John Crow Batty

Great result for US. Let’s hope now WC continue their improvement.

It’s not a matter of pessimism or optimism. Its more about the reality of the current situation. Freo are white hot and unrealistic to expect them to stumble. Currently we are equal to the Saints as the worst performed top 9 teams for the last 6 rounds and we have two games against sides that are still desperate to make finals and the rest are top 8. If we don’t improve we will slide rapidly down the ladder. If we improve and make top 4 then it’s a moot point. But as yet there no clear signs we can recapture our winning form and hunger so having a top 8 buffer is better for finals appearance chances. We are at the crossroads now and can’t afford a lame performance next week against Port which will be pumped up. We need all the helpful variables available to get out game back in order for a strong finals campaign.

We can’t hog all the top 4 spots. We have a very tough run home and our form is shaky. I don’t want to see us battling for 8th spot if we lose a couple more.

Now dockers to beat saints please to increase our final 8 buffer.

Shouldn’t Selwood be cited for this? It was reckless, dangerous and caused injury that could force Clarry out to recover. He should get a couple of weeks for what he did.

There is a pattern with May in first quarters. Is fumbly, uncertain and poor disposal early in many games. Happened in GF as well. Improves as game goes on. Last night he was worse than usual and cost us goals and momentum though he did well one on one against Hawkins.

Geelong were more hungry than us. We have been playing a passive/aggressive game all season relying on bursts of rapid scoring to defeat teams that we allow to throw everything at us. The only games where we have appeared more hungry than the opposition was against Brisbane and Port. Last week though be beat Adelaide we let them dictate the play all game. If they were a marginally better side they would have won. Next week we come up against Port again in Alice. This game is their last chance to have a hope of securing a finals spot. They will throw everything at us.

In our last 6 games we have lost clearances in all four losses and won them in our two wins. Our powerhouse midfield is slipping.

Gawn and Jackson, one mark between them as well….ugh. Maybe both rushed back too early?

Smashed in the clearances. maybe better with Weid and Mitch rucking. Gawn and Jackson more or less useless.

Yes played at Pork Barrel Park. One of my favourite all time non MFC finals game. Steven Hills 5 bounce late charge along the Pork Barrel members wing to goal and ice the game was sublime.

Are you sure it’s Fish Creek? Fish Creek is on the other side of Wilson’s Prom and from Geelong it would take longer to get there than to fly to Adelaide.

An acquaintance here in Perth who’s a WC supporter told me WC stopped tanking because they are now out of the running to get Jackson. I take that with a grain of salt but who knows what goes on.

Port choked this one at the death.

I don’t think it matters much if commentators are connected with certain clubs. Sport is entertainment. We had Daisy Pearce commentating and no one here complains. The football world and associated media has always been incestuous and nepotistic and bias in some form is always there. It is what it is.

He did alright in the finals and GF as I recall despite being so so early in the season last year. He’s here for the duration this season.

That’s assuming other clubs were interested in him at the time. Delisted players hitting 30 years old usually don’t have too many offers.

Mitch Brown must be one of the longest travelled journeyman ever. Drafted in 2008 but only played 79 games for 3 clubs. Very few players remain from that vintage in the league. Amazing.

There were 77 free kicks paid that game. 39 to Fitzroy and 38 to Adelaide. Unbelievable.

Both Weid and Mitch battled hard. They played their roles perfectly.

Suns robbed of a couple of holding the ball frees at the death within scoring range.

Demons 94, umpires 65.

Lots more opposition coaches now coaching from interchange bench copying Goodwin and Fagan who were the only ones doing it last season. Today both Rutten and Longmuir coaching from the bench as was Beveridge the other day. Must be a trend to think it might be advantageous since Melbourne and Brisbane are top of the ladder.

Great game between two middle of the road clubs. Richmond clueless on how to ice the game.