John Crow Batty

QB is our big game of the year since we haven't seen finals action for a while and not likely this season. Doesn't matter where are pies are at. All other so called big games this season when we had a chance to get out feet into finals contention we have blown.

I wouldn't call that a big game. Only the consequences if we lost would have been big.

I hope we don't get sucked into rope a dope. When was the last time we won a big game when we had favourite status?

Once upon a time a win against Collingwood was something we could savour a long time. We better beat them this week or else I will feel cheated.

Pannell can't help making the "I'm an idiot" statement every game.

He may be an idiot but idiots are right occasionally. And only an idiot would say that publicly. Wiser heads would just say nothing because they would like to see us continue to drink our own bath water rather than wake up.

I wonder how much of Neeldoleprosy and Schwabitis still permeates though the club? Improvement has been snail pace marginal at best. Not like post McCarthyism and Maltnecrosis at the Bulldogs and Carlton with their seemingly miraculous full recovery from irrelevance and mediocrity. I hope we haven't been sold a snake oil cure.

I don't think there is any correlation between umpires who have played the game and those who haven't. Just a well rounded understanding of the game and rules applied with common sense will suffice. Some will always be naturally better than others. Also umpires should be encouraged to reverse their decisions if they feel they have made a mistake. Should be no shame attached. Due to the speed and pressure of the game brain fades happen in an instant. I am sure many realise almost immediately when they have made a mistake.

Good point. If all the other defensive pressure actions occur then the tackles follow.

May have been deceiving due to the wet conditions. Easier to lock the ball in slippery conditions and consequential ineffective disposal. If we matched them for forward 50 pressure it could have been a couple of goals less for them and a couple more for us.

Evans was delisted in 2014.

Yesterday. Hawks had 26 tackles in forward 50. Us, a total of 8. A summary of the 3 main forward players efforts for both sides. Hogan, Garlett and Watts combine for a grand total of 3 tackles. All 3 to Garlett. Puopolo, Rioli and Gunston combine for a mere total of 26 tackles between them. Last week we had a total of 4 forward 50 tackles. Pot had 12. Our forwards have a lot to answer for. Must be like downhill skiing for opposition defenders.

How may high frees has Selwood for ducking? Counted 3 in only about 20 minutes that I have ever watched in dribs and drabs.

I thought he was quite solid and serviceable. Tough day though to show all ones skills in the conditions.

Rarely got off his opponent. Most marking attempts were contested and very difficult in this weather. Gawn couldn't take one either nor Hogan.

Hawthorn played the percentages better especially in the last quarter. Wasted less energy by moving the ball on at all costs. We should have done the same in the last quarter.

The weather radar shows a very slow moving front. The rain should get heavier by game time

It was us that kicked 6 to 1 in the first quarter. Carlton got 8 to 3 in the second. The wind swung around at about 3/4 time.

This game is as appetising as a choice of shyte sandwich or roast turd for dinner. Marginally in favour of North so at least we maintain a better ladder position over one of them.

Reminds me of all the criticism Jetta received. Look at him now.

Some hair curling nostalgia. Grinter features in a few.

Makes sense but I hope we don't have to put up with an insipid 2nd half of season and we have to wait a long time for fruit to bear.

I think it was in the third quarter of the 87 prelim final. Unless he got him again at a later date.

I have kind of forgotten these games as the whole finals series was over shadowed by our GF loss. We dominated Collingwood but nearly kicked ourselves out of the game. We kicked away from Carlton in the 3rd quarter after a hard fought first half. We blew away a big first quarter lead. A highlight was Gary Lyon kicking what must have been an 85 metre goal to finally bury Carlton.

Hird senior again Jimmy's mouthpiece. Now batting for Jobe's Brownlow. Not much else to add other than James is still looking for legal loopholes and now working in London as a business consultant. Why would anyone consult Jimmy about anything I wonder other than to make an idiot of ones self? http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/essendon-doping-saga-james-hirds-father-joins-fight-to-save-jobe-watsons-brownlow-medal-20160601-gp9bxi.html