I watched Chip last week up forward and thought no this doesn't work, very pedestrian, just didn't look like he knew how to make the play. Watching him today was a revelation, he was leading to the ball and marking everything and generally looking like he knew where to run to and was presenting as a target. He seemed to get the early break on his defender with ease. is that poor defending or is Chip deceptably quick over the first 10 meters? Could he reinvent himself as a poor mans David Neitz?

chip was recruiting largely because of his closing speed. as a KPB

I watched Chip last week up forward and thought no this doesn't work, very pedestrian, just didn't look like he knew how to make the play. Watching him today was a revelation, he was leading to the ball and marking everything and generally looking like he knew where to run to and was presenting as a target. He seemed to get the early break on his defender with ease. is that poor defending or is Chip deceptably quick over the first 10 meters? Could he reinvent himself as a poor mans David Neitz?

From memory he played forward as a junior. Has an awkward kicking style but if they go through doesn't matter. Also provided a leading target pushing through to high half forward to act as a link-up as we worked the ball out of defense. I'm liking the move and was glad Roos didn't panic and throw him back in the first half when Henderson was on top of McDonald. Probably won't last after Hogan comes back but at the moment I think it is a great move and adds some unpredicatability to our team, something we haven't had in a long time.

Just watched the Roos presser and he mentioned that on the Thursday he and the other coaching staff were most likely going to play Dawes in the twos but he said Dawes was telling him and ringing him saying he wanted to play in the seniors.

He was desperate to play in the seniors Roos said which shows to me anyway how committed he is to the demons and it's not just $$$$$.

Good to hear about his determination to play in the seniors.

I got the feeling from Dawes's interview with Burgs up on the website that he had had a big say in his own selection as well. He's one player who can stand up and say "I'll play thanks - the team needs me even if I may be underdone" without leading me to think he is full of himself. It was obvious to all of us how desperately we needed him, it was obviously apparent to Roos and Dawes himself as well.

It's funny, with 3 minutes to go I still thought we'd lose. I had forgotten how to think we might win.

My highlights:

Winning.

Carlton losing.

Jack Viney. He was as elusive as Cyril at times which is refreshing, I'm so over the get it at the stoppage and quickly dispose of it thing. There are times to create your own space, he does it so well.

Chip and Dawes. Chip will be too quick for most CHBs and his disposal was very good.

Dawes is a beast, looks like one, plays like one. Like others have said you won't see many better 8 touch games.

Dale Thomas $750,000

Daniel Cross about $4.95

JKH not celebrating his goal because he didn't do the team thing first. We need blokes that get it, he gets it. Will be a gem.

Spencer's 12 degree kicks that miraculously hit targets, his mongrel, tackle, heart and loveable spazzyness.

Heaps off stuff, but I'll finish with Nathan Jones.

I honestly don't know how he can be [censored] doing it every week.

One of the fiercest competitors I've seen in my time watching, he seems to take a step forward each year and is now a player every team in the comp would love to have. I've never wanted any sportsperson to taste success more than this guy, he [censored] deserves some joy for all his efforts.

From memory he played forward as a junior. Has an awkward kicking style but if they go through doesn't matter. Also provided a leading target pushing through to high half forward to act as a link-up as we worked the ball out of defense. I'm liking the move and was glad Roos didn't panic and throw him back in the first half when Henderson was on top of McDonald. Probably won't last after Hogan comes back but at the moment I think it is a great move and adds some unpredicatability to our team, something we haven't had in a long time.

It gives us options, as well. It's not just Hogan coming in, but with Garland to come back, we're going to have at least one too many defenders in the side if we count Dunn, Frawley, Howe and Pedersen all as defenders. Once our injury list is bare (if it ever gets that way), I expect one or both of Georgiou and Pedersen to eventually make way, but for most weeks at least one and possibly two of those defenders will need to play forward; having Frawley as a viable option of one of them increases the range of possibilities. Dunn, Howe and Garland have all demonstrated ability as fowards in the past as well. Fascinating times ahead; can't wait.

Interesting reading in this thread and the player votes. Whilst not getting carried away we are starting to see the start of what could be considered depth and flexibility in some of our players. Finally a first year player (Salem) isn't rushed into the side from rd 1 and expected to be a star. Toumpas is back finding some form and Trengove is hopefully discovering why he was picked at 2. Garland to come back soon and he is down back when Hogan plays we could have three talls with Dawes and Chip. JKH must start, small forward is a specialist position, this was his first game playing with a recognised tall. Tackling is improving(effectiveness not numbers). Still some loose checking at times but again we improving each week. Would like to see us rattle the Suns.

Wassup -beeaaaatches!

Spencer's 12 degree kicks that miraculously hit targets, his mongrel, tackle, heart and loveable spazzyness.

"Loveable spazzyness" - sums Spencer up perfectly. I've come to terms with the fact that he'll kick it straight to the opposition at least once a game, it's the tradeoff for his serious aggression and tackling. Up to the boys to make sure he has a better option; if he's forced to kick it, we've set up around him wrong.

Dale Thomas $750,000

Daniel Cross about $4.95

Good humour: priceless

Love your work DA

"Loveable spazzyness" - sums Spencer up perfectly. I've come to terms with the fact that he'll kick it straight to the opposition at least once a game, it's the tradeoff for his serious aggression and tackling. Up to the boys to make sure he has a better option; if he's forced to kick it, we've set up around him wrong.

Absolutely spot on.

It's the same with Bail and others, don't lead into the middle for a pin point pass from Bail, know our limitations and play smarter.

