Jaded No More

What happens if we lose a midfielder? Which is statistically more likely to happen?

We also need lock down defenders which Hibbo is better at than Hunt. Hunt essentially lost his spot to Bowey not to Hibbo. Him and Hibbo played together for most of the year. They are different players. Hibbo locks it down. Hunt opens it up. Dogs have really good small forwards. Hibbo is there to shut them down. For me the decision would have been Hibbo vs Smith - Right call to go with Hibbo. No hamstring worries, better defensively, proven over a long time, experienced calm head Bowey vs Hunt- A very tough choice. Hunt gets more of it and is faster. Bowey uses it a lot better. Ball use against the Dogs is very very important. The sub call has to come down to who can best serve us in different roles. JJ played inside mid, wing and half forward this year. Hunt has played half back exclusively. I think they go JJ for versatility, unless they’re worried about May. However I suggest if May goes down early we put Gawn down back to help, or push Tmac back. That will then probably see us shuffle the decks and put Trac forward for longer, making JJ a good sub option as the extra mid rotation.

Remember too he knows Gawn well. Knows how to play him. Trained with him. Played him a fair amount. He’s definitely physically better matched up against Gawn than English. The thing is, the Dogs aren’t worried about Gawn in the centre bounces. They’re used to losing ruck contests and winning clearances. They’re worried about Gawn around the ground. They’re worried about his contested marking and that’s what Martin is going to struggle to stop, without using illegal tactics. I just hope the umpires are watching. Especially bloody Dog fan Stevic!

I have been weirdly calm and confident the last two days, and I do not like it one bit. We are 100% going to lose now.

On the flip side this may well be Hibbo’s last hurrah. Where as Hunt has a lot of time left.

My heart breaks for Hunt. Plays 20 games, does his ankle, gets back up and misses the grand final. Very tough. I suppose he might still be the sub but time will tell. I think they’ll go with a mid as a sub so JJ it is.

Yeah because Goodwin on the bench and 4 tactical coaches in the box has worked out really badly for us all year 🙄

Also happy with this. Brown and Tmac have both had bad injury runs and/or loss of form in the last few years. Both are pushing 30. You are only as good as your 22nd player, and Weideman could definitely slot in and fill a role if required. If we want to maintain success for a prolonged period of time, it is very important to have good quality depth on the list in all positions. Weideman may not be the best forward going around, but gees there have been some bog ordinary ones play in premierships and do well. And he has performed very well in finals in 2018. If he played tomorrow he would double Rohan's possession average in finals quite comfortably.

He’s a very interesting character. I found it fascinating that he said a flag never motivated him and that it didn’t play a part in his decision to come to us. I mean thank god for that or he may have gone elsewhere. As a competitive person myself, I can’t really understand how players thrive if they aren’t driven by success, but gees he goes alright. Love that he’s found some mates and settled in. Not surprised he’s mates with Hunt to be honest. They’re both a little different. But a good club is one that accepts and lets all different personalities get the best out of themselves within the team environment.

Very non Covid complaint. Lick lick lick? Not on my vaccinated watch buddy!

They must be very confident Keath is right to go. Shame for us as Keath is a good defender. Work those hammies Big Ben!

If Spargo missed after twisting his ankle it would have to be the worst twisted ankle in the history of recorded medical science. I once twisted my ankle wearing 9cm heels going down stairs and after a few shots I managed to dance on it for 6 hours. To be fair I would absolutely need a week off these days if I did anything for 6 hours straight that doesn’t involve lying down, but you know those were peak fitness days.

News said he trained and is fit to play. I highly doubt the media wouldn’t be all over it if he was not fully training or looked hampered. He is a bigger chance to play than Keath I would say.

Which we destroyed by pushing him back too soon.

Magnitude 5.8 earthquake. Pfft

As soon as the earthquake hit I knew we would win. The only insane thing left to experience in 2021 is a Melbourne premiership. In the bag guys.

Can the world just take a 3 day break from the dumpster fire that is 2021 and let us get through Saturday? Cheers.

We destroyed Jack Trengove. He really could have been something. I am glad he still loves the club and that he gets to see us play in a grand final. Gawn again is just proving to be a star on and off the field.

You can only plan to do so much. While we know that the Dogs live and die by their midfield, we can try and really work on that and also limit the influence of Daniel from the backline. The Dogs have to contend with, two quality ruckman, a very good midfield, a world-record setting defence and a dynamic forwardline that will stretch their underdone backline. At the end of the day you can do all the planning in the world, but grand finals are won on the field not in the box. Whoever has more contributors and plays their gameplan better on the day without letting the occasion get to them, will win. It could just as well be the Dogs, who have been there before and who carry less pressure than us. Both teams at their best are very very good, but I think head to head we have more quality players and our best 22 at 100% output is better than their best 22 at 100% output.

As long as the world ends on Sunday after we win, I'm fine.

Can confirm no flags were damaged in the earthquake. Carry on.

Yes but do I still get to watch us win a flag?

I swear the world is conspiring to kill me before I get a chance to watch Melbourne win a flag. Let me live goddamit!

When was the last time Melbourne won a flag the week of an earthquake? We are doomed

Congratulations Simon. Well deserved.