Pre-match. Pies v. Crows.

[Big T]

Surprised Kruger kept his spot.

[piedys]

Suddenly our game on Sunday assumes an extra significance.
If we win, we are clear leaders on top of the ladder.

Will be the first time since Round 14, 2012, if we do!

Longest drought of any team bar Gold Coast (have never been top of the ladder since entering the comp in 2011) and Carlton (Round 2, 2009), incidentally.

Wow...thats quite the stat. Not a great indictment on the decade really...

Although i'm certain there have been numerous times we have sat in 2nd spot during the H&A seasons?
Story of our lives sadly...

[piedys]

But from what I have learned since we lost our two ruckmen, our team believes that is is nobler to take arms against a sea of troubles, and by opposing end them, rather than simply suffer the outrageous slings of fortune.
The courage of our team against St Kilda and then Essendon has reached Shakespearian heights.
A change in venue, and therefore crowd support, will not influence how we play.

Would Miss Kate care to quote more ShakesPierian passages to us please?

[23 YIPPEE!!!]

Any updates on Side

[inxs88]

INXS88 asked if we ever get an easy draw. Of course we do. We get an easy draw the year after we have a bad year. In 2021 we finished 17th and in 2022 we had an easy draw. In 2022 we finished 3rd and so this year we have a tough draw. That's how the draws work.

Magpietothemax, Hamlet would be proud of you.

That's the theory when seeding in November 2021 but we ended up playing:

* Melbourne twice
* Sydney only in Sydney
* double Perth trips
* 6 previous season finalists in first 9 rounds

As they say, it's not always who you play but WHEN you play them.

[What'sinaname]

^ serious eye roll if anyone believes the AFL can predict form and injuries and conjure a tough draw for us.

[Jezza]

Rough on Ruscoe to be omitted, but I understand it with Murphy having more runs on the board.

I assume Ruscoe ends up being the sub instead.

[Pebbles Rocks]

Surprised Kruger kept his spot.

His role is as much structural as it is anything else. We are the most damaging when our small forwards are on top and we need him to bring the ball to ground.

[Magpietothemax]

Good point, Pebbles.

[Magpietothemax]

But from what I have learned since we lost our two ruckmen, our team believes that is is nobler to take arms against a sea of troubles, and by opposing end them, rather than simply suffer the outrageous slings of fortune.
The courage of our team against St Kilda and then Essendon has reached Shakespearian heights.
A change in venue, and therefore crowd support, will not influence how we play.

Would Miss Kate care to quote more ShakesPierian passages to us please?

"Well, sir, learn to jest in good time;
there's a time for all things."
When the time is right, I will endeavour to find an apposite quote.

[eddiesmith]

Adelaide are seen as a tough opponent only because they’ve had an easy draw! Sydney might have been grand finalists last year, but on form and at the MCG you’d expect a very easy win.

You can complain about draws, but all an easy draw does is mask a teams deficiencies .

We’ve beaten St Kilda and belted Port, so are they truly 2 of the best teams in the comp?

[Charlie Oneeye]

Ruscoe did ok... but not as good as Murphy...

Hypothetically whatif he had performed exactly like Murphy.

I still think Murphy should come back in.

Murphy missed due to concussion and not form. As such, I think it is a good measure to be loyal to the player in such cases.

It works for all players, so it's fair to all.

It is not as straight forward as keepings off.