bing181

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.

Preuss.

Jesus ...

2 decent quarters, we at least look like a team. Put Melksham and an in-form Tom Mac into that, get some games into Lever and Jetta, and we'd be on our way. Going to miss Viney (plus his rotations) for the last quarter, could be the difference.

People don't want sense, it doesn't match how they feel.

Not getting anything from Preuss or Lockhart, and if Weideman had put in a game like Petty's ... Petracca's cameo in the last 15 minutes enough to give him some browny points, but has been invisible for much of the game. Lots of room for improvement.

You mean there's a reason for why Fritsch was playing Lever's role?

Obviously we've changed coaches at quarter time.

Jetta underdone.

Perhaps not at ground level, but the flags would seem to indicate otherwise.

Which was BS, they'd been out for a half hour or so before the main session started. But heh, who needs facts when we can just let our confirmation bias run riot.

Talk to the Melbourne players about the way they're tackling. The frees are there.

That free to Petty was the first to us - against 9 to them. Lots of clumsy, unnecessary tackles on our part, which sums up the game. Willing, but low on skills ... and confidence.

I posted this in the "Jesse Hogan out for the rest of the year with a recurrence of his navicular injury" thread. Probably more relevant here, as it's clearly Dave Misson's fault. Got all the hallmarks: - a foot injury (players only get foot injuries at Melbourne/under Misson) - a repeat injury (and as we know, repeat injuries only occur through either bad management or players coming back 'too soon') - an injury that was misdiagnosed: "scans have confirmed that his right mid-foot sprain was unrelated to the navicular injury he suffered with Melbourne" - an injury where it takes over a month to get an exact diagnosis (see above) - an injury where a short period out: "The Dockers' confirmed that the 24-year-old would return to playing football in the coming weeks." turns into "Fremantle confirmed that Hogan will require a 16-week rehabilitation" - an injury where it takes over a month to get an exact diagnosis (see above) etc. etc.

Clearly Dave Misson's fault. Got all the hallmarks: - a foot injury (players only get foot injuries at Melbourne/under Misson) - a repeat injury (and as we know, repeat injuries only occur through either bad management or players coming back 'too soon') - an injury that was misdiagnosed: "scans have confirmed that his right mid-foot sprain was unrelated to the navicular injury he suffered with Melbourne" - an injury where it takes over a month to get an exact diagnosis (see above) - an injury where a short period out: "The Dockers' confirmed that the 24-year-old would return to playing football in the coming weeks." turns into "Fremantle this afternoon confirmed that Hogan will require a 16-week rehabilitation" - an injury where it takes over a month to get an exact diagnosis (see above) etc. etc.

J Wagner is a back/defender, while the others aren't. i.e. it's not a choice between Baker and JW for example, as they play different positions. It would suggest that they want Lewis in the middle or playing a tagging role, plus some cover/relief for an underdone Jetta. With Petty moved forward, JW is next cab off the rank. (Actually, with our injuries, when it comes to half-backs, he's the only cab off the rank ...) But heh, lord forbid that I suggest that the FD know what they're doing, I realise it's not how it's done around here.

Agree with what you're saying, but Hannan looks much like he always has to me. Let's not forget that while he's had his moments, he has always disappeared for long periods in matches, and bounced around between the 1's and Casey because of it.

Another Demonland nothingburger takes shape.

Yes, because they should have known that the forward line was dysfunctional *before* the season even started. Surely, if you're going to make those changes during the season, given the disruption they cause, mid-season (the bye) is the time to do it.

D'land reductionism at its finest.

Sure - but you can't have players missing huge slabs of the pre-season and then expect them to take it up a notch the following year. Just not possible. So by the time you take out all the injured/operated-on, there aren't all that many left - and no surprise that those who have been mentioned here (Salem, Frost), had full preseasons.