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Everton 2 - 0 Crystal Palace Everton kick off the new Premier League season at Hill Dickinson Stadium this afternoon against Crystal Palace, still without a new right-back and Christian Norgaard out injured. Optimism for the new season has to be tempered by some of the continuing realities that drag us down, the biggest being that David Moyes is in denial over last season being a failure -- no one told him we were supposed to try and get into Europe! So can he be expected to turn over a new leaf, play forward attacking football, give decent playing time to the prodigious young talent he has on the books, try and actually win football games??? Can you teach an old dog new tricks? Team News Branthwaite, Rohl, Armstrong, Hackney and George will hopefully all prove to be good starting choices for this opening fixture, although Hackney is the only new signing. Brennan Johnson is on the bench where James Garner is fit enough to be named also after recovering from his hernia operation. Christian Norgaard's 'minor' muscle injury continues to prevent him from starting his Everton playing career. No place for Adam Aznou, while Tim Iroegbunam is still out injured. For the visitors, a familiar face in Dwight McNeil takes his place in the starting line-up, wearing Number 11. First Half Dewsbury-Hall got us off but there was no hoof from Pickford, but Everton soon lost possession, Wharton fouled. It was scrappy, especially when Tarkowski messed up a eader and Nketiah was in, Mateta clipping his shot over the bar, Phew! George got forward and crossed in a little unconvincingly; cleared. Armstrong made a superb challenge on Whatron to prevent him launching an attack but Palace already looked quicker to the ball. But Dewsbury-Hall forced a turnover and again George seemed too hesitant to make the most of it. Some good defending was needed from Rohl to stop Nketiah getting in around the back. But Palace surged forward when they got the ball and McNeil's shot needed blocking. But Everton were struggling to match the intensity from Palace and ball fell to Munoz, Pickford forced to parry his shot. A much better move finally saw Everton get forward but Ndiaye could only force a save from Henderson. They kept the ball around the Palace area but could not fashion a shot. Ndiaye looked to advance but tripped over the ball. Ndiaye stole the ball and got Rohl running down the wing but no one had advanced to anticipate the cross. At the other end, a brilliant ball over the top to Nketiah looked a certain goal but Pickford got an excellent hand to it and onto the post... fantastic save! It looked like Mateta might power his way past Tarkowski but the new Everton captain had other ideas. More stern defending required to keep Palace at bay as they hunted down the Blue shirts who needed to really up their game. But in possession, Everton were still far too slow in terms of decision-making, and reliant on the long ball. One found George but his intentions were read by the Palace defender. A Mykolenko long throw posed no threat whatsoever. But a brilliant dribble from Ndiaye got everyone excited. A ball in saw Canvot kick Branthwaite in the Palace area but offside was called. A daft VAR delay ensued before that was confirmed. Ridiculous. Armstrong drew a foul wide right but the ball was played back to Pickford, then lost from a throw-in. Everton tried to play out but Rohl was dispossessed. Barry was then upturned by Kamada for the first yellow card. Another worrying Palace drive was halted by good defensive work from George, almost spoilt by a terrible Pickford clearance, then Everton's counter too easily stalled. Everton edged forward. George's shot cannoning off a defender for another long throw. This one caused more danger, Branthwaite getting the ball through to George whose shot was parried just wide of the far post -- from an offside position. Another slow Everton attack, Dewsbury-Hall scooping a difficult cross behind for a goalkick. Another laboured passing sequence again failed to get the ball anywhere near the Palace goal while at the other end another incredible chance was created by Nketiah for Mateta who hit the post! By rights, the Blues should be 3-0 down, and Branthwaite hobbling, grasping his thigh... Dewsbury-Hall did brilliantly to control a difficult ball and gallop away, playing in Barry for a perfect goal.... only for Barry to stumble on the ball and pass it to the defender. