DemonWA

My issue is that discussion about loading (which happens) trivialises far more obvious issues with our game this year. Additionally I believe people are taking the results and using loading as a convenient way to build the narrative that our losses are all part of the grand plan. As I say, if that helps people sleep at night, all power to you. No doubt it has some effect, but we've lost to other top 4 contenders who would also be loading, so at what point do you just conceed the lads aren't playing the best footy and are perhaps a touch complacent?

Not at all. I was responding to a post that wanted to make the proposition that we deliberately didn't change any of our method during the match, as if it's some master plan to save our tricks for the finals. Ie. We lost last night almost by choice. I disagree and I made a general comment that that sort of 'make the facts suit the logic' reverse engineered theory is similar to talking about training loads when we loose. I wasn't asking to debate loading theory. You tell me to put up or shut up. I think it's more than reasonable to say you're triggered - judging by your essays on the loading thread and the discussion on the podcast I get the impression that hanging onto the loading theory helps you to sleep at night. all power to you

I don't see a substantial difference between using it as a sole excuse and using it as the predominant excuse. It's semantics. Try not to get so triggered.

Lol. This is up there with the people who use loading as an excuse for every loss and every game that we're not at our best. Just accept that the Cats will be in the mix again this year and that were not a sure thing to go back to back. The end

Lol talk about double standards. No club owns a player. If he's desperate to leave as it is looking could be the case, we shake hands and wish him the best and look at getting maximum compensation.

Anyone got the footage of the incident?

Yeah I'm not a fan of the design but I'm a massive fan of the club choosing to wear it again in NAIDOC week.

As he is a forward I don't have a problem with him backing himself to kick that goal. He was on his left. In more recent times we butcher chances trying to be unselfish too.

Viney Lever Trac Oliver Harmes Brayshaw

Lol we lost tonight because we weren't as good as Geelong, who are also loading btw.

I would make 2 changes- in a tall at the expense of Bedford (Weideman, MBrown or JVR) and I'd give Chandler a game, with Spargo due for a spell. No need for wholesale changes - just go back to the Tmac structure and get some fresh, keen legs in the F50

James Harmes appreciation post.

Geelong were the better side tonight. They'll be right up there this season so I don't think the sky is falling. Anyone still blaming training loads for that one?!

Less than a kick in it. Was never going to be easy on their home deck. Few tweaks to make at half time and then come home with a wet sail ⛵ go dees

I had the pleasure of attending both the prelim and the GF and the feeling at the prelim was like nothing else I've ever experienced- I couldn't believe what I was seeing. Incredible performance

You forgot the 2022 rule; BBBB does anything other than clunk everything and kick a bag and you must abuse him for being old, past it, not tough enough, weak, soft and vegan (in no particular order)

Wow some names in there that my mind had erased - getting PTSD reading about Terlich and Georguou haha

Gawny speaks about this being a pretty fierce rivalry these days so I'm hoping for a strong outing from the lads. I think they have an advantage playing on their home deck, even though we scraped over the line the last time we played there. Will be a good game

I'm almost the opposite in my thinking- Gus has shown conclusively that he is super versatile and gives us quality wherever he plays. Sure he's not Trac or Clarry but his true value would only be seen if he was to leave I think. Jackson will be a great player but who knows if he will reach his full potential. Jesse Hogan was looking like he would be the best player in the comp but personal issues impacted him. Body Grundy is a great ruckman but it doesn't translate into wins for the pies. I'd hate to sell the farm to keep Jackson and push other very good players out in the process. We won on the weekend without a pure ruck.

Yeah the fox/kayo commentary was trash.

When you're the best team in the comp the umpires blow the whistle against you more often than usual. I think they feel like the individual decisions won't effect the outcome of the match. I don't think it's malicious but I've noticed it for years- unfortunately now it's our turn.

Doesn't help when he can grab the ball and have it punched out of this hands and the umpires blow play on too. BBBB was far from the worst today. The guys that go out will be making room for Gawn and potentially Jacko. They might also drop 1 small (Kozzie suspension?) and play M Brown or Weid in the TMac role?

Huge week for Sam!

As many have said he will go down as one of the all time great demons. You build entire game styles around players like clarry. What a time to be alive haha

I think the team that played last week is getting pretty close. Obviously with Gawn in for Weideman. A Fit Tom McDonald is a no brainer too, probably at the expense of Bedford who would be sub. On form I'd toss a coin between Spargo and Bedford though. What I loved about Bedfords game last week was that he backed himself when close to goals, and was happy to kick to space and let Kossie go to work. Both of these aspects have been lacking in our team during the run of 3 losses. We've butchered attacking play by trying to be way too unselfish in the f50 and we've been safe and predictable in our attacking ball movement. Bedford changed that.