Glenn Molloy

Saturday was excruciating but let's remember that in reality, we had played patchy footy for about the last two months. Nowhere near the level we were playing at in the early rounds or mid-year when we smashed an admittedly out of sorts Bulldogs. I think that another pre-season will do wonders for some otherwise tired minds and bodies of the younger brigade. But we desperately need some pace and class. People on this site don't seem to like G.Lyon for whatever reason (clearly never saw him play for us) but he's always spot on the money with his analysis, and he mentioned Lachie Whitfield as the exact type of player we need next year. I couldn't agree more....he's a jet, not quite Josh Kelly but exactly the type of player we need. If we don't add to the list with either a Lever or a Whitfield, then I think we'll tread water next year with another 11-12 wins. Those guys will be the difference in terms of getting us up to 14-15 wins that we need. One final thing - the weekend hurts like hell but I think it might be a good thing long term. If we'd made the finals, got beaten by 4-5 goals against the Swans, we would have got pats on the back and acknowledgement of a great year. They might have expected it all just to happen next year. They won't expect it all to happen now. This should absolutely burn in the guts throughout pre-season and next year.

Sydney aren't unbeatable...the Hawks and Bombers showed earlier this year that the SCG isn't a fortress. And no way should we use the MCG loss to them as a barometer...we were cooked on the back of three six day breaks and were the most lethargic we've been all year. Sure, we'd go in as big underdogs but I think we'd give them a huge shake.

Only during 2007 and 2009 at Geelong....think he might have an idea what he's talking about.

I can't believe this has even been raised. Sicily is the number one [censored] in the game, I couldn't stomach him in a Demon guernsey!

Which one?

Why on earth would he have signed on again for three years if he had issues with Goodwin? They would have been working together for the past two years. The journos are making it up - they're good at that, make up about 50 wild rumours, knowing that if one comes true, they're seen as a genius whilst we all conveniently forget the other 49 they got wrong.

Can understand the decision but I do think that Rocket was very unlucky with injuries over the last couple of years - horrific run last year, not much better this year. Day didn't even get on the park, Lynch hasn't been fully fit, Ablett in and out, May out a few times, Barlow was playing good footy before the leg injury, Rischitelli just back from a long term knee. Made it difficult for him. I know there is talk about John Barker but if Brett Ratten isn't their no.1 target of those that aren't senior coaches at the moment, I'd be really surprised. Did a good job at Carlton and has had a few years under the best coach in the league at Hawthorn. As for Ablett, they should just let him go to Geelong. Watched him closely in the last quarter on the weekend. Skirted around the packs getting the easy ball (he's talented enough to get 30 even when he's in cruise control) and doesn't want to be there. They need to wash their hands of him, whilst still playing a bit of hard ball with Geelong.

Seems that the Milkshake got off? Must be the first time we've had some luck with the MRP all year.

Spot on. I think our start lulled us into a false sense of security. When they kicked a couple out of their bums and got it back to level, it was almost as if we thought "we've got to keep attacking and get back in front here", instead of locking it down, taking our medicine and understanding that a 2 goal deficit against the wind would be a good result. Just kept playing quick footy instead of slowing it down. Also, re: the tackle count. I'm not surprised that teams have higher numbers against us. Partly it's because we want it to be contested, but most of it is because our game style invites pressure. Opposition coaches would be saying "they love 1 metre handballs out of congestion, but if we put pressure on them, they'll stay in congestion and we'll turn it over". Exactly what GWS did for most of the first half. And that's St Kilda's game plan, so let's hope we can find some spread this week or else the same thing will happen all over again.

I agree - our outside run and polish was always likely to catch up with us, and unless we are absolutely smashing teams in contested ball and clearance (e.g. Port in the first half), our defence isn't quite strong enough to hold up. The reason that Richmond are such a good team at the moment is their defence - they can absorb lots of inside 50s (as they did against us in the first half on ANZAC eve), keep it close on the scoreboard and then when they have some momentum can score themselves. We don't seem to be able to hold up when the other team has it on their terms. You mention that Lewis and Jones are good kicks - Lewis' kicking this year has been more inconsistent than I imagined, and Jones' kicking on Saturday, apart from the first pass to Maxy, was absolutely horrendous. Hoping it was because he hasn't kicked on that right leg for about 6 weeks. Harmes just butchers the ball constantly. We are desperate for a quick outside mid with skills, a Brad Hill type gut runner.

I never quite understood why TMac was often thrown around on here as possible trade bait - sure, he makes the odd brain fade in defence but he was still our most crucial defender. I have even less understanding now given that he's proven to be a more than capable forward and even a pinch hitter in the ruck. He's untouchable...no way we trade TMac.

Agree that this is critical. I've got a sneaky feeling that Mumford won't play - they talked about him needing a couple of weeks off after the Richmond game due to his ankle and Dawson Simpson is an emergency. Will be interesting to see just how fit Mumford is if he does play

Let's be honest, if our ruckmen didn't go down against them on ANZAC day, we would have won. We were smashing them in clearances until losing Spencer and Smith helped make Toby Nankervis seem like Polly Farmer. Let's just make it first before we worry about who we play!