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (43') finally scored with a left-foot rocket after Armstrong superbly stole the ball off Munoz. An excellent piece of work from both players. A faster attack stuttered a bit with George, but Hackney clipped over a great cross that won a corner. Dewsbury-Hall fired in a cross that was straight at Henderson. Another incredible opportunity for Palace and it looked like Munoz would head home but George did enough to put him off and Everton went in 1-0 ahead rather than 3-1 down, their goal leading a charmed life. Second Half Palace restarted the game, but another brilliant steal by Hackney fed Barry for an early shot that he drove into a defender. Ndiaye fed Rohl and his cross was blocked behind for a corner. Dewsbury-Hall floated it in, George eventually shooting, deflected behind for another Dewsbury-Hall corner, curling in under the bar. Hackney and George combined, Hackney also shooting at a defender. Hackney and George combined well again, but it ended in a Palace goal-kick. Some lovely one-touch passing in the middle fed Dewsbury-Hall but this time he sliced it horribly high and wide. Ndiaye was fouled wide right and a quick ball forward from Hackney saw wndiaye put in a beautiful ball to the far post was powered in by an ecstatic Thierno Barry (54'). Changes from Palace in response. Everton surged forward, Barry clipping a sweet cross into the path of Ndiaye who volleyed it into the ground, enabling Henderson to save it too easily. Rohl did superbly in defence to stop anything developing. George went on another wonderful run, Ndiaye trying to shoot over the keeper into the far corner. Some nice work from Armstrong failed to find a blue shirt but the Blues were playing with a lot more confidence. Palace finally had a spell of sorts, only for Canvot to put the ball behind, and more changes required, Guessand shooting straight at Pickford. A lovely bit of football almost played in Barry, Riad injuring himself and requiring the stretcher after a long pause for treatment. Some more great attacking football from Everton thanks to Ndiaye, looking for a third goal, George having two bites of the cherry. Moyes made some changes after 79 minutes, with Palace doing most of the attacking. Brennan Johnson then getting his debut. Dewsbury-Hall put a tasty cross over for Johnson that he couldn't quite reach. Johnson was fouled and Dewsbury-Hall put in a strange low cross that almost forced an own-goal. Johnson then had to do some good defensive work at the other end. Garner then released Johnson down the right but good defending from Tomiyasu stops him. Beto gave the ball away and it led to a Palace attack that saw Larsen head the ball straight at Pickford. Pickford launched the ball forward to Beto who looked like he might get beyond Richards and through on goal, only for him to do his usual two-left-feet routine and made a complete mess of it. Alcaraz had a chance to shoot, created by Garner, but it was a feeble effort, and that was pretty much it, a very disjointed last period that saw Everton keep a clean sheet and ensure a top-half place in the Premier League table after the first round of games. Teamsheets Everton: Pickford; Mykolenko, Branthwaite, Tarkowski, Rohl; Armstrong, Dewsbury-Hall (90+4' Alcaraz), Hackney (79' Garner); George (84' Johnson), Barry (79' Beto), Ndiaye. Subs not Used: Travers, Patterson, Keane, O'Brien, Dibling, Crystal Palace: Henderson, Muñoz (55' Khalaili), Canvot, Richards, Riad (72' Tomiyasu), Mitchell, Kamada [Y:31'], Wharton, Nketiah (55' Pino), McNeil (63' Guessand), Mateta (63' Strand Larsen). Subs not Used: Benítez, Mingueza, Sosa, Hughes. Reader Comments (105) Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer () 1 Posted 22/08/2026 at 13:47:29 2 Posted 22/08/2026 at 13:52:00 Defensively, he lacks physicality and experience. Hopefully, a real right-back is still in-coming. 3 Posted 22/08/2026 at 13:53:19 4 Posted 22/08/2026 at 13:55:40 5 Posted 22/08/2026 at 13:56:07 6 Posted 22/08/2026 at 13:57:32 7 Posted 22/08/2026 at 13:58:40 8 Posted 22/08/2026 at 14:02:42 What a manager! 9 Posted 22/08/2026 at 14:03:49 10 Posted 22/08/2026 at 14:07:05 11 Posted 22/08/2026 at 14:07:37 I find it strange Michael that last season was the first season deemed a 'failure' given it was the first season in about 8 years that we were never at any point threatened with relegation. In fact we were heading for the Champions League with 7 games to go. I don't blame Moyes for saying 'hang on, I'm the failure'? What about the stingy owners, who still haven't invested in the defence for a thousand years. Yes, we bottled the last 7 games, but that don'ts mean he's not been the best manager here for a decade. Why should he be the only one called out? I'd love to see how Eddie Howe would have managed playing with Keane and Tarkowski all last season, and Mykolenko and O'Brien. Somehow I doubt we'd have been Top 6. 