Pates

Anyone know what Wiz Junior is up to these days?

Ah whoops, didn’t realise he got a full run at VFL last week. I’d still be leaning towards “ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. Last week was a defensive masterclass, I like the idea of rewarding those doing their job at AFL level. As for the idea of playing him as a forward, I’d argue that’s counterproductive and also could throw up more headaches than it solves. What if he kills it, how do we fit them all in! Ah these were the problems I used to look at with envy of other cubs not long ago! 😁

Given our defence has been holding up well I’d be up for giving him a game at Casey to build match fitness before being him in.

Little sucky that we get two graveyard slots in a row, and a coupe of weeks before hand we’re on Mother’s Day Sunday which traditionally doesn’t draw the best crowd. That said it’ll be good to be in a time that families can go.

Gus surely be right up the top of the B&F, hasn’t put in a bad game and was instrumental in Rnd 1, 3, & 4. I was quietly smiling hearing Lewis say that he felt Gus’s better option was to stick with us. Lewis was in a very different position in that he was being squeezed out. Brayshaw isn’t being squeezed out at, rather he is a key playmaker right now.

I think both Sam and Tom will be wanting to buy a lottery ticket, I hope the coaching staff take them aside to make it clear this is a big opportunity for one of them to cement their spot. I can picture no change into GWS.

I reckon it’s the only ladder the Dogs will be topping.

That stuff that was going on against Max off the ball is totally unacceptable and against the spirit of the game. I hope the club reached out to the AFL about because that is how this BBB sort of suspension happens. A player getting roughed up and riled up over treatment that shouldn’t be permitted. Even if what happens is retrospective (ie club gets fined/soft cap reduced following season). Either it’s dirty, and shouldn’t be allowed.

I’ll be honest, I think we cop the one week for that. Stupid and out of character for Ben, must’ve been a frustrating night but that’s no excuse and it’s bloody frustrating.

Well this could make the decision simple. Give Brown the week off to get fit and firing, if both have good games then BBB plays VFL, if one has a poor game then they make way for Ben, if they both have poor games then I’d say Weid has had his shot and he makes way.

It’ll be interesting to see what happens when he is match fit (could take a few VFL games given he missed a fair portion of pre-season), I don’t the Tommo’s doing much wrong at the moment so the current thoughts could be it’s his spot until he puts in poor performances.

Until Petty plays a full (good) Casey game, and Tommo plays poorly, they surely will stick with the current defensive group. We are really hard to score against, no need to mess with that.

I love Hunt but this is my thoughts, he has great run and carry out of defence but way too often butchers the ball. Had we not had the injuries we’ve had I think he wouldn’t be in the side. I have also been actually impressed with what I’ve seen of Smith this season, he’s still got a ways to go but he’s no longer doing some of the crazy kamikaze stuff that just causes chaos. I’m more interested in the other end of the ground though, the decision of Brown/TMac, Brown/Weid, TMac/Weid is going to be difficult. I personally think Brown comes in without any second thought, his early form had been very solid and is clearly our most consistent tall forward. So it’s down to Tommy and Sam. I would like to see Sam given another 1-2 games to prove that the Essendon game wasn’t a fluke. Two matches at the G (where he seems to thrive), both against stiff competition. Throw down the gauntlet to him.

I was speaking a bombers fan and a cats fan at a wedding over the weekend (I know 🤮), and they said what we’re all thinking and saying, we’re in cruise control and when we get challenged we have levels that they other teams can’t match. We all agreed the only thing that would stop us is if we had injuries to all of our midfield guns at the pointy end of the season. Geelong and Brisbane seem to be our only current rivals, the Lions going toe to toe with the Cats at home is impressive even if they didn’t get the chocolates. I tipped GC this week, Carlton are going to make finals but there’ll be ups and downs. In no way are they a contender.

I just wanted to lend my congratulations to the womens team on a great season. Adelaide were a class above on the day and that’s a bitter pill to swallow but it is what it is. If that was Daisy’s last game, she goes out a champion and a trailblazer no matter what.

Agreed, I love Spargo but his start to the season has been very underwhelming.

Kozzie had a poor night but kept going at second and third efforts. There was one play in particular where about 4-5 times it looked like Port would come away with it but he just kept going and going. Casey won’t give him any additional confidence or anything, but a game like GC come come from nowhere. I would like to see Sam given time with BBB but I think TMac still has runs on the board, plus he played a better game. I expect it’ll be as simple as BBB for Weid, though Hunt must be of shaky ground.

Yep even though Tom was marginally better I think Weid needs to be given proper time in there. Whatever was going on with the style of game if very rarely open to the point of talk forwards having an impact. I’m not giving them excuses but almost every contest were massive packs and the only one on one I think Weid got he was clearly being held. Sam should be given a body of games to prove his Essendon performance wasn’t a fluke. I think those who are frustrated by the win tonight need to remind themselves we’re we’re winning in similar ways this time last season. The game tonight was never out of our control and coming off short breaks plus the interstate travel the fitness staff are likely managing the players a bit. GWS next week will be a much sterner challenge I’d say. As for Port, they looked lifeless tonight. Tried to strangle us with no way to attack, baffling tactics. We look at our most vulnerable when teams keep the ball in motion to shift our zone. I think Hinkley could be in some trouble.

Never looked like losing it to be honest, but won’t be rewatching any of that. That was a grind. Well done James Jordan, best game he’s played for us.

I have no words for this game, between the diabolically embarrassing umpiring (I actually don’t think it’s favouring one team) and Ports zero system approach, I feel like vision for this game should should be deleted from the archives.

That was my first thought.

Not that I’m complaining but how is it 50 as well? EDIT: free kick right but what created the 50, was it back chat?

Trac massive then, great finish Harmes.

Thought the same thing! I heard Dwayne Russell say on the radio, time was you came through a proving ground with training before you got to call or be special comments for AFL. Now they just shove the mic into any former AFL player they think has a good profile.

TMac! That’ll help his confidence!