Finey is painful, loves the sound of his own voice and I don't know why he even bothers having guests on, he just ends up speaking more than they do! And although I absolutely loved the Ox as a player, he's average on radio, and possibly the worst play by play commentator in the game, and that's saying something.

Shows how good their recruiting has been in recent years, particularly given the draft penalty they got. Have nailed the picks they've had in the teens and twenties (e.g. M Crouch, Lever, Sloane, Talia) and done superbly with the rookie list (Laird, McGovern, Cameron). I'd have a soft spot for the crows if they weren't an Adelaide franchise with moron fans! Waldron would know about brown paper bags I guess. But, I do think that the Pies are our biggest competitors. They have some currency to offer in Scharenberg, who is an SA boy but in and out of the side having come back from two knee recos, and also have some hard nut midfield depth that might appeal to the Crows (e.g. Tom Phillips, Wills etc.) I'd love to have Lever but am a bit worried about what we'd need to give up to get him - would be minimum first rounder (pick 11 at the moment?) and then a decent player (not a VFL type like BenKen).

Deledio might come back for them too this week. Hopper an outside chance after a good game in the NEAFL. Regardless, this is one game that we can't complain too much about outs - Greene and Cameron are big losses for them and for Freo to run them so close means they can't have been brilliant on the weekend (not that I saw the game).

His brother is a booming kick, not always accurate but it's more decision making with his brother. Takes some atrocious options, case in point with about 5 mins to go yesterday when he broke beautifully from the back pocket and then kicked to the wrong option.

Not only that, but what's he saying about the countless champions of our game who've never been involved in a flag? That they have no knowledge?! Flower, Skilton, Pavlich, and one of his favourites, Neale Daniher! Comes up with vindictive quotes to suit his argument but of course in usual Sheedy fashion, they make no sense. Never equate premierships as a sole measure of knowledge or success...

Frost is out of contract at the end of the year and has put talks on hold - I'm sure we want to sign him up again but I suspect he'll test himself on the open market and given his improvement this year and further potential upside, I'd say there would be quite a few suitors. Will be interesting to see how much we're prepared to pay to keep him, particularly if we're somehow able to nab Lever.

They'll boo Lewis even louder...can't touch their golden boy "Crippa"! A few of their fans reckon ours have become arrogant in recent weeks. Pot Kettle Black!

Carlton have proven difficult to beat in recent weeks and the final margin flattered us in Round 2 - they also might come out fired up after the Hogan/Lewis incidents (although shouldn't need that to get them going). Having had a good record against us they will fancy their chances, particularly given our injuries. However, if we bring the right style of play, trying to move the ball forward quickly with run and carry rather than bombing to the likes of Marchbank, Simpson, and Docherty, we can definitely knock them off. I saw Carlton live against Richmond two weeks ago and how they got within 8 goals is beyond me. Richmond were a bit quick for them and made their defenders accountable by chipping short to leads on their half-forward line. Carlton did well against Adelaide but remember that the Crows also kicked the first 4 goals against them and really should have gone on with it from there but are struggling for form themselves. Carlton obviously defend really well but they do struggle to score, so that should help to keep us well in the game. Their first choice midfield is the key - Kreuzer and Gibbs are in career best form, and Cripps always seems to tear us a new one, so quelling his influence will be critical. Then of course you have Murphy. Their depth beyond that in the midfield isn't that great so if we can keep two of their big guns quiet, and Max can hold his own against Kreuzer, I still think we can win. Having Garlett and Hoges back will help. Not expecting big numbers from Jesse first game back but if he can provide a target up on the wings and bring the ball to ground in the forward line, he'll be invaluable. Dees by 15 points.

It's an interesting selection dliemma. You'd think that Wagner would be a straight swap for Salem but for Garlett, I see three options - Kent, Kennedy or JKH. JKH has been playing more of an inside mid role rather than forward, so will they go with the roles that they have been playing at the VFL? Of the three, Kennedy produces the best forward pressure in my opinion but the final decision is a toss of the coin job.

Jones is a bigger loss than some on here realise - has had a fantastic year, up until two weeks ago he was one of five mids in the comp that had averaged over 25 disposals and a goal. He's not easily replaceable but we have some guys in the twos who can at least come in and play his role to an extent. I reckon we can knock them off - their first half last week was good but Geelong were off colour, and still could have won halfway through the last quarter. We absolutely dominated that game last year and should have won it by 3-4 goals. Our midfield is tougher and deeper than theirs, It certainly won't be easy with a couple of big outs and another 6 day break but given that they don't have Kennedy (and of course still miss Nic Nat), we really can't complain about availability. Dees by 2 goals.

Spot on. Drives me mad when people claim that someone must be a gun because they were "a premiership player". Greg Madigan was a premiership player, Robbie Flower wasn't. I know who I'd rather have in my team! Hall was an excellent player but I'm surprised he's in ahead of Neitz, who was an All-Australian in two different positions. And I still reckon Garry Lyon is the best Melbourne player I've seen behind Flower, so no idea why he's not in there.

Remember that Jones has been spending a bit of time at half back as well, and Trengove has been doing the same at VFL level (mid/half back). Seems to me he is the ideal replacement. Obviously not quite as quick as chunk but a lovely kick, can find the pill and is tough. Get him back in, would love to see him do well.