The Chazz

Great, all this thread needs is another Martin. Dustin, Stef and now Jack. Thank Christ Ray, Steve, Pike and Short stopped playing years ago...

Serious success? Clearly you think more of Richmond than I do.

That's my point, quality rucks are rare. Jake isn't. You misunderstood if you think I'm saying he is. But I'm confused, are you saying Cox is first ruck worthy? I'd take Spencer any day over Cox. And if Spencer is either pushing for Campbell''s spot, or potentially taking it from him, then he's worth the 2 year deal for them.

I don't buy this "nearly beat Geelong" thing. Geelong aren't much good, and then take them away from their safe house that is Kardinia Park, and they generally get shown just how slow of a football team they are. Would dearly love to play Geelong in a final this year on the MCG. Even at Etihad I would like our chances.

They are about to lose 2 key position players, and a heap of age/experience. They have very little depth in the "big man" category, especially in the ruck. Jake is competitive at best against a majority of rucks in the league, but the reality is for the dogs, quality rucks don't just appear. He would be an ample stop-gap until something better comes along/develops, and will cost the SFA in the process.

Would be an ideal target for the Bulldogs.

My mistake, had a bit if a mental blank there!

I looked at that, but I'm too unsure about the Essendon v St Kilda result (let's not forget that I'd the bombers lose, we make it regardless of our result). Reckon the $6 offered for the Eagles to make it is a smarter bet.

Same as the Geelong game, SWYL. I only fear GWS and Sydney in the top 8.

Just ask yourself, how much are you willing to pay to see Melbourne play finals?

I will be investing heavily on West Coast making the finals. Happy to drop a couple of hundred if it turns out I lose my money. On the flip side, a return of around $1500 ($250 on WC at $6) would soften the hurt that I would be feeling from missing out on a finals spot. For the punters - you're welcome.

Joffa is known for his "Game Over" antics (be it through the gold jacket, or a sign he holds up). A couple of years ago, we beat them which put them out of finals contention. A few Dees supporters held up a "Season Over" banner. Would love to see someone hold up a "Career Over" sign at some stage early in the 4th on Saturday...

Did Vince not tag Rockliff, keeping him to 16 possessions?

We play a contested style of footy. When we get the ball, it's often in tight, so the way to clear it out is by hand balling. There's too much pressure in tight to kick it all the time - will turn in to either a million smothers, or kicking to nothing. It's also worth remembering that if you are watching the game on TV, and yelling the "kick the bloody thing" line, don't forget that you can't see what is forward of the ball. A lot of the time, there are no options forward, or very low percentage options. There were many times yesterday, sitting in the crowd, where people were frustrated because of our hand balling. If those people actually looked at the big picture, they would soon realise that hand balling was by far the best option.

Why isn't this bloke on a rookie list at minimum? Is he too old? If he's less than 30, I'd have no hesitation giving him a rookie list spot for 12 months, just as insurance. This is based on absolutely nothing other than what is written in this thread, but my word, a ruck at VFL to can dominate like that won't be out of place as a back up of a back up ruck in the big league.

All 4 should make the squad, but; Hibberd won't make the team because of the media's love for Howe, as well as Laird's proven history in making the team. Not to mention that the token Geelong player on each line means Tuohy will be more likely to get a spot. Garlett won't make the team because of the fact that Eddy is a better small forward. Just... Oliver may make the interchange. Jetta is a lock for a back pocket, or potential spot on the bench.

Mark Yeates' hit in 1989 was nearly a masterstroke. Can't remember if he get weeks for it, but it nearly got the desired result. While I do not endorse what Bugg did, if the right opportunity, and the right moment, during the right game presented itself, providing it lead to the right result, I'd accept it.

Bug's act of stupidity is going to give this more fat than what you are chasing deserves. For me, the thing about suspensions is not necessarily the quantity of weeks, but the quality of the personnel doing it, the quality of the impact that caused the suspension, which then leads to the outcome of the game the incident happened in. For example, the Bugg suspension ticked 2 out of 3 boxes for me. It was a lesser quality player that did it, he totally wiped out one of their key playmakers out of the game, but we lost. Had we won, it was the perfect suspension in my eyes. I know that will be controversial to some. I don't really care.

Howe was a lazy, sulky [censored] who didn't want to play for the MFC. Roos played him in his right position, he cracked it and left to go to another club that promised him what he wanted. Turns out Roos was right, and Howe now realises that if he is to stay in the AFL ranks, that's where he has to play. Howe did nothing in his last year to assist us getting a better deal. The common theme in my words? It's all about Howe. That's what he thought during his latter years at the MFC. As soon as he started thinking "team" instead of "Howe" at Collingwood, that's when he stepped up a level.

Their dignity, as well as any success in the period of time starting from 2018 onwards. I shouldn't say that, he fell in to their laps, but the rest of their trading strategy in recent years will cripple them for a long time. Excellent.

Didn't hurt Geelong when Ablett and Bartel won theirs. When I read the question in the thread title, I immediately thought the Oliver is by far and away our best chance, but he'd need to start washing the umpires cars as I don't think he's their favourite player. Then I realised Dustin Martin wasn't really well liked, but he nearly pinched one last year and will likely win it this year. So with that in mind, Oliver could win one in 3-5 years.

Special Robbie with the Power supporters Biff?

If we lose, we could quite possibly find ourselves out of the 8 by tomorrow night, with 10th spot a possibility. We would need to hope Collingwood beat West Coast, and Sydney beat St Kilda to stay in. That said, I am more focused on the ladder position at the end of Round 23 than I am Round 18, but psychologically, it would be nice to stay in the 8 for the remainder of the year, especially for some posters on here!

Struggle to see how AVB is a key signing. I think it's called "development", Adz. Something we haven't seen, to the appropriate standard, for the best part of a decade (prior to Roos/Macca). I think Billy was possibly given senior games because he is the ultimate professional with a great attitude/work ethic. He was also playing in a position that we were desperate to fill, and he fitted it best. Now that we have a bit of depth, he can now go back and work on things at the easier level, which won't take him long for it to be engrained in him, especially with his renowned professionalism on and off the track. That said, even if it takes him a big chunk of games in the VFL, we know he'll come back a better player for it. Similar to Hunt's development. Big future, Billy. Not necessarily going to be on the A-list, but he'll be a reliable B-grader with moments of brilliance.

What's a respectable time if we win? I'm thinking 4am, especially after a few hours of the warm bosom of Goldfingers.