12 Posted 22/08/2026 at 14:18:54 13 Posted 22/08/2026 at 14:27:58 14 Posted 22/08/2026 at 14:28:31 15 Posted 22/08/2026 at 14:31:50 16 Posted 22/08/2026 at 14:32:57 17 Posted 22/08/2026 at 14:39:49 18 Posted 22/08/2026 at 14:43:03 19 Posted 22/08/2026 at 15:04:53 21 Posted 22/08/2026 at 15:36:15 22 Posted 22/08/2026 at 15:39:07 23 Posted 22/08/2026 at 15:51:21 24 Posted 22/08/2026 at 15:58:08 Try Roxiestreams. Working well for me 25 Posted 22/08/2026 at 15:58:52 https://www.evertonfc.com/live Select Live Now | Audio Commentary | Watch Now 26 Posted 22/08/2026 at 16:03:18 You need to click / touch the play button on today’s fixture and then on ‘Live now’. It’s just started up again for second half. 27 Posted 22/08/2026 at 16:28:02 28 Posted 22/08/2026 at 16:37:54 29 Posted 22/08/2026 at 16:40:13 30 Posted 22/08/2026 at 16:43:20 31 Posted 22/08/2026 at 16:54:22 32 Posted 22/08/2026 at 16:57:49 33 Posted 22/08/2026 at 17:00:00 34 Posted 22/08/2026 at 17:04:49 . . 35 Posted 22/08/2026 at 17:09:31 36 Posted 22/08/2026 at 17:13:43 The only part I remember Tarkowski was him almost letting Palace in after 3 minutes while later Pickford kept us in it with a marvelous save and then we had luck in Palace twice hitting the post which I thought would be harsh to call poor finishing except they were very good chances. A magnificent finish by KD-H and quicker crossing saw Barry in position but at times while we had a couple in their box we really needed a few more. MotM could be shared around a few, Branthwaite showed his importance to us, George always presented them with problems, Ndiaye improved when moved to the left, Armstrong should have cemented his place in the side with that performance but Rohl was outstanding and gets my vote while Mykolenko would have silenced some of his critics. My only doubts were if we tried to just defend the lead after the substitutions were made. 37 Posted 22/08/2026 at 17:14:47 38 Posted 22/08/2026 at 17:15:00 At least we got it 39 Posted 22/08/2026 at 17:18:42 40 Posted 22/08/2026 at 17:20:34 41 Posted 22/08/2026 at 17:21:03 Maybe a bit fortunate with the clean sheet, Pickford with a great save, another post, George (I think) putting someone off a free header late on. Could have been 2-2 at HT honestly. Good deserved win overall though. Anyone see the screen tribute to Danny? Was looking for it on the telecast but no luck. 42 Posted 22/08/2026 at 17:25:10 The fourth, Rohl, unfortunately had a defensive positioning disaster at RB, losing Nketiah twice and giving the ball away in a key position. He did look great going forward a couple of times. One of the RBs we are in for, Munoz, lost the ball to Armstrong for our first goal and got skinned by George once or twice, also missed a header right in front of Pickford. Not sure he's the answer. 43 Posted 22/08/2026 at 17:26:24 44 Posted 22/08/2026 at 17:26:48 Also first opening day win since Beneauthus when we beat the Spies 3-1 Great comment Ajay. Yes Myko is not a Baines but a Hibbert and good at it. And pleased for Barry and I think it proves to all that he is better than Beto and one day he will score a goal before half time. Also agree that if we get a RB then Moyes has a huge problem of who to play in the middle of the park. Up and running. COYBs 45 Posted 22/08/2026 at 17:29:07 46 Posted 22/08/2026 at 17:29:46 47 Posted 22/08/2026 at 17:31:14 48 Posted 22/08/2026 at 17:31:58 49 Posted 22/08/2026 at 17:32:25 50 Posted 22/08/2026 at 17:32:57 51 Posted 22/08/2026 at 17:36:32 Haha People wanting us to lose and be shite so you can lay into Moyes, you know who you are. There are Blues I know who want us to be in trouble by November so Moyes is sacked. That’s why they’re not sure how to feel when we win. Winning elicits nothing more than faint praise. Moyes is a good manager, and yet again, he’s building a good team here. Dewsbury-Hall, Armstrong, Hackney, I like the look of it. We’ll finish around 8th and it’ll be a decent season. Just enjoy it. We can build on it with a new manager next season. I’d go for that Luis Enrique at PSG, personally. If he’s not up for it, I’d go for the teenager who manages Brighton, I like his style. 52 Posted 22/08/2026 at 17:40:57 53 Posted 22/08/2026 at 17:42:31 54 Posted 22/08/2026 at 17:42:52 Youthful enthusiasm and on occasions exuberance mixed with youthful naivety. Could have been punished a number of times, could have added to goal total Side probably needs a bit more experience but who would drop out? Rohl did well, same KDH, Ndiaye excellent till 70 mins. This is where squad comes in. We bring players on for fresh legs and look worse. Said that will take the win, great to have 3 points on the board day 1. 