Maldonboy38

Brayshaw remains my favourite current Dees player. He was sublime last night. His defensive running followed by midfield linking up, followed by delivery into the F50. My apologies to Hibbo, I thought he was done and others would overtake him. Stuff me, he was brutal on Cameron and his run and dash is back. ANB emerged from a genuine form slump. Jordon is such a good player, just so impressive and sure of himself. Kozzie, Spargo and Bedford - wow!

A very capable man on many fronts, but I can't see him as a sport CEO of any kind. Unfortunately, I see 1 of 2 frightening scenarios playing out: They promote/elevate one of their own who is cut from the Demetriou/McLachlan mould, and the fan-ignoring, gambling-addicted, game destroying, money-grabbing, knobs continue to focus on "what are they doing in the USA so let's copy that". OR A woke dilettante who wants a cause-based guernsey for each separate round, makes our great game more like basketball and soccer so people don't get hurt, and panders to every lobby group or study out of Sweden that says salad makes your heart stronger.

Not sure of our line up. Without Hunt our backs might not be able to handle the Lions forward speed, even though Bailey is out. Neither Harmes or Jordon are quick. We have to make the aerial battle a 50/50 break even or better. Our method between wing and F50 must be much smarter and sharper. Make inside F50 a groundball battle - let Bedford, Spargo and Kozzie run amok. Close game, could easily go either way.

No no no no no!! Don't say it, type it, feel it or think it. An abomination that causes desolation!

Can't stand Tom Lynch, but the way he plays (apart from obvious thuggery) is the model of a power forward. Mobile, crashes pack after pack, works up the ground, repeat efforts. Constantly making an impact, even if it means he doesn't get a touch.

Tigers are looking ominous, but can they make it last for 4 quarters? Carlton will fade so the 4 goal buffer the Tigers now have will probably hold the Blues off.

Tigers couldn't win without Rance. Crows can't win without Modra. Bulldogs can't win without Murphy. O wait... It is a lot harder for us, but not impossible. We are struggling, but not beaten yet.

We can't do a fire sale, but we have a LOT of players out of form, making poor decisions or butchering the ball. Absolutely agree about Brayshaw back on the wing. Perhaps a reset to back 6 of May, Lever, Petty, Salem, Bowey, Rivers. But I am struggling to find like-for-like replacements. OUT: ANB, Sparrow, Kozzie, M Brown, IN: May, Rivers, van Rooyen, Bedford, (but this is replacing forwards with backs).

It took 3hours to get home, and a bit of time to think. Lots to think about. Great game of footy for 3 quarters. We are low on confidence for some reason, our skill level is 2019-ish, and some basics of our game plan are non existent. Kicking inside F50 was as bad as it has ever been. Although BBB kept running under the ball or dropping marks that he got clear 2 hands onto, he had 2-3 players flying against him most of the night. Fritsch was given a footy lesson and our small forwards have been poor most of the year. Delivery by Viney, ANB, Trac & Sparrow is frankly embarrassing. Fortunately Jordon and Brayshaw are their to mop up. I can't remember a single 45 degree kick into the corridor that took a risk. There might have been 1 or 2 but I can't remember them. Salem and Bowey usually star at this but kudos to the Pies who shut that avenue completely. ANB and Sparrow have had enough chances. Currently both are momentum killers and liabilities. Cannot believe their fumbles, lack of awareness and constant turning back into trouble. Kozzie too but probably still adds an element that no-one else can replace. Lever is having a foul year. I don't know what has happened, but his kicking and decision making make Ben Holland look effective. Difficult to watch.

Heading off in about half an hour with my Collingwood supporting brother-in-law to watch the game from high up on the 4th level. Very tempted to bring binoculars, or even "opera glasses" just to pump up the MFC supporter wealthy snob cliche. Feeling good but reckon it will be a close, gut-wrenching game.

Agree that North need a Dees rebuild, similar to Roos arriving in September 2013. Apart from some "non-negotiables" on the training track and a rebuild of personnel and gameplan etc..., we needed a mature respected coach who could take all the commentary and flack that was sure to come while the succession plan coach was chosen and established. Our first decent season was 2018 - 5 years later. I really admire Noble and don't believe he is part of the problem. Unfortunately, he is in the Mark Neeld position and will soon be the necessary sacrifice if the club are fair dinkum about a full reset. I just hope that Clarkson doesn't go to North, I would love him to be Tassie's first coach.

Yeah, Hunt looking very good in appalling conditions.

As hard as Freo are working, Hawthorn would be well in front if they could finish in front of goal.

Interesting reading all the loathing of Essendon: an attitude I endorse fully. Any team that has prolonged success gets labelled as "arrogant, entitled etc.." just because they demonstrate a renewed senses of confidence. Carlton 70's and 80's, Hawks in 3 eras, Geelong, North under Carey, Lions 01-03, Tigers now. To be honest it is a sort of arrogance and entitlement I hope to hold onto over the next 5 years. But The Bombers are different. They won 1 premiership in an era they were supposed to dominate. When they failed in 1999 they refused to sing their own club song until they won in 2000, denying their supporters the joy of being part of the club's success. And since then they have been a self-indulgent, bland, joyless, mediocre bunch of grand standers whose arrogance hit the high point when injecting their players in secrecy. The fact they have not sacked their entire recruiting team shouts "hubris" very loudly to the AFL world. The way the AFL applauded their violent thuggery to win the 2000 GF will keep the Bombers forever despised by me, even if at times there are certain players I like watching. I don't really want them to win wooden spoons - that is too easy. I want them believing in their own delusion and staying at position 10-16 for the next 50 years. Boy, that felt good to type!

Brilliant footballer, and if he ever gets fit or actually gives a @#$%, he could tear things apart.

Essendon are so poor after a turnover. Their defensive spread is slow, lacks intent, and Carlton are running to half forward unimpeded.

Heppell is having an absolute stinker. Responsible for 2 goals and a turnover so far.

2 clear holding-the-man decisions not paid - right in front of the umpire. What is going on?

How do I watch Blues v Bombers without puking? Essendon I loathe with intensity, and Carlton only marginally less. I really like Harrison Jones, so I will cheer him when he is near it, and just generally moan and deride my way through the rest of it.

Charlie Dixon working his backside off, midfield missing him by 5-10, or kicking it Richmond defenders.

Stuff me, Martin is brillliant. I love watching him kick - so strong, steady and accurate. He also knows when to kick hard or to loop it into space. This brilliance is balanced by how much Cotchin gets my teeth grinding.

I've watched a bit of Casey this year, and Rosman looks close to AFL level, although not heaps of the ball in recent weeks. Agree about Moniz-Wakefiled. He looks classy but goes missing for long periods.

Sorry, but it is. Just as holding a jumper when a player has not got the ball is holding the man, holding a jumper of a player with the ball and the player does not dispose of it = holding the ball. Always was, always has been.

Ah, yes it is. If a player has the ball and you hold the jumper, and he does nothing to release it - it is holding the ball.

Great game of footy Freo v lions. A high standard of everything.