binman

made it your mission even.....

Could not disagree more. Is WAY above average and i predict will be a star, in large part BECAUSE he is is such a quick thinker and has such great footy IQ. He makes such smart decisions, for example when to release the footy when tackled and when to hold onto the ball. That footy IQ, and natural football skills means Goody can, and does, use him as a utility to plug holes and give key players a chop out when needed - wing, half back, midfield he can play it all. And he is total solid citizen - a culture builder. You only need to look at the players he kept out of the team last year, such as Jonsey, to understand how highly goody rates him. Needs to build his body up to get a bit stronger (which i why Sparrow got the nod come the business end of the season i reckon), but that said is deceptively strong as evidenced by how often he get the ball off when tackled. I suspect he has the sort of physical makeup that means he struggles to put on muscle bulk (paging @webber is that a thing?). But has only just turned 21 and by the time he is 25 will be built like a brick, have elite endurance, have 100 plus games under his belt (he already has 25) and be a mainstay of of our midfield. No player has reminded me more of Jnr McDonald. And like junior, i can see him becoming a captain of the dees at some point.

It is impossible to imagine the loss didn't play a role. As a competitive beast, he would have been stung by the almighty hammering his team received in the grand final. And stung by the questions about his tactical response to the 3rd quarter onslaught. They have all preseason to prepare for a rematch against the team he must think is their key rival for the flag this year. One assumes he thinks they are real contenders. We have all but three of our premiership back 7 out, including Lever, and lose Salem in the first quarter. His players come out and are once again shell shocked and absolutely hopeless (they were lucky we didn't kick 10 goals). He can hear the press wondering if Bevo has lost his ability to get his team ready for big games. They go crazy and get out to a 4 goal lead. And like a bad dream the gf repeats itself and we hammer them, putting the whip away in the last to cruise to another easy victory against them. And to top it off we hadn't bothered tagging Macrae, as we did to such great effect in the GF (compare the stats). Sure he'll keep the front going that they are a realistic flag chance (and of course they are some sort of chance). But he knows we are the real deal and absolutely have their measure. And goody has his measure. All that roiling away and he had to front a presser. And sees Morris. Can barely contain himself. And it all explodes when Morris asks his question. About selection of all things. Classic projection.

Morris is certainly not free from his ire. I'm here all week,try the fish...

Perhaps less underdone than physically exhausted. Kozzie, rivers, bowey, jordon and Sparrow are all really young, so you'd think a short preseason would take its toll. More than for older blokes with 6,7 8 preseasons to fall back on.

Why?

He should make it his ring tone. And get someone to call him whenever he is near Beveridge

Exhibit A, our first goal. Kozzie put a beautiful block on the defender to create enough space for langers to balance and kick. Smart, disciplined and team focused. How many small forwards in the AFL would do that rather than attack the ball and try to score himself (which he would have well been within his rights to do). Similar to the block that set up trac's dribble goal in the GF. Doesn't get a score assist or score involvement. Perhaps a one per center, but no other stat for that play. But I'll bet a million dollars the coaching staff count those pressure acts and that they are one of kozzies kpis.

Yep, fair call.

A sting from losing? Yeah, nah.

Sure. But may is the stay at home defender. Tomo will almost certainly come out if Lever is right.

He literally laughed at the hunter palaver.

Smith out? Are you serious? Zero chance he gets dropped. Won't be surprised if goody gives him.coaches votes. Even the biggest Tomlinson fan would concede Smith is now well ahead of him

Agree. It's almost become a signature move

Anyone still think the blues practice match held any meaning?

Yep. Which will be fine by goody. The story should be that they lost another game to us after being 3 plus goals up. Forget round 17 last year - they are our bunnies. Their system will smash plenty of teams. But is hopeless against us. That's the story. But won't be. I said last year that there is a limit to how effective the whole us against the world palaver Beveridge loves so much actually is. Does he think he can use it to fuel a whole season?

In fact I can barely believe it. Surely a a big fine for bringing the game into disrepute.

Yep. Truly shocking. Woeful for the dogs and will dominate the news about this game now.

Who did harmes tag? Libba?

Rooey: 'It's no longer a clearance game" Bucks; 'The most important stat in footy is post clearance possessions, which demons dominated'

Fascinating game. Just like every other game against them last year EXCEPT the Grannie they let Macrae rack up big numbers and put no time into him. That is one confident move. Keep your powder dry for the finals

Reiwolt on fox just then: 'Dogs won clearances 31 to 20. But it's no longer a clearance game'

Good bump. They have smashed us in clearances. Buy only scored 19 points from them. And will lose by 5 goals. Again Normal reception resumed.

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

Ditto. Such a key player.