Little Goffy

Fair call, his impact on the whole functioning of the forward line was huge. Like Tom Hawkins but not annoying.

Max Gawn forgot he was a 'only' a ruck again. Led the game for clearances and score involvements, at 88% disposal efficiency. Nod to Nibbler who continues to turn his workrate into real effect. Nod to Viney who held the sludge-wave under control during the grotty second quarter when our midfield was well under expectations. And a smile and a nod to Salem who has probably done himself a world of good by having such a busy and effective day. Most importantly, a much shorter 'tail' this week compared to a number of recent games.

Heh, junk time goals like it is the early 2000s again.

Which is technically 3rd when adjusted for Essendon's inevitable failure. In the end, the elephant always falls out of the tree.

I bet we'd know if we were coached by a Scott brother. I'm sure it was just a little typhus outbreak and everyone moping that they couldn't all go to Ed's' sister's wedding.

Gawn is just a bit better than whatever challenge is put in front of him, and also makes a point of putting himself up against more challenges than anyone else.

Is that Brisbane out of the finals race or does their draw keep them just barely clinging on? They would need to pick up a game on the Dogs, two games on Freo and Gold Coast, and also three games on one of the current top 7.

Poor Jefferson, I feel like he's going to spend his career being compared to increments of disappointment, no matter how much progress he makes. He's the next Lucas Cook. He's the next Sam Weideman. He's the next John Butcher. He's the next Justin Koschitzche. He's the next Peter Wright. Hes the next Darcy Fogarty. He's the next Eric Hipwood. etc Until eventually we will be saying 'I mean, yeah, he's good but really he's just the Roughead to Van Rooyen's Franklin'. 🤪

Tomlinson has clearly decided this stretch without Lever is has last chance to prove his AFL credentials. At half time leads all on the ground for; Intercepts, metres gained, 1%ers, disposals, conteseted posessions, and contested marks. Not pitching a shut-out defensively but has been very effective. Where does he fit when Lever is available again? Competing with McDonald or competing for a Hibberd-style role with a few of the younger and shorter guys?

Seems we have decided on a team rule to take the option if there's one just barely inside or on the 50, and accept the difficulty of shots from that distance rather than blast it in and risk the rapid turnover. I suppose even if the long-range set shot is a behind, there's plenty of time to set up to stifle the counter-attack. 8 marks inside 50 in one quarter seems like a lot. Touch wood we keep controlling territory the way we have been. Very few clanger-level turnovers. Also, is it just me or have Oliver and Petracca been pretty in the first quarter? Hmm, quick odd stat - Sparrow, Nibbler, Oliver and Petracca have less than 100m gained between them. Fritsch's work rate seems to be back up.

Oh really? That was going to far? On this thread?

My main concern for the game is how well Max recovers from watching the Giro D'Italia final competitive stage last night. Plus there's the let-down of commuting through the dreary 'sameness without theme' of an Australian city after watching the landscape of Northern Italy go past for five hours. Hopefully it manifests in anger. A real 'I will create something beautiful today and nothing will stop me' moment.

All we need is a game played as Narrm, on a thursday or friday night, in the rain. Statisically the chances of a win would round to zero.

Found the old draft profile. Crucially, there's no sign that he is related or connected in any way with Lawrence Angwin https://central.rookieme.com/afl/player/ryan-angwin/ I wonder how much the 'soft' impression is a product of simply not being strong enough yet? Treated as taking him with a late round draft pick, he might be a reasonable acquisition as we search for a future Langdon replacement who won't take any salary cap space until he's proven himself. We're going to have a truckload of list spots open at the end of this season and also likely to be pursuing a high value player or two to keep the shine on, so cap space matters.

Meh, all good. Freshening him up for the second half of the season where we make our heroic charge. 😬

I'm going to say.... merge thread.

Ladies and Gentlemen, start your bingo cards. I've already got "Crunch Time", "Line-in-the-sand", "What do we stand for", "hit the wall" and a capitalised "at The Crossroads". Plus "Play the kids" from another thread title.

Wow. A full implosion. Getting in now so I've spat my dummy already and am not tempted to join in the post-game misery w---. Stars were flat, and the tail was loooooong. Passenger culture creeping in.

Just quietly, I think Luke Davies-Uniacke is going to be a terrific part of our 2026-2028 three-peat.

So there's a physicist, a chemist and an economist stranded on an island with nothing but a carton of chupa-chups to eat and no way to open them...

Joking, yes?

Brisbane have a draw! Also Essendon and the Crows, but Brisbane is my top candidate, especially with them playing the Magpies in the second-last round just for added drama.

Maybe use a VPN with region unlock and a temporary Kayo subscription?

So many clubs I just wish would let go of the raft and sink into oblivion. Did I use up all my credits cursing West Coast and Hawthorn? Divine favour well spent to be sure, but still, what animal do I need to sacrifice to make Collingwood falter and finish outside the 8 on percentage? Realistically they could lose their last 4 games (Blues, Swans, Lions and finally to us) and in the process give up their spot to a late-surging Lions who also have a draw.

Seems unwise for a near-30-yr-old player out of contract and not getting much done playing at VFL level.