Demon17

Spargo must play. He has shown composure and we need his decision making and small forward role.

I was at the 88gf. No one fired a shot exvept jim stynes. It was a cheap shot and did not define stretchs career.

Love the handle BTW. Took a few minutes but I got it in the end. Clever!

Says who?

Anywhere from 9th to 6th. But I used the points predictor with some confidence based on when we win , we win big (9 goals plus. Thus the prediction of 119% could be low and I think 125% will be closer giving some insurance at the end. Sunday will tell if the team is still on that track regarding crushing the poorer opposition.

So west coast in Perth last year was an optical illusion, as was Crows in Adelaide? As was QB last year? I only mention these as you use the words "...Long term..." This is incorrect on the evidence. Inconsistent though is probably what we both agree on.

More interesting is that we have the highest av winning margin - and the highest average losing margin ( c.f to teams down to 14th spot on the ladder). Thus I expect/hope real floggings and % builders in the next 3 weeks, buying the staff this time to fix it. Huge potential at least for 2019 onward if the downside can be sorted

People forget the Pies were absolutely taken to the cleaners by the Cats only a few weeks ago No goals in a half or something close to it.

Agree on the negativity comment. I think posters are missing the pies extremely difficult draw. I think they are the team at risk the most.

And its the teams, and Trac's, chance to re-build any loss in confidence since 2 losses through absolutely hammering poor opposition. 2 goals wins, and in Trac's case , average contributions, won't cut it from either % build or Trac's later 2018 contributions.

Bingo.

The AFL site says a new ladder predictor is to be relaesd by end of this month (June) I agree on Pies. I think they are the team in real danger of missing 8. I have them on 11 firm wins and every other match a tough one. If they make it they will fully deserve. Personally, I was pleased North got up. I think Dees will make it, but my nightmare is meeting Hawks in first final. North helped to keep them out by their win against the Dogs.

Flat track bullies is a cheap and lazy cliche by media and posters on here.. The evidence in 2017 was that This team by and large beat Adelaide in Adelaide last year and eagles in Perth . Not much has changed team wise except for Hogan being available and Gawn in better form since then in terms of team membership and mindset and the team has arguably improved. Last night is being hailed as the great Friday night game of the year and Melbourne lost no respect ( so says Gerard Whately) had the Cats beaten in Rd 1 and flogged last year's Grand finalist only a few weeks ago. The game is more complex than a slogan.

FWIT I thought I would add that after last night, and the Inside 50's, I am confident the forward issues can be fixed and we have huge upcoming % builders for next 3 weeks. I think this will be important also as well as point obviously.

The Joel Smith idea is the only reason I can see for the selection/defence structure. Westoff was fantastic last week and I suspect will win it for them tonight, as one tall too many. Tyson is a good inclusion if he plays inside.

Agree. I think goodwin will play tyson where he excels. On inside as shown in vfl and huge risk tonight if this is not turned around. I just hope he has the backline sorted. I watched frost play a great game last year at adelaide. May rue his non selection tonight.

Sorry Dox. My mistake. On the same wavelength though.

Why on earth do you think that won't happen. History tells us otherwise.

I feel the pain. haven't they learned to keep the heads down before big games. Think Petracca and Gawn on The Footy Show. Someone else just posted this the otgher day about instituting a media blackout. Viney on last night's Footy Show - Result - We're gone for sure tomorrow night!

Bartlett actually said: "... PROCESS has been going for quite a few weeks..." Not that Pert applied a few weeks ago. Didn't say "..short time...". Just that he achieved a lot in his time there, which he did, especially with where the Board wants to take the club. Very little discussion on it, except Bartlett refereed , as SF says, a non-leaking Board. As if to say the ' experts' were bind sided by appointment and a bit miffed they were not in the loop - that's you Damien Barrett.(who has no idea IMO) What does concern me is the constant sniping by John Rothfield on the non-transparency of the process. Dr. Turf needs to understand its confidentiality that' s most important and on Monday's Footy Classified, Chris Judd gave an excellent summary of his well sourced knowledge of what happened. Worth a listen, taking it up to Barrett.

Really good post. The fugazi will be coming from media and others who have no experience and or idea how CEO's are appointed under these circumstances, and the probity issues required. FUGAZI !!!!!!!!!!!!! Move on .

This post isn't to gloat and i wish Watts well. Just that watching him last week, even in a winning team, I thought I saw exactly what he delivered to MFC. No aggression, slipped tackles and falling over. Not surprised at this selection decison by Power. Unfortunate for him, but early validation of MFC call last year.

Anzac Eve DOES count last year. We were 13 points up at 3/4 time with no bench players left. Were always going to run out of legs. A good effort in the circumstances. QB was an heroic effort as well on a big stage down to the wire. The games were are meant to win have usually been disasters, up to last year. This years 6 game streak now shows major mindset improvement.

Did anyone else notice in the 2nd 1/4 at a centre bounce about the 10 minute markish Jack V gesticulating to T Mac and pointing to the goals which looked like a bake to TMAc about why he didn't kick forward instead of passing off. Waiting for the re-bounce after the scrum Tmac gave it back to jack. Was interesting.

Sitting near the bench on Monday I was close up to a couple of good things Spargo did, getting into trouble, getting out, and seemingly keeping a cool head. That small passage of play sold me in the kid. Although he's been playing like that earlier also.