Jaded No More

The main training session was Tuesday. Today is just a captain's run. Generally a bit of skills and getting mileage in the legs.

Worst possible result for the Dogs, who already have a dodgy defence, and an attack down on firepower. Weirdly I think they can cover Bont more easily given how many star midfielders they have, but no Keath will make it virtually impossible to win. I also can't see how they kick a winning score against the Port backline, especially with Aliir just mopping up the high ball.

We can put to bed any scenario involving trading Gus, Jackson or Rivers. That will not happen, unless those players come out and request a trade. While Gus may not be highly rated on these forums, he is extremely highly rated at the club and is part of the leadership group. Zero chance he is getting the flick. In fact, I would suggest we are looking at Cerra to enable Gus to play more time on ball.

Losing to Geelong in a prelim final is the second worst possible outcome of any footy season. The first being losing to Geelong in a grand final.

We are missing out on SO MUCH 😭😭😭

Today is R U OK day. Ask me tomorrow at 11pm.

Tmac has gone on record to say his form was bad and he understood where the club was coming from and that they’ve been nothing but wonderful to him when a trade couldn’t be done. And he’s played every game since. So I doubt he’s still unhappy.

The way the umpires fawn over the Bont, you can already tell he's got it in the bag. Oliver will be lucky to finish top 3.

Are you sure? I thought he was out of contract. My mistake. Either way, a third round pick would suffice. And I doubt we would prioritise him over Cerra.

Gunston is irrelevant to the conversation as he’s a free swing. Won’t cost us anything.

If Cerra nominates us, Freo will need to play ball. Very few players don’t get to their club of choice these days.

True but I would say JJ is the closest to selection in the 22 if we get a midfield injury to be honest.

Another reason to hate Geelong.

One of my new favorite lockdown activities is trying to spot Demon flags and other items on my daily 5km radius walk. I seem to live near quite a few Melbourne supporters. Our front yard has had the Melbourne flag up since post round 23!

You might be right. But it makes perfect sense that Hibbo replaces Smith who was playing a lockdown role. Hunt is much more a replacement for Bowey from a half back attack role perspective. I am not sure we can bring Hunt in and cover the defensive role Smith was doing, and Hibbo before him.

I suspect that if we lose, the team will stay on for the Brownlow. But Jones and a few others with young kids will fly home. If we win, I think Goodwin will need to tell Jonesy pretty quickly if he’s going to be the sub on grand final day or not. If the answer is no, then I suspect he will fly home. If we win the our opponent is Bulldogs I can’t see him being sub. If we face Port I think he is more likely as Port aren’t super quick.

Yes it sucks for Smith, but Hibbo has a lot less time left in his career. Him missing out would be just as sad. He’s been very good for us since coming across from Essendon and I’m sure he will leave no stone unturned, knowing this could be it for him.

Getting Cerra seems like a bit of a fanciful dream. But if we can pull this off then Jesus H Christ I will not be unhappy about that little midfield addition.

While I don’t think Smith is a match winner, with Ratogulia in, he actually was needed for height. Hibbo is a good solid choice, but I worry about height match ups now. I also want Hunt in but understand Hibbo is a better pure defensive option. Sad for Joel. His body keeps blowing up but better in training than early in a game! He’s young and has plenty of time ahead of him. Hibbo doesn’t. I’m happy for him as it might be his last chance.

If we make it, I’ll be drunk by 1pm and will need a sobering nap to get me thru to 7pm.

If there’s a link somewhere can anyone post it please?

I’m neither here nor there on this one, but @Demonland I’m looking for our win loss record stats in night games this year please 😂

Clearly not a Melbournian. The sun comes out. You watch it longingly from inside. Then you cry about losing your freedom and losing to Geelong.

Ball use is very important. But equally line breaking pace is very important against a slow and aging Geelong. Given Geelong are going tall, Smith will need to stay. I would bring in Hunt if fully fit for Bowey. Prelims are a big jump in intensity. Bowey is a kid and did look a little nervous against Brisbane (which is totally understandable). Against a very experienced opponent I would prefer Hunt.

I don't disagree. I think they will have as easy a stroll into a grand final as you'd like. If they play Geelong, there is no chance they don't win. They will just run over the top of them fresh as a daisy. If they meet us it will be a different story and I back us to win. We match up on them really well. Of all the teams left, Geelong were the ones I really didn't want to face. This prelim is as hard as you can possibly hope for. If we win, I think our grand final chances are pretty good (assuming we avoid serious injuries!). But the more I think about this game, the more I am feeling worried that Geelong won't just come out and do the same thing they've done to lose both matches to us in the H&A season. They are better and more experienced than that, and I still maintain that you learn more from losing than winning. We might have the mental edge over them after round 23, but they have the experience and the mongrel and I don't think they'll go down without a seriously bruising fight. They have nothing to lose, as this is probably their last chance at a flag for a long time.