Very Jaded

Weideman got coaches votes this week. No chance they’re dropping him. It’s either Tmac out for Brown or no Brown for another week.

How concerned is he about big momentum shifts that we seem to have with our midfield where we can dominate and then get dominated within the same game and sometimes also within the same quarter?

I think it depends how we want to set up if we drop Hunt or Tomlinson for Lever. Port's smaller forwardline means Hunt is probably more likely to stay and Tommo misses out. Or we may choose to not drop a defender, but actually push Gus back to the wing and make JJ sub. However given the form Gus has been in down back, I think we won't take him out of there until both Lever and Petty are back and up to game speed. Thank goodness Petty is back in the VFL this week. He has been sorely missed, as has Jake. As for Ben Brown, unless he actually gets Covid, I can't see him missing out. Many players have missed a week of training and then went on to play. He is far too good to leave out if he's fit. We really missed his marking ability on the weekend, not to mention his goal kicking skills. I may not rate Port, but they are still a good team, they will have loads of pressure on them to win this week, and the home ground advantage. Can't take them too lightly.

We won’t know if Weideman can replace TMac until we play Weideman in his position Weideman played a traditional FF role on the weekend in replacing BB. Tmac plays a high forward role and does a power of work with his leading patterns which actually frees the forwardline up and gives BB and Fritta space to lead into. I am unconvinced that Weideman has the tank to play that very important role, however I totally agree that we need to let him try because TMac is not in good form and other than his aerobic capacity isn’t giving us much in terms of marking or goal kicking.

Sydney - play a similar style to us, good even spread across the ground. Very talented side and superbly coached. Brisbane- talent on every line. Excellent midfield. Will challenge again. Question marks over their ability to get it done in finals and at the MCG. Carlton- I have my doubts about their defense and defensive work rate but their mids and forwards are elite GWS- can be and do anything but probably won’t Geelong - old Dogs- poor defensively The rest do not keep me awake at night.

Two big clubs at 2-0 with a lot of bandwagoners.

I also rate Carlton. They have a list they can build something really good with and their draw is a complete joke so they should make the 8 comfortably. But until they sort out their defensive two way running work, and can sustain their attacking game style for 4 quarters, I will not be backing them in for a flag. As you said Melbourne 2018. Up, down, glitz and glamour attacking dazzle, and then a complete blow up against top sides and when the heat comes.

As per Collingwood, this 1000% manic intensity of footy is totally unsustainable especially when you don’t have a defensive structure to hold onto a lead and shut a game down. Good lists are one thing. Good systems are another. Both Carlton and Pies need to adjust their system if they want to go deep in September

Backline is still suspect. No ruckman. Midfield and Forwards are elite.

Carlton being a good team is not it for me.

I hope Hawks win today because Hawks aren’t actually good enough to do any real damage and if they win it proves that Carlton probably aren’t either. I am a deeply mean spirited footy fan

4 points > percentage

That’s very true. What’s also true is that he’s super talented and that really helps.

While I agree they are a strong chance, please let’s make absolutely 0 judgements on them based on smashing North Melbourne. I’ll be impressed when I see them win against a good side. They play Geelong in Geelong next week. Let’s revisit this topic then shall we?

Oh Norf

I still maintain that Geelong are on their last breath. Collingwood like Carlton have come out this year playing manic footy. Manic footy is unsustainable for a whole game let alone a whole season. The first half showed how weak Geelong is when under pressure from the opposition. The second half showed that Collingwood will be unable to sustain pressure for 4 quarters and have no idea how to defend a lead.

I’ve waited 789 years for Geelong to drop dead.

I’m very conflicted about tonight. On the one hand we have Collingwood going 3-0. On the other hand we have Geelong.

The weather didn’t help. Horrible day to go outside.

Last seen on Instagram wearing a mask and sitting on his bum watching the AFLW. He’s no chance. 4-6 weeks.

Covid? Debut? 😂

Well done girls. Keeping that Melbourne winning premierships dreams alive.

If two years ago someone told you we’d be 3-0 to start 2022 after winning the flag in 2021, coming off 9 straight wins and not being in great form, missing Lever, Salem and some tall guy we got from North, you’d smack them in the face and tell them to get off the crack. Appreciate what you have in this team please!

Close contact iso period is 6 days not 7 as far as I know. And apparently he was a close contact starting yesterday. So he should be available and will 10000% play if he is, even if it means he flies in the morning of the game. It’s one hour. I’m sure he can survive. I can’t see us risking Lever.