55 Posted 22/08/2026 at 17:43:04 56 Posted 22/08/2026 at 17:44:34 After the break we played some more great stuff and deserved to win the match. Missing some gilt edged chances will undoubtedly cost us some games down the line but I am optimistic that the talent we now have will carry the day more often than not. 57 Posted 22/08/2026 at 17:49:55 58 Posted 22/08/2026 at 17:53:39 Can't stand Moyes but I would never want us to lose any game 59 Posted 22/08/2026 at 17:59:11 We could have been 3 down before we scored so take the result and move on. 60 Posted 22/08/2026 at 18:01:13 We've got some decent footballers now, especially in the middle, who don't look like they just want to get rid of the ball. We do lack that threat a real quality striker brings, but in George & Ndiaye we have real pace and cutting edge. KDH is our key cog, it doesn't always come off for him, but he never stops, and took his goal with some conviction. A decent bench too today. Add norgard and a couple more incoming transfers & loans and it's not looking too bad, a RB obviously but any strikers who don't have flippers for feet would make a big difference. 61 Posted 22/08/2026 at 18:01:24 62 Posted 22/08/2026 at 18:04:09 I agree on motm. Thought Hackney looked the part sitting in as well. Most of the build up went through him. 63 Posted 22/08/2026 at 18:05:48 64 Posted 22/08/2026 at 18:10:16 65 Posted 22/08/2026 at 18:11:45 66 Posted 22/08/2026 at 18:13:11 67 Posted 22/08/2026 at 18:15:36 I admit I want him gone, but not to the detriment of our club! 68 Posted 22/08/2026 at 18:16:25 Thought George was really bright, and fully warranted his start. Worth motm. Impressed with Armstrong. He gave it away cheaply at times, like others, but he is growing into an excellent midfielder. Pleased for Barry. The hold up play clearly needs to be better, but the goal and great cross for ndiaye should of made it 3. Rohl did well at right back, and based on one game certainly undermined the argument to sign Munoz. It was hard to see that he is an upgrade. Standard David Moyes 3 points, utft. 69 Posted 22/08/2026 at 18:17:07 70 Posted 22/08/2026 at 18:25:12 71 Posted 22/08/2026 at 18:30:28 Hopefully we can take away big picture that there should be great optimism with our younger core, especially Armstrong, who is already in great form, could be world class in a couple years. And maybe we can start to give the benefit of the doubt to our recruitment team and Moyes. The biggest pieces missing are obviously right back, and I think a true defensive midfielder would’ve prevented Palace from breaking the lines so easily first half. I also wish O’Brien could be getting game time over Tarkowski, who almost cost us a goal a few minutes in. We all know it won’t happen this season unless Tarkowski completely shuts the bed, but I feel for Jake, as he deserves his chance. Also wish Dibling had come on today instead of Johnson, both for Tyler’s confidence, and because I think we’ll find what Palace and Spurs fans have said about Johnson is true, that he has pace and will get some goals, but not much else. Sign a right back and bring in a striker on loan and we’ll be plenty good this season. Next season we go younger at CB, consider a replacement for Myko. We won’t get it all this window. Up the Toffees. 72 Posted 22/08/2026 at 18:33:08 Hopefully if Man Utd continue their season this badly, they might come calling for him again haha! 73 Posted 22/08/2026 at 18:40:45 Getting the ball out of our half with some potency is crucial for us to be able to recycle possession. There must be some options forcing the opponents' lines back. We have a solid potential to be capable of going high-low, actually low-high, to keep pressure on the back line in and around the box. The final third stuff was rather brill for a first match as well. Fuckin Moyes. 74 Posted 22/08/2026 at 18:43:22 Playing on his wrong wing he still provided plenty with work rate up in attack and back defending; he is just great to watch. I hope he stays but will be disappointed if he goes. Some good performances from three or four in Branthwaite, Dewsbury-Hall, Armstrong and George and nice to see Garner fit again. Just beat Preston during the week to keep our spirits up! 75 Posted 22/08/2026 at 18:46:08 Don't get too down when we lose, which we inevitably will. Don't rip Barry when he falls over his own feet, because he might bag one. Don't get all hard over Armstrong and George because they will give the ball away and they will have bad games too, as young lads do. Don't tear into Mykolenko when he turns and passes it backwards... again! Because he's our only decent left-back. Let's not bollock Tarkowski for being on the downward slide that age brings, because now he's our captain, he's playing every game unless he's injured, which he never is! We're not perfect, and I don't want Moyes to be our manager, but he is, and unless we are proper shite, no I mean proper, proper relegation shite, he's going nowhere. We've got a young team here now that could develop into something; people want instant results, football isn't custard!!! 