Nasher

I don't understand who would barrack for a Tasmanian team. I wouldn't. Most people I know are so entrenched in their support of their sides that they're not going to change teams. Even if they did, it's not really achieving anything in terms of growth of the game, it's just diluting the support for existing clubs. The time for creating a Tassie team was in the mid 90s, before mass televisation had set in which solidified people's allegiences to the AFL teams. Prior to that, local footy had massive support; you only had to see the attendences to the TFL grand finals and State of Origin matches. I think that ship has well and truly sailed now. Having Norf and Hawthorn play a stack of games down here every year is probably the best outcome.

I know. The concept that a high profile trade could be a win for both parties is one lost on the halfwits that comment on our game.

Not surprising though, the guy is an absolute ball magnet. The first of many tags, I'd expect. Still can't believe he landed on our laps.

Um. You saw the the post I quoted, right? Ricky Muir says hi right back.

I think the AFL should disband all the Victorian teams. You lot voted in that motoring enthusiast bogan.

He's a physio, if my memory serves ;-)

Great to hear that he sees it the same way as many of us have, a sense of "thank god, an answer". If we thought we were frustrated with how he moved, it wouldn't hold a candle to how frustrated Jack must be. Now that the dust has settled, I'm excited at the thought of seeing a reinvigorated Trengove in 2015.

Spotlight goes off for the rest of the year. I know it's probably inappropriate as it would not reflect how Jack feels, but I too feel relieved in a way. Best of luck with the recovery Jack.

What ever happened to Dappa Dan? His last login was a couple of days after his last post, in October 2012. Always seems alarming to me when regular posters go idle like that very suddenly. He used to post a lot (in both post count and word count) - but was always a good read.

And he is better than three of them.

Thanks, beat me to it.

Who rucks then when Spencer rests?

Someone also made a good point in one of the other threads (may have been "the master"??) as well in regards to time on field, in that having Daniel Cross on your list playing 94% time on ground gives you the luxury of having Jack Viney on the field for only 66% of the game. I haven't analysed this at any level, but I wonder how much time on ground the likes of a young Morton or Trengove spent relative to other players their age. You would think that can't be good for their bodies or their confidence.

Agreed. I even said something similar during the week on facebook. It was along the lines of "Please MFC, if you give me a win over Carlton this week, I promise not to ask for anything else".

Where's the fun in that? Half the fun in being a forum member is being able to pretend we're all experts and put forth our ideas.

Exactly. And the fact that he had such a big impact without actually having a huge game personally backs this up. He came in, did what he said he would, which was what we needed of him. I suppose the key difference is though that he's basically the only player we have capable of playing his role. So he is a role player, but a crucial and irreplaceable one at present.

Probably his most important attribute is that he takes ownership of the problems. The insisting on being selected, then kicking those big goals at critical times in the game when he probably had every right to pass it off. This is what true leadership is to me.

If Garland is ready but Terlich is injured, then it takes away the need to make a tough decision. I can't see enough room for all of Garland, Georgiou, Pedersen, Howe and Terlich back there (in addition to "non-negotiables" McDonald and Grimes), but Col is easily the superior player of that lot so one will need to shift. None particularly deserve to go on recent form. I'd probably have dropped Georgiou with a heavy heart, or Terlich anyway. As has already been said, all eyes to Casey now!

"Loveable spazzyness" - sums Spencer up perfectly. I've come to terms with the fact that he'll kick it straight to the opposition at least once a game, it's the tradeoff for his serious aggression and tackling. Up to the boys to make sure he has a better option; if he's forced to kick it, we've set up around him wrong.

It gives us options, as well. It's not just Hogan coming in, but with Garland to come back, we're going to have at least one too many defenders in the side if we count Dunn, Frawley, Howe and Pedersen all as defenders. Once our injury list is bare (if it ever gets that way), I expect one or both of Georgiou and Pedersen to eventually make way, but for most weeks at least one and possibly two of those defenders will need to play forward; having Frawley as a viable option of one of them increases the range of possibilities. Dunn, Howe and Garland have all demonstrated ability as fowards in the past as well. Fascinating times ahead; can't wait.

I got the feeling from Dawes's interview with Burgs up on the website that he had had a big say in his own selection as well. He's one player who can stand up and say "I'll play thanks - the team needs me even if I may be underdone" without leading me to think he is full of himself. It was obvious to all of us how desperately we needed him, it was obviously apparent to Roos and Dawes himself as well.

Had 9 players I genuinely wanted to give votes to. I love it when it's hard for this reason. 6. Nathan Jones - exceptional game. I've come to expect nothing less. Seems to find a new gear every season. Pantsed Murphy. 5. James Frawley - absolutely huge as the CHF. Incredible game. I think he surprised himself on a few occasions when he found himself on the end of the ball when not expecting to and spilled a few marks. Who knew he had this in him? 4. Jack Grimes - was in everything. 3. Tom McDonald - has turned in to a super-reliable key defender. He's so quick and uses his body well; I'm at the point now where I'll trust him to win or at least neutralise most 1 on 1s. No real mistakes with the ball in hand today either. 2. Daniel Cross - I always knew what he was like as a player, but now that I'm able to watch him more closely than I ever did when he was at Footscray, I can't believe they got rid of him. A player who just wills himself to be first on the ball. Love it. 1. Matt Jones - for the ceaseless run two-way run. I don't reckon there is a player in our team who runs as hard "the other way". Not a polished user of the ball, but I expect the coach loves him. Bail, Spencer and Viney were the other ones I didn't have room for.

Haha, yes, just saw that too. The timing of his comment seems a little suspicious doesn't it? Hi Jack, if you're reading this!

Only glaringly wrong free kick decision I recall went in our favour (a holding the ball to McKenzie). You notice the umpiring a lot less when winning though. I learned a while ago that I'm unable to be objective about umpiring because my mood regarding the direction of the game influences how much poor umpiring decisions stick in my memory.

Would love to hear Roos's thoughts on the impact Dawes had on the team. We moved forward with so much more purpose and confidence. Knowing that we posed a scoring threat seemed to give our mids a shot of confidence as well. As FD said it was probably the best 8 possession game you are likely to see.