Tim

Indeed, and there was me at half time munching on my cucumber sandwiches, relieved that we'd just put in our usual poor quarter for the day, blissfully unaware of what kind of tish was about to go down. It's the only really bad one we've put in since Goodwin took over, and since we were a pretty uneven (Roos era) or ordinary (Neeld era) outfit. Rather than the hand-wringing and panic stations, let's see how the team reacts. And ProDee's point is good about Clarkson - we're on a journey with a developing coach as well as a developing list. I like what I've seen of Goody so far, including ProDee's points, and I understand his personal style is that he's in a hurry to harness those qualities into on-field success; that's a promising mix that I'm prepared to back.

Strongly agree. When I think back to our best performances last year, including the loss to Geelong, it’s Viney’s intensity that comes most strongly to mind. He’s a force of nature on the field, and a massive out.

Part of the dilemma of trying to keep a hoped-for premium group together in the days of salary caps. Handing out vials of bathwater as the new brown paper bag, perhaps.

That was the point of my earlier question. It was well publicised that Hoges and Goody had a meal with Carey, as per Andy’s links. I was wondering whether there was anything beyond that to justify a “Carey is pretty tight with J Hogan” claim, on which to base a query about whether Carey got some possible “good oil” about the vibe at MFC. It would seem not.

Is that something you know, or are you speculating?

Whatever the pros and cons of the parking ban in Yarra Park, at least we are in 2 of the 5 blockbuster games at the G during H&A where the parking ban applies. A green shoot of relevance, I guess.

Nibbler was with Viney and Lewis doing some work with Crossy early in the session over near the music box on the Punt Road side. IIRC they seemed to be moving OK, in a rehab group kind of way. Joel Smith kept bobbing up with some nice touches in the main drill, and looks raring to go. Good to see!

Agree. Re Harmes, he has always shown he has some nice attributes, but I thought Saturday’s effort was a more assured, mature offering from him than in his previous seasons.

I see Mark Robinson has him in his SuperCoach team today in the Hun. Playing for Carlton! Does Slobbo know something we don’t? No, let me re-phrase that.....

In my limited viewing of training this pre I would say that Max's improved mobility is something that has particularly caught my eye.

Agree on both counts. And on the PR side, there was no way this wasn't going to get out as a story.

Word was that Oscar was spotted later in the pool, thrashing his arms around as he managed to propel himself from one end to the other and back. Apparently some were saying that this was another poor effort, as it was clear proof that he had failed in his attempts to walk on water.

Saty, it's like panning for gold on a good prospect - ya gotta ignore the dross and appreciate the nuggets, not the other way round. Keep up the good work!

If memory serves me correctly....he finished 8th in the B&F on a votes per game basis (19 games). Suggests he's already up to his armpits in the best 22 of the coaches. Has been a surprise packet, and it's great to see. On the basis of what he's already done against expectations I would be hesitant to say that he's "topped out", and I look forward to more development next season.