Fat Tony

When did Alex Rance become a star? He also had fundamental skill issues until he was about 23, which is the same age as Frost. Liam Jones took until 26 to come good. Ted Richards is another example of a late bloomer. Jeremy McGovern did not get a game until he was 22. Just because Frost struggles at times with his skills, doesn't mean he won't improve.

I understand your argument against playing all three, but I feel that it is not cut and dry. The two issues with playing a tall backline I see are 1) chemistry - particularly knowing when and when not to fly; and 2) ensuring there is enough pace and skill when we have the ball. The first issue was a big problem against Hawthorn, particularly after McEvoy took a big mark. Everyone wanted to go up to spoil and it ended up costing us the game. Still, I think this problem can resolve itself through all three playing together more often. The second issue is really a skill issue given the athleticism of TMac, OMac and Frost. Frost and TMac are clearly athletic enough to play on smaller opponents and Oscar played very well on Dickson against the Bulldogs. I agree skill is a problem here, but I also note that the best sides in the competition have big forward lines. Adelaide have Walker, Jenkins, McGovern and Lynch. GWS will possibly go with Cameron, Patton and Lobb. Sydney have Buddy, Reid and Tippett or Sinclair. We need to have a set up to match this.

I like Frost. His closing speed and length make him a valuable defender and his athleticism means he can break the game open when we have the ball. He had a bad month with his skills and that is why he is out of the team now. But I also think he has suffered from us playing in difficult conditions in Darwin, Hobart and Canberra. I also am not of the view that we cannot play all three of Oscar, TMac and Frost in the backline. Defensively I think they are athletic enough to play on smaller opponents, particularly in a zone set up. I think we lose a bit of skill down back, but we could shift Hunt up to a wing to compensate. I also think Oscar's kicking and decision making is underrated by being Tom's brother. I see his issues being more intensity and strength related. This is not to say we should not go for Lever, because he is obviously a young gun. But he is definitely not a need IMO and I am unsure if giving up Frost and high picks is a huge win.

That's the John Ralph quote.

Vince is beautifully skilled. But the question on Vince playing forward is if he has the engine/work ethic to push high up the ground and then run to tackle like a madman in the forward 50. Hannan, ANB, Petracca and Harmes are all playing this role really well at the moment and are the key to our 'outnumber at the contest' game style.

Salem would be my pick.

Maybe not, but Viney and Salem would be ahead of Watts to come in IMO, and Frost has played excellent AFL games this year. Watts is more so competing with Hannan, Harmes, Petracca and ANB IMO. I would bring Watts in this week FWIW.

The other comment I forgot to add was that Hunt had a shocker. His kicking was poor and he was dispossessed a couple of times when he took on the tackler.

I don't disagree that the gap is huge and I am not arguing that JKH should be promoted. I just felt it was underwhelming praise. 19 tackles is a huge effort at any level.

JKH "serviceable" with nearly 20 tackles!

After finally getting around to watching the replay, I was much happier with our performance. At the game live I was a bit disappointed, but I thought Brisbane actually deserved more credit on second viewing. We were also quite unlucky a couple of times with Brisbane's goals. (The one on the half time siren was the unluckiest goal of the year.) Key points: We miss Viney significantly, because his pressure around the ball is enormous. This was especially evident early in the game. Hogan was the big plus obviously and his reading of the incoming ball and goal kicking was as good as its ever been. He also looks to have lost a bit of weight. Pedersen was also fantastic and looks super fit. Rockliff is the best value free agent on the market. Garlett is a bit out of form, so hopefully he can find some in the next two weeks.

