Hugely important game that could set us up for 6-4 after round 10 going into the Bombers game. Can see us doing just that then dropping our bundle against Essendon* though.

Got 3 weeks.

No, a free kick still would have been paid.

That sort of grapple tackle is almost impossible to not land anywhere but his head/shoulder region (outside of landing on Merrett's arm/wrist). Even if we go with the idea that he hadn't been subbed off, and been able to come back on, it downgrades it only by one activation point. Perhaps a further activation point if he landed on his shoulder and had to go off instead.

So to answer your question, if Merrett applied that tackle, Hurley landed on his shoulder instead, and wasn't subbed off but still off the ground for a lengthy period of time, that's 5 activation points, which is a level two offence. Rough conduct = 225 points.

Throw in Merrett's existing 93.75 points outstanding, that's 318.75 points, minus 25% for an early plea which brings it down to 239.06 points.

So yes, he would still have got suspended if his head had not hit first.

Not the way they are falling apart!

Interesting concept of "soft".

I reckon trying to injure another player whilst giving him little recourse to defend himself is pretty pissweak/soft myself. What did you think of the Carrazzo/Lonergan tackle?

I've been thinking all year we're lucky we don't play them til round 11. They do this every year, start on fire, everyone starts talking top 4 and premiership contenders, then they fall in a heap and miss finals or just scrape in. Real chance the tiges could do them this weekend and we'll be a big chance the week after, especially as we should have Eddie, Yaz, Gibbs and Carrots back.

Then they'll be back in the shit fight for top 8 again

Interesting concept of "soft".

I reckon trying to injure another player whilst giving him little recourse to defend himself is pretty pissweak/soft myself. What did you think of the Carrazzo/Lonergan tackle?

Surely your not suggesting that in the split second chase that you expected the Essendon* player to adjust his speed downwards and risk allowing carrots to dispose of the ball or to some how have the capacity to physically prevent the forward momentum from happening?

ohh paleeeeaaase ... that would be overly simplistic, unrealistic and based on a personal persecution complex.. TAKE NOTE all Carlton players that's the way to tackle...

What stifles my confidence more than anything is our inability to win four games in a row. I would love to know the last time we did this - we dropped our bundle against St.Kilda off the back of three wins, round four 2012 against Essendon* also another example. Both were lesser sides.

If we can beat the Lions this week, GWS the week after, then get rolled by Essendon*, the subsequent three wins will mean nothing.

We need to win 10 in a row to get me on side. We haven't done that for nearly 20 years!

Hey we won 13 straight in 2000, remember? It culminated in the "biggest home and away match ever" against undefeated Essendon*. Didn't end well.

We need to win 10 in a row to get me on side. We haven't done that for nearly 20 years!

Essendon* cheated, simple as that