bing181

Yes, because running round like headless chickens and lurching from one extreme to the other like you do on a regular basis, are not the solution to anything.

That's not what he acknowledged at all, and no-one at the club has brought it up as a defence. What Roos suggested is that they need to take into consideration selecting players for specific settings, in this case, the particularities of the ground at Etihad. It's interesting to read the quotes from, I think it was Billings, that they were "ready" for Melbourne. They knew that coming off 2 wins, our players would be feeling pretty good about themselves, and perhaps not quite as invested as they could have been - especially if they were hit hard. Which is exactly what happened. We lost this game for the same reason we lost the North one, and to some extent the Essendon one. Inexperience. It takes time to learn how to consistently bring hardness and focus to every game.

We didn't lose because we didn't choose Olivier. It would have made zilch difference in the sum of things. As for the abysmal coaching ... given the Hawks results, lucky we didn't get Alistair Clarkson in. He's obviously an even more abysmal coach than Roos.

One of Tom Mcdonald's worse games for a long time. He's supposed to be good at reading the play - not on today's evidence. Not helped by the lack of pressure further up the ground, but still ...

Seriously?

Too many players have don't-turn-up games every so often. Kent being the main offender. Apart from him, Harmes, Hunt, Dunn would be feeling the heat. Wagner might be safe, but wouldn't want to play too many games like today - though half the team are in that boat. Frost stays until Dawes or Weidemann are ready.

Think we'll find Brayshaw will play at least a couple of games in the two's. Agree on the other 4, but it's our defence that needs strengthening. Grimes and Garland anyone?

We still kicked 15 goals. It's not all doom and gloom. Just gloom.

Membury. Your man Dunn.

Pathetic. So many here called for either no change or for Petracca to be included.

Over to you players.

Or Wagner, Salem and Hunt. Inexperience. Wouldn't mind betting on Garland back in next week.

Hmm. Plenty of positives, but need to tighten up. My man Dunn ... gives away a 50, then follows up with a free downfield. Back line still comparatively inexperienced, and it's showing.

Can be both. Casey don't play till Sunday, so we can take all our emergencies to the game on Saturday.

Very relieved with this. Was afraid that this would turn into one of those "out for half a season" injuries that players seem to take forever to get over.

I don't think they're BS, I just think that they reflect the inaccuracies and vagaries of injuries and recovery. Every Tuesday they put down a marker and call it an "injury list" - but it's a moveable feast.

4 coaches votes. Well-earned.

He's not getting any younger, maybe this IS top form? We shall see. Agree, when he's playing well, he's an important contributor. But like Garland, perhaps we're starting down the other side of the slope. They're not getting any younger.

I'm not convinced. Old-style full back, stuck in a rapidly evolving game. Game gone past him?

If Wagner goes, he'd need to be replaced with a back: White, Terlich, Garland, O'Mac etc. Suspect at least one player will be out with injury/soreness concerns: mutterings about Wagner (copped a solid hit) and Salem (groin).

Fair enough in some ways. But it's one of the consequences of where we are now: the only way to bring players in who've earned a chance, is to drop players who in many ways, are performing well. Petracca, ANB, probably Matt Jones, Oliver, perhaps Trengove, are all knocking on the door.

Stats (such as they are). These are from a regular, who updates them each week on BF. Can't vouch for the reliability of the source, though they seem around the mark: Garland 19d 15k 4h 7m Grimes 21d 6k 15h 1G Hulett 6d 5k 1h 4G Max King 11d 5k 6h 2g Michie 28d 19k 9h Newton 22d 3k 19h Petracca 26d 11k 15h Stretch 20d 12k 8h Terlich 19d 14k 5h Trengove 30d 14k 16h 2G Weideman 12d 6k 6h 2G White 21d 12k 9h

I can see Petracca coming in for Brayshaw, as they would both be playing forward. Then it would be one of ANB or Oliver for Harmes. Hard to see any other changes, unless forced ones. The 6 day turnaround could be demanding for some.

Speech to text never works well after a half a bottle of red.

That Essendon loss could come back to bite us.