Possible Ins: Viney is an obvious in if fit, but our flag chances are probably higher if we give him another two weeks to recover. So, I would be inclined to give him another week off, but if he does come in, I would drop Tyson. I am a big Salem fan and think he adds a good mix of class and hardness to our side. So, Salem is an automatic selection for me if fit. While Watts’ endeavour is frustrating, he too classy to leave out IMO. Frost is a super athlete, but his skills were very poor in the difficult conditions in Darwin, Hobart and Canberra. I really like what Frost can bring, but I understand the argument against having Frost, as well as Oscar and Tom McDonald in the same side. This is the hardest decision for me, because I like Frost's intensity and Oscar still makes a lot of schoolboy errors. And maybe we will need all three against the tall forward lines of Sydney, GWS, Port, Adelaide etc. Bugg could come in, but is really depth IMO. I would have him behind ANB, Hannan, Watts, Tyson, Harmes and Brayshaw. Possible Outs: Wagner has been ordinary at AFL level this year. Stretch, who I still think can make it as an AFL player, will likely make way for better players. Hannan is very exciting, but has not been getting much of the ball over the last month. Tyson is struggling to hit targets by hand and by foot. I also think the balance of our side is an issue. Harmes and ANB are often brought up because of their below average skill level, but they play an important role in running hard and enabling our outnumbering game style. This week I would go with: Ins: Watts, Salem Outs: Wagner, Stretch

The figure was an estimate, but it could easily be more if the contract had an inbuilt CBA uplift. Everything I have read suggests it's a 3 year deal.

This is the crux of it for me. Lewis has had a good solid year and he has earned his salary in 2017. But the signs are there that he is struggling badly with the ground ball and that his reflexes are getting slower. While he has never been quick, the game is also speeding up every year. His return to form over the last two weeks is encouraging, but let's see how he goes next year and the year after before we call it a success. I am not saying Lewis's recruitment is a failure, but I am of the view that he needs to play 50 games at current output to justify the circa $1.5 million in salary cap space that he is owed.

Neither Frost or Maynard played.

Scoop McClure said Billings was set to announce a new deal with St Kilda very soon on SEN this morning.

I think Wells and Lewis will both be well and truly finished before three years. I hope I am proven wrong on Lewis, but I wouldn't call his recruitment a success unless he plays 50 AFL games for us given the money he is on. And, Jnr, you only back the footy department when you agree with them. You have been ultra critical of the selection of Oscar McDonald. I am backing the footy department on that call.

Lewis has played well in the last two weeks, but I still think giving him a three-year contract was a mistake. The footy world has been highly critical of Collingwood’s decision to give Wells three years on similar money, but I see strong similarities with Lewis and Melbourne. While Lewis has had more impact this season, we need to assess both deals in 2019.

Interesting suggestions 55. We need 6 wins for the flag and this is the easiest game on paper, so I can see some merit in resting Viney and Petracca. On the other hand, they are both clearly in our best side and we must win (and percentage might count). At their best, I see Salem, Watts, Hogan and Frost all in our best side. But I also agree with you that the balance of our side hasn't worked with Gawn, TMac, OMac, Frost, Hogan, Pedersen and Watts all playing. It will be interesting how Goodwin manages things, because Pedersen, TMac and OMac are actually playing the best footy of our talls at the moment. We will have an even bigger dilemma if Weideman can kick a bag this weekend. For the record though, I would be going with no change this weekend, unless Viney can't get up.

Adelaide play Essendon and we want the Crows to win.

In: Hannan, Weideman, JKH, Brayshaw Out: Watts, Pedersen, Melksham (suspended), Maynard Watts needs to be dropped on lack of effort over the last three weeks. While Maynard showed some promise on the weekend, I think he makes the balance of our midfield worse, because he is another player who doesn’t like to kick. I see both JKH and Brayshaw as being better suited to playing alongside Oliver, Tyson, Lewis and Petracca (as a midfielder) who are all prone to overusing handball. I think Weideman has gone past Pedersen as a forward, who has been disrupted by Gawn being in the side.

It was a costly mistake (again) not starting TMac as a loose man into the wind IMO.

TMac was serviceable imo, but otherwise spot on.

The Canberra forecast is for a windy day and potential rain. I would prefer we go with extra mobility. Also, while his game on the weekend was very poor, I think Hannan deserves another chance to redeem himself.

We don't have much option this year but to back in Oscar McDonald and Frost. Tom McDonald is needed up forward, particularly with Hogan out injured. I am optimistic that both Weideman and Oscar McDonald will be better again next year, but I am not against bringing in high quality key position players. In saying this, I am not in favour of recruiting in depth key position players like Jackson Trengove or Sam Reid.