Cheesy D. Pun

I'm the opposite. Although I'm not one to publically criticise, I always saw ANB as a weak link - a bit fumbly and average decision-making. Spargo has shown elite skills and decision-making since game 1. He just needed to find a way to get around it. Overall though, I don't think these guys have improved markedly. They're the same players but they're playing in a team that allows their strengths to shine and their weaknesses to be masked by a system with a built-in margin for error. Fair or not, if the system falls apart, these guys are likely to go straight back to being whipping boys.

I believe we entered the grand final with the second worst kicking efficiency in the league - you work with what you've got and play a game style that suits.

I'd rate the Canberra Times ahead of most mastheads in Australia. That said, when something is printed in the paper without qualification (an out for the journo, so to speak), you can be fairly confident that they have good info. Despite popular opinion to the contrary, explicit falsehoods in the news are very rare.

I still think that's a fair description of ANB.

I know it's been a big couple of weeks but Michael Hibberd is still around isn't he?

I've quite honestly had to stop myself from letting a couple of these gems out. You've really captured the essence of arrogant and patronising behaviour.

Like others, I hope he stays but really can't begrudge him wanting more opportunity.

Interesting choice with sparrow I guess it’s an underrated goal when we are so spoilt with choice. It got me thinking sparrow has kicked some beauty’s this season. I back him every time he gets it on or just outside 50. He's been doing it regularly at VFL level.

Given Tim Lamb's comments regarding a focus on adding experienced mids to compliment our young brigade, this would seem a logical pickup.

I've already thrown my two cents in but on reflection, if you take away all of the drama and meaning, the first goal of the game was the best. Trac, round the corner, off a step with a defender right there.

Absolutely.

I don't agree with everything in the analysis and he didn't always chose the right examples to underline his points but I love the depth of discussion. Gawn and Jackson are the ultimate one-two punch. You have tap dominance or ground dominance at your disposal. One of the main takeaways for me, is the influence of Viney at stoppages due to his strength - he is always in prime position and makes space for our guns to go to work. On the flipside, Bevo was stuck with the conundrum of Treloar, who was red hot around the ground but was the weak link at stoppages. Also, it has colour-coded spreadsheets so it has to be good.

Gus' goal was exceptional as were both of Trac's goals but the Clarry goal with 15 seconds to go in the 3rd felt like a nail in the coffin for the Doggies. Coming back from the humiliation of three goals in 30 seconds felt impossible to me and I celebrated accordingly.

No need to apologise. I learned a thing.

I'm not going to go all out in defence of Dwayne but the list is meant to be something other than just a best players list. All three of your descriptions are almost definitions of why they're on the list. The first might not play too many more games (so see him while you can). The second might flip out and kick an umpire in the face and the last one is a real piece of work that might have 25 disposals and kick 5 or he could decide he couldn't be bothered and walk around the field sulking. They're kind of the definition of box office. If Stephen Milne still played, he'd be a shoe in.

We leaked too many fwd50 stoppage goals in that game. If I remember correctly, it was Hibberd that was responsible for most of them and it caused him to lose his spot.

I agree with what you posted here but would just say, I think Tom's drop off could be due to the amount of extra work he did to prepare for the season. He'll be able to have a normal break and will have a good base to work from next season.

Needed to find a different role as the game can no longer carry low pressure forwards. In my opinion, Melky kicking two or three is less valuable than a barely-sighted Kozzy with 23 pressure acts. Pressure is contagious and effects the psyche of the opposition. The way the game is played now, you can get no goals from your smalls and still dominate as long as that pressure is elite. Theoretically, Melky could play the medium goalkicker role that Fritsch plays, but he's just not smart enough or quick enough for that role at this stage of his career.

I really thought I'd be a blubbering mess but due to the nature of the game being over so early, I just felt a real sense of relief. I did shed a tear late in the third when Clarry slotted that goal - I did my best Chunk impression (Cats final 2018) and teared up because it felt like the matchwinner, despite us only being 4 goals up.

Yeah, I always imagined myself acting like a complete tool towards the opposition upon winning the cup but they really make it hard don't they? Would love a premiership win against the Bombers so I can really let loose.

At the end of the third, we goaled at 00:47, 00:30, then 00:17. That's 30 seconds for 3 goals. That's just ludicrous and throws Leigh Mathews' 'goal a minute theory' out the window.

Precisely.

I threw mine in before reading yours but this feels so right and his form has been building perfectly. I hope this happens.

1st goal - Harmes Norm Smith - Kozzy Pickett Most goals - Kozzy Pickett Winning margin - 16 points

Just bounce the ball already!