Pates

Freo were complete garbage this week vs Geelong, I wonder whether the Perth papers giving them a lashing and perhaps Ross Lyon giving them a spray might just lift them to an upset vs Collingwood. If that were to happen (unlikely as it is) that would make our game vs the Giants playing off for 4th spot!

I feel like that one was 60/40 (in favour of West Coast) but the WC player did catch him high. The one on the goal line was 100% incorrect disposal/HTB, why he didn't rush it through is beyond me. He doesn't think those situations through very well.

Actually today I thought he worked very hard when he didn't have the ball. Seemed to chase and pressure the opposition into mistakes. He's still not doing enough IMO for someone with his abilities and he needs to be the guy that can nail those kicks goal like the one that fell short today.

Yeah not totally disagreeing but I also guarantee you there'll be plenty of people out there saying "why wasn't there a replay of that goal?" Bottom line is they want to show a replay they need to keep it to something quick; just goal, and celebrations.

Garlett definitely doesn't come back in, barring him killing it for the VFL before the finals I feel like he's played his last game for the seniors for the year. Spargo and Hibberd (hammy issue?) are the only changes I would look at. All the others that came in did what was asked of them and no one else did anything to warrant being dropped. I don't get the hate on Tyson, he's actually quite a good extractor of the footy which is why it's going to be interesting to see what happens when Viney is back. Surely the most Vanders will get for his elbow will be a fine.

The problem is they have commercial responsibilities but they still want to show replays of the big plays/goals. It's very difficult to do both in the 5-8 second window between returning from the break and the bounce. Personally I think they should just focus on the live play. They have to play ads, otherwise there's no FTA coverage.

Not a great finisher.....

Plenty of times we got our heads chopped, pushed in the back, HTB. Seriously they are the worst. Fairly play though there were three critical decisions that went our way. Tyson should've been pinged for HTB on the goal line, and then got a lucky (but there) high contact, then OMac should've been pinged for HTB because he ducked his head but 20 seconds earlier the umpire didn't pay the same thing our way so I took that as a leveller. We also got pinged for HTB with no prior a few times, an unrealistic attempt at a mark when WC did the same thing 1min earlier, and the Spargo HTM one should've just been play on as the WC player was driving straight into him preventing him from getting to the ball.

I want us to win next week, the G is our home and even though it hasn't been a happy hunting ground for us of late that needs to change. Let's start from next week. Ever since round one I've wanted us to face the cats in the finals. I want nothing more than for us to swipe those arrogant smiles of the cats fans faces. They've been lucky too long now, they didn't deserve round 1, and they didn't deserve round 18. Let's take them down when it really matters.

Surely not enough force?

It was the hurdle we needed to get over and were rightfully questioned about it. We've beaten 2nd on the ladder, on their turf, we've finally answered the critics.

He did what was asked of him for the most part, still needs work on settling his nerves in front of goal. But attacked the contest well, clunked a couple and probably should've clunked a couple more. But there were good signs.

I think I was a little bit. It was just a huge relief and it all just came out!

He's had a very poor last 3-4 weeks after having an excellent year. He's not going anywhere.

Can't agree more, I haven't heard a bigger batch of whiners. We got some lucky ones, they got some lucky ones, I would say (for once) it was actually a very evenly umpired game. They're never happy unless they've got 15 more free kicks than the traveling teams.

Although it's unlikely there is still an outside chance of us cocking this one up. Unless there are serious question marks (Hibberd eg grabbed his hammy) we should field our best side and try to get as much momentum for September. Spargo would be the only one I'd drop but I don't know who comes in as no one really did much at Casey.

When Hannan missed and they came at us and hit the front I thought we were cooked, today was the day the team dug deep and found something extra. There was every reason for us to capitulate, it would've been exactly what everyone expected but they fought and scrapped and came through the other side. Thank god we don't have to endure another year of final round craziness. Harmes BOG for me. He was so important and stood up when it counted. Oliver not far behind, he can do things that no one else in the comp can do. How rare is it that that sort of quality plays for us? Hannan totally justified his selection, kicked three and set up a few more. Kent didn't do a huge amount but when it was his moment he took it with both hands. Jones's second half was big, I understand the criticism as he's the captain but he was important to us in the second half and had a cool head. Gawn's a beast, best ruckman in the comp and anyone who argues against that is an idiot. There's more I want to say but I just want to savour the moment. This could be the making of this young side, we've answered the critics, we're in the finals and I think the rest of the teams should have every reason to not want to face us. Today was a final for us, and we won. EDIT: I forgot to add Melksham. He has become one of our top 5 most important players. His delivery and finishing ability is THE BEST in our side.

Kent was good that quarter. Spargo has been garbage, again.

WE need to make every forward entry count, need to get early goal to get a break on them.

We’ve missed targets going inside 59 and it’s cost us.

Tyson extremely lucky.

It’s fair to call it as it is, they missed some chances, we missed some chances. Our whole year is a story of missed opportunities, I think it’s about time we actually took those chances. I agree with most people’s assessment of Spargo, he needs a big second half. Otherwise he can’t surive another week. I’m sure the coaches aren’t oblivious to it and will be giving him a rev up.

I have to admit I was unconvinced about Vanders being in our best 22, now I am. He’s been very important.

They are a special kind of stupid, hell they got the worst free kick (and a resulting goal) in the half from VandenBerg’s fantastic contest.

They missed some pretty easy chances early and we got our efficiency going, but at the end my god we missed some getable chances. Petracca, Weeds, Tyson all shanking fairly standard kicks (though Petracca just didn’t make the distance from 40m). We MUST take our chances when they come, West Coast will come at us. I guarantee it.