DEE fence

Oliver - in the best ever of Red and Blue, we are witnessing greatness. Gawn - started on fire, and just kept going, 2nd best if not best game of his this year. Petty - His best game in Red and Blue, I never thought he was going to become as good as he has. Kudos to all those that predicted it, hat off. Brayshaw - flawless performance, wouldn't be surprised if he snuck a Brownlow vote Langdon - Bit unfair, as Sparrow/Spargo/Harmes all did excellent defensive efforts. Petracca - still had a great night, just because he wasn't BOG doesn't mean he should fall off the votes. Please don't take him for granted. Hon mentions: Weid - one more contested mark and I would have given him a vote, although I think when he kicked the 5th goal he showed his clutch ability, massive effort at 4.16 May - his efforts in the 4th when the game was in the bag demonstrates leadership, would dearly love to buy this man a beer.

I too am happy to see the meth heads in pugatory for awhile. However on a serious note am really curious to see if Simmo uses this downtime to reinvent his game plan. I quite like him despite everything and have a sneaky feeling he knows his kick/mark retain possession gameplan is done. I'd be impressed if he a) lasts and doesn't get binned, and more so b) comes up with an alternate gameplan. Most coaches are pretty bloody minded. His demeanor during adversity has actually increased my respect for him. That said loving that Optus is no longer a fortress.

It is allowed to respect a player even if he plays for trash like Essendon or Collingwood. Conversely a player who is hated can come to the Dees and all is forgiven(Lewis/Vince), but you must always hate Tom $cully.

Mexico, my 2nd favourite team in the world cup!

Minor correction, I don't think any team is top 8 material after they play us.

We munched the tigers last year, fwd line not as strong this year, but still see us winning by 6 goals + Very interested in how the Dutchman goes in this game.

Am a regular podcast listener, and while they do laugh a bit too hard at their own jokes, there are some real gems in there. It remains rough and the sponsorship segments make my skin crawl (I know they are a semi pi$$ take but still). But overall I love the roughness and relative honesty in a very cultured media landscape. Off the cuff points I got out of some recent episodes: 1, So Fraser Rosman is the 3rd biggest kick in the club after May (and (Hunt’s 70m torp), was definitely excited to hear this. 2, They do give very big hints about team selection, Dunstan seemed a monty after listening. 3, You get a sense of dynamics between the players, they scratch the surface beyond sound bites about how players get along and I find that super interesting. 4, Max’s ability (and it is an incredible asset in a leader) to admit ignorance and learn (his grammar and general knowledge is woeful) is extraordinary, demonstrates humility and confidence in equal measure, truly amazing individual and that honesty of his is a really good way to get a bunch of different individuals around the same cause, cannot go on about this enough. 5, Listening to stories involving other players / Sandy Dragons / I find super informative. 6, Gibby being the straight man, wish him every success seems a very decent human. Anyone else there that thinks it is a good insight into clubland?

I felt like he was a bit ANB, his disposal let him down, he only needed to fix small things and for sure our club has brought out his best. He is not Brett Kirk, but is in that mold of marching to a different drum. And Gawn as Captain creates space for all types, I can imagine someone like Ed not loving a Tex as captain.

Grimes out is a big loss for them, as is Pickett who played well in last years game against us. Not sure if Balta is carrying an injury, I think their defense will really be under the pump. Also Cotchin is going to be feeling the burn tonight, they really don’t have enough run, I feel a big 3rd qtr coming and some dodgy tactics in the ruck. Ever since Dimma slagged off Schwartz I have been wanting us to rag doll this team. I feel sorry for Tmac who has been close but if it means Sam finally finds some confidence it is a worthwhile investment.

I totally agree that Brayshaw has all the tools to take Viney's place, but disagree (politely) with everyone that he should. Salem's QB role and he is a defender not not a mid, is really crucial, that is why Brayshaw should stay defensive and not go into the middle. Of everyone named Gus is the best to fill in the Salem role. Smith can be a poor man's Lever, and it is a fair time for Dunstan to come in and rotate with Sparrow. I want our defence as stable as possible so with Lever out, keep Gus down back for now.

Dunstan for Viney, Gus to stick to Salems role, Smith for Lever. Viney is a key for me, his pressure on the opposition and his new speed with a good peg has been a real bonus this season.

We are witnessing Coaching brilliance, truly remarkable era. Am going early but sincerely believe at the end of his career it will be Goodwin > Sheedy or even Scott and = with Clarkson. I think of these players (ANB/Spargo/Harmes/Fritsch/Bowey/Petty/Langdon/Smith/Sparrow/Jordan) elsewhere and they would be solid players, not part of the most lethal team defence of all time. I have to go back to Carlton when Doull was playing to think of a peer. This is directly a product of Goodwin and co. I know our A graders are amazing but was looking at GWS with brilliance on every line and the thing that parses the two is the role playing, a product of coaching. We are like Golden State ATM. I really want everyone to understand that it is a full ground defence, and the idea that small forwards ha e to kick goals is yesterday's news. I am happy for ANB Spargo and Kozzie to kick none because their play is setting up feasts for everyone. Some posters need to understand the new metrics.

May Max Viney Spargo Oliver Sparrow just for that run and tap.

