBerg, Spencer, Wagner.

Read on - I retracted but left the post in place as I was quoted several times. I am guilty of circulating rumour as fact. Edit: I've removed my post and all references to it.

At risk of incurring stmj's wrath, I had literally never heard of him before this week.

There's a lot to be said about watching the game for the first time already knowing the result. It's a lot easier to be objective when you take the stress and frustration out of it. Even watching a second time after watching it live, you're still going to be biased towards what you were feeling when watching it live. This is why I raised an eyebrow after the game when both Jones and Goodwin said they were doing a lot right in the first half when Demonlanders had me believe we were the second coming of Neeld-era Melbourne. I hope the senior coaches and players are able to be calm and rational - there is no such obligation on the fans.

Critique away - even his biggest fan on Demonland (his brother) acknowledges he isn't AFL ready and has things to work on. You didn't offer any insight or constructive criticism at all. It was a cheap shot at a junior player. [edit: retracted stupid comment]

He won't need that. Do a little bit of Googling.

It won't be a hard decision. The condition he presents in as the match approaches will drive it - a ready Hogan will strut in and train at full intensity.

To be honest I reckon ANB was expecting a kick, but I agree all the same. Watching "all the goals", ANB was instrumental in a number of them. I know not everyone loves stats but he lead the team for goal assists and equal second for inside 50s. He was a key link in the chain. Probably never going to be much more than a decent foot soldier, but he has been good for a lot of the year.

I don't envy your position on here. There are always going to be tools on footy forums that want to pot your bloke without knowing anything about him. Just roll your eyes and ignore.

Very interesting to see what other Demon fans think of this place...I have to say I tend to avoid the first couple of hours after a loss. They're spot on. The match day threads on here are nothing short of embarrassing.

Thought this was going to be a topic on why some players don't wear a mouth guard at all. That is something that really has me scratching my head.

Out in front of ANB running at full pace?

Do you think he actively chooses not to impact contests? That seems to be what you're implying. Then again, perhaps it doesn't matter either way whether it's intentional or just a mental habit he can't break - it devalues him either way. (Yes I know you said not to quote you. Oh well.)

Jack Viney started the round second on the ladder for tackles, and had another 11 tackles. What a machine. Unbelievably the leader, Rory Sloane, had 13 to pull further ahead.

Salem for Bugg or Wagner. My preference would be for Bugg, but Wagner may make more sense positionally. Hogan for OMac. TMac back to defence in this scenario. Ruckman for other of Bugg/Wagner. Obviously the latter two changes are subject to availability of Hogan, Gawn and Spencer. I am assuming none of them will be available and it'll just be the one change.

Spoils count as 1%ers, that's why KPDs always feature highly in it. It's something worth counting (so I disagree that it is useless), but you definitely can't use it to compare players in different positions and you can't benchmark it in isolation. It could be used as an input to other metrics though. Shepherds, knock ons and smothers also count.

I am showing forum leadership and considerate restraint by posting this post about not replying instead of posting what I'd like to reply with.

I've already said twice in this thread that I didn't see the first half. Literally all I saw was a complete MFC annihilation. I thought it interesting that the skipper and the coach said the same thing about the first half. I realise Jones generally just regurgitates what Goodwin says - although in this case he was interviewed first - but I've also heard them comment with disappointment. Goodwin for example was clearly seething after the Hawthorn game. Obviously their responses are measured by design, but I have not seen any evidence that they flat out lie. I've watched enough footy to know what it's like to see the red mist when the opposition is kicking goals. It truly does feel like nothing is going right. I know that. So until I watch the whole replay, I am going to take the coach and the skipper on their word that the first half wasn't as dismal a state of affairs as a heap of angry supporters would have me believe.

Was he this good at Essendon? Easily in our top 5 players at present. He looks elite.

Likewise. Engaging with you and WYL is tedious - your response to everything is "scoreboard". I have zero interest in that level of analysis.

Yep! ?