Nasher

+1.

I've never understood this attitude. How about, "never hit anyone"?

Out: Gawn In: Dawes The in speaks for itself. Gawn out is the only way I can see to achieve balance - the second ruck has to be able to play as a forward. I have supreme confidence in Pedersen's ability to play the ruck/forward role; he's bean dead set excellent this year, which makes big Max largely redundant. Gawn also had a poor game today, but that's not the point. Anyone know why the Toumpas for Riley change was made?

Blease, Strauss and Nicholson are on the proverbial gallows with nooses in place. Bail is firmly cemented in the 22, and Jetta is playing good footy. The only question mark in the list is Evans, who has another year to run on his contract anyway, so he's got plenty of time.

To be fair, it's not something a player gets to do often - in that fashion. And it's not just the spoil, it's the demonstration of intent; in my opinion it's always there and that's the reason I think the idea of dropping him is a joke. Especially when people (not you, I realise) toss in names like Blease and Strauss as potential replacements.

Titan, I'm a fan of yours so I'm trying very hard not to be a dick about this, but the idea that any of Strauss, Blease etc would push Grimes out of the side is laughable. Kent is not a contender for the same role. Look, I know I'm coming across as overly defensive. I don't love Grimes, and was livid at that centering kick to a player under pressure on the HBF. He needs to improve. But he does have redeeming attributes, and the criticism just goes way over the top. I'm more than happy for him to be replaced by a better player, I just think that player isn't on the list.

As with most of your posts, I can only assume you are joking.

This is garbage. He is not going to be dropped from the side. The only changes that get made are ones that genuinely improve the side; there is not a player better than Jack Grimes kicking around in the VFL, full stop.

Persevere. He makes poor decisions at times, but he tackles well, runs hard and is a good reader of the play. I think supporters are needlessly harsh on him. I'm confident the one or two poor mistakes a game can be eradicated from his game.

You obviously have not been paying much attention to selection this year.

Agreed. Happy for Pedersen to pinch hit in the ruck as before Gawn joining the side. Pedersen continued his awesome form too. Has developed in to a reliable, tough big man. Easily the most improved player on our list I reckon.

I think it works *because* there's only two, not in spite of it.

Bump.

Two minutes to go but it's over. Amazing effort but just lacked a little in the last quarter. I went from hoping for not to be disgraced to thinking we'd win to just absolutely shattered.

Won't happen. Firstly, there are only 3 states that could field viable teams. If you think anyone represented by (or representing) a team called "the Allies" gives a fig about it, you'd be wrong. You'd never get the same sense of tradition that the NRL gets because of this because you're not playing the same team each year. Secondly, clubs would never clear their best players (assets) to play. They're far too valuable a commodity to risk for a game that isn't for four points.

It's nice that we can delude ourselves that we can match it with the best I'm with you, for the record!

Not one of your post remained. That may tell you something.

Thought Salem may have been due for a run at Casey, but not displeased. Happy with selection, as I have been all year really.

Thread is 36 posts lighter, including most of what was the second and third page. A few repeat offenders probably earned a ban or two in there somewhere too, but having to wade through all that has sapped my will to live, so no further action will be taken.

Yes, you could lose 20% of the time and only win 15% of the time. I think this stat is just reflective of the style of game we're playing. It does indicate that our opposition is having trouble winning the ball, and that's great, but it doesn't give any indication about how much we are winning the ball.

Brisbane's is my favourite.

Who gives a toss how much he costs? Leave the money issues for the bean counters and the dreaming of gun players for the fans. It really does floor me when fans would prefer to worry about player's salaries than making our side as good as possible.

Tyson, Cross and Vince? The former two definitely had the option not to and I'd argue Vince did too.

Not the same people. People have differing views - funny, that.