deelusions from afar

Makes sense. However, I wonder whether we're more likely to be on the ropes in the first quarter as we were against Carlton in the first quarter a few weeks ago. It is possible they are better at the contested stuff right at the start. But they seem to be a team that doesn't have the fitness (or maybe their game style is so exhausting) that they run out of dash / legs in the second half. As much as I'd love to come out breathing fire, it wouldn't surprise me if we have a bit of a rope-a-dope strategy to without their early power.

But isn't the idea that Carlton will have a resting ruck most of the time so that is the matchup. May will get Curnow. Who else gets the resting ruck? Lever? Hibberd? Smith?

My Collingwood work colleague reckons Howe will play forward on Lever. If that's the case May plays on one of Miocek, Cox and McStay. Who plays on the others? I would have thought Hibbo goes to Elliot - but we seem like we could be stretched for height down there!

I'm surprised by this as well. Given the pies have Miocek, McStay, Cox and Elliot - not sure how the matchups work. Having said that, I think Hibberd has been excellent for most of the year and his desperation and ability to play on talls and smalls is welcomed! My fear with the pies forwards is probably more the ability of the smaller ones when the ball hits the ground (Hill, Elliot, Ginnivan, McCrery etc) - so a smaller lineup is suited to covering that. I wonder if this is related to the weather forecast?

I thought he was too small but I guess there's plenty of successful small midfielders around - he's already taller than Lachie Neale and Brent Harvey.

Isn't there a rule that you can't stack a whole lot of picks to use on academy bids - i.e. you have to have that many list spots available or something?

Say we managed to get pick 4 from Gold Coast and weren't packaging up for 4 and 5 for Reid, can people see us picking who we want at 4 (whatever it ends up at) and then trading 5 back to 8-12 to get O'Sullivan (if we rate him) and say a future 2nd round pick?

Don't know much about this guy but do remember he was rated as the best small forward in Kozzie's draft. I remember a friend who goes for Freo saying last year he's got skills but wishes he had some of Kozzie's aggression as he hasn't put it together much at AFL level. Makes me think of where Bedford was up to last year - he'd played a number of games and showed a lot of upside. To me he wasn't able to settle and ended up not making the most of his disposals in most games (which is not uncommon for young players finding their feet). But look where he is now! Is Henry one pre-season away from taking a big step?

I reckon we need to go after the best VFL level mature age ruck in the land or maybe next year Kieran Briggs? Someone who is prepared to play VFL unless they bang down the door. If Grundy doesn't hang around we need someone to come in and compete next year - otherwise its up to Tmac / JVR.

If this is the case, the only way I can see it happening is if we trade with North to get their first pick. And then use this (and something else) to on trade to West Coast. Is that what you're meaning? To me it seems like a lot on one player - but we were apparently very keen on Humfrey last year and he has been very impressive so back JT and co with whatever they go for.

So you're telling me that @binman has two PAs? i.e. all duck no dinner

Agree it seems harsh - I think it's because he can get exposed for pace / agility? Like BBB he's a monty to get subbed out when we need run in the second half... but that creates problems if someone else goes down before then. Part of me wonders whether this role will be played in finals by Tomlinson / Turner depending on matchups. They could also have Tmac as the sub if they wanted to give him a go as well - though I would have thought they'd like to see him forward moreso than back? Still a lot of questions

Ha! We can only hope! I think I meant: Bench of: TMac, Fritsch, Sparrow and Turner Sub: Smith VFL: Tomlinson, Woey, Laurie

I find the selections fascinating. So many questions: Can we play with JVR as the only true tall forward (with mediums of Fritsch, Smith and Melk)? What version of TMac do we have? At his best he has been an incredible forward but if he doesn't have speed / agility then he could be a liability. Is Turner a possibility (I assume in lieu of Tommo)? I like Tommo but do fear his speed / agility and whether he has the flexibility to cover different types of forwards. But why now? My hunch is they like to have Smith as a sub - he can impact at either end and gives us flexibility. I think they also like having a few players that can go forward and back (maybe TMac will be in) Laurie wasn't terrible last week but I don't think he has the confidence at the level (yet) to want him in the team that is likely to play finals. Similar for Woey though he didn't do much wrong at senior level. So I'm guessing: Bench of: TMac, Fritsch, Sparrow and Turner Sub: Fritsch VFL: Tomlinson, Woey, Laurie Main reason is they want to see if TMac and Turner can do it. They could even sub Turner halfway, send Tmac back and bring Smith forward. I think they are concerned about the mix if Tomlinson is in the team and doesn't have a suitable matchup. Who is the third defender - is it Smith (May doesn't like him back there?), Is it Tmac (who's just come back from injury), or Turner (who's been consistent at VFL but not got many opportunities at senior level).

