rjay

About 4 years younger and a few good games AFL level though 'Dappa'... At 24 he's right in the zone, like him or not they have some development time left with him. I think with Jake he will be hoping for another year with us and that might see him out. Not a lot of games but a pretty well paid job that will set him up nicely.

I'm not surprised that Spencer doesn't play. I also doubt they will rush Max back in, it would be a desperation move after a serious injury that will need to be managed before he gets back to AFL level. If Spencer pulls up ok this week and plays well enough, then he could come back in and it will give Max the time to get some miles in the legs at Casey...

...well, as I said a couple of days back.

I can't see Spencer being offered a 3 year contract anywhere else but I guess stranger things have happened. He's a depth ruckman at best...

Yep, good arguments but don't expect too much from him if he comes in. He's had a fair time out and is playing against Grundy who is in line for AA honours at the moment. I like that it settles the team a bit but wouldn't be surprised to see Pedders and Watts still doing a bit more of a following role with Spencer taking the centre bounces...

It's also about the games he starts but hasn't finished 'Nasher'... Would be interesting to see how many games he hasn't made it through. As for Rohan, his poor performances in big games doesn't inspire confidence.

They are most definitely paying overs...the recruiting of Buddy has been a failure. Only a premiership would have made this move a success no matter how Longmire and co would like to spin it. When you consider the players lost, in particular Mumford but you could now add Mitchell it's been a costly mistake. ...and you can't consider the increased cap as this move was made in 2014, way ahead of a cap increase we are yet to see.

Thanks 'Webber'...much appreciated. Lets hope if he gets a game that he can at least bring some pressure to bare on Grundy and give our mids a good shot at it.

He might be but there's another concept to consider. He's not good enough to match it with Grundy and not footy smart enough to go with him... Just a thought. ...another thought, @Webber can you keep up your running when rehabbing a shoulder???

Spencer seems an obvious choice but understand that Grundy is a very mobile ruckman and will run him hard, he may not have the fitness to go with Grundy and if not we are one down. I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't come in. I'm interested to see how Goody handles this one, there are arguments both ways and I don't see it as a certainty. I trust we will get it right.

I know the conventional wisdom is the helmets don't help with concussion. ...but Paul Callery still swears by his and he's not a stupid person. Maybe it was just luck on his behalf he didn't get any more concussions since wearing it, lets hope the same luck rubs off on Angus. It also didn't seem to do one of the all time greats, Gary Wilson any harm.

Trade for Lever....win/win Only kidding 'hemingway', but this is how a lot of fans see trade and value.

Predictable response. ...but chances are we go in without OMac this week as Pies are not overly tall and his form has been poor. Then we have Salem coming in for him. Do you then take Spencer instead of Salem or is there another who would be a liability like Spencer if he doesn't work out?

...and be one down. Not a good plan 'Fifty'.

One is an AA, probably the best ruck in the comp the other is a battler at best. Not like for like 'Fifty'...but personally I wouldn't mind Max having a run at Casey on managed time before bringing him back in. Having said that I agree with your take on Grundy, but even a fully fit Spencer would struggle with him. I doubt the FD will bring in an underdone Spencer but I trust they will have a good plan. Maybe you're right and he is the plan.

With no match practice I don't think Jake will play and if he did he would be a liability against Grundy.

More likely the positioning of our midfield as worst and theirs as best by champion data at the start of the season will give our guys a little nudge. Don't think that would sit well with Viney, Jones, Oliver and co...

Another 'GNF' punt???

Agree, they have gone better than I expected but luck has been on their side with an injury free list and game day injuries to opponents, notably us helping to get them over the line. Also agree with your earlier points on GWS... I think we have had the biggest problem with injuries this year. Whilst the pure numbers don't rack up like the GWS list we have 2 of our most critical players (Hogan, Gawn) missing from action. No other team comes close. Last year it was Freo who had 2 of their most critical players missing, Sandi & Fyfe and see where they finished up. Even the Doggies last year, I'm not sure they had 2 critical players out at any stage but stand to be corrected on that one. None of the GWS players are in their critical player list but if you take out 2 of Mummy, Davis or Cameron (maybe Kelly) then you start to get a problem. I don't think we or Goodwin have been given enough credit for this years performances, not only are we still winning games but despite what some here and the outside football world may think we have been very consistent. We're one of the few if any side yet to be smashed by any opposition this year and we've been in every game we've played. Our % with our win loss reveals this to be true.

Adelaide could be this years North with no guarantee of making the 8... Their midfield doesn't run deep and definitely don't run 2 ways.

...and Jenkins is right up there with Tippett & Vickery as a useless big man. Plays small for his height. If it doesn't come over the back to him he's a waste of space.

...and this is exactly one of the big problems faced last time they tried it.

Some games drew big crowds, went to the big one at the 'G'. Great exhibition of football with Dunstall, Lockett etc. I don't think some players loved them at all, can't say all didn't and if you took a poll of course they would say they did. There was a distinct disinterest from some of the stars in the later years and this wan't just coming from the coaches and clubs. Of course the crazies in SA loved it because their players could come home but interest had waxed & waned here. When a club is paying players big $'s and as fans we have immeasurable emotional investment I don't want any of our players taking unnecessary risks on a game that really means nothing. Call me selfish but I want to see us win a flag...SOO is not going to help our cause.

Champion Data annoy the hell out of me when they try to predict using their data. Their expertise is in telling us what has happened by their numbers....

Pretty sure they said similar things about Tommy Mac last year. I take what these 2 say with a grain of salt...