rjay

Let the season unfold before we look for excuses/reasons. For all the handwringing on these boards we still finished 2nd at the end of the home and away season. ..and we're still in the race.

So, what is the big picture? Is it obvious or is it an educated guess on your behalf?

There's an element of truth about this...contested marking is definitely harder as a forward where your opposition is generally trying to spoil but his marking is still a weapon there, he will rarely be out marked.

I would think the opposite. Fix it and we win.

So why would you think Burgess had a say in selection? He would say if the player was right to go no doubt as would Griffith. ...and according to Burgess, Goody placed faith in his staff to do their job. I don't see why this would change, it's smart management. Let the expert do his job.

There is no guarantee of a dynasty (I know you aren't saying it is) but our opportunity is now. I think if you want to win it then you are not going to be able to have a balanced list. It's either one or the other, the system just doesn't allow it. Posted similar but our timelines are different. I think 2 maybe 3 years (2024/2025 max) is what we have to win another flag/s from this list. Retirements/age (Max, May, Brown, Tommy Mac), fatigue from multiple finals campaigns and injury take real effect after this. Unless we try the Geelong approach and top up the list. ...but to date that hasn't been overly successful. If they happen to win it this year then watch all the copycats.

Depth is an illusion...just saying. You never can cover your top end talent. We do it as well as any but you are always going to get lesser otherwise that replacement would be a regular. As for age profile...the AFL draft system is set up to make it impossible to have a balanced list. Why do you think Richmond is on the wane, Hawthorn have dropped back and Geelong are aged pensioners. The Cat's have worked the system better than anyone and might just grab the reward this year but they're one Cameron hamstring off tears. This is why we need to make the most of the next couple of years...

So, it looks like neither party has the political will to update the legislation. The big end of town is in control of our pollies on both sides of the fence...who would of thought!

I'm not sure what you are meaning here, but my take was that you couldn't syphon off major sports to a pay service. Streaming is a pay service...I have a feeling that people who can't afford even Kayo are going to be further shafted by this deal. ...no one is looking after the man on the street.

Both major parties went very quiet on this before the election. I wouldn't be surprised if they've (anti siphoning laws) quietly disappeared to appease Murdoch and co... I'm interested to know, might contact my local member about it.

This concerns me also 'titan'...we haven't been able to run out games this season. Had them in control then they switch on/we switch off. If we can arrest this then we are in with a shot but if we can't then season 2023 here we come.

I've not seen anything of him 'Jimmy' but Carlton have torched a few first rounders over the last decade. What would he bring to us?

Seriously, give it a break. So you're not a Jackson fan. We will never know the answer to this but if we took Young ahead of Jackson (there's a pub in there somewhere) would we have won the 2021 GF? Would we have even made it to the 2021 GF. Some people are glass half full, some half empty but sometimes I think you've lost the glass.

We're in the final 6 so yes we can still win it. I think last season we were clearly the best team in it and the result showed. It rarely happens that one team is head and shoulders above the rest of the competition. Why hasn't it carried though to this season...well we had everything fall into place last season and this year has been a battle. The other thing is that other teams get better, we seem to have stagnated and for a range of reasons come back to the pack. If I was a betting man I would have Sydney as favourites today. ...but there is not a lot between the teams left. A few changes to selection, tactics, player positions, health, mind...and we're right in it. We do the same as Friday night then, no we can't win it and could even be tipped out this week. To our supporters, some of you need to toughen up a bit. There's no guarantees in footy, we're not just going to steamroll everyone. This is an even season, we're still in it.

I'm more interested in how we shape up next week...

If you don't tag Neale...otherwise not sure where they get any drive.

Joey kicks the winning goal, until then just about BOG for the Tiges. Funny game football.

If we look fresh from here on does it matter?

So on Monday David King had is top 10 rated players in finals over the last 5 years....I don't really rate his (Champion Data) ratings but for what it's worth Trac was 4, Clarry 5 & Grundy 6... Seems that Grundy might just have something to offer. edit: they had tp have played at least 5 finals. Of course Dusty was at 1.

Not me...but I get your point, there were many true believers.

100%...Tommy has to be able to give everything to be of value at AFL level. He doesn't have the class or skill to come in underdone. What he is, is a total effort player...if he can't bring that then we can't afford him in the team. He can get by on 72% or less at Casey where his ability and experience will carry him through.

Looking at the pix of the surface before the game I thought it was an accident waiting to happen.

One of my 2 favourites, unfortunately we won't get to see Eliza Mac playing this year but good to see her with the group singing the song at the end. ...Goldy is very important coming out of defence with her pace and physicality, apparently out for 3, so 2 more to go. ...and '@DeeSpencer', I reckon Blaith will be a beauty when she gets her chance.

Ok, so you keep hinting that you have the inside word and there are personal reasons beyond the everyday homesickness/family excuse. Maybe you know, maybe you don't and someone is spinning you a story or maybe you are like another poster on here and spinning your own story. I don't really care. There won't be any hardball, it's not the way we do business...but we will expect a fair price. It would be reasonable to expect more than the pick 3 we gave up for him. How much more is where the negotiations will start.

Whatever they're doing they should keep it up. Going on their last game Hibbo & Melk are in great form and May is a 2nd time AA.