Nasher

I don’t think it’s in dispute that Kozzie is homesick - it’s obviously from the recent interview that he is, and it’s completely understandable. The inference that that therefore means he wants to leave is the part I’m yet to see any corroboration of. I’ll believe it to be true when I hear it from Koz. Until then, I don’t care to speculate.

I’m worried about Jack, but I’m glad that this is the direction the game has gone. In the bad old days, he’d have been playing, probably getting abused by fans because he’s forgotten how to play, and doing goodness knows what permanent damage to his brain. I despair at the thought of a 55 year old Jack Viney going the way of someone like Danny Frawley. Get well soon Jack.

After one of Derm’s trademark inane comments (something to do with Brad Johnson looking at Fritsch’s eyes or something), I made the comment that Fox Footy obviously hate us - it’s the only explanation for why they give us the garbage they do.

We’re ahead of where Brisbane and Hawthorn were at the same stage last year. We’re unrecognisable from the team that went 0-5. That run included being flogged by the hopeless North Melbourne - there’s no way we would see a result like that if we played that game now. We are not the same side. We have cohesion, the side is settled, our style is established and all our best players are back and at or near their best. We’re 5-1 on form, and arguably the form side or the comp. I can’t see why we couldn’t maintain a W-L ratio like that on the run home. Optimistic perhaps, but I’m all in. Bring it on, losers. The Demons are coming.

I’m aware, I’ve mixed you up numerous times while speed reading. “Demonstone is usually so reasonable and legible…oh.” It can’t be good for the brand!

Is Demonsone the Temu Demonstone?

Out: Spargo In: Viney I’m not dropping AJ. He offers 1%ers - the taps, smothers etc that our other talls don’t, and those created goals today. He doesn’t do the “tall things” very well (like contested marking) but I don’t yet trust that van Rooyen will do them either. If I have to choose between two talls who can’t clunk it, I choose the one who is already in the side, proving he does the little things. Lever had cobwebs to be blown out but I’m not dropping him either. It’s normal for elite players to find form in the seniors and he fits that category. The higher intensity will accelerate his return to the top. Assuming he’s not injured, anyway.

Lost at selection when Goodwin dropped TMac for Lever.

Other than the goal kicking in Q2 that was a near perfect game. Clarry back to his absolute best. I’m so happy for him and we look so much more dangerous when he’s on. Kozzy Pickett, you are a superstar. We’re still alive, baby!

Clarry has wound back the clock this week. Couldn’t be happier with his game so far.

That took the edge off my mood a lot. Less dominant but more hurt factor that quarter. Put them away now boys.

Clarry has looked a lot closer to his best all game. Great to see.

It’s been a complete and utter annihilation in every sense except the scoreboard. If we’d delivered on scoring potential, we could have recovered all our bunk percentage in one game.

I’m with you. The darts might at least calm the nerves a bit.

This is absolutely torture. We should be 50 up at least.

I enjoy watching Tristan Xerri as a player. Just a gigantic lump that only knows 100%. Has the potential to be one of the league’s premier rucks if he has the appetite.

Making a big call only counts if it’s dropping Fritsch.

I don’t see any universe where TMac gets picked ahead of May. There is literally no facet of the game where TMac is better than May. May is bigger, faster, tougher, has cleaner disposal and reads the play better than TMac. I say that as a TMac fan and I was legitimately shocked to see him out, but it’s just reality. I reckon because May hasn’t been at peak this year, you’ve lost sight of how good a player he is, even at 85%. He’ll never play a game at Casey.

I’m stunned that TMac has been dropped, but the arguments that he’s more important or should be selected ahead of May or Lever are a bit over the top. There’s no way that was ever going to happen. Come on people, be realistic. I am surprised they’ve backed Turner in over him though. I thought Turner would go forward or out. It’s a huge endorsement of Disco as a defender.

On that extended bench I’m going with in: Lever, out: Johnson (omitted) Disco to the forward line, Petty to 2nd ruck. I don’t see any point in bringing in Laurie or Culley unless to cover injury concerns.

I have absolutely no recollection of Carlton players named Lamb, Graham or Rowe. Probably why they lost by 109 points. Gosh 2018 was a fun season. The first time in ages we actually got to believe. Pity it ended the way it did, but we’d probably squeezed every drop we could have out of that season. Hannan running in to the open goal in the EF against Geelong is still one of my all time goosebumps moments.

AJ reminds me of the class of player our lists were full of in the bad old days in the 00s and 10s - players we appreciated because their efforts stood out in teams where effort lacked - but ultimately weren’t good enough once the improvement came. I don’t see him with a role in the long term but I’m happy to enjoy the ride while he’s having a dip and getting it done.

So, was the Melksham over the shoulder kick that went to Langdon an intentional pass, or a shanked shot at goal? I reckon it happened as intended.

Former West Coast premiership pl...Former West Coast premiership player Adam Selwood dies at 41Former West Coast Eagles premiership player Adam Selwood dies just months after the death of his twin brother, former Brisbane Lions player Troy Selwood.This makes me feel sick. Deepest condolences to the Selwood family. Again.

Jefferson was a passenger and van Rooyen hasn’t looked even remotely close to having an impact at any point this year. The team can not afford to have players learning how to play football in the senior side. Kade Chandler was on our list for 4 years in the selection revolving door before he matured and was able to really cement his spot in the team. It’s fine for players to not be ready and need time to focus on development. But you don’t play in the ones unless you add something. At the moment these guys aren’t.