Dee*ceiving

North will come good. I personally believe we are more likely to find a 20th team than see one disappear. The fixture is already a dog's breakfast, a 19th team for 4-5 years won't make a huge difference. The AFL is bringing in tons of cash and essentially increases in value as a product daily. In fact they choose how much money they wish to make, small tweaks to the pricing of tickets & peripherals can bring in millions with the punters not even noticing. Not to mention round zeros, gather rounds and whatver else. Another bright idea to creat $ is only a 2 hour worshop away. I'd hazard to say they are actively looking for places to invest to avoid taxes they'd otherwise be obliged to pay. Not unlike a government the AFL knows they can spend now and get it back later, they get credit at low rates, easily and the big end of business cue up to be involved. The Gold Coast, GWS and AFLW business cases would have predicted decades of red, but on they press with support from all sorts of sectors 'because it's the right thing to do. North will be ok...🤞

I agree, I think TMac will get Cameron. May always get's Hawk. We'll seek a favourable matchup for Lever to be the general. The worry for TMac will be Jeremy's turn and sprint back towards goals, he time's those brilliantly it seems, but that's where the other defenders need to help out.

Brown managed to be ready for the Cats -> Blues 5 days a part Agree. Goody loves his structures and stability but I feel we could have been better prepared for the last two septembers with better fatigue management. I was staggered when Gawn was on the plane to Perth to play WC (for one example)

23 players named there by young Kev so I'd suggest we know the team. The only watch might be if BBB was to be selected ahead of Turner despite not training. My read is BBB left out to be fresh for Cats -> Blues five days a part. It gives us a look at Turner as a forward and gets a game into him should we need him back or forward to cover injury or fatigue coming off the short break post the Cats game. I'd disagree. BBB has done a great job bringing the ball to ground most games this season. The Adelaide game was poor but he was clearly fatigued & probably shouldn't have been selected off the short break. None of our forwards got a look in against Brisbane

I reckon that's right about Toumpas. It was reported that the injury/surgery also led to a modified gait (IIRC).

I would agree with other posters, now is the time to try Fullarton (assuming he's ahead of Verrall). We get a look at him, give BBB another week off and can hopefully manage Max's workload ahead of a big fortnight. If TF plays well he stays in, we've got another string to our bow and a range KPP combinations to consider for the Cats/Blues games. If he struggles we go back to BBB with JVR back up ruck.

In fairness, his handle is 'Cranky Franky' Gives me visions of 'Blackboard' from Mr Squiggle...yes, child of the 80s

Taj looked a little fish out of water down back but it wouldn't feel right to leave him out and retain Kolt based on their respective performances. Perhaps Taj moves into Billings role allowing us to bring in a proper defender like Hore? Then Kozzie for Kolt, Kolt will be better for the run. His next chance will come before long. The game against Richmond needs to setup a squad ready to take on Geelong and Carlton the following fortnight, then WCE away. We should be looking to go at worst 3-1 in that month but also achieve some rest for the likes of Brown & Gawn and build some form in Clayton & Petty.

Byron, yeah?

Jack L is a gun, would thrive in our environment. Good speed, can jump, kicks it a mile and has a load of natural talent. Got more grunt that JW, IMV. Would be an outstanding get.

Loved little Jeffy Garlett

I think Stephen May has been our best overall recruit from another team. Rarely if ever get's beaten and doesn't get the accolades he deserves mostly because he's a defender. That level of performance for that long as a forward and he'd be a megastar of the competition. On pure talent a previous excellent recruit for the Dees was Peter Vardy. Unfortunately his career was cut short due to injury. A great player to watch

6. Gawn 5. McDonald 4. Rivers 3. Chandler 2. Lever 1. Langdon *1,000th post! 😀

Vanessa Amorosi?...wow!!

Fierce stare...but could use a hair cut 😉

Love Hoiney and I really love that the other two just shut up and let him educate them. Cornes in particular should give some thought to the term "you learn more by listening than you do by talking"

Regarding weather, according to 'AccuWeather' app Day: 65% chance of rain but only 4mm forecast Night: 25% chance of rain, real feel low 10*, average wind 11km/h Good conditions for us based on that lot. AccuWeathers accuracy to be proven

Hang in there Ditcha, get well soon! VCRs...I've got 2 or 3, not plugged in but nostalgically so hard to throw away Boooo! that doesn't fit the narrative 🤮

"are you on your own?" "nah mum this is being recorded" 😂

I guess they were still hopefully Pickett would be available? BEST LINE EVER! 😂

Time to spoil that trend! Unleash the KOLT!

If we are legitimately banking 'different ways to win' and can call on various strategies throughout the year based on opponent, conditions, personnel, etc. it would be amazing. Perhaps a bar set a little too high though!

Great analysis and conversation! No question we are setting up deeper defensively and moving the ball from the back half more agressively both 'on foot' and 'by foot/hand'. We are better utlising our speed behind the ball (McVee, Rivers, Langdon, Windsor) and ahead of the ball (Kozzie, ANB, Chandler & at times Langdon & Windsor).

Pleasant observation of insinuation, Palace? 😉 Jokes only. Seeing little Eddie warms the heart on a cold rainy Melbourne morning!