Nasher

Melksham might go out and it would be understandable if he did. I already said in my OP that the main basis of my selection is keeping the structure of the side as stable as possible. The bias against Melksham on here frustrates and me fuels my bias towards him. The truth probably lies somewhere in the middle. I guess we’ll see.

Roles, is how. I don’t know why people take it so personally when others suggest particularly changes. Being left out for Langdon is no criticism of Sparrow. I thought he was great. Langdon is better and plays in the same part of the field, Melksham doesn’t.

Jordon played Langdon’s wing role and Sparrow played Jordon’s mid/forward role. Unless you’re suggesting Jordon goes out for Langdon, then any selection that has all three of them is indeed a new configuration.

Mate, I got nailed to the cross earlier in the season for suggesting Spargo *might* be in the conversation after a 6 possession game earlier in the year. I wasn’t even saying drop him, just that he should be in the conversation. Possession count is apparently irrelevant. If you see anyone brandishing a hammer, I’d run. Oh but it’s Melksham, so he’s fair game. Sarcasm aside, Chandler was dropped because he was hopeless in that game. His one contribution was spoil a certain Weideman mark 15 out. I thought Melksham seemed to be playing a defensive role and as such possessions might not be the determining factor, but it’s hard to tell on TV. He’s in the conversation though and I wouldn’t be surprised if he was dropped.

Jake Lever leads the way with accepting the umpire’s call. He gave away a free to Hipwood (I think) early in the game and you could him standing on the mark, nodding furiously that he understood, even though he was clearly pissed about it (probably at himself). If I were trying to teach kids the right way to manage frustration, Lever would heavily feature my examples.

Absolutely. Rivers, Petty, Sparrow, Spargo and Jordon were all in that high 20s and 30s range. It’s an incredible hit rate really. They’re the hardest and most important picks to get right I think - I love Jacko and Pickett, but I reckon I could have picked them correctly. There’s no way I would have been able to determine the right flanker to pick. Almost no busts from the last 4 drafts, despite having traded away a lot of our early picks to bring in the likes of May and Lever. Amazing.

In: Langdon Out: Sparrow I don’t want to drop Sparrow but I’m in a state where I don’t want to see any new configurations. What we’re doing works, leave it alone.

Jord_n for me. From couldn’t get a look in to versatile, multi-role player. A great demonstration of perseverance and patience from club and player.

Indeed. It’s a fine art - we’ve seen plenty of MFC teams try those handball chains and do one too many. Can understand why the gentlemen in the MCC who had lost track of how the game works were confused and frustrated. This MFC team kicks when the time is right. It is a thing of beauty.

Gibbo and co in media mustn’t have been able to sleep either, “All the Goals” is already up on the MFC website. Agree with others about the TMac snap goal being incredible, but the one in second quarter where Harmes kicked it down the throat of Fritsch basically in the square was as good corridor footy as you’ll see. Was crucial in the timing of the game too.

I think @faultydethas a photo of it coming off as his avatar.

Jeez mate, get a grip. Who cares about the umpires. They’re the same every week, why let it soil the mood?

Tom McDonald remembered at halftime that 18&21 Tom has a lot more fun than 19&20 Tom. He is just bloody immense. I didn’t see this resurgence of his coming.

Spargo doesn’t waste a kick. He doesn’t do the “traditional” small forward magic, but if he gets the ball, it goes to a teammate every time. I’ve come around.

It would be nice if we could wait a day before we start bagging the usual suspects. They were part of a great win, give them a break just for the night. Please.

Love seeing the boys go over to the crowd to enjoy it with them. I know that often happens, but seeing that small but loud as f cluster going nuts was just awesome. So proud of this footy club right now. ❤️?

Yep, there’s never much bluster from Brisbane supporters. Not sure why - whether it’s the physical distance (although that doesn’t stop West Coast fans from chirping), the a culture of humbleness, or just the warm weather in Queensland just makes them more relaxed about life in general, but the difference is noticeable. They’re a team that gives you no reason to hate them. Quiet supporters, humble coach, tough players. I have respect for the way they’re just quietly building. I’m looking forward to this game more than I have any other this year, should be great.

I didn’t realise the NT was an island?

Victorians complaining about how other states and territories are managing the pandemic is so rich it’s giving me a heart attack.

lol, no mate. Same name, different player.

King?

TMac said it can take a while to get in to a groove with marking, especially if you're returning from being out of the side. I figure as someone who has had two seasons where he marks everything and two in between where he really struggled to mark anything, he's qualified to talk on the topic. And it makes sense to me - the ball moves so fast that your timing, either of arriving at the ball, or getting your hands to it, only needs to be out by a fraction and you've blown it. I remember when Gawn, pre-elite era, where things just started coming together for him, but it seemed he couldn't catch a cold. Obviously he's still not perfect, but you'd back him most of the time now. Weid's shown he can mark before. I'm backing this part of his game to come good with patience and time in the side.

(I’m being devoured by my own hubris. Send help!)

I’d prefer the stability of Sydney than FIFO in to Brisbane. I accept Sydney is the better choice if we want the opportunity to prepare properly. It’s just the being afraid of boogie monsters in the crowd at the Gabba that I reject. The hostile crowd will soon shut their traps once we get on a roll and we’re good enough to do that. To be perfectly honest, I fully understand the anti-Gabba argument and if I were a decision maker, I’d choose Sydney for the same reasoning as those above. But I’m not a decision maker, so I’m prepared to let my testosterone decide for me, and it’s decided we’re 10-1 and wants to give a big F U to one of our fellow contenders and fleece their supporters for gate receipts in the process. At the moment I’m the footy fan equivalent of an invincible 18 year old male.

Gabba please ? I want to beat them there, in front of a big crowd.