bing181

It's an interesting question, especially with Majak Daw and JVR both outs due to illness at Casey. Perhaps there was more going on than we know/knew about. At this level, if you're even 5% off it'll have an impact.

If May and Petty are both out, we'll have to break the glass and either play Tom Mac as a permanent KPD, or take a chance on Turner. Neither are ideal solutions, but what can you do? I don't think we'll make any more changes down back than that, unless forced. Consistency counts for something. Equally, understand the concerns re Rivers especially.

Langdon, Salem, Harmes, McDonald and effectively May out was a step too far. You start bleeding in one area and it spreads throughout the team. e.g. Biggest failing tonight for me was our inability to lock it in the forward line. Presumably McDonald would help that but even there, under normal circumstances Langdon is one of the prime movers in getting it back in when it does come out. Also missed Spargo in the forward line. (Not to ignore BBB's inability to have any impact at all ... but that hasn't stopped us in the past.)

Hopefully McDonald and Langdon in, at least.

TMac has been OK of late, shame he's not out there (in more ways than one as he could have covered for May if necessary).

Buddy could have to answer to the MRO.

With no May down there, Lobb the worry.

You'd think so. But tricky situation.

Now the early-season hysteria is behind us, could Richmond be the Dees' biggest threat? https://www.espn.com.au/afl/story/_/id/33980233/afl-rohan-connolly-early-season-hysteria-us-richmond-tigers-melbourne-demons-biggest-threat

Richmond getting their mojo back. One last shot before the band moves on? Martin back makes a real difference, he's their talisman.

Behind it all it seems that the problem is with Armafio (CEO) if what's floating round the North BigFooty board is correct. Be interesting to see what Paul Roos makes of it all. Takes me back ...

I'd be inclined to leave Dunstan in for a game or three just to see what happens and see if we can't "Melbournise" him. Can't be easy stepping up to AFL level. Not saying he's going to really make it either, but I'd give him a bit more of a run before we write him off as nothing more than good depth.

I disagree, but it's an interesting discussion. I feel that what we're doing, the way we grind teams down and suffocate them, is just as ruthless as winning every game by 10 goals.

Great news, but pity we're not playing Sunday. That extra day would have come in handy. Fingers crossed in any case.

Langdon a possibility: https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/1134212/round-11-injury-report-langdon-results-are-in

Krakouer's character is irrelevant. As is Lumumba's.

Here's how they define the two: Careless conduct A Player’s conduct will be regarded as Careless where his conduct is not intentional, but constitutes a breach of the duty of care owed by the Player to all other Players. Intentional conduct A Player intentionally commits a Classifiable Offence if the Player engages in the conduct constituting the Reportable Offence with the intention of committing that offence.

I think we underestimate what's going on behind the scenes with some of the players and injury restrictions. Great to see Jack getting some recognition on here, was going to add something to the post-game thread. Making a real difference on-field.

I'll have a crack: it comes down to intent. Careless is just that, but reckless implies that you knew the action could cause damage but you went ahead anyway.

Tried to, but it's unwatchable. North are just so far off the pace. Takes me back to the dark Neeldian days.

Surely the situation is that no offer has been made. Isn't that what "defers contract talks" means?

Presumably Bedford out so he can actually play a match, albeit in the VFL. Otherwise, presumably no change and Chandler and Mitch Brown being rewarded for decent performances in the VFL and being take across as insurance. Interesting that Daw isn't an emergency, either Max is a certainty or Daw is injured (though not listed anywhere).

Whether Lumumba is or isn't an "extremist", mentally ill, a shot-stirrer, an attention-seeker or whatever else is irrelevant. Racist abuse is racist abuse whether or not the recipient is a nice bloke.

Shame that Moniz-Wakefield will miss. Starting to show something.

Yes, suspect I’m wrong. Was the impression I had, not sure where it came from.