DEE fence

Selwood meets Viney, I am so looking forward to us playing Geelong. There is a reason why the cats have them as a sponsor, they need a large supply of tidy whiteys before a Demons game.

Do you reckon he had the white paint ready?

So in Sudan we have a vast fleet of white 4WD (sadly Toyotas and not Range Rovers, all of the old MFC stickers I have get stuck on a rear windshield whenever I travel to a new sub office. I was most chuffed when an Essendon supporter from another agency OCHA, was in Damazine and sent me a picture asking 'is this you?'. The other pics are from Finland on the ferry, driving around after the Carlton win with the scarf out the window.

A small matter I suppose but from the vision showed there was no remonstration with Ladhams from the rest of the team. Question is was there anyone getting in Ladham's face after that dog act? Again only on vision shown I couldn't understand why Weed didn't body Ladhams.

Patrick McCartin is a key worry for me, was AA worthy this year - I feel like he is really going to shine in these finals. Personally I think we have to attack with smaller types providing running pressure. I think he would eat Tmac alive at the moment.

For all that Weed has not been what we hoped in the fwd line, he still represents a huge investment in time and method. He is obviously a good clubman and popular so I don’t see the need for him to find himself somewhere else, if he can fill a role in Ruck and execute that is worth something. Neville Jetta was a small forward failure, he went on to be a brilliant backman, Tmac was becoming a liability with his disposal in back half and looping kicks and became a gun forward. Just because Weed is not Tom Lynch doesn’t mean he is without value. And there are no ‘good’ ruckman hiding out there in plain sight. I mean Preuss is still on a list and he offered less than Weid did in his time in the ruck for us. One of the things that makes us potent at the moment is the team synergy, I am not saying it is the only thing or trumps other factors, just that it should be part of the calculus.

Too slick for me

The Swedes are the Nordic surrender monkeys who gave up Finland to the Russians in 1809, Helsinki, Finland since 1917 Hyva Suomi. Spent the summer (now) teaching the Finns to kick a Sherrin

Am in Helsinki for 1st Final, fast streaming net and mad sports friends, Sudan for the Grand Final sadly, will use a diplomat mates house for the fast net there. Watch AFL is ok, sometime the sound doesn’t run the same as the picture which can be frustrating.

Not being rude, but are you old enough to remember Elliot and Kernahan ? When I was young I thought Jezza, Fitzpatrick and Doull were gods, badly wished Rattan was playing for us and jealous as hell of Kouta, but between the 1st two names I mentioned and being patronized during the 80s and 90s by Carlton supporters... cannot agree

The thing about the Brownlow, (and I have a lot on inherent bias), that I really like, but I feel gets lost in the discussion is the 'Fairest' bit, to me it is a uniquely Australian distinction, especially from the Seppos. It goes back to cricket and to me the quintessentially Australian ethic, of playing as hard/well as you can, but not with a 'win at all cost' mentality. How you play the game means something. Now I am not saying that the Brownlow has always got this right, some of the winners have been door handles for sure. But as an aspirational goal, awarding the highest prize with an eye to how people handle themselves is something I can get around, and reinforces a great bit of Australian culture, I.e. a fair go. and not being a planker.

Massive Karma bus seen parked outside Princess Park...

Where can I get a can of these Carlton tears, so sweet. Front bar will be must watch TV this week.

that's game for the Swannies, they are not Carlton, Don't like all the nerves about Collingwood we need to beat everyone.

they are schizophrenic great one week mediocre the next, they seem to prefer the tough games to the easy ones. I would rather Pies week 1

Suck it up folks, beating Collingwood in finals is what it is about, and I'd rather a QF than a prelim.

Pies in a QF, no way we lose that game twice (three time in a year would kill me), our guys are humble etc, but they want that last game as a do over, am sure of it.

King has done it for us, 40pts in 10min is not happening.

Oh Carlton... still don't feel sorry for you.

You'd back Collingwood from here

I actually thought last 5 min the Saints kept trying, could have had another goal, Hannebery actually playing makes a difference through the middle, expensive cameo though. If they had Ryder would be game on.

I really like this thread, it's aqua profunda for some and they stay away. Anyway, for me the biggest difference between 21 and 22 has been injury, I am beyond impressed that we arrive at finals with a fit list, when we have clearly had our share of struggles this year. In a game of tiny margins between the top 8 teams. I think this has accounted for a drop in pressure and intercepts and other metrics that we blew up last season. It must be said we had one of the most exceptional runs with injury gods in 21, expecting that 2 seasons in a row is more than a tad King Canute. What blew me away was forward 50 connection (how much did you love May celebrating their success in his post match IV), and as much as I have looked for a tactic (and I might have missed it) I really can only say that I think it is belief. I think we are an extremely unified team. We have found our dare where we have been staid. We will be close but triumphant against Sydney, murder Collingwood and beat Geelong senseless in the GF. Our pressure is not a gimmick, it requires a fit list to get to the contest and effect it... we are now fit. Our skills require trust, there is no more unified team. Our game plan requires preparation, does anyone think our coaches have not been working towards this moment with utter clarity? I do hope May starts kicking right in finals... Lastly, think about our losses, Geelong, Collingwood etc, they celebrated hard, no-one has taken beating us for granted. I expect to see high pressure, and large scores from turnover. Nothing about our game has gone out of style it just takes an enormous amount of work and fitness.

I was looking at the way May spins the ball in his hand to see if he was signalling before the kick out, I think I found the tell... Just joking

No change, Bowey and Rivers were a great rebounding option and connected really well. Salem has been getting better since a number of issues, and he applies a lot of pressure, but it was Bowey’s best game of the year he was so clean. Damn hard choice as I love Salem. I also had Tmac coming in for BBB (if fit) but BBB also played his best game of the year. Melks has done everything asked. ANB is a defensive forward and his work is immense. Spargo has the neatest F50 entries. I still think Harmes might be dropped depending on matchups. Also - Tmac could make a useful sub with his utility abilities.

Yeah I prefer my wine without the ‘h’