PaulRB

Was hoping to have caught a glimpse by now!... What's the word on when he'll be ready to play?

Needs to apologise for his role in the drugs saga (aware or unaware he was responsible and a leader during the fiasco), give back his medal and announce he's won't be playing at Windy Hill in 2017. Then he'll rediscover his mojo. If he did that, I'd have him at Melbourne.

Without buying into the relative strength of teams debate... My feel on the game was I was frustrated with the skill and turnovers, and that we would have been beaten by most teams should we carry that level of performance into the regular season. There are many areas we need to improve on Prior to round 1, such as... Slow starts, both games we've taken at least a half to get rolling and played at least one poor quarter in the first half. Deliver to leading key forwards, may not be a focus but few opportunities to big forwards on the lead inside 50. skill errors (in backline, in midfield handballs being held onto too long, etc) Still have another 2.5 weeks Rd1 and things are coming together.

I think both last and this week its taken a half for us to apply (adapt) our new game style to the defensive style of the opposition. At several point the doggie defensive zone had us confused, moving in circles and turning it over. With out Hogan as a get out focal point at CHF we turned it over a lot going just inside 50... Hopefully they learn heaps from it.

From GWS Vs Swans tonight... INJURIES Greater Western Sydney: Mumford (ankle)

Maybe its that the club is only putting a time on recovery from the injury and not including the time required to build their training load back up to the level required the time to get match conditioning... etc

Assuming he's in no danger of re-injuring his knee, and he's fit enough to do full training session, why wouldn't we have him as one of 8 on the bench and give him a couple of quarters against the doggies?

Based on games played last year, Jack Viney should be higher on top 50 than Jones and Vince.

Best headline yet -"Oliver fined for twist" - The Age "Can I have some ... more!?"

While not under appreciated by the red and blue faithful, I think Jack Viney is massively overlooked in his progress and impact these past four years. On Saturday he Captained and led the club to a stirring from behind victory. He dominated Clearances with 10 clearances, twice the next midfielder (Tyson on 5 and for Port's best, Gray on 5) and more than the mighty Max Gawn (on 7) Disposals with 28 at 71.4% DE, 9 more than Vandenberg (63.2% DE), 6 more than Boak (59.1%) who was Ports best in this stat. At the start of the third quarter, the players huddled around him and he gave them the final rev up. Not bad for a 21 year old small mid who would have won last years B&F if not for injury... He's a ripper!

Thanks CB, but to be honest I didn't notice Hogan chasing and pressuring the opposition as much as those I mentioned. not saying Hogan wasn't doing it as well, just noticed the other getting results from their defensive pressure acts...

A noticible difference in game style is the extra defensive pressure we are applying when the balls in our forward half. Lock in pressure goals, and retarding the opposition from opening and initiating breaks from their half back line... Vanders, Kennedy, Garlett, Kent and Pedo all applied heaps of pressure in our forward half. a good sign.

I got the sense watching Goodwin's interview that he was suppressing a smile and bemused at the lack of questions, ease of the "post-match" interview...

Key difference between Oliver and Brayshaw isn't so much their skill, but their abiltiy to play 90% game time at AFL intensity. Oliver only played 57% game time Vs Port, unless he's at 80+ % GT in Nab 3 he wont be there Round 1. Brayshaw has already built that engine and demonstrated it over 20 odd rounds last year.

I think it was a different one, but cant watch replay to find it... was in 3rd quarter with 6:45 to go.

He did one thing that particularly caught my eye, where he collected the ball just as the opposition player positioned himself to collect him, but instead of just conceding the tackle and being wrapped up, he turned further into the tackle, opening himself up to some hurt while managing to burst free. Was in the 3rd on the RH wing, from where he switched play. Was indicator of great body sense and courage, neat.

Just watched Goodwin's post game interview - and while the players and their development gets the plaudits, I reckon we're right on track with the succession and development of our next coach. No idea what he did or said at half time but a far improved team seemed to turn up after the long break. Simon Goodwin - Post Game interview

I reckon the Coach(es) will be focused on refining and deciding on the final half dozen spots in our starting 22 for round 1. Jones and Bernie would be best playing the last two NABs with this NAB game focused on seeing which of the new Kids grabs their spot...

I'm looking to see Maxy's solid pre-season translate into early season dominance in the ruck. As we saw with Mummy at GWS last year, an imposing ruck can set the wheels in motion for the midfield and beyond. Him imposing himself on a Ryderless Port from the outset is critical in creating the midfield confidence and momentum we so badly need... Only a practice match, but so much needs to click over next month for us to hit GWS in Round 1 full of steam.

Surely, if the Demons believe they have 20 to 23 "good" players," then it will be these 20 - 23 "good" players who'll be getting a game...?

Our banner Vs Dons should read "This won't hurt a bit!"

Another reason would be that the opposition is more likely to be in attack when your second (backup) ruck is in the middle, meaning you'll need your defence solid., and not be resting your first ruck back there...

The value of Frost playing forward and helping out in the ruck is that Maxy can then "rest" forward, providing another target up forward to stretch the opposition. Also like Frost as a defensive forward chasing and closing down opposition attempts to rebound, I think he'd be quite effective playing on Tommy Mac type CHB who wants to run and play on .

I always thought we recruited Hunt with the understanding and likelihood of at least two years development before he'd be physically ready to step up, but he had the tools (pre-growth spurt) to be a genuine AFL player. The club keeping him and now the good words on him only confirm that this plan is coming along nicely. I thinks clubs (and Our club!) have realised that some kids take longer to develop and if you can see the talent and nurture the talent, they might not bloom till they're 20+, but when they do they'll be solid (maybe even more). I put Smith Jnr in similar development strategy/category, where we'd hope he'd be ready in a year or two...