BLWNBA

Can I also have a bowl of that moral outrage?

If Petty isn't a forward, he's even less of a ruckman.

Is that you, Steven?

I agree, but Goodwin won't go while he's protected by Roffey et al. The fish rots at the head and there are issues from the boardroom down, all the way down to the playing group. Arguably there's been issues since at least 2021, but the Premiership plastered over a lot of cracks.

As a Dees supporter I’d love Windsor to win it, but theres no way he’ll displace Wardlaw or Owens - and fair enough too.

If Port are a fake Top Four side, Melbourne are a fake Top Eight side.

The ol' good bloke discount?

I'm just looking forward to us playing a forward who actually holds overhead marks!

Gold Coast (with no certainty) Sydney Pies GWS Freo Brisbane Essendon Port (could see an upset with Hawks winning) Dees Agree with you on results, but personally think that tonight is the only true toss of the coin game in the first five IMO.

Could we see a return to the TMac pinch-hitting strategy for this week?

There was some commentary on SEN this morning regarding Dusty and some callers suggestions he'd suit North. I tend to agree with the Sam Edmund and Josh Jenkins (I know, I know) take that he wouldn't suit North as he is seemingly not in the mould of the Hodge, Lewis, Cross category of a 'vocal' leader. Sure, leadership can come in many forms and I do acknowledge that, but Martin seems to be extremely reserved and insular. You might get some cash injection from a marketing perspective, but given his output over the last two seasons, and his apparent on-field disposition, I don't think I'd be chasing him and hope to get the Luke Hodge educator/general role. From a Dees perspective, it's also a categoric 'no' in my opinion. Even if he came cheaply, I think we have far greater needs with our current list and I don't necessarily see him filling a role in a meaningful capacity, as it stands.

Thrilled to see McAdam in the side. I wouldn't be surprised if Kolt is one of the inclusions for this round either.

I was completely the same. Albeit it's a long season, but for the most part I have far more confidence in our team this year as opposed to the previous two seasons. I wouldn't go as far to say that I'm completely happy, but we're trending in the right direction and very impressed that we've gone down the path of bringing in some youth to the 23 each week.

Yeah that's interesting, in light of your comment I looked back at the results and they're vastly different from what I remember, weird how they've left that mark on me. Seems like my memory is relatively based on the 2006 results as opposed to the overall results writ large. Some of those larger wins by the Dees I actually struggle to recall. Although from memory the win against Carlton at their farewell to Princess Park was a lot closer than what the margin suggested. I have to say the 2000 Qualifying Final is etched into my memory, definitely good memories of that one!

That's a fair call and you could be very well correct. Three losses out of their previous four games isn't something that you'd say exudes confidence in a top four finish, at least at this stage and on exposed form. But it's a long season as you said and the Blues have previously shown an ability to turn around a season very, very quickly. For what it's worth, I think the Blues can be too reliant on too few to win a game. But they have some good role players - albeit they can be too inconsistent. If anything, I think their defensive structuring leaves much to be desired with reference to other top four teams and that could be the difference come end of season.

I'd also add that Carlton coming off a loss makes me very nervous. I expect they'll come out firing and think that most of their errors and sloppiness which were seen last week won't be seen against us.

I was cautiously optimistic last weekend against the Catters. I can confidently say that I am far more nervous this week. Being in my early 30s, Carlton have traditionally troubled us. Vivid memories exist of us needing to beat Carlton several times in the 2000s in order to secure our place in the top 8 or top 4 only to falter, from memory once this happened twice in the one season - and let's not forgot Mitch Robinson and the infamous "bruise free football". But, that's all one for the history books. As is last years semi-final result. The head says Melbourne get it done tonight despite our shorter turnaround, but the heart isn't so sure. On a final note, despite growing up with a strong affiliation to Carlton due to family dynamics, my dislike of the club has grown over the years. I'm not so sure this is personally directed towards the team per se, especially in it's current form, but for the life of me I can't stand their supporter base. The pinnacle of bandwagon supporters; at least the Tigers and Pies always have strong support. But Carlton? They go very bloody quiet after a loss.

My first thought was 'Mickey and The Mousepack'.

Not suggesting Windsor would be an omission in place of Hunter, although I can understand how it can be taken in that manner after re-reading my post. More referring to Hunter potentially taking retaking the wing position that Windsor has been playing. I don't think Laurie will be omitted either, but I also think Woey hasn't been as poor as some have suggested on here. I'd be happy to persevere with Woey in the side, at least for the time being until Bowey returns.

I'm a big fan of Yeo and props to him for hitting form again at the age of 30. A great story. I'm not sure exactly what he's paid at the Eagles, but I'd imagine he's on a good wicket. Given he's already a premiership player at the Eagles, I'm not too sure the lure of 'success' would be what some may imagine it to be. I'd love him at the Dees, but a Perth boy at the age of 30, packing up to go back to the east coast for a couple of years? Yeah, not sure that would happen.

Whilst Hunter has moments of brilliance, I'm not sure he really offers anything more than what we have in the side at the moment. His underground handballs are frequently intercepted, and he doesn't exactly offer speed in the spread out of the contest or around the ground. I commend his ability to kick the miraculous goal, but he doesn't hit the scoreboard enough IMO to justify inclusion on that ground. I'd much rather give the game time to Windsor; his skills are far superior and he can also kick a classy goal (though I wouldn't depend on him week in week out for a Joe the Goose).

Based on our efforts against Sydney and Brisbane, and now this - it’s very difficult to expect us to trouble anyone come finals.

*Kozzie

Taking his AFL form into the VFL, by the sounds of it.

Thanks mate. Has Verrall been playing more forward? Curious given he's been credited with two goals, or has he floated forward from the main ruck duties? Appreciate the insight if you're able to give some.