Older demon

No change unless in case no-one noticed Salem grabbed at his hammy late in the 3rd but played out the game. I anxiously await his medical report. remember Melk tweeked a hammy against Adelaide and played out the game then missed 3 weeks. Tysons last quarter was great, leave him alone and remember he still cannot pick up any weight with that broken arm, so for him to be playing is a testimony to his determination. Go back and watch the replay and you will see Fritsch made a lot of poor decisions and was a bit off especially under pressure in the 2nd quarter. Played on when didn't need to, turned it over and in the third look how he misjudged and overran the ball that let Gunston run onto a loose ball in the third. Be grateful Gunston lairised and hit the post.

It is rumoured that GWS have to offload about a mill off their salary cap next season. This is why there is all the noise around Shiel and Scully. Ironic that Scully's hefty contract may come back to bite him.

My concern will be Geelong tactics especially at Max. The Scott boys didn't get nicknamed the Cray brothers for nothing. Scott is a brilliant coach and possibly the hardest to coach against as well as being seriously nasty. His team has a habit of jumping into the back of opponents in marking contests, with Hawkins having being suspended already this year. Likewise don't forget the corked bum Hogan copped at GMHBA stadium in a marking contest. Do not be surprised to see Geelong players constantly jumping into Max or trying to nail him in a marking contest, I want our guys to provide support and be aware who is in the aarea around Max. Another thread has already mentioned Guthrie's crash into Nev in the past. I seriously hope we come out tactically and play like the anti social hawks used to in their premiership yearsand assert some physical pressure on Geelong as I guarantee there will be plenty coming our way

Not my best camera but not an IPhone. Compact Canon camera that takes great pictures

And some more pics. In the last lot you can see the crowd and Dom running laps. In these few the group were working hard with sprints

Attended this morning and thought the club did a fantastic job with the setup and I was impressed with the size of the crowd. A slick session and the odd torp being bombed at the goals. Some photos attached

Correct it was Jake, he is much taller than I anticipated as well

Sam Maclure did state that Freo were preparing a massive offer to throw at Hoges. And they may well be doing that but I think they have missed the boat. Goody stated on Monday "On the Couch" that Hogan is a Melbourne (city) boy now and despite his injury is everywhere at the club embracing the finals. This is his home. The players all know where we are at and what success brings. At a function Sunday a rehabing demon said he expects to play finals with us for the next 9 years. Freo are a rabble with an ageing list and all Hoges mates are at MFC.

It just goes to show how speculative drafting 18 y.o's is. This is the 2012 draft list and there are some good footballers but at this stage no-one I would classify as a champion. Whitfield has finally shown his wares. O'Rourke is in hawks 2nds and like Toumpas ready to be delisted. Plowman is with the Blues & Stringer the Dons. Picks 6 to 11 have done OK. I believe the pick of that crop is Grundy taken at 19 and Viney father and son at 26.

A St Peters boy along with I think the Fidge boys and Darren Loutit

Kane is a former player with no relevance or credability. He needs to make contraversial comments or opinions to try and be head above the other media throng. His team of the week is a nonsense and not worth wasting time on

I am not sure who believes in omens or signs but Max has played 96 games. Wouldn't it be fantastic if he plays his 100th game in the Grand Final Go Dees

I can see why everyone is discussing who we put on who but consider that we finished 5th, our midfield of Max, Oliver, Brayshaw and now Harmes is A grade, so let them worry about us and our weapons. Viney and Vandenberg didn't play and Garlett, Hogan and Vince were in for the last Geelong game. An inexperienced midfield contributed to the loss at geelong and we can add experience and grunt. Remember Hogan was lame after he got a knee in his back in the first quarter. I am starting to believe that we are much better than we all realise and yes we have days and quarters when the team loses its way but they are becoming fewer. The last 2 weeks highlight what we can do, so let the Cats worry about us and what stategies THEY need to combat us

Well done Max thoroughly deserved and reward for daring to want to be the number 1 ruckman in the comp. Congrats to Oliver and Brayshaw. Worth noting Harmes results getting votes in 3 of the lat 4 games. The midfield is looking more and more A grade.

