rjay

I think they might be playing the longer game here...Max might get fewer on ball/ground minutes to freshen up a bit. As for the Dogs, they had 2 extras at the clearances...they would have won a hell of a lot more if we didn't have a recognised ruck.

You could be right...

We've struggled to beat low ranked opponents so that shouldn't come into the equation. The best way to get confidence for LJ is to play good footy at the level. I think this will happen this weekend.

Like for like...how does Melk go in the ruck? Jacko stays to give Max a proper rest...even Weid is only a pinch hitter in the ruck and not really an option.

Wouldn't be too concerned with playing in Darwin. Not, likely to happen, more likely we will be in lockdown again.

I doubt it 'Nev'...a touch of humour would be my guess.

Gulden played his junior footy for the Maroubra Saints, reckon that's in Sydney not Ballarat....and was in their academy for years before being picked up in the draft. No daylight robbery there, good player though.

I thought it was about all the posters on here who want to sack Goodwin, think we can't win a flag or have a myriad of other negatives to pronounce. The snowflakes have been out in force since last night...

I always find that "Sheeples" thing quite sad. The only 'Sheeples' are QAnon followers. All the hallmarks of a cult. Blindly following that which has no evidence to back it up...not only that, all pronouncement and predictions they have made haven't come to pass. Mindless fools.

I guess we'll find out in September, not July...

From July 9... NSW’s health minister, Brad Hazzard, raised the prospect of abandoning the lockdown and accepting that “the virus has a life which will continue in the community” This guy is a total DH...and the ideas he peddles are responsible for the situation they are in now.

It's a huge problem over there & unfortunately we have our share of mindless followers... I hope all goes well for you & the family 'rpfc' and you all get through this in good health.

...and a lot of them are agitators & conspiracy theorists who refused to wear masks when mandated. They thought it was against their 1st amendment rights. This has been hard for everyone but we will never truly know what the impact would have been if we hadn't locked down.

...but only after everyone has had their chance to get vaccinated surely.

Was thinking that 'A F'...he's certainly not been the same as the player who exploded on the scene. Still plenty of time for him but sometimes the expectations don't match the reality. Most only remember Trengove post injury & the comparisons with Martin don't help, but he was a seriously good player when he first arrived here. It takes serious talent & a lot of luck to be Dustin Martin.

I also wonder how Curnow will be if/when he gets back on the park. We've seen players like O'Meara who looked like being one of the greats cruelled by injury. He's still a good player but nowhere near where he was headed in his first few years.

What worries me with the Dogs is the talent they have been able to bring in with the academy and their next father/son...it sets them up with minimal cost pick wise. As for the Blues, Dow seems to have turned the corner a bit, not to Parish levels but he's still young enough to give them something. If they get Curnow back and firing they will really threaten, even without him I reckon they are well set.

Williams hasn't got the tank...can he develop it with a lot of hard work or is he happy to sit on the coin. With Walsh now and the other kid whose name escapes me (high draft pick) who is now coming into his own they might sort this with just one more mid and Cripps going forward a bit. They are the ones with the dogs I'm most concerned about over the next few years. They just need to sort the coaching out (and get a stable board who won't go with popular opinion)...

Sometimes you have to take a deeper look. Who expected us to be where we are? They've had issues but a list that has Walsh in the middle, Weitering as a KPD and McKay as KPF is a pretty good start. They don't need to rely on Cripps any more. They're well set to really move next season, they could even play finals this year. Well ahead of Freo and I think better balance at the moment than EFC but EFC are also coming...I don't think Freo are.

The list is too good 'daisy'...it would take a monumental f...up to stuff it up from here. ...but do agree they're up for the task.

Could be...but their current run of form makes that one a lot more interesting and harder to dump the incumbent. I think the Blues are set for a run of success, who ever takes it forward will be a lucky coach. edit: but Clarkson is going nowhere unless big mouth comes to the party with the cash...

Yeah, I heard that BS from the commentators too. Don't buy it at all. Also, don't buy the on-field leadership angle. We've had it in important games like with Brisbane to totally turn it around. Go deeper 'Nev'...

Pretty much all footy commentary is reactionary and short term. Gary is the epitome of this type of commentary and it's why I take little notice of what he says. I didn't hear Leppitsch this week but he usually has a better take. I do agree with '@JimmyGadson' above...if we bring the heat so far we've come out on top. Let's see what happens over the rest of the season. I'm not buying into mist...red or otherwise.

I don't think it's going to be an issue... The Hawks are desperate to get Clarkson out and the Pies are desperate to get him in. Something will happen in that space before we get to finals. Kennett needs to let the cash meet his mouth...

Looked like he picked up an injury at the end of the Casey game...so maybe that's a reason. edit...Although I note that he is listed in the emergencies so maybe not a reason...who knows.