Sounds though Tappy is going well, how many touches has he had?

Tapscott has been very good in first official hit out for Melbourne. His ability to hit targets and his long kicking skills have been on show

Just got some basic stats ... Marks: BL 73 Melb 29, Disposals: BL 187 Melb 144, Rich (14), Adcock (13), McGrath (12), Rockliff (12). Melb: Bail (11), Tapscott (11), Moloney (10)

I'd say tappy has had about 8 or 9 possies, couple of clearances.

The marks stat is significant, we always kick to contests and are rarely in space

Jack Watts needs to learn to take marks in his hands. I can't believe the forwards coach hasn't taught him that.

He dropped two chest marks that quarter due to gving his opponent the opportunity to make body contact and spoil.

29 marks to 73?

29 marks to 73?

Yeah that's huge huh??? especially if a majority are contested like mentioned. I'm not there but surely we've gotta man up, seems like they must just be chipping it around at will. As I said I'm not there so correct me if I'm wrong.

The good news- we're missing Jurrah, Green, garland, Davey, bartram, grimes, mckenzie, frawley and Morton.

The bad news is we're playing very ordinary footy. So many simple skill errors and turnovers.

Petterd took some ripper grabs that pleased the fans.

I wouldn't ripped into Watts had he not have kicked a nice goal on the flank. Scully has had about 2 touches. Either he's not going near the ball or the balls not going near him.

Great to see Tappscott get a couple of kicks including a 60mtr bomb that set up the opening Martin goal.

Jack Watts needs to learn to take marks in his hands. I can't believe the forwards coach hasn't taught him that.

He dropped two chest marks that quarter due to gving his opponent the opportunity to make body contact and spoil.

Yeah he has spilt one or two today. But give him a break, has laid some good tackles and contesting well. It'll come..

Yeah that's huge huh??? especially if a majority are contested like mentioned. I'm not there but surely we've gotta man up, seems like they must just be chipping it around at will. As I said I'm not there so correct me if I'm wrong.

Not there either Dee. But it's a concerning stat.

The good news- we're missing Jurrah, Green, garland, Davey, bartram, grimes, mckenzie, frawley and Morton.

The bad news is we're playing very ordinary footy. So many simple skill errors and turnovers.

Petterd took some ripper grabs that pleased the fans.

I wouldn't ripped into Watts had he not have kicked a nice goal on the flank. Scully has had about 2 touches. Either he's not going near the ball or the balls not going near him.

Great to see Tappscott get a couple of kicks including a 60mtr bomb that set up the opening Martin goal.

Yeah was just looking at the Demonland Banner 5 outta the 7 key players missing plus man more, only sylvia and sculy playing, and scully will take a couple of hit outs to find the ball again i'd say.

Tuning in from the other side of the planet where it's the middle of the night and I've just woken up to the half time score.

Disappointing to read that we're still committing the same sins that we did last week but it looks as if we don't really have the A team out there and, as my taxi driver reminded me earlier tonight, it's only a practice match (he couldn't speak English but at least I think that's what he was saying). Anyway, I wouldn't get my knickers in a knot folks. The same driver told me the Cats and the Saints both copped floggings and I'll be back to direct the team's fortunes for Round 1.

Meanwhile, I'm looking over the Mediterranean and wondering if the mad colonel has been kicked out by his people yet. Time to go back to sleep.

Ball goes into BL forward line ... Rockliff kicks a goal.

Scores: BL 56 M 40.

Scully wins free out of centre ... Watts gain shot for goal. From just on 50 metres

Watts kicks a beauty from 50 metres ... fine goal.

Scully to Watts, Watts from 50 - goal!

got pop out for half an hour, will update the last, sorry..

He lack of defensive pressure all across the ground is excruciating to watch.

Luke Power goal.

62 - 47 to Lions

The old catch up football.

Jamie Bennell (shoulder injury). Down 16.

Goal to Rick Petterd, then a goal to Lions after kicking across goal.

Down by 16 again - 69 - 53

The russian brings it back to 10 again.

Lions goal coming then?

Yep, goal to Lions.

And another one to follow.

Lions 81 - Dees 59.

Bennell looking ok but the team is not.

Brisbane in control.

Rohan Bewick kicks a goal for the Lions. BL increase margin. BL 81 M 59.

Unfortunately for Melbourne - that's the biggest lead so far in the match and it's by BL.

Jetta again bangs the ball forward. But BL defend. Regain possession in middle

Scully to Watts, Watts from 50 - goal!

Let's hope we hear that a lot more in the next decade!!!!!!!!

Bewick kicks another goal. BL now 87 to Melb 59.

This is awesome............. Bewick kicks another goal. BL now 87 to Melb 59.

Melbourne trail by 28 pts ... 3/4 time.