spalding

I’m not finding excuses for everything - I just think too many people are having a massive overreaction to tonight’s (and last weeks) disappointment. Premierships are not easy and a lot has to go right. I can see a lot of people are in the anger stage of grief right now and maybe I need to step aside and stop trying to argue against a rant. we have a lot going for us (still).I think there will be a lot of hurt that hopefully propels in 2024 and beyond. having said all that - I think we have butchered a massive opportunity.

How about petty and jvr in the forward line. It will make a massive difference. my view was that a lot of things conspired against us in the last weeks of 2022 and 2023. If you would prefer to see us as chokers then fine. We will find out who is right over the coming years.

Let’s see how it looks in 8 more years!!!

God we have some [censored] on this site. Injuries, umpiring, suspensions, and kicking for goal cost us big time. you just have position yourself and hope it goes your way when it counts. it didn’t. if you people think these guys didn’t give all they have just look at the reaction after the game. geelong was I this position for ten years between 2011 and 2022. it really hurts because it felt like we had a massive chance this year - perhaps more than any other in my lifetime (57 years). just got to get there again next year.

At the station with a herd of saints fans. They need a hug.

Really nice to go to a game and see a range of ages and different nationalities decked out in red and blue. Feels like the club is gathering a lot more new supporters - as opposed the the declining number of 50+ year old, homogenous, grumpy, ex private schoolboys in the mcc (of which I am one) that made up most of our 15k of supporters who turned up 10-15 years ago. we did well to hang on I really never saw us being the club we are now. What a joy!

And boy he sinks the knees when he flies at the ball. as exciting as it is now, with he, JVR and Petty in our forward line for years to come (I hope) there will be some nervous opposition intercepting backs

I was at the game, high up in the Bradman stand end (behind the goals to the left of screen), so had a Birds Eye view. A couple of observations. our ability to run and spread, get extras to the contest in the last quarter was too much for the swans. Teams have to spend so many tickets to compete with us that they are usually cooked at some stage in the last quarter (or earlier). horrible for Jake. When he and bayley went off in the third and also on the last, we played kozi out of the square. He looked very dangerous from there playing a very similar role that Elliot plays for pies. Most importantly he is really nasty - and twice in the last quarter he totally smashed swans guys who dropped into the hole (hickey was one of them) in his mark of the year attempts. It seemed to get him into the game more too, and he did get on the end of a couple of passes when he lead from the square. Perhaps we can use this on Moore and Howe in a similar way that melksham has played - even just as a shock tactic for a quarter.

Feel slightly conflicted given my daughter plays for the hawks, but go Dees! I was at the practice match at Casey on Saturday. It’s hard to see anyone getting close to Melbourne tbh. Think North might be the biggest threat, as Lions and Crows have lost key players - however their home ground advantage means a lot.

can not see how Port can lose to Richmond - who finished their season on Saturday; unless its on purpose. Same for the Pies, although the Dons may be so embarassed about last weekend that they decide to try this week. The Bombers did have Collingwood on toast in the Anzac game. Saints could push Lions as they would get a home final if they win. Lions, would want to win so as to lock up first or second and avoid an away final in the first week against Port or the Pies. Therefore I think Lions will. I really think this game on Sunday is a dead rubber for us. I will be going. So good to win yesterday as I can be relaxed and not embarassing my Sydney mate who is taking me to the SCG members. I think they are all Rugby Union playing AFL theatre goers who are used the umpires being called Sir and Ma'am. He hasn't invited me for about 8 years as he is still getting over the shame I caused him last time.

No-one seems to have mentioned this, but I'm sure Binman saw it and will mention it tonight. In both the 3rd and 4th quarters on Saturday I don't think Carlton would have had an inside 50 in the last 10 minutes of either. They were cooked. I said to my kids at the game that 3 qtr time has come just at the right time for Carlton as they will get a breather. We will keep coming and run over them again in the last, but just need to hold them for the first 5-10 minutes of the 4th quarter. Alas! Unfortunately we did not take advantage of this as we kept bombing into an outnumbered forward line. I hope we learn from this, as the goal that we were all shocked that Salem missed will be the secret to beating the Blues next time. move it around the top of 50 and get it to the likes of Petracca, Rivers (Fritsch) and take shots from longer range rather than bombing it to the goalsquare (unless Max is resting down there and we have small forwards at his feet) It was clear to me that Carlton do not have the fitness to play this game for as long as we do, as we have been training for it for 3 years. I think we beat them for this reason in finals, unless we give up goals in the way we did at the start of the last quarter, It was better to learn this lesson on Saturday. I also don't think their potential ins will be as beneficial as they and all the pundits think (particularly McGovern) as I they may not necessarily be as fit as the guys who are in the Carlton team atm.

And at least the vfl umpires know what a trip is

At least tmac can still kick. Might be an issue getting it tho.

Doesn’t choco have time to work with Casey players?

Yes according to C7 Also they said in: Clarrie and Grundy out: Petty and Harmes

Richo saying season over on C7

Would have you enjoyed it more if we didn’t come back?

Toiges getting a glimpse at the next few years - it’s yuk!

I was at lunch with two MRC officials on the 22nd (Caulfield Races) and was talking about the development and mentioned that MFC needed a training facility. I got nothing that led me to form any sort of opinion - topic quickly changed to how hard it is to get anything done in the area due to Nimbys. In hindsight maybe the speed that we moved off the topic might mean something.!

Have you tried to catch a domestic flight lately? I reckon you’d spend 3 hours on a plane to fly from tulla to Essendon !

And on cue Brayshaw starts the interstate, 6 days break, wet night last week narrative

So exciting to have another gem to add to a core of young players who could set us up for a decade or so like Geelong. Bowey, Riv, Petty, and Judd down back. Pickett and Roo up front and sparrow, JJ, woey, are already good afl standard players who can go to a higher level. If we can use a strong draft, and maybe father/son picks to add some more emerging midfielders, wings etc, we should be in the mix for quite a long period of time.

No place for Yze spin here please. We all know: loading only exists in Binmans head kozzie is not interested since signing his contract Goodwin poor coaching and tactics are the only thing holding this team back from playing like the 2021 prelim and grand final every week hawthorn were on top of the latter for about 4 straight years and didn’t lose a game

Sad to see him go, but if it came down to a choice between him and chandler would you prefer Toby ?

With the notable exception of the kick where he picked out Mason Cox at the Punt Road end, he is such an elite kick inside 50. I wish he could kick it to himself.