Ted Lasso

I can't really see a way we don't have significantly more run in the second half. dogs had a week off, but the 5-6 weeks leading up have been as hard and emotionally draining as they're likely to get. they've certainly done it the hard way. they'll be setting themselves to throw a big punch early, and hope we're a little bit off like Port. i've said it a few times, if this is close at 1/4 and 1/2 time, it's a Demons premiership. they need to be minimum 5 goals clear and then hang on for dear life

I see this game playing out very similar to our game with the Lions, i don't think we'll mind if Macrae gets it a bit as long as our pressure is up. IF we tag anyone, i'd say it'll be Libba and i think Langdon will apply a soft tag to Smith, make him accountable defensively, this is an area Smith has been exposed before.

Will be interested to see weightman factor in this game, it's obviously something that will have been mentioned to the umpires, so it could backfire hard on him. I also think they'll be on the look out for anything dodgey towards Gawn, so in the confusion i'd love to see us do the same thing to Bont, the Giants did it

really wanna see Jack Viney charge through the first bounce and take a dogs player with him, ideally bont or libba

I think Subs will be used strategically and i'd be opting for Hunt, as i expect they'll be opting for JJ, i reckon the extra speed when everyone is tired offers a real weapon. Bring Hunt in at 3/4 time and let him buzz around the forward half could kick 2-3 and be the difference

Would we listen to offers for Tommlinson? given Petty imo has overtaken him, he'd have some currancy to potentially get one of these deals done

I'm with Red, i'd prefer Hunt to Hibberd, especially minding Weightman, and i'd keep James Jordan as Sub. I think there is a live possibility of Subs being strategically used in this game so we need someone who can come on and really impact. I suspect this is the reason Jones wasn't considered for Sub not being so much of an impact player.

are we talking like James Jordan/Tom Sparrow type players?

we're either going to be incredibly cheeky with picks to get 1-2 really good picks somehow, or we may have 1-2 players we think may be willing to go to Freo

Interesting to see if they change their approach with Sam, potentially look to improve his running potentially?

I'd be really interested to know what the proposed role is for Cerra? you'd suspect it'd be on the wing using his class, and then Brayshaw moves back into the midfield rotation. but not 100% sure. i think what it ultimately means is that 21-22 player gets an upgrade, Tom Sparrow to Angus Brayshaw for example

and i've got no doubt in a 50/50 battle, being a mad Crows supporter played a significant part in the decision.

I'd be shocked if the dog's DON'T try anything they can to stop Max. I agree with Leigh Matthews on SEN Saying if Max Gawn wins the Norm Smith, nothing the dogs do will matter, and i'd extend that to, if Max plays well, it's lights out for the dogs

Jordan Dawson doesn't agree

Potentially that's part of it, but Carlton would be in constant contact with him about that, he'd have a pretty good idea who it's going to be, and i'd guess would have for a few days at least. it would be hard to be super thrilled about joining Carlton when the other team really keen on you is starting favourites for a grand final and based on their list profile looks a chance to stay there for a while

The fact Cerra hasn't made a decision on which club, is evidence we're well and truly in the mix. he's known he was leaving all year.

Absolutely scoffing the humble pie on this one

I wonder if it's a bit like his brother at North though where the club and coach aren't completely aligned on how to proceed, in saying that, if that's the case, i'd suspect Chris Scott is the one ruling the roost,

In some ways you'd have to think Nathan would know we're here in large part because of him, and in that way it would be his premiership as well, as much as it would sting to not be out there. was a little bit emotional listening to him, a guy who kept the MFC alive through it's darkest days

If you look at the finals series the dogs footy outside of the first 1/2 against Port has been very mediocre, and required a lot of sloppy efforts by opposition to keep them in the game. there is no doubt in my mind the Lions should have beaten them in the Semi final

He's young and i reckon whoever goes to Weightman, has to be able to make him defend,

With you 100% it feels like for the Dogs to beat us, we'd need to be off and having those sort of defensive lapses, especially with no Josh Bruce in the side, the dogs capacity to kick a winning score against our defense is going to be the entire discussion both times we've played them we've absolutely pulled their pants down in the contest, and in finals that's obviously going to be much more important. I think May/Petty will be able to significantly limit any impact of Aaron Naughton, and they'll be forced to try and find 12-13 goals from other players, and it's just really hard to see where they're going to come from if we keep Weightman/Smith under control. On the flip side, it looks like keeping our forward line under control could be a really tough ask for them, especially with either Keith out, or potentially not at his absolute best.

I reckon there is a huge chance Alex Keith will miss, Dogs will keep us guessing, but i suspect in the end they won't take a risk on either Hamstring player

i'd be curious to hear what his role is within the club on grand final week? does he provide much support to the players, or leave it mostly to the coaches and FB dept? what the general feeling is within the club? confident, nervous, or it hasn't really sunk in we're 5 days out from the best chance to win a flag we've had in decades

I listed to Tim Watson and it's hard to disagree with him RE: Jack Viney being a huge Norm Smith chance, simply because he is just built for a game like this. I suspect the Dogs will try to make Lever accountable on Schache as they did Alir, i think this is a mistake because while Alir is an elite player, Levers footy smarts and game sense is next level, and i can't see him being exposed by this. I also think their tactics won't work because Bruce isn't playing, and the resting ruck will be a luxury because they'll need English/Martin to help stop our forwards with Brown/McDonald/Fritsch/ Gawn/Jackson