Ted Lasso

I can't stress enough how big an advantage these guys are. Alex Neal-Bullen and Tom McDonald are also high minutes players. and it allows you to really focus your rotation on players who benefit from playing in burts. Having these guys would seriously help guys like Petracca who don't quite have the same tank

I'd hate to say anything that could be taken as positive towards Port or their fan base but, I see tonight going 1 of 2 ways. Either we give them an absolute smashing, win by 40 plus points (i hope this one) or They rally under the pressure and give us one hell of a fight where we have to be at our absolute best to win. Given their previous success at choking hard under pressure, i think it may be the first

Tommlinson, Smith, out: Brown, Lever in Weideman and Brown forward McDonald and Lever slot in down back

I can't believe this is even a thread.

It's particularly funny to see because i know a lot of Port People who were desperately hoping we'd beat Geelong in the prelim because they thought we were no chance of beating them in the grand final. I think they'll show up and have a crack but we will win the big moments and win by 3-4 goals, we seem to be operating in first gear at the moment and banking in wins.

Well at the end of the 2022 season he's going to have a Coleman, a second premiership and he and Trac will have a Brownlow each, so that'll be a pretty good CV, if he feels he wants to go home after that, he's earned it.

Agreed, Sydney tried something very similar on the G to us last year and it very nearly worked. it's a good plan to make a game against us an arm wrestle which given how well we are going, is probably a great result for most clubs. The bombers are a totally different beast though, we SHOULD completely overpower them in the midfield, and Gawn/Jackson will run Draiper into the ground. even if our backline suddenly forgets how to defend, it's hard to see the Bombers scoring 100 points against us

Considering how well the Journo's went at guessing the players salaries, i'd definitely believe them about our cap issues.

I was super impressed by the Suns to be honest. i think they'll definitely improve this season based on that.

The thing is, i am incredibly confident he stays, but if he did request a trade, geez they're going to have to give up a lot to get him. if Freo wanted him i'm demanding 2 first round picks and a player. West Coast, give us pick 1 and your 2023 first rounder.

The 2022 bombers are the 2019 Demons, they've come off a finals campaign with blistering offense, but average defense exposed by the best sides, have misread where they're at, and now they're going to need to re-set and get their defending a bit stronger before they're a serious finals threat.

Melbourne Brisbane Port Adelaide Sydney Dogs Carlton Essendon Richmond

6: Petracca 5. Brown 4. Langdon 3. Oliver 2. Viney 1. Brayshaw

Double the free kicks, 5 of the Dees premiership backline out, all the motivation in the world from the grand final, and they played a good 20 minutes, other than that i'd say Melbourne were very dominant. I find it hard to walk away from the game thinking the dogs are a serious premiership threat, but also wondering how much mental damage that grand final result has done. they came out after half time almost resigned to the fact the Dees were going to run over them

Hunt was pretty solid, i agree. I think he's just probably seen as behind the guys likely to come back. he might remain the Sub. I think there is a chance. based on last night, it'd be an interesting discussion on Smith vs Tommlinson vs Petty vs McDonald. if Weid can provide a good target up forward, McDonald may be an option to swing back a bit more.

Ben Brown looks on for a seriously good season. could have had 6-7 tonight if things fell his way. Not too worried about the 8 goal swing considering we were missing 5 of our best 7 defenders, and some interesting umpiring calls involved. Jack Viney looked the best he has in years, moving very freely. James Harmes i thought had a bit of a shocker first up and will need to bounce back or might be under some pressure to hold his spot

You'd imagine that Lever, Rivers and Hibbo would come back in, which is a good boost. in terms of who goes out, probably Bedford, Hunt, Tommlinson? I didn't mind Tom McDonald down back again, i thought he was quite solid. might be something we have a look at over time.

It's a pretty awful look from an AFL coach, the Dogs clearly have a leak, can't be carrying on like that over a Journo doing his job, the remote suggestion that the leak cost them the game is an embarrassing joke.

It'll be really interesting to see how the Dogs go this year, that turnaround in such a big game has got to leave some scars. i could see them falling away slightly for a year or two to be honest, still playing finals but maybe not the dominant team they were in 2021

I don't even think Darcy is the best young ruckman going around, i genuinely don't understand the hype, he's looked good against average opposition, but been belted by the Gawn's and Nic Nats of the world.

I think you're greatly underestimating our list management. i would suggest Brayshaw would be on the board as a priority re-signing.

I don't think he has this season Dazzle. i think he was really just a part timer last year, but moved on now

Statement game, there is no premiership hangover there. that was a hungry and ruthless team, little bit of rust, but geez we're going to be tough to beat again.

I've got no doubt Gus will sign on, but i think a few at the club are starting to realise to keep this group together it's going to take some blokes accepting less money than they might get elsewhere. Jacksons new contract will be significant, the top teams unfortunately always do seem to lose one from time to time, hope Gus isn't one though

I think the 3 for me are Lever, Trac and Brayshaw. Gus i think would be a great captain, he's a team player through and through But geez Levers voice, direction and leadership on game day, and at training is as good as i think i've seen, so he'd be my bet.