Maldonboy38

Considering our skills for 2.5 quarters, I have no idea how we stayed in the game. Yes I do. Grunt and effort over and over again. But that was an amazing last quarter. Woewodin, Clarry, Viney and Windsor - take a bow. ANB - probably winning our B&F at this stage. That was a classy, give-it-all performance. BBB, Fritsch and even JVR in the last quarter - really well done.

I love being in front but that was appalling umpiring. 2 clear free kicks missed. But how good to see the Port ferals going off!!

Not fun to watch us turn it over ad nauseum; we need a couple of great kicks and not leave it to Lever (who has been good tonight except by foot), Rivers, Hore & Howes whose foot kills tonight have given Port advantage after advantage. But I have to say how much I love our grunt and attitude. We can still win this.

We are in this game purely by grunt and effort. Our skills are sub standard tonight. Along with our handball link play.

We need to find the stove, buy some matches, and call the gas company to reconnect supply.

Missing target after target after target by hand and foot.

As a general observation, but on full display tonight, what has happened to the kicking of Salem, Rivers and Sparrow? Poor direction, poor penetration, and often a direct turnover. If we can fix this kind of thing, it will go a long way toward a win.

It is a really good hard contest. They are getting more of the ball, but our backline system is stemming the flood (which is our normal state of play). I feel we are getting murdered at the ball drop, perhaps we are setting up with too much of an attacking mindset. Also, they are getting it to their half forward line too easily with a lot of link up play unpressured through he middle of the ground. And our achilles heel - field kicking - Grrrr. Fumbly again. Grrr. We look far too good pressing forward against their defensive structure - just have to take more of an advantage. Viney, ANB and Petty doing well. JVR, Billings and Salem - are they playing?

Across the 22 we are a much better team. I reckon the two excellent midfields will basically cancel each other out: we have the ball winning and spread while they have pace and flair. It is on their turf, and it DOES make a difference. If our forwards kick well, we win. Their defence continues to look thin. Can our team defence cover the size and bulk of Dixon? Windsor, Fritsch and Kozzie to run amok. Dees by 16

Enough. The Crows v Freo game is almost unwatchable. All the run and grunt between two half back lines, with atrocius forward play and atrocious kicking. My adult kids home for easter are watching the Physical 100 - a Korean reality show based on physical challenges. Not my normal go-to, but the footy today has been so deplorable, I am giving it a go. Is it possible for a great game of footy with pressure, good skills, and attacking flair?

I remain unconvinced about Bill, but our playr development and list management is now as good as any so I can be fairly relaxed in accepting wht they decide. Possibly, it might be to ensure that if he wants out due to others being played ahead of him, another team has to pay for him. Not sure there is a huge demand for him so .. wait and see.

Heart & Soul red and blue demon for life, the kind of club man that comes along rarely (and we have had two with Viney & Brayshaw). The great thing about our game is having to execute finesse-touch skills under immense physical pressure. JV7 plays the tough footy we all love to see. And his best footy has been in the last 4 years. Best 2 JV7 moments? When we got annihilated in his first season (can't recall the opponent), and at 18 yo gave the team a spray after the game. Speaks volumes about his natural character and leadership credentials even from a young age. In the 2021 GF, when he flew at Jack McCrae at the centre bounce and absolutely flattened him. The tone of the game weas set and he played in beast mode for the rest of the game. Congratulations Jack, and thankyou.

How disappointing in the last quarter are the Lions? North and West Coast go harder at it.

The ongoing problem for the Lions and Pies is they go missing when the physical pressure is turned up high. The difference tonight is simply the Lions forward line is a mess. And to top it off, Hipwood has to be dropped - absolutely heartless and skill-less performance.

Our field kicking that quarter was rubbish. Can't grumble about the effort, but hitting targets once again emerging as our issue.

THAT's another reason we love Max. Great tackle.

You can't pay advantage that late after everyone has stopped. Come on umps. Our backline must be cold and bored. Hawthorn are woeful.

Yes, funny, but both are true. Both running to the right spots, leading well etc... but Petty looks rusty with ball in hand.

Petty and BBB looking great together. Set shot goal kicking. Grrrrr... Killing them all over the ground at the moment.

1. Essendon. The Sheedy era, the 2000 GF, the drugs scandal and Hird's unapologetic hubris. I hope that their streak of not winning a final continues infinitum. I was there the day Whelan ironed out Hird and it is the only time in my life I have applauded a player's suffering. 2. Carlton. I grew up in the Carlton zone where they won multiple flags and we were perennial bottom 4. Their supporters are by far the most insufferable. 3. Collingwood. This is deep grained and genetic (I am 4th generation Dees) The Eddie Maguire era solidified it and it moved from legislation to constitution. Irrevocable.

Very disappointed with the Crows. I have observed their slow, targeted rebuild and love that they have stayed the course with Nicks, but their onfield display is lifeless, lethargic and uninspiring. They have patches where they look a million dollars, but for 2/3 of each game they are simply jumper chasing. Too much talent to be this ineffective.

Collingwood getting shafted by the umps and I am loving it. All the Daicos commentary silent, all the best-last-quarter-team silent. BT's bias now silent And all the Pies ferals whinging. All the makings of a great night in front of the footy.

ST Kilda are playing great team footy - hardly a passenger anywhere on the ground. Their young players playing with energy and grunt. Can't understand the negative stuff about King - I reckon he has played a very good game as the main big target. Pendlebury and Sidebottom - game over. That Owens goes alright - wow! And now the Saints are stuffing it up...

It seems fairly clear that Tassie people want an AFL team, but don't want the proposed stadium. It also seems fairly clear that the AFL want a Tassie AFL team, only on the condition that it is formed around the provision of a modern boutique stadium. Further, it seems clear that the decision re the stadium is being made so close to an election has made it a political watershed (i.e a dividing point for opinion). Unfortunately, Tassie is currently a political minnow and its political storm feels like a tiny gust of wind in Canberra, and the state governments of Vic and NSW. And the "will of the people" is often irrelevant to people with decision making power, or influence over decision making. Make no mistake, this is going to be exactly what the AFL want it to be - no compromise and no exceptions. By 2028 - 2030 there will be a huge modern stadium on that nominated location, with the AFL CEO standing shaking hands with a smiling/grimacing state premier talking about this being a great moment for the state.

Huge experience and size difference between West Coast and Port, but West Coast having a red hot crack. They are going to get badly beaten but not by lack of effort or method.