Joel Macdonald had a very good game tonight. Very good.

Why wasn't Sellar in the middle of the song with Clark and Magner? New boys first win I would have thought?

Was it Blease's first win too? Not sure on that...

Joel Macdonald had a very good game tonight. Very good.

Underrated a fair bit around 'Land. Was tough, ran hard, and picked up the ball really well in the wet too.

Agreed. Played really well tonight. Kudos, James.

Poor Blease can't take a trick - did anyone see if it was a kick?

I think it was in a tackle, late during the first quarter. He played on, but noticed him wince on the replay.

Yep hes a back, not a forward and gives us options with Garland

Would still like to see Tom Mac get the job on Cloke though

Thought Tommy did alright tonight, but his man could quite easily have kicked 7 or 8 on him. Will have to play a lot better next week, if he's to play on Cloke.

Was it Blease's first win too? Not sure on that...

No, I don't think so. He played against Adelaide last year didn't he? He certainly played in a win early last year.

Was tough, ran hard, and picked up the ball really well in the wet too.

Certainly played his role well. Still makes too many errors that result in goals for mine. There could be worse back ups for defenders though. He may get another contract as a depth player. We'll have to see how he plays out the season.

Was it Blease's first win too? Not sure on that...

Nah, Blease and McDonald both beat Gold Coast in Round 23 last year I'm pretty sure..oo seems so long ago that game. Such a sunny late-in-season nothing game

Said it before, but he spent all pre-season playing back and looked ok and then as soon as the real stuff starts he goes forward, looked completely lost and was just generally not up to it. Goes back tonight and plays a pearler.

Actually has a lot of good traits as a defender who can play on the resting ruckmen or gorilla forwards. Will watch with interest over the next few weeks, and hopefully he stays back.

Hopefully he can take the defensive role currently assigned to Watts releasing him JW to the running forward role that he can provide.

Will eagerley look at the JW thread to see if only his mistakes are mentioned

He played a great last quarter and was a rock. I think this guy can make it once he can consistently get the ball..

Edited June 3, 201213 yr by Jackie

I thought Sellar looked much better running in a straight line out of defence. He seemed to judge the ball better and used his body more efficiently for 2nd efforts when he did go up.

I suspect Tommy Mac's form may have pushed him up forward.

Sellar is an honest goer, tries very hard and is supremely fit, big body and looks coachable!

Fits a role and played well, always provides a contest

I suspect Tommy Mac's form may have pushed him up forward.

More likely Watts and Martins failure to make a impact up there.

James Sellar has 13 one percenters. Neeldy will love that.

I need to apologise. I've criticised his performance (but not his effort) on this site previously so it's only right that I now praise him for his excellent game last night. Right from the start of the game he looked a different player to the one we've seen the rest of the year.

Who would have predicted before the game that a Melbourne backline without Frawley, Garland, Grimes and Bartram could keep the Bombers to only 6 goals.

Reason for edit: typos

Edited June 3, 201213 yr by La Dee-vina Comedia

I dont know who it was but someone said he looked like he was training hard during the week, and leading by example ect. Hard work pays off and all credit to James.

He has threatened to play well this year. But last night it clicked.

If James can hold more marks we have a player.

My spies tell me he is a great one on the training track. Good stuff James. Top effort last night.

Actually has a lot of good traits as a defender who can play on the resting ruckmen or gorilla forwards. Will watch with interest over the next few weeks, and hopefully he stays back.

Seems to me that, when MFC took him, the comment was made that he was taken with the intention of using him in precisely that role -- as a second big, strong tall to stand beside Frawley and take the gorilla forwards. I reckon the only reason he has been played forward prior to today was due to Neeld's desperation to find a tall who could help out Clark up forward. He failed in that role, and last night showed he should be played in the position for which he was drafted. Besides, looks like Garland could be part of the answer up forward.

Was pretty good tonight, loved that Neeld had the balls to do what we've all wanted for 3 years, put Garland forward, and credit to Sellar for doing his job to make it work.

He started so badly in the first quarter with a couple of poor turnovers. It was a great effort to keep persevering. Very positive last three quarters.

Good thread. Sellar was fantastic last night, especially early. Surprised me with skill I didn't think he had.

Terrible as a forward, worse as a ruck, but his game last night suggests maybe defence is his go. A really good game.

I need to apologise. I've criticised his performance (but not his effort) on this site previously so it's only right that I now praise him for his excellent game last night. Right from the start of the game he looked a different player to the one we've seen the rest of the year.

Who would have predicted before the game that a Melbourne backline without Frawley, Garland, Grimes and Bartram could keep the Bombers to only 6 goals.

Reason for edit: typos

Add me to that LDC I had seen nothing in him till last night.

Only watched it on TV but earned his spot last night.

Now keep it up need a big one next week against the pies.

Poor Blease can't take a trick - did anyone see if it was a kick?

Pretty sure it was when Fletcher went in with the knees when Blease was on the ground. 2nd quarter right in front of the benches.

Who would have predicted before the game that a Melbourne backline without Frawley, Garland, Grimes and Bartram could keep the Bombers to only 6 goals.

Thank goodness grimes didn't play in the back line, he is a midfielder, finally gets played as one with watts and macdonald playing back there

I thought he was really good yesterday - certainly amongst my best. He made some crucial interceptions when we were under the gun and, given the absence of Frawley & Garland in the defence, deserves a lot of credit. Having said that, all of the defence stood up - without exception. Also love the passion, commitment & intensity that Joel MacD brings to the game. Only mentioned those two by name because they have often been singled out on here as under-performers. In Sellars case, it was probably justified but we sometimes forget that he's also learning a new game plan and, asmany players have shown, it's noy that easy.

Rivers was also fantastic (probably the best in my opinion) and Tommy Mc continues to impress. As always, looking forward to next Queens Birthday with the hope that the improvement will be maintained.