bing181

Can't be bothered digging out the exact figures, but if you take into account the TOTAL value of the exchange using the points system, remembering we got a second and third round pick back (Petty and Jordon I believe) - he cost us the equivalent of something like Pick 10. Not that that really changes the point you're making, agree he could be a better kick - but hard to know where he stands given that he's missed so much footy and the whole team is so unconnected. As you were.

Yes I know, much more effective to run around like a headless chicken.

We've already got the players, the problem is that we can't get them on the park, and in particular, we can't get them on the park together. e.g. basically our whole forward line from last year's finals is missing.

Shell of a team. Hard to know what to say. The forward line we had out there today didn't have a single established forward, yet alone a key forward. Throw into that players like Baker, the Wagners and an underdone backline and that's about what you get. Lever's 3 clear kicks out from the back line that ended up with the opposition about summed up where we are. Their 13.6 from our turnovers says it all. Hard to see too many positives. Oliver, to his credit, worked his way back into it. Petracca and Fritsch were very good for a half, Harmes did OK when moved forward, Max was Max ... apart from that, struggling.

Love everyone having a go at Oscar, while Frost lets Membrey run off him almost as he wants.

Confidence shot. Includes confidence in each other.

A contant revolving door lineup does that to you. e.g. the forward line we have out there looks nothing like the one we had just a month ago. Also due to injuries and having to play fringe players, including in key positions.

Yes. In spite of all our other shortcomings, this is where it's falling apart. Their midfield is well on top, so we have little drive.

Nothing to do with the game plan. If the players don't work to position, that's what happens.

God, how did I ignore Bernal! Was always going to be there.

There won't be any injuries under Burgess.

He sent players back out onto the pitch when they were injured, brought others back too soon, and continually gave vague "4-6 weeks" answers to how long players would be out.

My work here is done.

One of. As is Misson.

Not sure why the surprise re O'Mac. He had his break/rebuild after a non-existent pre-season (hip operations), and his form at Casey has been OK to very good. But apart from all that, with Hore and May out, and Petty now as our emergency forward because both Tom Mac and Weideman are out (and Preuss isn't up to it as a forward), who else was there? Though I'd take an in-form Oscar over Petty as a back any day of the week, and Frost as well - Frost's attack and general mayhem is worth having, but as a one-on-one pure defender he's too easily beaten by smarter/experienced forwards. Oscar's also a more reliable kick coming out of the back line, something we desperately need in any case.

Little to do with Burgess or Misson if players are put back on or not, it's the MEDICAL team who make those calls. Further, you would need to be able to show that May going back on is the reason he's missing 1-2 weeks (with a hamstring we presume), as opposed to he would have missed that in any case.

In a nutshell. Which is why so many of the players were sent for one-off operations last year. We were never going to win the flag this year.

They understand it, but they reject it as it doesn't align with their feelings (anger, disappointment etc.). It's because of the way our brains have evolved to work. As Daniel Kahneman says, "We are much better storytellers than we are logicians."

Let me guess: straight white male?

My predictions: Alaphilippe won't be able to sustain this, and will crack at some stage, at least enough to lose the yellow. Thomas is not as strong as last year, and will lose time in the Alps. It'll come down to Pinot vs Kruijswijk, but time gaps will be small.

Hard to see Lockhart or Preuss holding their places. JKH for the former, Weideman/Smith for the latter, both of those if Petty is injured. Wonder also if Hore wouldn't be ready to come back in, 3 weeks is generally enough for a shoulder. Jetta is still underdone (match-wise), but hard to see him being dropped for the moment. Frost does some fancy things with his speed, but is a poor one-on-one defender. Perhaps depends on matchups, not to mention, whether or not May is injured (Hamstring).

Not all players become champions, not even all players with long careers are champions.

None of them can replace his experience.

Wasn't he in Alice Springs as emergency?

This. Also, skills. Also, both of those: experience.