speed demon

Agree with @rjay and @Redleg’s caution. Every second year someone is described as a generational talent. Are we talking about rabbits? However, if those like JT actually believe this, then I’m all for going all in. Winning the premiership AND getting the #1 draft pick would be a sublime conclusion to 2023. #powermove

It's actually more complicated than it seems. The injury is a fracture of the scaphoid bone. The scaphoid is one of eight small bones called 'carpal bones' in the hand. There is actually variation in how the anatomical "wrist" is defined; the wrist could be considered part of the hand (i.e. the carpal bones) or the junction of the hand (including the carpal bones) and the bones of the forearm (radius and ulna). So, in Howes' case, both hand and wrist are correct. As an aside, the scaphoid bone is somewhat of a design flaw, as the scaphoid receives it's blood supply from distal (further away) to proximal (closer). This creates issues with healing leading to complications such as non-union and avascular necrosis. I suspect Howes has unfortunately developed such complications given the club doctor's comments that the fracture "had probably been there for some time". Scaphoid fractures can be difficult to identify initially on routine imaging and thus a delayed diagnosis of a scaphoid fracture (when complications are present) is not uncommon. The issue for the club's comms is that, in translating from precise medical language to language the average punter understands, accuracy can be lost and ambiguity introduced. Without an understanding of the specific diagnosis, we should be cautious about making inferences from generic descriptions (e.g. "hamstring" 😬).

2023 pick #4?

Agree with your post. Two exceptions are Andy's interviews on this site (e.g., May, Grundy, Selwyn) and Peter Donegan's "This is your sporting life" segment that made everyone seem fascinating.

Can’t see Grundy or the MFC requesting a trade when he’s just won a premiership. He’ll stay for the next one.

More certain is that Nathan Buckley is not a premiership player or coach and he never will be.

Oh, you mean like this? Still, I agree with you. The context makes the difference. Absolutely sublime by Melksham though.

After the Saints game... Rowan Marshall: "I'm as good as Gawn & Grundy combined!" Max Gawn: "Hey Brody, hold my beer."

I see what your saying. Certainly agree the result was not solely due to the Lions choking. Dees deserve plenty of credit for their fitness, determination and composure in the last 15 minutes. Lions deserve credit for unpicking our defence for two quarters.

Seems they have. We showed great run in the last quarter, especially coming off consecutive 6 days breaks and hard games. Not sure such talk is nonsense. I think the Lions have to ask themselves how well they coped with the pressure of being chased down. Fagan for one looked like he was having a panic attack in the coaches box. Our fitness and Lion's choking need not be mutually exclusive factors in influencing the outcome.

Agree and that's why, as amazing as tonight was, we should not expect Gawn to play in beast mode every week. When we evaluate the Gawn/Grundy combo, we need to remember that Grundy's quality ruck work during the season has helped preserve Gawn for the end of season.

I'm in such a great mood I'm watching 'roaming Brian' and actually enjoying it...

I don't think we win this game in the midfield. I think we'll struggle to break even there. Our path to victory is via our greatest asset, our defence. They will need to repel numerous attacks and initiate rapid fire counterattacks utilising the full width of the ground to exploit the Lions lack of speed. With decent ball movement into an open forward line, our forwards are good enough to kick a winning score.

OK OK OK...but suppose a poster had done a first aid course AND once had a tight hamstring after squash, surely then they are appropriately positioned to ascertain with absolute certainty that the medical team's management of Oliver was grossly incompetent?!

Big call to leave Max to ruck solo against McInerney, especially off two 6-day breaks. Max should know his capabilities - and would have been consulted about this - so I assume he's up for it. 😬 On Grundy, coming off two major injuries and 12 months out, playing for a new club and in a different role, I think he's had a reasonable year. Credit to him and the medical/fitness staff to get him this far unscathed. I expect he'll be better next year.

