bing181

Not sure that we can presume that Hannan will be available.

Though the toughest part is dealing with people who seem to think that it's anything more than informed guesswork. Decision making under uncertainty.

I know little about him, but we already have one injury-prone talented junior on our list in Pat McKenna, and that doesn't seem to be working out too well, so hard to see Freeman being of interest.

Given the year they've had, not much leeway down there at the moment I suspect.

and ...?

In an ideal world, would prefer Tyson to whoever his replacement would be. His games since returning from the VFL have been more than decent - even on the weekend, in less than a half of footy he managed 13 disposals - and at 100% efficiency.

The decision to draft him at the time was the right one - it's only in hindsight that it appears not to be the case. As an 18 y.o., he was doing everything you could ask and had the runs on the board. He's one of those players that looks like a million dollars at a lower level, but for whatever reason, can't translate that to the big stage. Good luck to him, he's still not all that old, I wouldn't be writing him off yet. In any case, he has a decent SANFL career ahead of him, which isn't to be scoffed at.

Which is what, by definition, makes it a bias. And yes.

Just so important for the younger players, the Brayshaws, Olivers, Harmes, Fritschs. THIS is what teams like Hawthorn and Sydney (especially) have had through all these years - and we haven't. By the time Lewis moves on, we'll have established a Melbourne way of doing things, the kind of tough, take no prisoners, nose to the gindstone, just get the job done, ownership approach that characterises successful teams. IMV, can't overestimate enough his contribution to what we're seeing now.

Bizarre.

WatchAFL works well - believe you can register just for a month (or something like that).

I suspect one of Tyson and Kent will get up. So for mine would be: Viney for JKH Joel Smith for either Tyson/Kent, then move Fritsch up the ground (wing or forward). If Garlett plays another decent game, selection could get tricky, especially as the logical out if he comes in would be Spargo - which would be a bit stiff.

I wouldn't be so sure. 2 weeks is a long time in footy, especially come finals.

In some ways he always was, but what stands out to me his how much better and more accountable a defender he has become of late.

Sure, but part of what we're seeing now is because of what losses like that taught us, and what we were able to take out of them.

Well, as fine as umpiring can ever be.

Spargo not going to be out of the team anytime soon.

Yes, but the backbone of the team and most of the key playmakers, is still that same bunch of senior players with finals experience. Plus Tom Mitchell (enough said).

No, but we can perhaps bring in Joel Smith.

Laughable.

Yes. And after he spent time at Casey being coached to do so.

Agree that Hannan earned his call-up (while missing a gettable set shot), let's see if he can back it up. He's done this before (more or less), good first game back in the firsts from Casey, but then faded from then on to end up being dropped again. Kent started to show a few more smarts, has put his time at Casey to good use. Still see him as a bit of a loose cannon, and he tends to rack up the Frees Against, but if he can get the job done, he'll have earned his place. I actually don't think we'll take these 3 plus Spargo into the finals, as much as anything because all 3 tend to flash in/out of games, which you can't afford once everything goes up a notch. But ... ?? Going to learn a lot next week, but don't think too many players will be putting in short steps.

Agree - but it's because he's not really a one on one defender. He doesn't have the body strength, nor the experience, he's more the sweeper role down back. Fritstch is better further up the ground, either forward or wing, which for me is a case for including a more specialist defender, though not sure who ... Joel Smith when he comes back or as you mention, Wagner?

If we can win one final would be a bonus, but don't think we can go much further than that. Would be very different with Lever, Hogan and Viney, but you can't take out that kind of talent, all of whom play key roles, and still expect to perform at the pointy end.

Bittersweet for Stretch, Hogan and Lever (at least).