Sydee

Don't lower yourself to loving Hodge's ramblings you're better than that.

might be that if you start on the boundary there is only one direction you can move - start in the middle you can go two ways

yep, same thing crossed my mind too.

You could be right - both look like they are enjoying a few too many burgers atm if you ask me

Curious - Have you watched the Casey games or just going of possession stats or other posters comments? Howes atm is capable as a receiver and in space, but I haven't seen much in the way of winning a contested ball. That may come but until he offers a more physical presence or ability to regularly win his own footy, I can't think of anyone from the weekend that he represents an upgrade on. Who makes way for him and why? I've been on the fence with Laurie so far and had my doubts, but I do recall a game at Geelong last year where he was very clean on a very wet track - he might be considered this week if we needed to rest a small. JVR from memory was good that game too.

I don't waste my time with that usually - but thanks From my limited experience of the game day thread few if any comments tend to age well

I think both teams were kicking at less than 50% efficiency in the first half. There was a fair bit of heat around the ball which was certainly contributing. Listening to TMac after the game he confirmed as much. Gus did have one or two moments but overall, I thought he was one of our best players. Surprised if there are people potting him here.

I watched the Ess v GWS mini match replay on the AFL website. Very underwhelming - if either of those teams make finals I would be astonished.

You obviously don't rate JV's contribution to the team. Without wanting to argue the point because it seems your mind is already made up. However, I think it would be good for you watch again some of our finals victories in recent years and pay close attention to Viney's role. When our team plays its best football, it is usually when Viney sets the standard for uncompromising attack at the football and opposition players. Not sure how much footy you have played yourself, but I'd be amazed if our entire squad was not inspired by Jack's courage. He is not silky like Fritta, he is not lightening quick like Kozzy, he doesn't run like Langdon - BUT I am confident what he does offer would ensure that he is one of the first names picked particularly when it's a big stage and a game we have to win. Again, I'm not wanting to debate the point but encourage you to revisit some of those big games.

I've watched all Casey games so far - Matt Jefferson is a long way off being ready for AFL football. Not saying he doesn't have potential, but still a lot of work to do - I'd expect he will play at Casey all season just like JVR. He is a long way behind JVR from a physical standpoint at the same time.

Possible - he is probably the closest proxy for BBB we have on the list Seemed to be going ok before being concussed at Casey. Doesn't bring the physical presence of either JVR, Petty or even TMac IMO.

Fair point - I'm trying to be fair re Brown. He does offer a tall target and when he gets his chance he normally executes well (accuracy). However, when the ball is on the ground, he is extremely limited, he can't stick a tackle and isn't great at chasing. For a big fella he is very easily pushed off the ball by opposition defenders. He is well behind all of Petty, JVR and Tmac in those areas of the game.

IMO and based on recent exposed form our best options for tall forwards are Petty and JVR. Tmac apparently played well at Casey so maybe he comes back to join JVR in attack and allow Petty to go back if the opposition warrants that move. While we have May and Lever together the need for Petty in the back six is questionable. Petty is a great addition to our F50 work because he competes in the air and on the ground and provides a strong physical presence. I remain doubtful about BBB as a permanent fixture in the team. His inability to take contested marks is a real problem and when the ball is on the ground he is without doubt our weakest link in terms of applying pressure.

JVR is a very competitive young man - he gives himself every chance of being a 200+ gamer.

The Giants were always going to take a very long time to build a supporter base (if ever). The reality is that the Swans leverage off a significant number of interstaters that have relocated to Sydney. These people have adopted them as their team - they probably still retain an interest in their original teams that are Melbourne/Perth/Adelaide based but they now follow the Swans. Not that hard for most as they are usually very competitive. The majority of these people live in the inner Suburban ring of Sydney, East, Inner West, North shore. I'd say a small % would be outer west. This is the swans great advantage over GWS. Junior football comps for AFL are not uncommon in these suburbs but rugby league is the main focus outside soccer when you move further west.

Needs to revisit that third quarter of the GF if you ask me - more about Trac, Clarry and Viney than Luke. Not saying he isn't a real talent as I believe he is - BUT it was our midfielders that did the damage in the GF.

Oh please - two pre-season training runs you can't take much out of those. The real stuff is Rounds 1 & 2. Yes, we beat up on the WB's but something is NQR there atm and the less said about last week the better. I don't know what the excuses are that you have eluded for the Brisbane game but hope there is some reason for pretty poor effort. We were lucky the lights went out and we got to pick off some easy goals in the last 12 minutes to avoid percentage damage. The Lions had no real motivation to play out the game it was well and truly over by then.

They totally deserved to make the GF. Not only did they beat us they beat Collingwood who fell just short of the eventual premiers (yuck Geelong) They should be respected - they are a very strong team, very well coached and we will need to play very well to beat them. Our form line so far this season is pretty average - WB look hopeless atm and we were comprehensively outplayed by the Lions until the game was well and truly over. This week will tell us quite a bit I think about where we stand amongst teams with finals aspirations.

To beat Sydney, you have to play a fast high-pressure brand of footy for 120 minutes. Unfortunately, last week our team turned up for 12 minutes after the lights went off. That will not be nearly good enough to win this game. Time for a big response IMO.

Hugely disappointed that Verrall will miss an extended period was hoping to get plenty of games into him as I think he really does have potential.

Some of the confidence here is likely a reflection of the last game we played - an easy win over opposition that most think will be a finalist Just like their fans are possibly too pessimistic after a disappointing effort/result last week. The reality I'm sure lies somewhere in between - this competition is very even and like Goodwin says over and over (and I agree) you must respect your opposition. Fall away a few % and you will likely lose the game. Brisbane are better than what they dished up last round and at home in front of their fans they will be no easy beats we can be sure of that.

When our team was selected before this game I was a bit surprised by the inclusion of both Tomlinson and Laurie Both really didn't show much form to warrant selection in the praccy games IMHO However, Tommo surprised everyone I think with his performance and Laurie certainly had some nice cameos What occurred to me is that we really do have some excellent depth on the list and maybe we can emulate Geelong from last season by rotating some less experienced players through the team during the season to 1. give them a taste of the big time (invaluable) 2. give some of our more senior guys a bit of a chop out and rest to recover from any niggles It's the reason I would be surprised if all 4 premiership players missing from round 1 were selected this week Be interested in your thoughts on this going forward

That must really stink

Yep I know