Webber

The lack of realisation that Oscar McDonald is one of the first picked every week (yes, even with May and Lever) I find continually bemusing.

I’m pretty cautious these days about assuming positions for players are career long. How many of us would have thought TMac would be one of the league’s best goal kickers? (I actually did privately predict a move forward, which sadly counts for nothing). I think his brother is a better footballer at equivalent age, and really doubt he’ll stay back. And some have already forgotten that Fritsch is a natural forward, just because he filled a hole down back. Don’t be surprised if Joel Smith moves forward either, as his exposed form is negligible really, and he could be anything. Charlie Spargo is about the most likely future midfielder I’ve seen, so expect that in 2 to 3 years as well, and Vanders could be there more as of next season. Football now is about versatility, and many players best use is discovered well down the track.

Excellent interview and full year’s podcasting, congrats to you Andy and Grapeviney. I’ve really enjoyed listening, and to your regular contributors, Supermercado, binman, Nasher, particularly after wins of course, although your calm and reason after losses is admirably well measured. Should be compulsory listening for all the knee-jerkers and doomsdayers of us out there who tend to let emotion cloud the senses. Looking forward to next year.

Excellent outcome. Now our list is truly balanced, and with enviable depth. However talented he is, Jesse Hogan was never part of this team’s growing brotherhood. He always appeared to be on the outer. Best of luck to him, but if we want a team where everyone is happy to be there, he was never going to be part of that. We got the players we were after, and whatever with pick 23. Arguing over petty details of draft order picks is pointless when the goal has been achieved.

Considering his poor set-shot abilities, and his overall talent, the only reason CP isn’t playing more midfield minutes is that he doesn’t have the tank. It’ll improve, but game-long, on-ball endurance may not be his thing.

Will end up as a midfielder, probably not next year, but with bursts. That level of footy smarts and natural ability needs to be where he gets more of it. Size not an issue, he’ll be a gun. You don’t play almost a full season as an 18 year old in a top 4 team if you ain’t.

Nice. Meaningful.

Hard to argue

Had a touch of that myself

Deserved winners, were the team who held their form most consistently through the year. Makes getting some extra marking power over the off season a smart move for the Dees.

No problem.

All my experience with latarjet has been excellent. It is the definitive solution to instability, and whilst there is bone healing required that lengthens rehab, particularly in respect to contact and heavy resistance work, outcomes are unquestioned. Clarry’s running fitness will not be compromised (he’s advantaged there anyway), just his contact involvement delayed. Good news, and a smart long term approach, IMO.

That sort of bias has to be deliberate. I’ve never seen anything like it.

WTF is with the umpiring!!!!!!! They won’t pay us a free kick.

The umpiring in this game is absolutely woeful!

Shhhh....you’ll upset the blind fools.

Utter reactive garbage. Try making a sensible comment instead.

The second word of your last sentence is?

Thanks for trotting out the meaningless cliche, but by definition, luck is literally the bounce of the ball, being the thing I was referring to. Or do you think Darling’s skill ‘made’ that bounce?

Ok, that Darling goal really does explain the day. Wow! Luck is a very powerful thing.

Never seen so many players slip, fumble, miss handballs. Just a carnival of blunders, and as we’ve seen over the last 5 weeks, this is just not us. It’s like a virus!

Well said, DD

We are fit, and anger does nothing good. The first two are a given.

8.8 from turnovers is the story right there. And it’s not because of the opposition, it’s just the nature of the game. Play them in Melbourne, get the first 3 goals, and it’s an opposite result. Once the confidence goes with young guys, it’s like a waking nightmare, which this is.

This is what being psychologically overwhelmed looks like. Much like last night. Everything goes badly, and everything looks worse. Second guessing, afraid of stuffing up. It’s horrible to watch, but these kids are only human. Best we can hope for is some way to avoid the scarring it could create. Oh, and the 2nd worse thing, Collingwood will thump Eagles next week.