Pates

I would consider Mitch Brown for Weid, just to throw a different mix in for the forward line. I won’t mind if Weid gets another go but he really has to start showing something. I think Baker will come it for Langdon, similar to how Petty got his chance through injury, Oscar can get his from Langdon’s concussion.

Just as another thought pattern, would there be any chance of the NT changing allowances by a couple of days? Just getting creative we could get the match moved to Monday night giving us a week to prepare for the Pies the following week. Might not help tourism wise but we still get the chance to play up there.

I totally agree that they aren’t consistent with calling players around the ground to play on when they go back behind the player on the mark. The first one that I remember Max doing I though he had literally straight-lined it from goal, the second I thought was harsh but I could understand it. The balancing act is that the AFL is trying to make this player standing on the mark rule have a bit of both ways about it to stop the marking player from taking too many liberties. In contrast I though TMac had clearly gone off his mark for his long-range shot at 3 quarter time. I really don’t feel like the umpires are given good instructions, particularly when it comes to HTB/incorrect disposal. I feel like they’ve been told if there has been a sufficient attempt to get rid of it in a legal way it doesn’t matter if the ball comes out improperly. The doggies players in particular do A LOT of throws and they were wrapped up in tackles where they were spun twice and given an eternity to get rid of it but still not pinged. Annoys the hell out of me.

Personally if we can’t play it in the Alice (really hope that isn’t the case) I say we play it at Giants Stadium. Neutral venue, but we actually played quite well there last year, then look to shift our GWS home game there on 3rd July. EDIT Also under no circumstances should we accept it being played in QLD.

Very tricky player to cover for, there’s very few players that have the tank he does. One thought is move TMac into a wing role as he had trained in that manner all summer. Another is shift Hunt to the wing role, he has the leg speed but does he have the tank? Baker is the most obvious choice to come in as it’s like for like (in terms of role), but Baker hasn’t done a lot to give me confidence. That said it’s about taking your opportunities when they come, this could be his. I think Gus has to remain as the defensive winger, his role in the team has been stupidly underestimated by some on Demonland.

I'll be completely honest, I didn't see that coming. It looked weird seeing us play with no crowd and I think in a low of ways that helped us. The dogs looked unable to get "up" whereas I think we were always going to be up for a fight after the shock loss last week. I'm not able to really do much rundown but Gus and Brayshaw deserve a lot of praise. Did great jobs this week.

Always take a 19 point lead going into half time against anyone, but against the dogs it’s very good. Couple of lapses gave them an in back into the game.

Why was Max called to play on then, he went straight back. Suddenly rushed kick makes it hard.

Is there something going on with the ball, Jackson and Weid both struggling to take a mark.

Weid has to start taking grabs.

Well done Rivers Well done Nibbler Well done TMac

Important steadier there, well done Trac and TMac.

Two very soft goals to the dogs to start the quarter.

Poor communication created that goal for Bruce. Just an aside, Bruce used to be one of the worst kicks on goal but is kicking at 26.5 from set shots. That’s incredible.

Well that was unexpected, dogs not switched on at all first quarter. Expect them to come up firing in the second after that though. Our pressure game is completely opposite to last week, incredibly we should be further in front. Spargo usually doesn’t waste it but he’s probably going at 50% on chances had creating goals. Keep going Dees, long way to go!

Fritta starting well, looking very dangerous.

I’d be interested to see that free kick for high against Fritta, looked to me like it wasn’t a shepherd and instead he burrowed into him like a tackle.

Good god Nibbler ?‍♂️

The latitude the umpires are giving on holding the ball is becoming a blight on the game, if you complete a 360 in a tackle without getting rid of it you should be pinged.

May’s a very proud player, but was beaten last week by Tex. I would expect he’s doubled down on the angry pills this week to get back to previous form. Salem bring back is huge for us, his absence was very obvious at key moments in the game. Love Jetta for everything he’s done as a Demon but he is not even close to Salem’s ability.

Ok 8 pages I can’t be bothered going through. Who was the player and is all hunky dorey now? I don’t see in the game day thread that it’s been called off.

Have to admit I’m pessimistic about our chances tonight, I worry that if the dogs get let off their leash they will tear us apart. We’ve started poorly in almost every single match, do it against the dogs and we’ll be chasing our tails all night. (Sorry for the dog puns!)

Shouldn’t happen, playing almost half a season under 20min quarters and then dropping to 16 would seem blatantly unfair. Though going on the AFL’s history I could see it happening. Personally I think 20min quarters suit us more as we usually finish strong, last week being the exception to that which I would put more down to a poor mental lapse than fitness.

Right changes (or change since it’s one for one). I agree that it’s too early to swing the axe but I really hope these players were put on notice: Weid - take your opportunity, now is the time or it’s back to Casey Fritta - had a good season for kicking goals, but defensive efforts aren’t good enough Petty - giving you time to develop, but we can’t afford another nothing game like that Jordon - not so much put on notice but make the point that being a young player fade outs are expected. If that comes Sparrow will jump at the chance ANB, Kozzie, Spargo - they know what they’re in the team for, they didn’t do enough of it last week. Kozzie is safe but he’s been quiet for a couple of weeks now, time for a kick up the bum EDIT Melksham - forgot about him. He’s definitely becoming a downhill skier, looked a million bucks in the first quarter when we were probably at our best but faded to nothing after that. Lucky to still be getting a game

FWIW I’ve had my first vaccination of AZ. Felt crummy for one day, fine after that. The reluctance towards vaccinations is a slap in the face to countries that have copped it bad. Life will not get back to normal until most of the population gets vaccinated, simple as that.