Our crack (pot) panel returns to run the rule over round 17 of the AFL season.

The panel:
Brendan Foster (WAtoday's resident grumpy old man); Claire Siracusa (The Age online producer, Carlton fan); Brad Elborough (WAtoday sports correspondent, another Carlton fan); Ben Cameron (Radio 6PR Sports Today producer); Nick Alviani (Radio 6PR Drive producer); Peter Bell (two-time AFL premiership player, Radio 6PR host)

Fossie:
1. Apparently umpires were given a memo by the AFL to pay more free kicks in the forward 50, if they "are there". During the Tigers-Dockers game, the men in white awarded 11 frees inside 50 which resulted in six goals. The umps should expect another memo from the AFL during the week.
2. If Nat Fyfe limps his way through the rest of the season and doesn't poll another Brownlow Medal vote, he could get pipped at the end by Eagles winger Andrew Gaff.
3. Can someone remind why Sydney champion Adam Goodes gets booed every time he touches the ball? I get that folks fork out hard earned coin to watch a game, so booing a so-called "villain" is part of the game, but please give it a rest people.

Claire:
1. When the Hawks are switched on, as they have been the past few weeks, it's hard to think of any team that could stop them. The opposition may not have been first-class on Friday night, but the Hawks were like a well-oiled machine. A dangerously good machine.
2. Footy can be heartbreaking for a fan. Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has already absolved Bachar Houli of most of the blame for Saturday's loss to Fremantle, rightly saying that the Tigers blew chances in front of goal that would have seen them in a stronger position anyway. But is there anything so frustrating as sitting high up in the stands, seeing how a mistake will play out, and being unable to do anything about it?
3. If the Bulldogs make the finals and play the way they did against Collingwood, I'm on board. Sunday's match was a beauty, attacking, fast and close for most of the game (some credit to the Pies for that, of course). Hopefully the Dogs can bring that sort of game in September.

The People's Elbo:
1. Carlton has a lot more to worry about that who will coach it next year. A 138-point loss can't be good for the future of anyone who was involved. And please… AFL… don't make the Hawks v Blues game in round 23 the Friday night game.
2. Collingwood may be gone. The Pies were fourth on the ladder after beating GWS in round 11. They lost to Fremantle by seven points in round 12 and haven't saluted in the following four weeks either. And now they sit 11th, with Sydney, Richmond and Geelong still to play. Tough competition this one.
3. On a serious note: We saw the best of the Eagles fans in showing respect to Adelaide after the loss of their coach Phil Walsh; we saw the worst on Sunday with the constant booing of Sydney's Adam Goodes. Whatever the reason, move on. It's not a good look and it should stop. "Everyone else is doing it!" isn't a good enough excuse and people are now clearly being upset by it.

Benny:
1. The Bachar Houli kick-in might have been a set play from the Dockers. Peter Bell explained it the following way on Radio 6PR - they guarded the flanks daring Houli to kick down the corridor with their two best intercept markers (Nathan Fyfe and Garrick Ibbotson) closest to the middle. A terrible decision from Houli but insightful analysis from the Australian Football Hall of Famer for a mere mortal like me.  
2. Callum Sinclair has secured his place as West Coast's second ruck man. Scott Lycett was the incumbent at the start of the season. Against Sydney, Sinclair had 21 disposals, nine marks, 29 hit outs, 3 free-kicks for, none against and kicked a nice goal. 
3. Fantasy footballers were banging their head against the wall everywhere. Gary Ablett hurt his meniscus, Lance Franklin was a late withdrawal with a stiff back and Lions duo Dane Beams and Pearce Hanley were both late withdrawals.

Nicko:​
1. Bachar Houli's long kick down the corridor from fullback while Richmond was four points up was a shocking decision. However the Tigers had several chances earlier in the last quarter to not be in that vulnerable a position. 
2. Yes they played Carlton, but the Hawks were awesome. They were relentless, out-tackling the Blues despite having 114 more touches. Building to finals after a slow start.
3. 2015 has been a write-off for the Gold Coast Suns and Gary Ablett. So many tipped them to make the top eight and in two weeks time they will playing Brisbane for the wooden spoon.

Belly:

1. I'm guessing it was a clever kick in defence by Fremantle that presented the corridor gift-wrapped to Bachar Houli. Ibbotson and Fyfe being the closest zoning defenders to a gaping chasm long and straight up the centre was Fremantle's only hope of effecting a turnover and stealing an unlikely victory. Up steps David Mundy.
2. Pity the Carlton sports psychologist who has to prepare the Blues' mental state for the return bout with Hawthorn in Round 23.
3. The question shouldn't be 'will Brent Harvey play on next year?', it should be 'will he play in 2017?'.
 

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