PaulRB

Gold Coast - big deal Melbourne - wounded and weary Dons - by a point after siren Tigers - by 9 Doggies - by 44 (Dogs a shadow of 2016) That's their glorious run... good draw and some luck.

Hahaha what a season. Weve got a seriously tough 5 weeks coming up...

Credit where it's due, Saint are playing exceptional footy tonight.

Agree re us earning our own way. Disagree on the Swans - beating Cold Toast, no big feat, and us severely under manned.

Percentage...

Tiggers getting dry humped in the first.

Rance is a w@nker. Go Saints.

Win tomorrow and we're only 2 games and percentage off TOP SPOT!!! Boom! go dees ? Lose tomorrow and we're only 2 games and percentage off 14th SPOT!!! Bum! GO Dees ?

I prefer Jack Watts in that role (not in ruck), as watts far more damaging and creative.

So good.

I reckon that's another reason the AFL cracking down on off ball hits to the head.

That sounds like a tough situation (re birthday), but I suspect there's a self delusion that we (or players) when we "lash out" are at that point capable of doing it "in a controlled manner". It may only be a fraction of a second loss of control, but in that fraction a lot can occur, that was not controlled. I suspect Bugg didn't mean to hit Mills so well, but by lashing out he dropped the restraints on his body, and as a coordinated trained athlete who's undoubtedly boxed a bit, his body punched well. Too well. Bugg's remorse and shock at what he'd done were genuine and I suspect he's confused and perplexed as to why he did it, and wishes he had his time again. Its interesting when Jones talks of Bugg burning trust with the group, I suspect that Bugg has also burnt trust with himself, that he'll no doubt be contemplating over his time off.

Been charged by the Police.

I also disagree with the bile towards Bugg, however it was clear to any follower of AFL that the AFL was cracking down on high hits from it's appeal of the Houli case. Whether there was correspondence (I suspect not) is irrelevant, they gave the competition to message by bumping Houli's penalty up. It raises the interesting question of whether Bugg (and other players who hit high off ball etc...) are capable of rational thought and control in those moments. As Bugg would have know almost at the moment he connected with Mills' head that he was in deep [censored].

Sorry Jnr, what's your point?

Interesting comment from Gill (in The Age) that if Bugg's penalty doesn't deter further hits to the head they will have to crank up the weeks given to the next one. Makes sense, as you'd have hoped and thought after Houli got 4 week from an AFL appeal to INCREASE the penalty, that players would get the message that the head is sacroscant. Unfortunately, Bugg missed the memo... And I agree with the AFL's intention to stamp out high hits.

I think the Media have taken a low key approach on Hogan out of respect and care for him, and at the request (or lead of) of the Club. You'll notice the MFC has hardly made mention of Hogan's return and the players and coach(s) when talking about him in response to media questions, have largely played a dead bat to their questions... ... and I think its the right approach, as it removes any pressure on Hogan to do or perform at a level that he may not be mentally or emotionally able to do, yet.

I think Bugg had established himself well in our 22 and played some good games and roles, so while I'd love to believe we wont have another injury or setback to any other players this year, the reality is we're most likely to. Given that, I suspect Bugg will be back and will give us a good option late in the season/finals.

With Gawn and now (hopefully) Hogan back on the field, Pedo needs to play career best footy to warrant his spot. Needs a monster game vs Blues.

I think there's a lesson in the dangers of luring players and paying them based on their "potential" rather than their output to date (as it was more-so in the past). Boyd was greedy, naive and ill-advised to take the huge contract offered by the dogs, as he was (and still is) not able to consistently perform at the level such high pay levels assume. The resulting self-doubt, guilt and vulnerability to criticism while a sad state for anyone, was, in several ways, self inflicted. I'm hope Hogan and our other young guns don't fall into this trap and set themselves up in this way.

Hawk Vickery arrested in police probe

The Scoreboard flattered our midfield who were abysmal, and our backs did well to corral and force the Swans' many entries wide. Sometimes that's the best that any backline can do when their mids are being beaten.

There is no way is should be Lewis, his hit (and suspension) on Cripps earlier in the year, and a couple of fade outs have taken the gloss off for me. Tommy MacDonald is in form, mature and humble. Plus he's stepped up and taken on ruck and full forward this season with good result.

Some of the comments above reminds me of the commentary around Jeff Garlett prior to his arrival... Stringer is a very talented player who'd probably thrive in a new environment, and with McCartney knowing him from his time at the Kennel, if we took him we'd sort him out. Garlett Hogan Stringer Watts Weideman Petracca/Hannan Looks ok.