binman

He wouldn't have played a game last year if you applied that logic

Ditto. Such a key player.

They just said it was a knee issue then on fox. Will get scans. From the footage I doubt it is an acl. Looks like a contact injury to a knee that was already strapped.

I'm watching fox and they haven’t even mentioned it during half time. Weird. And on the seven coverage they only mentioned he was off

Unfortunately I do.

What's the Salem update? How bad?

Weightman wasn't. He was on the mark and jumping up and down like a rabbit (I think it was when Brayshaw was kicking at goal)

Smith is a better like for like replacement for petty than Tomlinson, which I suspect is why he is the team. Tomlinson is a one on one, lock down defender who takes opposition bigs. An did a great job in that role before getting injured. Petty played differently. More zoning off to impact aerial contests. More big leaps into packs and smashing the ball away . More intercept marking. More flexibility in terms of opponent and more rolling off one forward and picking up another (often waxing with lever). All of the above freed May up to play the role Tomlinson played before injury - the lock down defender taking the opposition key forward. And playing thatt role may often plays deep and is usually (but not always) the goalkeeper/last man - a role may is perfectly suited for with his calmness, leadership ability to read the play and his booming left foot. Smith takes the Petty role because he has the athleticism and skill set to do it. Thomo doesn't. May does, and thomo could play may's role, but they obviously prefer may to be the true full back. I think unfortunately for tomo he is now coverage for a may injury.

And prove some of us right

I'm feelin ya. No covid for me coz I've kept my inverticim regime going. But my son has just tested positive so 7 day iso for me and the rest of the family. Can't believe it.

This one?

Maybe the anti vaxxers think Novavax has been approved for use by the most respected anti vax expert - Novak Jokovic

I respect his right to sell his values down the river.....

Looks like our estimate of 50-60k is way unders. I think they are expecting mon 80k based on current sales

I felt the same in the third, i was much more worried in the second. Agree on the second point, except i reckon realistically they need to be 4 plus goals up at three quarter time. They were gassed. They simply had to kick more than the two goals in the third - they need to get the lead out to 5 goals. That's where they lost it - and conversely that's where we won it - bang, bang, bang notwithstanding.

Great point. I'd add that the team had multiple examples of the direct experience of fighting their way back to draw on. Without that words of motivation from Goody and max are just that - words. But they knew Max and Goody were right becuase they could draw on their individual and collective experience. Which is why home and away wins like our Brisbane win and of course the round 23 wins, and even the must win games in round 22 and 23 in 2020 that Goody referenced in the fox doco, are so important in terms of winning the ultimate prize.

That's a really good point. You're right, any 'demotion' became a story. And an unhelpful distraction Melksham must be pleased too, given if there was a 7 man LG he should have been in it. And wouldn't have been.

I have to say I love the old school 'leadership group' comprising just the skipper and VC.

Yep. And I'd add tbat goals are not his KPI - pressure is. Goals are a bonus. He had 8 tackles against Carlton, a stand out in a low intensity performance from us. And his pressure was outstanding in the practice match against the roos.

While she's at it she can give him a few lessons in second efforts and intensity

Exactly. And that pace is one of the reason i think he has an edge on tomo.

And his larrikin shtick hid a brilliant tactical mind. It was a great shame h was never made an Australian skipper. Shocking. Two years younger than me.

Check the freezer

Yep, i was thinking about that (7 defenders). On that logic, totes agree with your likely selections.

Yep fair points. I think there is a chance Smith may take rivers' role I said in my post it is hard to asses the performances of any of the defenders. That said hard to get enthused about baker or Hunt, both of whom had average games. But i thought Hunt was terrific last season and i like him in the team, so i hope he gets his chance to prove himself at some point. He mightget the nod ahead of Smth, but i doubt it. Barring injury, i'm guessing the back six will be May, Lever, Salem, Hibberd, Bowey and Smith. With no Bruce we only need the one key defender really and may can take Naughton. Bowey and Hibber can probably cover River's run. That leaves English and maybe Ugle-Hagan. Smith and Lever can share duties on them. And Smith can also play the half back rivers role so provides some flexibility. Alternatively, thomo comes in and takes English and Smith is not selected. But he can't play HB, so offer less flexibility.