We took the right option far more today. I only aged about 3 years rather than the regular 8-10.

Heaps off stuff, but I'll finish with Nathan Jones.

I honestly don't know how he can be [censored] doing it every week.

One of the fiercest competitors I've seen in my time watching, he seems to take a step forward each year and is now a player every team in the comp would love to have. I've never wanted any sportsperson to taste success more than this guy, he [censored] deserves some joy for all his efforts.

I mean it when I say he is putting forward a strong case to become my all time favourite player.

He just keeps getting it done.

From memory he played forward as a junior. Has an awkward kicking style but if they go through doesn't matter. Also provided a leading target pushing through to high half forward to act as a link-up as we worked the ball out of defense. I'm liking the move and was glad Roos didn't panic and throw him back in the first half when Henderson was on top of McDonald. Probably won't last after Hogan comes back but at the moment I think it is a great move and adds some unpredicatability to our team, something we haven't had in a long time.

I think Garland may come in, up front half, & then Chip could go back.

which will mean one defender out.

Roosy's I'm now sure is checking out the list in game-pressure, to see who does what with their backs to the walls mentality.... who has skill & who doesn't is easy to see. Who copes under the pump, who can slot forward who can slot back, is something that needs testing to findout.

one dimensional players are on a short plank.

Is there a reason most of the team don't seem to congratulate JKH when he scores? I noticed this the other week with his first AFL goal. Only one or two players celebrated with him.

Then Dawes walked right past him at the end of the game to embrace another player (Viney I think), think I saw Frawley do the same. Something we don't know?

^^

Did anyone else notice JKH after he kicked that great goal he seemed really dirty on himself for some reason not sure why

He should have hand passed to Dawes who was in a better position and he copped a serve. Good learning experience

Is there a reason most of the team don't seem to congratulate JKH when he scores? I noticed this the other week with his first AFL goal. Only one or two players celebrated with him.

Then Dawes walked right past him at the end of the game to embrace another player (Viney I think), think I saw Frawley do the same. Something we don't know?

I noticed it but didn't want to read anything into it.

Chris Dawes is Gold for this club.

And i thank Mark Neeld for that and only that.

But he is a huge bonus to this team.

It's funny, with 3 minutes to go I still thought we'd lose. I had forgotten how to think we might win.

My highlights:

Winning.

Carlton losing.

Jack Viney. He was as elusive as Cyril at times which is refreshing, I'm so over the get it at the stoppage and quickly dispose of it thing. There are times to create your own space, he does it so well.

Chip and Dawes. Chip will be too quick for most CHBs and his disposal was very good.

Dawes is a beast, looks like one, plays like one. Like others have said you won't see many better 8 touch games.

Dale Thomas $750,000

Daniel Cross about $4.95

JKH not celebrating his goal because he didn't do the team thing first. We need blokes that get it, he gets it. Will be a gem.

Spencer's 12 degree kicks that miraculously hit targets, his mongrel, tackle, heart and loveable spazzyness.

Heaps off stuff, but I'll finish with Nathan Jones.

I honestly don't know how he can be [censored] doing it every week.

One of the fiercest competitors I've seen in my time watching, he seems to take a step forward each year and is now a player every team in the comp would love to have. I've never wanted any sportsperson to taste success more than this guy, he [censored] deserves some joy for all his efforts.

Jonesy ( Nathan) plays with the same passion as the great Ron Barassi. What higher praise can I give this lion hearted man?

Edited April 13, 201411 yr by Bobby McKenzie

This will be the year the AFL community at large recognizes Jonesy as the elite gun us Dees diehards have seen for years.

Not sure what to make of the JKH situation. Arguably chose the selfish option but it garnered 6 points. Doesn't explain why he was ignored in the West Coast match.

As I think about the win more and more, it was a genuine 22 player team win, and it is a long time we have seen that. Most of our wins in the last 5 years or so have been in the wet, on the back of one or two individual performances. But a team win was great to witness.

At the same time, how bad are Carlton?!?! Our disposal efficiency was really high but I put most of that down to a constant lack of pressure from the Blues. They lost so many one-on-ones or two-on-twos by almost expecting to win contests against us. They were terrible.

Next week against the Gold Coast we need to be better by hand under pressure by hand and foot.

But let me type this one more time... how bad are Carlton?

I'd disagree with this assertion, MB. I think in those two Essendon victories were full team performances. It has been a long time since Round 10 2012 though.

Does anyone think it was just about the most physical Watts has been? The first quarter and a bit he didn't go hard enough, but after that he started to lay some quite strong tackles.

Kinda know what you mean, in a manly sort of way, but still think this site needs an 'eewww' button.

Or a homophobic button, perhaps?

just watched the replay

Jack Viney is incredible

he is going to have some absolutely amazing games this season and will be a superstar

This will be the year the AFL community at large recognizes Jonesy as the elite gun us Dees diehards have seen for years.

Not sure what to make of the JKH situation. Arguably chose the selfish option but it garnered 6 points. Doesn't explain why he was ignored in the West Coast match.

I'd say he was largely "ignored" in the West Coast match because we were getting absolutely pulverized. The lack of celebration after the goal yesterday was because he made a selfish decision. I don't think there's any need to read into it; he'll learn from the mistake (that ultimately paid off) yesterday and will be better for it.

Cheers for the post match drinks WYL. Go Dees!

Spencer is finally getting some games on end, getting a feel for it, and believing he deserves to be there. Make no mistake, he is highly rated by the coaching staff. Other than Naitanui, is there a faster ruckman in the AFL at his height?

Max Gawn when fit.