you go back to this time last year ...

the Crows had just introduced to the footy world the power stance ... with two more power stance moments to come. A lot can happen in a year.  

we've been critical ...

we don't back away. But we get it. You do appear set to launch into something OK. Well done – despite ladder position finishes of 15th, 17th, 17th, 18th and 15th, your world is seen to be aglow.

some of the narrative has "cooled" in recent days about McGovern ...

we're not buying it. Reckon the Blues are in up to their eyeballs, it's just a matter of how. 

there's something we would've done at team selection this week ...

Moore would be playing at the MCG on Saturday night. Yes, very risky. But there's a potential semi-final winning X-Factor about him.

you belted it out of the park last trade period with Smith, Stringer and Saad ...

we know you're winding up again. Batter, batter, swing, batter. Shiel? May? Scully? 

Neale says he wants out ...

it's really simple. Tell him he's not going anywhere. There are certain times when the hard, brutal call has to be made, and for this club that time is now. If that means Neale sits out 2019, then that's his decision. 

every commentator seems to be jumping off ...

we hear them, last week was dreadful. But please, Cats, don't succumb to the pressure to bottom out for a couple of years. Those plans don't work, either. Load up. Go again.

you can indeed somehow get the AFL to approve you ripping up Steven May's contract, which would make him an immediate free agent and thus get you pick four in the draft, behind picks two and three which you already have ...

you have to do it. Forget what May and his management may be saying, they've been actively exploring options for a very long time. Their actions speak louder than their words.

Kelly was available for this week's semi final against Collingwood ...

the Giants would be certainties to progress to a third consecutive preliminary final. 

the happy ending had come into focus only for the Tigers to beat you in a qualifying final, and for Stratton to get hurt in it and for O'Meara to then be unavailable for a semi-final ...

here comes the Miley Cyrus Wrecking Ball on 2018. 

a bloke by the name of Harmes forever etched his name in footy folklore by his deeds in September 39 years ago ...

it could happen all over again. Wayne was outstanding back in 1979; James very, very good last week against Selwood. Another massive task tonight against Mitchell. 

you've finally got someone to commit ...

well done but don't get too cute now with the transaction with Port on Polec. And then go even harder on Gaff. 

you recruit Motlop, Watts, Rockliff, Thomas, Trengove and McKenzie but a season later lose Polec and have Wingard exploring the market ...

we know that wasn't part of the plan. 

you're familiar with harness racing parlance ...

the Tigers are one out, one back. Under a driver stranglehold. 

you reckon Hannebery alone is going to turn things around ...

you better a) make sure you do a thorough physical, and b) keep recruiting.

even half the talk about player unrest is right ...

it is very un-Swans like right now. 

we all got caught up in Collingwood players doing the Dele Alli thing ...

forget it. There's a new goal celebration benchmark. Lewis Jetta's Cristiano Ronaldo jump-twirl-and-thrust-arms-downwards skit won't be bettered. 

you think you're getting end-of-first-round compo for Dahlhaus ...

don't lock it in. Probably late second round. Mind you, the AFL "formula" has the potential to make it virtually anything. 

we've told you one thing all year ...

it is this: Steve Hocking is not going to listen to those who swipe their Myki ticket every day for the 5.45am Outrage Train Express (hello Grant Thomas). Hocking will do what he believes is right for the game. The AFL Commission must approve everything he asks for.