Yep. It's an illusion. We might be happy temporarily but it fades as we adapt to the new normal. We acquire new desires and we are back to where we started. We have evolved this way to keep us pursuing things that promote survival (food, sex, wealth, power, status). Sadly, we have not evolved to be permanently happy. (Slightly) back on topic, the desire for premiership success is insatiable and an evolutionary by-product!

Well said. Agree with all. With BBB in, I'd have Gawn/Grundy out of the F50. Only 1 is required to bring the ball to ground and more than 1 becomes a liability once it has been. Would like to see Chandler (early season version) and JVR back but don't think it will be this week.

I hadn't been too concerned about Pickett's offensive form while his defensive form remained solid. Part of the usual fluctuations in scoring output for a small forward. Same happened in '21 and '22 when there were also calls for him to be dropped. However, what was striking about Saturday night was the uncharacteristic skills errors (fumbles, over running the ball). Something is going on and perhaps confidence and fatigue may be factors. In Picket's first 8 games this season, his average TOG% was 77.6%. In the past 6 weeks this has increased to 87.5%. In this time, his CBA% has dropped from an average of 17.8% CB to 0%. That might all seem reasonable; he plays more TOG when solely playing as a small forward. However, in 2022 Pickett played almost exclusively as a small forward and his average TOG% was 79%. Additionally, I thought Pickett's form was reasonable against the Giants. He had 19 disposals, 7 contested possessions, three scoring shots and 378m gained. He also played 93% TOG, his highest ever. Given his performance, TOG%, the wet conditions and the 6 day break, perhaps his performance against the Saints was dulled by fatigue. He will play this week and his offensive output will return soon.

Agree. I wonder whether we go for the same line up and have a tall (JVR/Schache/Smith) as tactical sub in case Petracca is needed in the midfield.

Good call. Similarly, match selections caused a lot of surprise...and some hysteria. In the end, the sections worked out well. Melksham's forward craft was very good and much needed in Fritsch's absence. JJ and Spargo showed their form against Collingwood and Geelong was an aberration and were back to their usual standard. Woewodin's debut was promising. Most significantly, selecting an extra midfielder allowed Petracca to play forward, which was the match winning move. Sure, it's unlikely a premiership winning configuration but it achieved the objective of getting the 4 points in a critical game.

Playing on a dry ground against a defence-orientated low-scoring team and having selected an extra runner, I’m wondering if we are planning to take the game on more this week (like pre-season, rounds 1-2). Saints will struggle to score 60 points. I think we’ll win.

Nice post @kev martin. I take the view that if a decision doesn’t make sense, it’s most likely because there is information I’m unaware of (rather than the decision-maker is a fool). If we assume selections are purely based on form, recent selections don’t make sense. Thus, I assume other factors are influencing selection. I think Goodwin has a clear view of most of the 22 he wants to take to finals. Thus, Salem and Petty are picked as soon as they’re available. I was surprised Brown played last week (interstate game with forecast rain) but perhaps Goodwin views him similarly - if he’s finally fit then get him back in. @binman’s argument that Spargo’s form dipped due to increase training loads and been managed makes more sense than any alternative argument explaining his form and selection. Agree with @kev martin that Smith and JVR are likely going back to VFL to work on something. I’ve liked what Smith has brought to the forward line but not his opponents intercepting and influencing the outcome. I’ve loved what JVR’s done but think he gets caught behind too often. I’m sure JVR will be back. Short-term risk for longer-term gain - at least that’s what I perceive to be the attitude of the SC. Off topic, really pleased Woewodin is been given a chance. I hope he surprises like Bowey (2021) & McVee (2023).

Agree with all your points @Ungarieboy. Especially like the term “gorward” as an abbreviation of “gorilla forward” (which of course Smith is not)!

I hear what you’re saying. Perhaps we’re not getting value for money right now but it’s too early to judge Grundy’s recruitment. Given his year out, new club and playing ~66% TOG, I think his form has been solid. There’s still a lot of potential to be realised from their combination if they’re both fit.