76 Posted 22/08/2026 at 19:07:00 Pickford's save was very important; I thought that the left side of our defence looked fine defensively, and although it was refreshing to see Rohl prepared to break forward from full-back, I thought this often left us wide open defensively on the right side. Tarkowski, definitely missed having a stay-at-home right back because it's clear you need pace if you aren't getting as much defensive cover. I also liked the way George was prepared to take the ball, and I thought our young two midfielders, Armstrong and Hackney, both had decent games. I liked Hackney's positioning in the middle of the park, and I think Armstrong will really improve the more games he plays. Dewsbury-Hall scored a great goal and was involved in most of the good stuff we produced. Although Barry scored, I think it's absolutely imperative we sign another centre forward. My gripe is the same gripe I have always had with regard to David Moyes. I always wish he would use his squad of players better, because I think he has got some very good players in his squad now. We need a right-back, we need a striker, and we need the manager to change his ways and start using more of his squad players; if this happens, then I think we will have a good season. What's a good season? More points on the board, or a season of ups and downs because we are using more young players and are trying to play a lot more progressive football? I'd take the second choice especially because if we bring in a few more players, then I believe we could beat anyone on our day, which means, with a little bit of luck, we can finally go and win a cup. 77 Posted 22/08/2026 at 19:09:00 The midfield three were superb. George excellent and both full-backs were great. Barry looks a different player, other than one mis-control in the 1st half. Very enjoyable match. 78 Posted 22/08/2026 at 19:11:20 Lucky (and Pickford's brilliance), that we weren't losing at half time though, that defence was carved open too easily. Heart in my mouth twice due to Branthwaite going down with a knock, I thought the season was over before it began. George looks really promising, just needs an end product and he'll be some player. Can Armstrong train on a pitch with goal posts please. I think if he had to take a penalty, he'd still look for a pass. Oh the enigma that is Barry! Great at getting on the scoresheet, but I doubt he could win a 50/50 with Little Bo Peep. I'm impressed how may Everton players are difficult to dispossess with the ball. Pickford MotM, slightly ahead of George. 79 Posted 22/08/2026 at 19:17:35 Agree, I'd rather watch them young lads today grow, with the ups and downs that will bring, but knowing every defeat is teaching them something. There's real potential with them. To be patient in football is hard as a supporter but if you want Armstrong, Hackney, Rohl, George, Barry and Dibbling to develop, you have to be realistic and say it won't be overnight! 80 Posted 22/08/2026 at 19:18:35 Everton will be an exciting watch this season. Good young players, and I get the impression that Moyes is starting to trust them more. 81 Posted 22/08/2026 at 19:19:50 Rohl did okay at full-back, but as we all know, we need to sign a recognised right-back, we were a little untidy defending some times, but more than made up for that with pacy counter-attacks. I think that this squad will obviously be more tested by better opposition and we will find out in the next few weeks how our season will pan out, but for now, well done, a great result and let's keep the momentum going. 82 Posted 22/08/2026 at 20:14:01 I can't wait to have Norgaard in his position -- or the Senegalese we were linked with -- but our midfield is overcrowded. The rest of the areas I thought were reasonable, and when the current squad gel in nicely, happy days. I'd like to have seen how Aznou took his role in a Premier League game; I look forward to it, whenever that'll be. 83 Posted 22/08/2026 at 20:37:20 It sort of feels like what Sir Alex's early Man Utd teams were like. We're not relying on old players, and we're not buying those on the cheap just to prop up mid-table dreams. So I feel happy that Everton are actually seeming to build a proper team from mainly young players, and hopefully we'll be serious contenders for the European spots in a few seasons. Still, I'm a life-long Evertonian, and reality be damned, which is why I'm hoping for that to be this season already, even if by some fluke... ;D 84 Posted 22/08/2026 at 20:45:01 George has talent but isn't a Premier League starter yet... and finally we have a midfield that can compete at Premier League level. 