Swans v Dogs

[Ampersand]

Fact is Shaw's best days seem to be behind him. He was slow today and a little bewildered. Not much better last week. He needs a really solid game next week to make it into the finals. I hope he can lift. He is a tough nut. You need 'em in the games that matter.

Shaw didn't play last week.

[Nico]

I didn't see the game but everytime Shaw comes back from injury RWO retires him. His whole time with us it has taken him a game to get back his touch.

[Nico]

If Biggs can chop out a player like Griffen then I would want to be upgrading him.

[Matt80]

Oh God no. I can feel a new campaign coming on.

No new campaign coming. I would still select Reid due to the prospect of playing Port or Fremantle in week one of the finals. I would have Reid tag Westoff or Fyfe depending on who we play.

He is also astute in being the loose man in defence in pressure situations.

[Auntie.Gerald]

Reid for Laidler

[Dosser]

Shaw didn't play last week.

Maybe we should check with Terry Wallace.

[CureTheSane]

Wow.
Shaw is far from over as far as I'm concerned.
The dynamic of our teams as well as the the opposition plays a big role in how well he plays.

[Primmy]

I agree with sentiments about Towers, I don't yet trust him. But significantly, and its a big clue, the boys are happy to go to him and give him some love, so they obviously like him. That to me is a major indicator of a players standing. If the other boys like him, he is generally a keeper.

Was a big 'thingy' about Tommy Mitchell's game. Did some 'me' stuff when better options were available. Anxiety game maybe, but......

Shaw's body may give up on him, but not until the first weekend of October 2014.
Laidlaw's game is improving, he probably required a bit of rest, its not like he has been playing seniors week in week out for years, Malthouse wouldn't let him. So he probably needs a bit of time out for the run into September.
We may have slated Gary in as a running wingman, but I rather think things have changed. He would make a brilliant rebounding half back, (see Shaw). Mix him with an under utilised but definitely workable Shiggsy, then we have a backline for the future.
Mal is Mal. We have to keep him. With Peb, LRT, possibly Shaw, on the block then that gives a bit of room for Mal, and he is old enough to make Veterans.
Love love love Jake.
We also have to look at Ted. He is not exactly 21, neither is Adam, but he is a different cat. We can't keep them all, all of the time. We just have to accept that change is coming, like a train on a track. I, for instance, am quite convinced I am 28 years old. Dream'n. With bells on.

[Gary]

Ted looks like has has another year in him ... so admire the way he reinvented himself when most had written him off (again) ... including me ... thought Mitchell was OK ... he can get the ball but kicking disposal was poor (as it gradually became so last year) ... blew a few ops into the 50 with pathetic kicks ... and his late long shot was simply not there and he should have looked for an option. Towers? I want to like him ... nice story ... but not likely to inspire the team when the going gets tough from any part of his game. Will Josh and Ben be back this week ... Richmond will be steaming with much to play for and we don't want to lose. Cheers Pykey ... great game.

[O'Reilly Boy]

Jetts looked happier than I've seen him all season after that ridiculous goal from the pocket?huge smile, relaxed eyes. Seems a bit more at ease with himself. What a beauty. Big September coming up for him.

[Jewels]

I'd like to compliment the commentary yesterday, been a long while since I have enjoyed the commentary and not felt the need to constantly mute the TV - even when watching the replay. I'm glad Lingy isn't going into coaching just yet, I so enjoy listening to him during a game.

[O'Reilly Boy]

I'd like to compliment the commentary yesterday, been a long while since I have enjoyed the commentary and not felt the need to constantly mute the TV - even when watching the replay. I'm glad Lingy isn't going into coaching just yet, I so enjoy listening to him during a game.

agreed. it was a pleasant change, wasn't it? It felt like it was about the game, rather than the commentators, for a start. And then it was even-handed throughout.

[aardvark]

Was a big 'thingy' about Tommy Mitchell's game. Did some 'me' stuff when better options were available. Anxiety game maybe, but......

That's the thing that's worried me most about Tom right from his first game. He does tend to be selfish. Hopefully the coaches can beat it out of him sometime soon.

[dimelb]

Is it selfishness or is it an overdone sense of responsibility? I can easily imagine a youngster thinking he's got to do stuff himself and not be seen as slack.

[Doctor J.]

I'm not saying Mitchell was a star yesterday, but some of the stuff he did was pure silk. He hasn't played at senior level since round 4, so would take a bit of time to pick up the tempo so naturally it wouldn't be perfect all the time, but his ability to hit a target from deep inside a congested pack has to be seen to be believed. I cannot see any way that the club would let a player of this ability disappear up the sewer pipe that is the Carlton player list.