Lucifers Hero

If we rest players it should be 1 or 2 a game in different parts of the field so that it doesn't upset the rhythm of how we play.

Sadly, I can't see a case for Jones. I fear the Jones we know and love tapered off last year, when he put in some very good 'cameo games' but wasn't able to nail down a position. And importantly he stopped chasing and tackling. Even in his one game this year vs Carlton he barely touched the ball in the last quarter and seemed to run about a bit aimlessly. And if it is wet it will be hard going for someone with recurring calf issues. Lions are very agile so I don't think this is the game for him. But I really hope he gets a game soon as this is the 4th week he has been in the named squad without getting a game. Could get demoralising for him as he is a justifiably proud player.

I feel too much respect is being paid to Neale. Yes I know he is leading the voting panels but he doesn't really hurt in the same way Zorko and McCluggage do. They are both goal kickers, Neale is not. Fagan is a smart coach and neurtralizing Max's dominance will be his #1 goal. They are a very smart mid-field and will rove to Max's taps. Also, Lions is one of the teams last year that used the strategy: "match them on the inside, beat them on the outside". So if roving to Max doesn't work they will try and stop us getting the ball out. So we win the clearances but forced to turn the ball over. If it gets into McCluggage's hands they are off to the races. I would be tempted for Harmes to hard tag McCluggage. Then let Viney run with Zorko; two bulls going at each other ?. I would back Viney to win that! Should be a ripper of a mid-field battle. P.S. I really hope Mathieson doesn't play. He is from the Selwood ducking school and it often works to our detriment.

If TMac plays on the wing he will be on Robinson or McCluggage both very good at playing the wing role. I fear Tom may be a bit at sea in that position. Would think the Lions will attack thru his side of the ground.

That we have played a number of midweek ANZAC Eve games on a 3-4 day break then backed up a few days later and and a year or two go we had several back to back 6 day breaks with travel should hold us in good stead for this block of: 4 day, 6 day, 4 day, 6 day breaks between games. For the 4 day breaks players will focus on recovery and training will be light duties. Good to hear Goodwin's confidence in the team to play thru.

If we were to run with/tag someone for mine, it would be Zorko rather than Neale. Zorko usually has less possessions but is far more damaging around the ground and on the scoreboard.

I'm not trying to put Oliver down, quite the opposite. Simply trying to say he has improvements to make (which I identified) to extract max value for the hard work he does, which I think is what you and others who have commented on my posts are saying but saying it in different ways. Yes, if Oliver overcomes his weaknesses he will be better than the other "extractors" I mentioned: Mitchell, Neale, Gaff, will outperform them and can be an out and out superstar. Yes, he is working on them. I didn't see OTC the other night so can't comment on who they compared Oliver to. And like you, I've thought Petracca had a very good, consistent 2019 where he was pretty much the lone ranger in the forward line, where it was more like aerial ping pong. Media will hype the hype but my assessment isn't on the back of one game. It is on th last 18 months and this year he has upped his game several levels. For the third (and last time) I think Oliver is a club champion and will be an AFL star.

I think it is great that he is cool and calm in the coaches box and at games. As it should be. But his press conf/interviews have been dull with repetitive commentary for a very long time. That is where fans see him the most. He is our main window to the club. The videos could almost be replayed week after week. It is good that in the last few weeks he has seemed less robotic and more energised.

Firstly, I didn't say 'just an' accumulator. Significant little words to have added. And there was no intent to diminish his performances. He is elite at the things you noted but imv doesn't get full value for his work: He is a great extractor and I'm sure he will never lose that ability but he may 'plateau' if he doesn't improve key elements of his game eg turnovers, two-way running and lack of goal kicking/goal assists/ scoring chains. I'm not quite as enamoured with the stats quoted. In a sense that is what an accumulator is - high possessions/disposals. Tom Mitchell won a Brownlow as an 'accumulator'; high stats etc but he isn't a consistently damaging player. Lachie Neale may win a brownlow as a similar type of player. Andrew Gaff hasn't won a brownlow but could be considered a similar type. So Oliver is in good company. For mine it isn't the 'numbers' that are the main ingredient for 'AA'. There are many very good midfielders so Oliver may not be in the conversation. Petracca probably will be. Not sure why he gets marked hard by umpires as it should be a game by game assessment.. With the media, they probably look at his wider body of work and see his weakness and mark him too harshly for them. And I think the playing 'hollywood football' label and 'playing for votes' comment they put on him and Brayshaw last year have stuck. As I said, I think he is a club champion and will be an AFL star. He is young and if he keeps improving he can be an out and out superstar!

