TOPIC:

The most important aspect of this game is to acknowledge Corey Byrne's 100th game. He has been at the club since development years in 2012 and remained a loyal and effective player for many years. 

That said, it is hard to see us even producing a credible effort. Avery is out. I assume he's injured, though he's not on the injury list. It seems very strange that Jack Cooley is playing reserves. I can only assume it's a discipline thing, missing training or recovery, perhaps. I'm not sure what Cody Howard has done to earn a recall, but I guess there's not much to choose from. 

Yes, Cooley disciplined. Avery concussion and Poole same from training incident Tuesday.

How the fuck does Brodie Gray keep his place in the side and even get selected in the first place? Absolute joke cost us two goals directly last week by his inept efforts, too slow caught holding the ball and a blatant late push in the back after a mark costing 50 metres.

Cooley could be a good player if he could calm down a litttle and find the right mix of ruggedness and discipline.
Not a lot to pick from at the selection table. Some injuries hurt re Avery etc but overall too many players not up to it..
I predict a lot of players will move on or be moved on at season end.  That means a huge task for the recruiting team. They will need to be up to it else the hounds will be barking at the door. Cannot see too much to be excited about going forward.

smokey wrote:

Cannot see too much to be excited about going forward.

Yeah, I disagree. The current colts squad probably has more players capable of transitioning to league football than we've had at the club for yonks. Some good youngsters playing league already - Poole, Philip, Grocott, TBH, Hilly, Johnston. We need top end high quality experience - another two or three Charlie Thompsons. Getting them to a club like us is a massive ask but we have to keep trying. Swans do it - their brains trust fk off during the bye to watch and talk to Vics, some they've been cultivating over years - why can't we?

While I don’t think the Sharks were at their best, Perth was pretty plucky- just let down by some atrocious skill at times. Bones of a decent midfield with Thompson, Byrne and R.Clarke. Need a couple more Mids to add to depth and then bolster back and forward. Leggett and Marlin would’ve helped there- not sure what Marlin was like at Perth but he’s been an excellent pick up for EF. Key will be signing up current list as you can’t keep replacing- need to be adding. If they can do that then they should rise up the ladder over next few years 

KCEF wrote:

While I don’t think the Sharks were at their best, Perth was pretty plucky- just let down by some atrocious skill at times. Bones of a decent midfield with Thompson, Byrne and R.Clarke. Need a couple more Mids to add to depth and then bolster back and forward. Leggett and Marlin would’ve helped there- not sure what Marlin was like at Perth but he’s been an excellent pick up for EF. Key will be signing up current list as you can’t keep replacing- need to be adding. If they can do that then they should rise up the ladder over next few years 

Interesting observations, thanks. Marlin wasn't rated by Earl. Rarely got a good run at it. 

Yep, key will be keeping the current list and adding to it. Both look tough to achieve with some rumoured to be off.