Jaded No More

It still shocks me that so many posters on here don’t believe in us at all, but will back Pies to the bitter end

Because a drop off in form that inevitably comes with loading, is not something you want in the lead up to finals. Loading also increases the risk of injury. Another thing you don’t want in August. Pies were very comfortable inside the top 4 in the middle of the year. I think they loaded around that time, when they had a poor game against West Coast (only kicking away in the last) and lost to us and then barely beat a rampant Adelaide who kicked 7 against them in the third quarter. They aren’t loading now. They are just feeling the impact of their unsustainable game plan. Unlike us they don’t have a defensive mode. They can’t revert to a slog when required. They don’t know how to play any other way and you only need to be a bit off and a bit mentally tired for it all to fall apart.

Is it even Demonland if we don’t worry about losing to North?

The media has created a situation where this poor kid can’t win. They made us all believe he’s the best player on planet earth and not in fact a 20 year old in his second season who is bound to have poor games. I feel bad for him. Pies will need to manage his mental well being carefully

If we stuff this up I will cry

Nah go Brisbane by one point. We will overtake the Lions anyway 🤌 A flag and Reid is still on

The coach that was there for like 8 games then buggered off? I doubt they care.

I would think the players and coaches are acutely aware of the ladder situation. If we lose this game we are taking the absolute [censored]. This is a must win demolition job.

Nobody loads in August. Idiotic and fraught with danger. You need to hit peak form just about now to carry that into finals. Pies have played about 10 grand finals in a row. They’ve had to fight and come back multiple times. Had a number of massive hard contested games in a row. They might just be exhausted because it took so much for them to get here. If they are loading then good luck to them 🙄

Hawks had a free hit. That’s what I loved about the game. Nobody would have raised an eyebrow if they went on to lose the game in the last or even got smashed for 4 quarters. So they had the psychological advantage. We don’t care if you come back and beat us, we won’t go into our shells. We will continue to attack and hunt you. It is the perfect mindset to take into a Collingwood game, who scare teams into believing they’ll come back and beat them. The shine is wearing off and suddenly they aren’t the comeback kings anymore. Take that psychological advantage off them and they’re suddenly just another good side who have glaring weaknesses.

Melksham is desperate. Desperation at this time of the year is very good. As is pressure for spots. Clarry is back next week. That means JJ and Harmes will need to play the game of their lives today because only one stays in next week.

My heart bleeds for Collingwood.

JVR rucking is really key for me. It helps him stay involved in the contest and he’s been really competitive in the ruck against the second stringers. It’s why I think we can’t play him and Grundy in the same side. If he keeps kicking a couple a week and competing well in the ruck, I can’t see the need for Grundy. Today will be a test as North have two good ruckman which JVR will have to compete against. He can absolutely dominate Goldy in the follow up at ground level, but can he be competitive in the air?

Perhaps he is setting it up for a loss that North would benefit from far more than a win. West Coast are closing in. They are unlikely to pick Reid so North can absolutely sweep on pick one. Not to mention cry to the AFL for more handouts. Beat a top 4 side and suddenly it’s not all doom and gloom and Clarko can’t go asking for more.

What did he say?

Haven’t heard a single commentator mention that we’ve been playing and winning without Oliver and Fritsch tho 🙄 Port did have a giant injury list yesterday. Geelong too are missing lots of key players and were absolutely horrific. Port should have won that.

Pressure is not their friend. They are 13th for contested possessions. Adams and De Goey with only 7 clearances between them. Easy to tag Daicos when nobody is feeding the ball to him. 18-3 centre clearances the Hawks way. 26-19 stoppage clearances when we played them (minus Clarry). 28-19 stoppage clearances when they played Carlton last week.

Second spot be like

Especially at that dreaded ground!

He is such a dirty player. I despise him.

Pick 2 AND second spot on the ladder? 😂

I can’t barrack for Geelong twice. It’s over. I’m done.

Smells like 2021 in here

I need 10 showers to cleanse myself of this horrific experience