Whether he thinks we can go with a forwardline of himself, Smith and Fritsch (and JVR) in the finals and whether his role will need to change with Fritsch in the side

Isn't the difference, we're happy to keep him for insurance / playing in the twos. Whereas the pies needed the salary cap space and had made it clear they wanted him out? If so I think we've got a stronger bargaining hand than you think

I saw an article about Fullarton from Bris. Basketball background - Cat B, 24 yo, 200cm, athletic ruckman / forward. Limited opportunities to break into the senior side due to Big O, Danither, Hipwood etc Apparently a good chance to leave at the end of the year. Haven't seen enough of him but seems to have all the tools required?

It Mitch Georgiades really that good? I thought he was struggling to get a game last year and that was pre-knee. I know key forward take time but he's on the shorter side the way the games going (1.92) - when we already have Fritsch, Smith and Melksham. I would have thought someone with some size that is a threat for the dump kick / can pinch hit in the ruck would be a better fit (but I know we were keen on Mitch in his draft year and there's always whispers about him each year).

I reckon there will be an announcement that Simpson will not be coaching WCE beyond this year - there's not way he would have allowed his team to win on the weekend if he was coaching next year!

I think you might have misunderstood what I meant by 'take' - I was referring to you mentioning that the reason why Spargo is in the twos is to build up his endurance to play his role more effectively in the 1s (ie better tank to get to more contests). And interesting "take" as well re what you say about the round 1 team. It makes sense - but of course there is a full season in between which has to take into account form, fitness, and importantly what has worked structurally throughout the season. Although a lot of us here are haggling about the best forward balance / setup - I actually think it's more about the midfield and defence - if they are closing the outlets then the extra smalls putting on pressure works very well. Equally having extra tall targets works if the pressure is up as they get more chances on turnover (obviously too many lumbering types like Max and BBB can quickly become a liability if everything else isn't working).

It's amazing how you can slice and dice stats in different ways. I'm not (necessarily) disagreeing with you but think a bit of context is helpful. As in: the recent games we played with Grundy in are (Geelong, GWS, St Kilda and Carlton). At least three of these were in the wet (can't remember if Geelong was?). In the Geelong and GWS ones we kick 5.15 and 8.15 respectively. Is it Grundy's fault that we kicked so inaccurately? And while it was low scoring against Carlton, we very nearly beat them (arguably we did with the Petracca kick). So when they are the in-form side, does it matter that our score was low if it was good enough to win? As I noted elsewhere, essentially all our goals in the second half (at least) came when Grundy rucked and we gave up 3 from stoppages when Gawn was rucking early in the last. How can we say we would have done better without Grundy in the team. I'm still not sure what our best mix is (even moreso when Fritsch returns) but I think Grundy has been a lot better than people realise. My main concern with him is his ability to defend if he is up against a ruckman who is a threat when drifting forward.

Isn't it in WC's interest to say they are "strongly considering" Reid whether they are or they aren't just like North / us / Hawthorn etc saying they're strongly considering Curtin? Similarly seemingly someone (from Reid's camp?) has put it out there that he doesn't want to go to WA. He'll deny it publicly of course as he doesn't want to look like a prima donna... but West Coast would know whether or not it is true. This time of year is all smoke and mirrors if it helps you get what you want.

Interesting take - but can we can have him, ANB, Kozzie and Chandler in the one side? I remember Spargo spending time on the wing a few times last year and getting found out for pace and in marking contests - but potentially it was his tank. We definitely miss his foot skills - I guess with Clarry back, it's better to have Spargo forward than a combination of Sparrow / Jordon when they are not in the midfield or on the bench.

Thanks! Can't believe he's not in the team or the sub. Hope he's not injured

I'm a bit confused about how this works (should know by now I know). Surely Hibberd is one of the extended bench? If so why does he get listed as "out"?