85 Posted 22/08/2026 at 20:49:23 Rohl was good offensively and tried hard defensively (and was substantially better than O'Brien at both). Tarkowski was truly awful in the first half but did get better. Good debut from Hackney, George very promising. Armstrong looks like a player, and Ndiaye very good. But my god, we need a centre-forward. I know he scored but Barry (and even more so when he came on, Beto) was awful. Pickford is awesome! 86 Posted 22/08/2026 at 20:55:18 I'd be willing to bet that O'Brien replaces Tarkowski before November, as long as Branthwaite stays healthy. 87 Posted 22/08/2026 at 20:58:23 The was a Gana-shaped whole in that midfield today. But it was exciting to have loads of ball players in there. When the ball turned over, we looked fucked every time. Better teams will put us to the sword. I don't think the missing Jimmy Garner is the answer. Hopefully Norgaard is? But there are so many midfielders I wouldn't like to see dropped now. How strange?! 88 Posted 22/08/2026 at 20:58:44 Anybody taking on Ndiaye, Garner, Rohl, Armstrong and even Hackney is going to have a hell of a fight. Our former future right-back, Munoz, is still trying to figure out how Armstrong so easily stripped him of the ball to set up our first goal. 89 Posted 22/08/2026 at 20:59:06 As for your prediction about Jake starting in the next few months, the problem is, it will depend on how we're playing. And my worry is if we're mid-table and Tarkowski hasn't cost us more than a goal or two, Moyes will be reluctant to bench our captain. 90 Posted 22/08/2026 at 21:00:14 Three points, we won, enjoy the weekend, more signings to come! 91 Posted 22/08/2026 at 21:02:31 92 Posted 22/08/2026 at 21:04:44 93 Posted 22/08/2026 at 21:17:18 Also, what. a fucking goal that was. KDH is head and shoulders above the rest of our team going forward. 94 Posted 22/08/2026 at 21:21:27 "if we’re mid-table and Tarkowski hasn’t cost us more than a goal or two" Wouldn't that mean he's playing OK? If we are mid table and our Cb hasn't cost us a goal or 2, I'd suggest our problems would the further foward, MF & attack. 95 Posted 22/08/2026 at 21:24:17 He improved into the game. 96 Posted 22/08/2026 at 21:25:12 97 Posted 22/08/2026 at 21:29:35 98 Posted 22/08/2026 at 21:35:11 The main one in that role for us is yet to play. I think he will go with Norgaard/Hackney tbh. Where that leaves Armstrong I don't know. 99 Posted 22/08/2026 at 21:36:50 98 was for Minik 100 Posted 22/08/2026 at 21:37:49 Plenty of players comfortable on the ball, George looking a good player. Hackney looks a steal at an initial £16M and Armstrong is comfortable at this level. Average age of the team getting younger. Two more additions and we're looking up. 101 Posted 22/08/2026 at 21:41:26 Didn't have much to do second half, but when teams apply consistent pressure, he does look ragid and last ditch alot of the time. 102 Posted 22/08/2026 at 21:59:08 Great start to the season Entertaining game in which Everton did most of the entertaining. 103 Posted 22/08/2026 at 22:03:04 104 Posted 22/08/2026 at 22:12:02 If we get a good RB bedded in, a solid DM keeping things tidy, and a quality striker this window, we will be cooking! We have some really good young players with true potential, for the first time in ages we look interesting, like a forgotten switch has been turned on again. The managers hand may have been forced, but not for the first time it has bought a positive outcome. Go ed blues! 105 Posted 22/08/2026 at 22:27:53 I couldn't wait. Great start. 106 Posted 22/08/2026 at 22:31:26 I understand the need for leadership and toughness and all that. But Jake needs game time, plus he’s quicker and a better passer and more tidy on the ball. Sure, he’ll make mistakes there, too. But I believe we’d be no worse off with him partnering Jarrad and likely better, but even if they’re equal, I’d prefer we’re playing the younger player who we want there for the next 5 years. Add Your Comments In order to post a comment, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site. Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and Talking Points submissions across the site. How to get rid of these ads and support TW