Petracca may be a year older but he missed his first season rehabbing from an ACL so they have played the same no of games: CP 85/CO 88. In fact iirc Oliver debuted before Petracca. Petracca debuted in round six 2016. Oliver in round 1 of that year. Other than age/games it is difficult to compare as they have had different roles. Petracca was our leading goal kicker last year in a team with poor fwd connection and the ball ping-ponged its way in then out of the fwd line. Oliver was Oliver doing all the great work in the middle. Into the future: Oliver runs the risk of becoming an 'accumulator' that doesn't really hurt the opposition and isn't getting the best value from his hard work in getting the ball. He has some weaknesses to work on. Petracca is influencing game results and hurting the opposition in the process be it turnovers, ball movement or scoring chains/involvements. He is rapidly becoming the complete package. I can't see any real weaknesses. They'll both be mfc champions and AFL stars but I have a feeling Petracca will outshine Oliver. He is just getting going. Not sure if Oliver is starting to plateau, admittedly at a very high level. Will totally enjoy watching them both create havoc on the G in the red and blue!

And he has played one less game than those above him so based on averages he would be a clear second. And Max would be at least equal third best.

'Pollyanna' what happened to kill off 'Fifty-5'...?

For Christian (5/5), Max (4/4) and Oliver (3/2) the view of the coaches was similar... ...but who gave Viney (3/0) the zero votes...?

On FC last night they said Leon Cameron is OOC this year and speculated Clarkson would be a good fit for the Giants.

Your post #52 included my post so all good. Thanks again for clarifying his status.

He isn't travelling to well at the moment. I just found this: brown-indebted-to-north "Ben Brown says has every intention of signing a new deal, once contract negotiations are allowed". AFL is now allowing Contract negotiations so it may not be long before more info comes out.

Thanks for that. Not sure why I thought he is an FA. Changes the story a bit.

Ben Brown is gettable. kangaroos-are-shopping-ben-brown-to-other-clubs Sounds like North will test the water and if Brown gets a package that lands them a 1st round pick (#3-#5) they will let him go. I believe Barrett is a North supporter so he would have good mail. I post that for info. Not interested in going after him. Edit: To clarify, Brown is out of contract but not an FA,

Thank you for that post. I saw it after I posted and it made me feel a lot better. As is very obvious, I have a deep hatred for Ess and a short fuse when it comes to the favours they get.

Fair point. But my rant is about fairness. And the forthcoming fixture just isn't fair. We have the absolute worst package of breaks, travel, no-bye! One would think we would get some prime times as 'compensation'. But no, of the 4 games 2 are at crap times to go with the crap times we have had all year. End of my rants

Well, well! Just saw this: kangaroos-are-shopping-ben-brown-to-other-clubs Sounds like North will test the water and if Brown gets a package that lands them a 1st round pick they will let him go. I believe Barrett is a North supporter so he would have good mail. Edit: Thanks to @markcfor info to say Brown is out of contract, not an FA so the quoted post above doesn't apply.

I want Ess to suffer as much as possible!!! Make them go from Darwin/Alice to Tassie!!!! If we play Ess in NT you can bet we will be travelling to Darwin!! Sorry 'Pates', I don't mean to vent, but I'm angry!!

You mean the 3 that are left after those!!!

? Look at Ess: Round 9 - Friday, Gabba Round 10 - Friday, Metricon Round 11 - Wednesday, Metricon Round 12 - Sunday, Gabba Nice spread of dates and don't leave Qld where they have been based for about a month (and travelled once in round 8 to SA). How on earth do they get special treatment like that!!!! This is where the postponed game will hurt us. Freo, WCE, Hawthorn and Carlton have a bye after round 10. GWS and Sydney get a bye in Round 11. Other teams will get byes between Rounds 13 - 16. We don't get a bye nor do Essendon but look at the advantage they have in well spaced games and no travel. I'm not usually someone to complain about the fixture but we have been dealt a poor hand especially if we end up playing in Alice and have a catch up game without a bye. With the amount of travel we have basing in Maroochydore may not be such a good idea for total travel time to/from airports etc. Lets hope there are flights from there directly to Adelaide and Hobart otherwise it will be quite painful, especially if we have to adopt FIFO travel. Can only hope the AFL even it up in rounds 13 - 16!

Given the challenges he has endured with injuries and family life he is one tough cookie. Really admire his grit and determination. Hope he is ok to play this week. He is great at causing turnovers, just by charging straight at the ball carrier. Takes no prisoners!