Dr. Gonzo

Like McDonald?

Funny to think we played them only 7 weeks ago but the team next week will have 8 different players (assuming only 1 of BK or Harmes/Kent play).

In his case it's hereditary.

Most of them probably head off to the snow (or Gold Coast) for the long weekend.

Stretch played against North then out the next week?

The umpires need to study the tapes during the week and be mindful of which players are doing this. Pay holding the ball against them and it will stop quick smart otherwise they'll cop a hiding from their coaches.

Never heard of him

The rules don't actually refer to ducking or dropping the knees - they talk about a player driving their head into a stationary or near stationary target which would cover off all these instances. Pay holding the ball against them and have the mrp warn/fine/suspend those who do it and it will stop in a week.

He was definitely better yesterday. The week before was pretty poor but he did ok yesterday I thought.

Geezus what a shithouse post

Was gonna say the same thing - we had a crack

Yep, brawl at the start of the match and Shane Kerrison dropping his knees into Jimmy Stynes during the first quarter. The 88 Semi vs the Pies was awesome, huge crowd, sunny day and the result was never in doubt (to me). I loved it as a 6yo but my main memory of the day is yelling out to Chopper Lovell as he ran past on the bench warming up along the boundary and calling him Steve Febey and him giving me a funny look. The Prelim we were sat on the top tier of Waverley on the wing on a miserable day as most days at Waverley were. I don't remember this ever being in doubt either and remember Garry Lyon's torp from the centre square going through for a goal and another snap he did from the pocket. Great day at the footy as a kid knowing we were going to the Granny.

Exactly - in the modern game you need roughly 2 key forwards, 2 key defenders a ruck and 17 midfielders in any starting 22 - maybe one other "utility" kind of players who can swing forward/back or pinch hit in the ruck.

Don't worry, if we somehow manage to roll the Hawks this week we'll be on the verge of a premiership dynasty again.

I would say that's due to a traditional zone defense rather than three diamond tactic. I think Diamond Jim has it right.

Is anyone able to confirm when the diamond is in use? From my understanding it is only employed at centre bounces but the way some like bb above talk about it it is our defensive zone structure at all times, including when the opposition have the ball. I don't think this is the case.

Well, no, because teams are starting from different bases.

We've turned over the majority of our list since Roos came on board. Beveridge lost Griffen which was a blow but still had a senior core to build around and provide leadership and stability. Carlton still have that with Murphy, Gibbs, Walker, Kreuzer, Simpson, Curnow. We had Jones. That's it.

Equalisation is equalisation of opportunity, not outcome. The Saints and Dogs (as an example) had opportunities to win a flag from 2008-2010. Just because they didn't win doesn't mean they should continue stashing top 3 picks. I know you were being slightly facetious but I think this point gets missed in the equalisation debate.

Not only that but I don't think it would have mattered if we had H/Pedersen/Frost/Grimes/whoever in place of OMac/Garland/Hunt/Wagner on Saturday because the ball was rebounding out of our forward half too quickly under no pressure. Personnel changes in defense wouldn't have altered this - what may have is pressure from Garlett, Kent, Kennedy, Harmes etc to stop the ball coming out of our forward line so quickly.

You say the improvement in the middle and forward half can be easily seen but the back half is a mess. The back half looks like a mess when the middle and forward half don't do their job. It's harder to see that on TV but trust me that's what's happening.

Lumumba would be in but I think he's sitting out with concussion. I agree we need some experience, I don't know why Dunn isn't in. But even with he or Lumumba in to replace OMac it won't change the fact that we are falling down across half forward and midfield which allows the opposition to get the ball down quickly and score. You can change personnel or gamestyle but unless we decide to flood back it won't make a difference.

I assume our "future" back 6 would be seen as Jetta TMac Hunt Wagner OMac Salem Just look at how inexperienced they are.

Really? I don't think I need to answer this.

Agreed and I would never wrote off the Hawks. I haven't looked at them in enough detail but over the last fortnight I've seen it mentioned that they've barely won "contested possessions" since late last year (round 17 or so). Part of what makes them so good is confidence in their ability to win and their confidence in each other to play to their structures/gameplan. They've had 3 close calls so far this year and we're pretty well beaten by the Cats, Giant and Swans. Of course as you say never write them off but I think they're starting to wane a little. Maybe not out of premiership contention but certainly not the powerhouse they have been.