Young Blood

Great pics thanks. Good to see our two fastest players in Garlett and Hunt going one on one.

I'd say that's because he will be an emergency.

I think he has been one our most consistent players during some really tough years. Really glad to hear that he has another role at the club. Always a favorite among his peers so I can see him being a great guy to have as part of the AFLW staff.

Sounds like you might need a time machine. Hit something like the two years time setting.

Yeah I agree with this. I definitely think another key back would boost the team but with the recruitment of Hibberd, the significant development of Frost and slower development of Oscar I think we're in pretty good shape. We still need another tall back to add to our depth beyond Frost/Oscar/TMac. But it doesn't have to be Steven May.

Are we judging Kent predominantly on the back of his performances this season? I agree he was poor on the weekend, especially his disposal and lack of pressure. Did not perform well at all. But I feel like we're over analysing a pretty small sample of four games. I just don't think he's worked into form yet. Same could be said for a few players I think. His tackling is down this year, his inside 50's are OK. Anyway I think his position is a hard one to play at the moment with our forward structure fairly out of whack. Keen to see how he performs over the next few weeks to see if we can get the player of last year back .

I agree I really think Coaches speaking out makes very little difference to how the AFL deals with issues. Pop has that killer demeanor where he literally looks like he will stare you down until you simply disappear. So good to watch. A true legend of the game. Can you imagine Goodwin trying to act all steely and tough in front of the media? That constant slight smirk on his face and standard safe answers are going to be the norm for a while I think.

AFL/MRP has a sacred public image? Don't know if making some noise would change their terrible reputation or make any difference to outcomes

Unfortunately Salem wasn't falling like Thompson was here. [censored] I know...

Would have thought Cunnington would get a week but unfortunately they compare hits to similar previous instances. Have a look at last years gut punch from Zaharakis against west coast. The difference in force and obviousness is apparent and they only JUST gave Zaharakis one week. Everyone was up in arms over it. So it doesn't surprise me that Cunnington got away with just the fine. As for the Salem cheap shot (which was great!) the MRP really hate those ones when a player is on the ground pinned down with no opportunity to defend themselves. Only need to look at Rance's hit on Watts last year as the example. Of course Rance's hit was way worse but makes sense that Salem gets one where Rance got three weeks for a similar action.

How are Filipovic and Hulett playing? Any reason why Hulett is playing in the development side?

I agree. However I do think North will opt for the game plan that worked for the Hawks. Use their superior height and marking to kcik down the line to a contest. If they take more contested marks there will be less stoppages for us to win.

Not all 19 yr olds develop as quickly as Clayton. Give him a break. As cliche as it is, big men always take longer to develop. He didn't get the extra time that Jesse had at an AFL club. I thought he showed some really great signs with his aggression last week. Tackling was great and provided a contest. Couldn't have asked for much more from the young lad who has come in because of a shortage of 'AFL level players' at his position.

Good to hear Tim Smith is only a week away from return. Even if he's not fit enough just yet to play Goald Coast its good to know we've got another taller forward available for the next few weeks. Might take some pressure off Weids if he starts feeling the heat.

I remember quite a few statements like this before we played hawthorn a few weeks ago....

Nice to hear that Sam Rowe is going to give support to Jesse after going through the same experience. Strange to think that it was only a few weeks ago that Jess got rubbed out for his uppercut to Rowe's jaw. Hope he can help Jess get through this. Great to hear that everyone's behind the kid.

I forgot that Nth Melbourne have the option of playing two Ruckman. Bit of a worry if they opt to go for the two bigs especially with Waite coming back in. They're a very tall side.

I'm pretty sure I heard Dave Misson say the other week that he was slightly ahead of schedule. I think he's started running sooner then they thought. Still wouldn't wan to rush him would you. Will be interesting to see if finals becomes less of a reality whether they bring him back even slower.

Another less serious comment: Oliver being called a genius is pretty funny. Has anyone heard him talk? A lovely country lad. But seriously what a start to a career. Clay, Viney and Trac willed themselves to win that game last night.

Really glad Harmes is knocking on the door again. I think he's a really important player for us as is ANB. I see Harmes, ANB and Stretch as three players that can play multiple positions and all great contested ball players. It's these types of middle of the pack players that the Bulldogs were able to make into consistent, team first footballers with an edge. We need more and more of them for depth if we want to be great over time.

Is it possible that Hogan has been instructed not to lead up us much when we're kicking into our forward 50? I agree that we tend to focus on kicking to Jess a bit too much, but I do like the option of having Watts and another mid size forward lead out to give Jess a one on one deep OR have all the small forwards stay deep to crumb Hogan's contest while leaving the top of the 50m area open for forwards to run into as a marking option which we have seen much of this season. Guess what i'm saying is that Hogan might be instructed more often then not to stay deep and be a consistent marking contest which creates other options in doing so.

Stephen Hawking agrees with you on that one D-OX

Yeah you might be right. Gives him some confidence. Seems to work well for Caleb Daniels.

Have a look at the Northen Blue vs. Casey thread. Think you'll find that most people agree that wearing a helmet does not help that much with concussion as the brain still rattles around in the head when knocked.

Far out they would be so disheartening. Dominating an entire 4th quarter when you looked like steam rolling the dockers.... Only for Mundy to kick one after the siren. Did anyone see all the Richmond players signaling to get every player back behind the ball after they hit the lead with 30 seconds left? Still seemed pretty open to me. No one in front on Mundy