Jaded No More

Sydney is a very good team and they played well yesterday. They had our measure in the clearances in the first half, and they transitioned quite easily out of the back half on many occasions. They are an exceptionally well drilled side, with a lot of high quality players. This was by far our most formidable opponent thus far, and we beat them comprehensively. I still do not rate the Dogs or the Lions. I have a suspicion that something went wrong pre-game against the Lions, and then the Gawn injury caused further disruption. If we play the Lions another 10 times, I think we beat them 9 times with a fit side.

We have a 5 hour flight to Perth followed by a short turnaround with another flight to Adelaide. It would be madness not to manage players right now who are not 100%. We should beat both West Coast and Essendon comfortably if we bring our game, and our method should stack up even if Brown is having a rest, or Viney takes a week off to get his knee right etc. If Hibbo is sore, and we know he is going to be important when we play sides with really good mid sized forwards, then why risk him? He's on the wrong side of 31 and has a history of calf issues. Who at West Coast scares you so much that we cannot contain them without Hibbo? Ryan would be one perhaps, but I don't even know if he'd be fit enough. I saw him barely walking around in the last quarter. I would stick with Petty and JVR up forward for at least the next fortnight. If Essendon stack their forwardline with talls, then we could bring in Tomlinson, but Wright is still out for a while, so it seems unlikely. Likewise West Coast are running with Darling as their main tall, and so I am confident May and Lever can get the job done. Goodwin said post match that we want to find out some things early in the season. We have a plethora of kids who are showing plenty at the moment, and Kosi who is starting to make the midfield role his own. It's going to be a selection headache coming up, but one thing is certain, we should not risk anyone who isn't 100% fit!

And this is why it’s so important that we don’t rush players back and that we rotate players more heavily especially leading into finals. We ran on air in the first half of the season then we were running in cement.

Umpiring was horrific but it was poor for both sides. Umpire #32 clearly had his life savings on a Swans win. The 50s they gave away were all clearly there. The dissent one you could argue was soft, but unsure if we can’t hear the Sydney player’s reaction… he could have swore at the umpire. But the others were for a late hit and knocking the ball out after a mark. Both clear 50s. Not sure there is anything to complain about from Sydney other than ill discipline.

Who played half back in round 1 and 2? Lever CHB and May FB. Bowey and Gus and Rivers will play the half back flanker roles along with McVee. West Coast are hot garbage. If we don’t win by 10 goals we’ve lost.

I reckon if West Coast had just 3 fit players they would have won. Freo just ran over the top of them while Liam Ryan was out there playing legless. It was not a game Freo won because they were magnificent.

This is a very good day for humanity

Cocky like Papley… and equally as insufferable Suck on it Sydney

Kosi is playing mostly midfield now so he doesn’t need to come in at the expense of Chandler or Spargo. He will probably come in for Hibbo and we will shuffle the defense a bit.

Brown should have a week off regardless of whether he’s injured or not. Another week to look at Petty and JVR up forward and we can always bring Tmac back. We are heading into a softer patch of the draw and we need to take opportunities to rest our older and most important players.

JVR > Jackson inside 50

Freo look horrible. West Coast are so underdone with 0 on the bench. This is not a victory you take much out of. Good on Jackson for taking a mark. JVR is already a better contested mark than him.

Regardless of the result, this is an embarrassing performance yet again from Freo against a team with 0 fit players on the bench

Stupid west coast ruining a great weekend of results

I feel like Brown always looks like he’s mere seconds away from having all his limbs fall off. His gait is always really labored. His knee was heavily strapped post game and he did spend a lot of time with the Physio. Hopefully it’s minor. I honestly think he should have next week off regardless. It’s a long trip to Perth and we can win without him. Gives us another chance to see how JVR and Petty work together.

Didn’t mind his performance. He also did well in the ruck. Obviously we lucked out because Swans were missing Reid and Hickey but against most sides we’d need to either bring in Tomlinson or push Tmac back if we want to persevere with him forward. He is a very talented player and he can absolutely be an A grader no matter which end he plays in long term.

Grundy absolutely phenomenal. Work rate was through the roof for a guy still regaining fitness. Loved his little tug of the jumper as he ran past the members wing post game. He’s been a brilliant trade, as has Hunter. JVR what can you say. Did exactly what you wanted from a kid playing his first game and then some. Goal kicking superb. My only negative today was Viney. Horrible horrible horrible ball use. He needs to step up now as captain.

We finally beat Sydney!!!!!!

Geelong on the bottom of the ladder… it couldn’t have happened to a team I hate more

That was putrid. We are so loose.

Grundy has been very impressive. Working his [censored] off.

My husband watching at home said it’s apparently a tactical sub? He seems ok. I assume his knee is a bit sore.

Papley is insufferable

Grundy is elite

Umpire #32 needs a long walk off a short pier