Cripps clearly hampered by his injured ribs, I’m not sure if a half fit Cripps is better than a fully fit Kennedy/Dow.

I thought the three week break would have him running through brick walls in a final, but he’s a long way from his best.

It’s pretty easy to replace Harry with JSOS, but replacing Martin will be almost impossible with someone who will give the same value and impact.

I really cannot think who is the logical replacement, maybe just go with Motlop as he’s our best performed small forward in the last few months outside last nights team.

I might be alone here but I'd be very tempted to bring Fisher in. He's one player who is always looking to create off half back and doesn't just resort to long bombs down the line. That was sorely lacking last night. Didn't have his best game against GWS but he wasn't alone and he was brilliant the few weeks before that, including the last game against Melbourne when both teams had a lot to play for.

Other than that, praying JSOS is good to go as he is the ideal replacement for Harry and may even make us a bit better balanced. A forward line of Charlie, JSOS, and a resting ruckman feels better than Charlie, Harry and a resting ruckman (IMO the ideal is Charlie, Harry, and JSOS but that will have to wait another week at least).

For Martin it has to be either Motlop or Kennedy. Given how long Kennedy has been out I'd probably go with Motlop and maybe make Kennedy sub.

Fingers crossed Acres is ok. I reckon he'll just be on the jabs and should be alright. He's become so incredibly important

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Chances are in the Lloyd Christmas range. Got him flush across the jaw.

Huge loss. He's been a major part of our turnaround this year. Doubt we win that game without him last night. Two goals and a couple of crucial D50 marks in the last quarter

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Easily. Still draws the most attention from opposition mids. Mills hard tag all night, allowed Walsh, Hewett and Cerra to go to work.

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"They're [REDACTED]'

Yes, that is the conundrum, if we swapped Cripps for Dow or Kennedy then Mills would have been much better offensively, and I don’t think Dow’s offensive capabilities would have balanced that out. Maybe Kennedy as he’s also good defensively, maybe.

JSOS for Harry I know Harry missed those sitters which no player should do at this level but apart from that his game was good.
7 score involvements 2 goal assists before he was injured. Let's hope when he woke up from concussion that part of his brain that says he is a shit kick has been knocked out of him.
Super talented but it means Jack Shit if you miss sitters.
If Martin goes I would bring in Kennedy and rotate him and Cripps forward..
Cripps is sore and actually looked better when he pushed forward last night.

Either that you push McGovern forward as a negating role on Lever or May.

Media made such a big deal out of Martin but seriously who doesn't want to punch Blakey.
And how can a swinging fist to the nuts like Toby did on McGovern not get looked at but a smack on the chops does.

Hoping the nerves are over and they throw everything at it.

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If you allow the Government to change the Laws in an emergency
They will create an Emergency to change the Laws

Cripps still had 21 touches and a goal. I’ll take that on a hard tag


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Our last two semi finals have been interstate. Still haven’t recovered from 2011.

Massive, massive challenge especially without Martin (hopefully our legal team works wonders) and Harry but a huge opportunity.

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We are on our way back...

Luke Hodge made a valuable point in Martin's defence last night.

you argue you went to get Lizard around the shoulders and wrap up; but it wasn't until you were already committed that you realised he does not have shoulders, and your arm slipped up high



our lawyers would have the balls for this.

He obviously meant to strike him in the chest but accidentally got his jaw, so even if careless and unintentional it was a high hit with medium impact and I can’t see him get away with less than one week. If they give him two weeks we should definitely challenge for a reduction to one week.

Jesus, I just braved a Nick Blakey goggle image search... he really doesn't have shoulders, does he? Never noticed that before, too distracted by that ridiculous barnet.

There is a Finals hub on the club website.
Members will receive an email tomorrow with details of selling date and times and your barcode.
Mentions tickets will likely go on sale on Monday.

Listened to Voss' presser, he didn't seem at all concerned about Acres. Reckon he'll be fine

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If they are fit, I wouldn’t mind squeezing Silvagni & Kennedy into the side. They seem like the logical replacements for Harry & Martin.

Fingers crossed Martin gets off with a fine, but I’m bracing myself for a suspension. Hopefully it’s only a week for Harry, but he looked in a bad way and his long term welfare will (rightly) be the paramount consideration.

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It's never as good as it looks and it's never as bad as it seems.

Yep. Hoping Martin somehow escapes with a fine but fully expecting him to cop a week. If he cops 2, it's a joke.

Both sides have things to work on. Melbourne was plain wretched at times while we just played the one good qtr, the 2nd, even if we did lead at qtr time.

He needs to argue it as a tackle that went wrong given first point of contact was just on the point or just below the shoulder. His inside forearm slipped up and got his head. During finals you're always a chance if there is doubt whereas it would be a week in the regular season. Worse has been let off in finals. Let's hope!

it's why they call him lizard.

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#DonTheStash