6 Gawn 5 Harmes 4 Brayshaw 3 Salem 2 Oliver 1 Frost

The coaches go into camera for the last 2 rounds ie they keep them a secret. I hope Max got 10 for last week and plays a blinder thi week to win. nnounced after last round

Harmes - outstanding Gawn - 12 kicks (twice bursting thru a pack) 8 handballs, 5 marks, 41 Hit outs Melksham 4 goals and 2 goal assists Brayshaw - 26 possessions and 10 tackles and went hatless in the desperate dying moments Oliver - coined a new description best player in a telephone box, his ball handling is sublime Hannan - went hard early like he wanted the ball Apologies to Salem, Jones & T Mac a fine team effort

Did Goody hint in his presser than some players need rest, Clarrie...?

Maybe this means we have selected all the goers for tomorrow!

No surprise as he has been battling injury all year. The umps are an ageing lot and a few week ago as many as 20% of the group were injured. They certainly don't like the bounce.

5 changes and only 2 forced due to injury. Been a while since the club made such a big statement. I hope it results in success......

You have to wonder where all the Norf money is coming from. They are a bit scattergun with their approach offering a fortune to anyone.kelly only signed on for 2 years at GWS and Norf were very confident that they would get him next time but cannot see that happening if Gaff goes there. If he is too pricey then move on as we don't want to disturb the pecking order at MFC. lewis has already spoken to the group about pay structure and keeping the group together just as they did at Hawthorn in the premiership years. I truly believe that if MFC offer was similar to GWS he would come home (as per Jane's info) but 1.2 for 7 years is crazy money. Target what we need to comlement our existing list do not get into a bidding war just to prove you can attract a player.

For years we have been looking for the Messiah. Roos often stated that the Messiah complex and expectation is what limts player development and in this case we cannot expect Weid to come in and emulate Hogan. Thinking about this I will be content for him to play his role as defined by the coaches. If he plays on McGovern then make every contest count. If he plays in the ruck, get the ball to ground to our mids and make a contest and drop back in defence. He has played 15 games and is still learning and cannot be expected to come in and clunk marks, kick a bag and dominate especially against such a well organised backline such as the Eagles. Will he however provide a better option in contested marks and rucking than Pederson? I believe he will and our goals will need to come from the mids and flankers. Last week pederson was on Heaney and one contest in particular he gave us nothing. The only alternative I would consider is Hannan as a key forward but then who backs up Max against Lycett and Vardy?

I have to agree with this trio as the new leaders. I see another post that thinks the same Jones will be like Swallow at the Kangas who lost the captaincy and was gone within a year. The game catches up with some players really quickly. Viney must have serious doubt on his ability to even play let alone captain. Look back since he started and note he has always had foot problems, this is not something that is a new development. Goodwin made a captains call on appointing Viney without consulting Jones anyway but for the above reasons must consider the future After listening to Tom and Max interviewed today on various media I have come to the conclusion that they are the new leaders. Either as co captains or Tom captain and Max his deputy. They are in the right age bracket, play in positions that allow leaders to direct and influence play and can impact a game. Lever deserves consideration but my concern is given the recent spate of ACL recurrences I worry about his continuity. There is no doubting his leadership however. In a recent discussion with a field umpire friend I was told that he noticed that Lever was the on field general who directs the whole backline and was very vocal. He is being missed for his ability as well as organising and directing the backline.

I think a restructure up forward is needed. The new Perthoval is similar dimensions to the MCG which we have shown we ar incapable of defending with our current game plan. Hunt and Hogan are injured Spargo isn't quite there and Pedersons efforts in that last quarter were sofr (check the replay and see who was manning up Heeney). Do we go wit the small forward line? Trac at full forward perhaps. Weid if selected does the ruck work and TMac stays as a permanent forward. Max is still getting over a calf and needs relief. Hibberd and Melksham come in. Out Hogan, Hunt, Spargo & Pederson In Melksham, Hibberd, Kent & Weid Only variation I can see is maybe Hannan comes in instead of Kent