Not sure this is on Gil… I always had a sneaky suspicion that the players have told the umps that if they rush this, the players will put a blanket over the boundary ump and quilt him with socks full of soap. They like that moment’s breather…

From me a massive thank you - Softcap, the draft and the socialization of the income stream to the smaller clubs, has allowed MFC to win a GF, overall the comp has become fairer, under the previous fat controller we would have been allowed to die. I for one am sick of hearing about polo as much as hearing about Pendlebury playing basketball. The man clearly loves the game. I also think that every woman that plays aussie rules is a prospective mother that is going to allow her children to play. Never forget AR has more female supporters/fans than any other code. And demographics are a fact of life, it is an existential fight to grow the code in the population growth corridors. As for the rules, Rucks and Wingers are back (which suits us very well), key position players are in ascendancy, and the ugly rolling maul that was turning the best game into ugly rugby has gone. More been done to keep the look of the game the way I love it under his tenure than either Ross or Andy. And I know everyone bleats about ‘the boys club’ but the consensus Gil was able to build to save two seasons of football during COVID was extraordinary, and is a positive example of the boys club, and he sacked mates. Really in a complex world revolving around a game full of passions that are clearly obsessive, with no common denominator for very divisive issues he did a bloody good job. Lastly his two knocks, and they are knocks, are the Goodes saga, for which he clearly said sorry, and Gambling which for me is dirty dirty money, as much as I love to gamble it should be an adult sin and should not be normalized with wall to wall advertising coverage. Problem gambling breaks families at the same rate grog and dope does. So yes Jesus or Mohammed or Buddha would have done a better job, but for an ordinary human (and Carlton supporter), we should just say thank you.

Two Rucks seems to be the key now days, Saints have two, smash Hawks who lost McEvoy and had one ruck. Dogs went in without a spare, got touched up by us. I haven't looked across all games but just watching the Dees and a couple of other matches I really feel like the game has turned a bit and the so called demise of the ruck was premature. Also kudos to us for our use of wingers as well, we are trend setters. 'Pat's self on back for something he had nothing to do with'. And dare I say it, but the one thing the rules committee got right.

Looks like 2022 Saints is what everyone was expecting in 2021. Paddy Ryder is just such a game changer for the Saints. More than a little happy to see the Blues go down as well.

Faceplam re Spargo, he is going just fine, cannot remember anyone in 4 matches this year rebounding out of back half quickly, it is our small forwards that set up the zone so well. We have a huge spread of goal kickers so we are not relying on Spargo or Kozzie to score, but our zone is essential. They will get their goals in due course.

We still haven't beaten anyone, haha So anyway humble pie time Everytime I think Harmes is off the boil, and his position is suspect he turns in a belter of a game. Was really impressed yesterday and loved post game footage showing him power from back 1/3rd to front 3rd for a mark and goal, his running was stellar. I really wish the club would let us see some of their running times they are spectacular athletes and not just Langdon and ANB. On attack... I want Weid to have another chance because i thought our fwd 50 entries were poor, am not complaining about the win but i really don't understand our execution into forward 50 yesterday and haven't read an explanation that satisfies me. I totally get bank the wins, and you can understand from my handle I am into the defense, and Goodwins' presser was totally fair and insightful. But I still think the inside 50's were slack and neither Tmac or Weid got a fair shake. I did notice Weid back pedaling like crazy in one contest when he realized he had been sucked under the flight of the ball and in another he was ineffectually stuck on the side of the contest, but overall there was not enough contests to have a decent sample size to make a judgement on whether he stays or goes. That said i think BBB is in his best form. Also Cannot agree that Sparrow > Brayshaw, even on potential. Like Sparrow and will be servicable due to his strength but Brayshaw clearly has more vision and weapons.

I mentioned in Post Game thread but will say it here, I thought it was significant that he was leading pre game huddle. With much respect to the player he has become, Gus used to worry me as a bit FIGJAM, I think he has matured from a callow youth into a brilliant clubman. He has also found out how to tap into his bravery at will, immensely courageous player. He clearly said he'd eat a pile of his own merde before going to WCE. I guess Freo is a possibility he clearly rates his brother and I know I would love to play with mine, but overall I think he will stay. I also think he has made himself essential, he's utilitarian ability makes him a coaches dream, and apart from the concussion has been quite durable, wears almost as many hits as clarry.

Gawn May Harmes Langdon Viney JJ

Mega Frustrated- gift kills where we could have won by 20 goals are so rare this was a big missed opportunity. Still very happy for the win, and I loved tehe deefence.

Many good things but angry we haven't kicked another 6, been some smart Ar$e footy

Jackson is on, couple of key marks, backing him for votes by game's end. Viney having a great game. Anyone notice Brayshaw leading pre game speech/rev up? Discipline is outstanding for a lot of late hits. Nearest the pin this will be a 12 goal win Everyone having a go (a couple quiet but need to watch again to look for team actions)

I reckon Hinkley would give his left nut for a 2nd ruck right about now. Main thing I want to see is our mids setting up better on our Ruck advantage. Max should be smashing it 40 m like Fitzpatrick from now on. And can Viney and Picket keep smashing Lycett's shoulder. Port have been late with their hits repeatedly.