Nasher

Yep, Trac will look like a real goose if Brown only kicks 9 instead of 10.

whynotboth.gif I don’t think the two things are mutually exclusive. A player can make things difficult for the opposition AND get the ball a bit themselves; ANB and Pickett are doing this.

How good is the facepalm react though?

If it’s Jones and Melksham both out then it’s got to be Brown and Harmes in. I can’t see them dropping experience for Bedford or Chandler.

Not only is it not commented on, it’s taboo and seen as excuse making when you do mention injuries in the context of losing game. Bottom line is you can’t replace your best players. If we lost Trac and had to replace him with Tom Sparrow, that’s quite clearly a significant step down in class and would be enough to influence the result in a tight game.

Slows to get the ball on the bounce. Not going to make it for the mark (kick slightly overcooked) - will run past it while it bounces if he doesn’t stop. Bounce favours Richmond player who hits it at full pace; ANB tackles instead, makes it stick and gets the ball loose for another contest. Well done ANB.

How much of a luxury has it been being able to have these young players just simmer away in the background and develop in their own time instead of being put in the cauldron too early in their career? Jimmy is a great example. Comes in and looks pro from day one, but in reality has put in a tonne of work to get here. Awesome.

We got Boon bay 12. Couldn’t get anything in Ponting for a group of our size (8). Not perfect but should beat the garbage we’ve had the last few times.

I still just can’t get my head around how he passes any sort of quality test on the network. The saddest thing is I really like the format of AFL360, but Robbo makes it unwatchable. When you’ve got two players who played the game analysing it, or two coaches giving their perspective, there’s a lot of opportunity for some real insight, but it’s just ruined by Robbo’s dribble. It’s the reason I don’t watch.

I actually don’t like doing that when it’s my own posts - I prefer transparency when I’ve said something thoughtless and want to retract it (as a self lesson if nothing else) but I don’t know how else to stop numerous people from quoting me just to slam me and further derailing the thread, when I have already explained myself. *shrug*

Chook had I had both already apologised and retracted, but seeing as that didn’t seem to do the trick I’ve wiped that entire line of conversation from the thread.

I think it's just black and white language that gets used that probably makes these conversations go around in circles. Of course nobody says he's a gun or in rare form - in the same way that there I am not (intentionally) giving off a "negative vibe" about Spargo, which is the accusation that started this conversation. There's no doubt in my mind he contributes something good to the team. We had no bad or negative players on the weekend. The bottom line is though that someone is very likely to make way for Brown. Having Brown in makes us a better side, nobody seems to be disputing that. Nobody played badly, so someone who played well has to make way. It might not (probably won't) be Spargo, but as the player who was the least involved in the play, by quite some margin, surely it's not as incredulous a proposition as everyone makes it out to be to have him in the conversation. Look, I'm clearly on my own on this one and that's fine. I understand what attracts people to the game he's playing - it fits the "selfless" ethos the club has been talking about non-stop. I love what he brings to the side. I'm just surprised people don't think getting the ball is important. If you'd be happy with Spargo having a zero possession game, great. I wouldn't be.

That’s normal. It’s almost a universal fact that the teams at the top of the ladder are the least affected by injuries to key players.

Do you really reckon people look at the stats and don’t watch the game? I have never met one single person that does that. My only argument though is that I think that no matter how good a player’s pressure is, there has to be some minimum number of touches of the ball somewhere, doesn’t there? Would we still be happy if it said 0? I know it’s an unpopular opinion, it’s because I watched on TV, only stat watch, don’t know anything about footy etc, but I reckon the value of his game is being overplayed. It’s a moot point anyway because Melksham and possibly Jones are closer to the chopping block, and we don’t need to make any more than one change.

I can tell you that our pre-game entertainment will be making sure we go in with full bellies, because getting food there is an exercise in “which quarter would you like to miss?” Followed by lining up for half an hour to get in. I can’t tell you how much I hate this ground.

Now back to my previous state of being less concerned about cancellation and more concerned about getting shizhouse seats again. The seats in front of the hill section where we sat last time are so low down my kids couldn’t see over the fence, and I barely could either. You ‘G regulars don’t know how lucky you are. Some seats are better than others, but there’s literally no bad seat in the house there. I’ve never found one anyway.

Wow. Never thought I’d hear (or see) these words come from myself, but thank heavens for Jack Riewoldt. Trac’s not the most polished media performer, and you could see him giving Jack that HEEELLLLLPPPPPPP glance.

Decision to be made tomorrow apparently.

Winning the next 34 on the trot isn't too much to ask for is it?

Can't think of a player who very obviously had NOPE stamped on his name in big letters by a coach. Third in the B&F in 2013, in and out of the side in 2014 under Roos. Signed on for two years at the end of 2014, played two full seasons in the VFL when just about every other player on the senior list got picked at some point. Almost seemed like a stubborn standoff between coach and player in the end. Pretty funny in hindsight - probably not for Dean though.

I did the same thing. My brain was going "IT'S 11:08AM WHY IS IT SAYING TICKETS WILL GO ON SALE AT 11:00.... oh, Wednesday."

If they relocate to Marvel, I hope they say no crowd. If I have to miss out, everyone else should too.

So now you're telling us the Spanish Flu is doing the rounds as well? Quick, shut the gate!

When I checked on Sunday, it said Tuesday 11am. Now it says Wednesday 11am.

Yep. We were massive North Hobart fans - it’s how I became a Melbourne fan in fact. Was present for the back to back flags in 91 and 92. Awesome times. Feel a bit sad going past the place these days. Hate going to Bellerive, home of the mortal enemy.