binman

You'd think hannebery would know if Swans are loading or not. I assume he still has connections with ex teamates. Still probably not good enough for the how come it's not ever mentioned by ex players, head in the sand crew but. The swans must have been found out! Agree no good for the so called analysts (how to explain an historical huge loss for a team on top of the ladder). Good for punters though. Now's the time to back the swans for the flag. They're now $6 to win the flag. That's outstanding value.

Which would be ironic given the number if doggies fans calling for bevo's head just 5 weeks ago.

Fair points. Getting flogged by port by 112 points when on top of the ladder near season's end is nuts.

I agree that is very likely, and said as much last week. As you say, not an excuse just a factor. (And I wouldn't sleep on the blues or pies for the same reason- I reckon both have got upside in terms of their running power) But even so losing they probably win a couple of those games if not for injury. And certainly not torched by 112 points. On loading, teams that can't cover the ground (either because of loading, or as i think is the case with us just not fit enough) are getting torched this season with all teams playing transition, turnover football. Running power, stamina and ability to cover the ground at speed have become absolutely critical. As hoyne has frequently pointed out on sen, 16 of the last 17 premiers have been top 4 in scores from turnover (we were the exception in 2021). Our opponents have ruthlessly exploited our lack of spread in the last few weeks as evidenced by the huge diff in uncontested possessions. As someone who punts on line bets, I closely follow margins and the margins this year have been extreme. So many good teams getting blown out by really big margins. @WheeloRatings do you have any easily accessible data on margins this year compared to previous years.

He's just no good one on one, never has been. Looks to have hit a wall too.

And koz taken 10 plus centre bounces on multiple occasions this season.

Why dees fans would choose to ignore these obvious facts is beyond me. Acknowledging the impact of starting the season two best 22 players down (gus and smith - so essentially a list of 42 not 44), multiple senoir players having had interrupted preseasons (bb, tmac, McAdams, hunter, salo, oliver, spargo) and in season injury (bowey, Lever, may, salo, melksham,viney,Turner, McAdam, spargo, hunter, hore, Petty, Windsor, Gawn and tracc) doesn't mean you can't still think we are on the wrong path with goody or are no good. It does mean any such argument is more credible. Injury and conditioning are the two the biggest determinants of success. The first had always been the case and the latter is becoming increasingly critical with the shift to the game being about turnoversall but complete. Just look at the swans. World beaters until recently. The premiership favourites have now lost what four of 5 games and just got flogged by 112 poimts. 112 points - by a team we beat. What's changed? Injury.

Mmm. I went and kept a close eye on jeffo. A couple of reallt good tackles and marks. And kicked goals, which is his main job But he seriously needs to work on his defensive smarts, and of more concern, defensive intensity.

And lack of fitness (the two factors being interconnected of course).

That's great, I didn't realise the game was tommorow at whitten oval. I have the day off and it's on my side of town. A bus stop almost outside my house and the bus stops at West Footscray station over the bridge to the ground. Watch the magoos in footscray. Pho in Barkly Street. Then on the train to Marvel. Perfect Friday.

And his long term fans are nodding their heads sagely and saying I told you so.

Gotcha. I guess I was thinking a call up on form would be unlikely because he's been poor at Casey.

Really? I feel like it's something he wouldn't do - that's to say allow emotion to influence selection. I mean he left jordon on the bench in the GF because we didn't have an injury when not a single person would have begrudged him giving him a run.

I had forgotten that. Icke is one of my all time favourite dees, which is pretty remarkable given he played most of his career at another club. A brilliant defender who almost always battled bigger forwards. Consistent and gave his all as a Dee every single week (compare and contrast with, say, Brent Crosswell).

Christ almighty we have had some bad luck this season!

Snap.

It's a bizarre argument anyway. I mean, so what if a noob on a footy forum thinks we should rest players etc and not try and make the 8. It's the very definition of a moot point. It's like me saying this morning I really don't think it should be super foggy this morning. Oh look it's still foggy! The club will do everything in its power to win the remaining games, regardless of our opinions.

Seriously, what on earth are you on about? Did you fail the conclusion protocols or something?

Not a debate? What is it then? All i flippin said is that the club will still be doing everything they can to make finals. You asked if I'd prefer we did, and I said yes. I didn't ask for an explanation as to why you think why my desire for us to make the 8 is flawed. And to be clear that last para was rhetorical so, please, no need for a rebuttal.

No I wasn't. Again, comprehension.

Ok. You asked if I'd prefer we made the finals and I said yes. I didn't realise it was a debate or that somehow i had to justify my position. As for a moot point - it's 100% a moot point whether you or I would prefer we made the finals in terms of the club's decision to keep pushing for finals or not

What is up with people's comprehension? You have managed to miscomprehend the same post twice. Repeat after me: Of course the odds are against. I wasn't arguing otherwise.

Number one for score involvements in the AFL by some margin when he got injured.

Yes, 100%.. I have followed dees for over 50 years. That's a lot of not making finals. Where there's hope and all that