John Crow Batty

If we win today it will be the first time since 2005 with a 3-0 start. Buts it’s like us to stuff up a great opportunity. I hope not.

No triumphalist expectations from me. The results so far this round have been too wild.

We should take credit for Sydney’s rise. Round 15, 2020 we played them into form.

His middle name should be changed from Kropinyeri to Kryptonite.

Good to see us on 8 points after the first 2 rounds. These are games given the opposition that in past seasons we should have won but inexplicably lost. I believe the new rule changes and style of play with less crowded forward lines suits us well this season. We generated a lot of attack and despite the poor accuracy we peppered the goals. I am a critic of Jones but so far this season whilst being adequate he is having a red hot go when last season he was just plodding along. Looks fitter and playing with far more energy and getting involved. Our defence looks solid and our attack has multiple options despite having Weed, Brown and Brown out. Kozzy’s improvement has been sensational. We have laid solid foundations to build on. 72% efficiency inside 50. 39 shot from 54 entries. How amazing is that compared to the past few seasons.

The concussion elephant has grown too big in the room and leaves no room for star players to wriggle their way out anymore.

He charged Kelly like bull to a red rag. To the letter of the law still worth 3 weeks suspension despite your opinion.

If he does get let off, rest assured the next Alex Neal Bullen type who does similar will get six weeks to make up for it.

Option 2. He could have tried to smother the hand pass release.

Dangerfield saying he did nothing wrong and pleading self protection. He’s giving heads up to the tribunal to what their decision must be. https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/you-ve-got-to-look-after-yourself-as-well-dangerfield-claims-no-realistic-alternative-20210322-p57cwt.html

Oliver doesn’t value add to the mountain of possession he earns. Works very hard but his dinky hand passes are more often too cute. Taps to advantage are of more value than some of the 1 metre hand passes he favours. His kicking is nothing praiseworthy either. Sometimes I get the impression he just plays for his own satisfaction and not for the team. I’d like to see a Jack Riewoldt attitude metamorphosis to his game.

Losing the battle for the wooden spoon.

Cant play Jetta and Jones in the same team together but I prefer Jetta to Jones. Jones offers nothing other than being a witches hat to shuffle around and cannot play out a full game. He will be subbed out or will keep the bench warm for the last quarter. It’s astounding that he still gets a game when he should have retired gracefully two seasons ago.

Clubs won’t sub out a champion for a minor injury if it would for certain keep them out of next weeks big game. The champ will keep the interchange bench warm for the remainder of the game.

I would prefer if the subbed out player is made to sit out of the game for 12 days irrespective of the injury. There has be a price to be paid for using the concussion sub rule for other purposes.

On the rare occasions when he played up the ground or forward, he got a lot of ball, was very mobile and clean and smart with his disposal. More or less what we saw last night. However the brains trust preferred him to be a prop for opposition forwards to practice their marking on.

This is what I said about him a couple of weeks ago. We should have played him CHF after his brother got injured and lost form. Poorly managed by the club as with many other players.

Some who have been around longer felt your pain for about 45 of the past 56 years.

They are just working up to it. Anger management takes time.

Well if they as angry as the supporters then the 2021 premiership is ours. I hope there no longer is a disconnect. Gawn: Anger driving Dees after finals near miss

I have been saying for years the midfield play selfish and not too smart. I can’t recall the last time one of our vaunted midfielders gave a tap or knock on to advantage or put in a shepherd to assist someone else getting a clearance. It’s like they all want the clearance and statistic recorded on their stat sheet. If stats were given for non possession “catalyst” plays that start a chain that leads to scores it might be different. I hope things change this season.

Amazing that we have gotten this far into the thread and no mention of the two over exposed, over hyped and underachieving poster boy captains of a decade ago. Cursed by the dreaded MFC bung foot syndrome, Schwabitis and Neeldenza. I don’t blame anyone for forgetting the two Jacks. Anyone know what they are up to?

No, it was the “MC” who rocked the house.

After the shameful way he was treated, I doubt Stef would ever want to return.

At CHF we may see more of his mobility and versatility which wasn’t so much apparent as the opposition generally kicked the ball long to his opponent and he had to stick to his man.