Little Richard

Hawks supporters usually give them a run for their money! Thankfully they've been a bit quieter the last few years... Bombers supporters just have that totally unfounded, smug arrogance. Anyway, this week is such an unknown. Got a feeling we'll beat them convincingly, but that is based on absolutely nothing.

Agreed, they're usually a pretty arrogant bunch at the best of times. Their midfield is certainly smaller but it's much quicker than ours. Hoping the additions of Langdon and Tomlinson will help balance this out.

He’s (Tracktor) a worry, one of the best players in the league atm on form. If he gets a worry let him go head to head with STRINGAR. There's a lot going on in this sentence. Isn't Stringer playing forward?

Great job. Unfortunately looks like some slapstick comedy routine.

There was a brief period where we were reasonably strong aerially with Maxy, Pedo, Hogan and McDonald all in full flight. Didn't last long though.

Absolutely this. I'm surprised there hasn't been more hype over his performance... I thought his presenting and positioning for an 18 year old key forward was outstanding. Even though he wasn't taking the marks, there is so much to like. I wouldn't drop him this week though, maybe give him another couple. Dropping him after the one game could be counter productive, especially considering the quality of the scratch matches at present.

Fair point, he probably didn't play big enough to be classed as a CHF. But we certainly miss that link up.

Since Hogan and Watts left we have missed that truly versatile centre half forward, working up and back all day and providing a much needed link up option. With his tank, perhaps Tom could fill it while Weid plays deep with Fritsch, Hunt and Kozzie rotating through... not sure Tom's decision making or foot skills will hold up in this situation though. Whatever it is, something clearly needs to change.

Only one thing is certain... if we beat the Dons by five goals there'll be a tidal wave of comments claiming we've already got the flag in the bag.

Thankfully Petracca is a solid gold forward and Harmes uses the footy well (but I want him in the middle as much as possible). Brayshaw on the other hand isn't overly quick or skilful by foot, which leaves him exposed at half back. I think he's got so much to offer but Goodwin needs to find the right balance.

He absolutely needs to be dropped, either Weed or Petty will offer more at the moment. Even Brown. But I'm not up with what's happening at Casey... will there be seconds games for McDonald to play in and find some form?

It'll be beaten up in the media but the video footage is pretty damn cringeworthy. Just sloppy and shouldn't happen.

I'm keen to put that performance down to a hefty amount of rust, but it was worrying. Trying to focus on the positives here. Positives: For the first time in ages, there was some (if slight) improvement on delivery inside 50. Was very satisfying to see a couple of leads honoured and hit up. Gawn clearly won't let the captaincy affect his personal performance. Petracca is showing strong signs of maturity. Fritsch looks a million times better as a forward, needs to work on his set shot routine. Rivers is already looking like a sensational pick up. Jackson was impressive for me too, continued to present and those contested marks will begin to stick before too long. Hunt's transformation into a dynamic forward looks complete. Negatives Goodwins failure to respond to momentum shifts and changes in the opposition game plan is frightening. He has to learn, fast. McDonald is cooked and it's becoming embarrassing for him and the club. At this point, Brown actually offers more. The problem of multiple forwards going up in the contest continues to endure at the MFC. Smith needs to stay out of the defensive 50 and should be replaced by Lockhart. Melksham was bog average but I'm confident he can return to 2018 form. Can't say the same of the likes of McDonald or Hibberd. All in all I think there are too many unknowns to take a whole lot out of that game.

Don't worry, we'll soon beat that out of him.

I really hope Harmes is still rotated heavily through the middle. Still not happy with him playing down back.

Tough to listen after one of them calls Tom Scully a better kick than anyone in our side.

This is great news. I have good memories of watching the 2018 elimination final against Geelong next to Russel in a London bar... good bloke to have a chat with.

Wiz the deserved winner! Robbo surely deserves an honourable mention too though.

Surely it's not worth the risk for Paddy. I'm no expert but the effects of another concussion for the poor guy would be disastrous.

Too accurate.

Surely Hibberd cannot rank that high after 2018. 2017, maybe. Then there's a Port rookie (Jake Pasini) who has never played a game, with a points rating of 79, higher than Jayden Stephenson (78), Marlion Pickett (72), Rowan Marshall (65) and number one pick Matt Rowell (69). It's a farce, and surely not that hard to get right.

I would love to know more about how they came up with these ranking points ?

This one still brings a smile to my face!