Demonised

Keep an eye on the development of Harrison Petty. We could have a good one on our hands here.

The Hawks were the better side blah, blah, blah, but I couldn't believe the number of times that hacks off the ground, or fluky bounces, or wild punches out of packs landed in a Hawthorn lap. Incredible.

The Hawk I'm most worried about is Clarkson. I think he's a clever game day coach, while Goodwin is still learning. Clarkson might have a few tricks up his sleeve for first bounce and throughout the game.

For years, I've seen top teams play games against not so good teams, games where the not so good team does all right - but the top team eventually wins. Then, it's put down to 'undoubted quality', or 'talent under pressure' or just 'nous'. Top teams just continue to win games even when they play rubbish - and the lower teams can play really well and still lose to them. But when we have a game like last night, it's doom and gloom, highlighting our deficiencies and our lack of skill. I like to think we could be transitioning from a not so good team to a good team - and winning when we play badly. Yay.

After he kicked that pearler earlier, I had hopes.

A sign outside the members: 'No Cheeseboards'.

Two words I don't want to hear after Sunday's game: reality check.

Always thought he was an intelligent, perceptive and thoughtful ... Aargh, I can't keep it up! He's a try hard headline grabber!

A ten goal plus haul from someone, probably Hogan. It's been a long time since we've had a single player kick a swag of goals in a game.

Work?

An interesting academic article analysing recent AFL drafts, with particular reference to Melbourne, and not in a good way ... https://theconversation.com/how-good-draft-choices-can-make-or-break-afl-teams-88870

I won't believe that we're close to a flag until we're 15 goals up in the last two minutes of the Grand Final. Even then, I'll have my doubts.

Coachable.

Extra points if you pronounced it 'looxury' in your head.

Luxury.