Now that would have made it perfect.

But I will take the actual

Yeah, nah, the Tigers supporters get so far ahead of themselves and it's a joy to see them turn feral when they realise they are really [censored]. On the other hand it will be good to see Collingwood think they are back on rack only to get crushed by one of the good sides, later, I can wait a few weeks.

Yes misspelt with that in mind, just a pun ha.....looks ok doesnt he.

He looks like a footballer, which is what the hawks have done well with their recruiting. In the past we have tried to recruit athletes and turn them into footy players. Kent has huge upside IMO.

They hd better not get a PP when we missed out on one last year despite only achieving two wins!

I doubt they will, the AFL know they tanked, they just don't want to admit it and I reckon they (AFL) are dirty that after all they did to rebuild their list through tanking they stuffed it up as badly as we did.

Kent will only get better and Cross still has a couple of years left in him, he is absolutely fearless and should be an inspiration to the other players. I hope he stays on in a coaching role at Melbourne after he retires from playing.

I have never seen a more aggressive midfield at Melbourne and we still have Riley to debut. This is tailor made for players like Watts and Toumpass who have all the outside skills.

I'm not getting carried away, because Carlton are in real strife and might get the number one pick for the first time, without having to tank, but we showed some real heart and have a lot of very young and inexperienced players in the side.

Yes I agree Robbie in general. The midfield is operating better but even though we won on Saturday, I observed that we again lost the centre clearances, the around the ground clearances. And what really frustrates me is the inability to run wide to space when we get possession in the back half. If we switch play to the opposite flank from the back line, there just has to be 3 or 4 runners making position at half back, wing or half forward but there rarely is. We usually stop and prop which is fatal playing the Hawks or the Cats.

So what happens is we hold up play and allow the opposition to flood the playing area.

A winless season is still possible - just not for us.

Yes I agree Robbie in general. The midfield is operating better but even though we won on Saturday, I observed that we again lost the centre clearances, the around the ground clearances. And what really frustrates me is the inability to run wide to space when we get possession in the back half. If we switch play to the opposite flank from the back line, there just has to be 3 or 4 runners making position at half back, wing or half forward but there rarely is. We usually stop and prop which is fatal playing the Hawks or the Cats.

So what happens is we hold up play and allow the opposition to flood the playing area.

Most of our midfield have only played a couple of games together and will only get better, so it's not unexpected that they wold lose the clearances, also Spencer has played less that 30 games so when he improves, so will our clearance rate.

When we kicked out from the Punt road end we kept kicking to the Members wing and there just didn't seem to be anyone offering an option on the outer wing and there didn't seem to be anyone offering up allowing the play to switch. Is that what you were referring to?

Maybe Spencer getting schooled by Mumford was a good thing, he looked well on top today... or was Warnock just hopeless?

Probably yes...and yes

He looks like a footballer, which is what the hawks have done well with their recruiting. In the past we have tried to recruit athletes and turn them into footy players. Kent has huge upside IMO.

Yet the Hawks have also got out ahead of the trend drafting endurance freaks in Isaac Smith and Hill, plus Billy Hartung who we haven't seen yet. It's clearly a balance, but the main thing is if you draft a guy for his athleticism make sure it's the right one that will suit his role and AFL footballer. Ie. Tom McDonald's elite endurance is pretty handy for a CHB.

Just another thing though on the game gee I was glad to see we weren't our usual stepping stone for under performing players ie. Dale Thomas, Murphy and the left out Waite to get back in to form. Nor were we the walk over for a kid in his first game in Cripps. That said Cripps does look a beauty. Just has to get use to the pace of AFL but has natural clearance instincts and a monster frame for a midfielder. He'll be very good I think.

Is JKH a rising star chance at all? Can Georgiou get the nom even though he's too old! (please AFL).

Just another thing though on the game gee I was glad to see we weren't our usual stepping stone for under performing players ie. Dale Thomas, Murphy and the left out Waite to get back in to form. Nor were we the walk over for a kid in his first game in Cripps. That said Cripps does look a beauty. Just has to get use to the pace of AFL but has natural clearance instincts and a monster frame for a midfielder. He'll be very good I think.

Is JKH a rising star chance at all? Can Georgiou get the nom even though he's too old! (please AFL).

He'll have plenty more chances this season to show his potential, but can't think of many other under-10 gamers that had much of a highlights reel this round?

Although that was a freakishly good/lucky goal of his (probably best of the round), the smarter option was passing to Dawes and he copped a spray as a result. It was the riskier option at a time when the game was still in the balance. I have no idea what the criteria is for rising star noms though, so he might be in with a chance.

EDIT: Based off this, no chance:

http://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/ft_rising_stars_round_performances?year=2014&round=4&sby=14

Edited April 13, 201411 yr by Lamashtu

Yes bring back the WOS Footy Panel with Coaches Corner.

The Sunday footy shows are awful.

Particularly Hamish McGlauchlan.

Why has he become a celebrity?? Done nuthin....

Hamish and gillon just part of the grammar old boys network

Kent definitely has a crack and I owe Cross an apology. I thought he was dusted, but not on yesterday!

Kent and Cross both solid yesterday.

Love how Cross, though nothing fancy, makes sure his disposals go somewhere with clear purpose and team gain...very committed team player..

watch the game again tonite jeez jack viney is a gun , great game and fearless wow ,

He'll have plenty more chances this season to show his potential, but can't think of many other under-10 gamers that had much of a highlights reel this round?

Although that was a freakishly good/lucky goal of his (probably best of the round), the smarter option was passing to Dawes and he copped a spray as a result. It was the riskier option at a time when the game was still in the balance. I have no idea what the criteria is for rising star noms though, so he might be in with a chance.

EDIT: Based off this, no chance:

http://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/ft_rising_stars_round_performances?year=2014&round=4&sby=14

They rarely hand it to those who play in losing teams. So based on super coach scores of players in winning teams JKH was about 5th. But they then combine it with the strength of the individual game combined with the strength of the season of footy played. In like of that either McDonald (North) or Crouch (Adel) will get the nod. If they disregard winning team and go for the best overall game as well as one of the stronger 4 game stretches to Martin Gleeson should get the nomination. He's been fantastic for the dons and actually looks like a rising star.

I'm glad Kent is rooming with Hoges. He can go home and take the positive mindset with him. Hopefully it rubs off on the slightly depressed looking Jesse.

WTF are you the sort of [censored] stirrer who makes comments in a pub then keeps quiet when a row starts. You tried to make something out of JKH'S goal when he was congratulated by Jordie McKenzie & Bernie Vince we to him. Dawes rightfully had a go at him for not feeding him the ball as he was free and running through on goal it's what is referred to as a percentage play. JKH nailed it and that's where it ended.The kid will learn if you are willing to take that chance make it count or cop the spray.

I wont even ask what you were on about with your next comment re the game against Meth Coast. Ffs get alife or go and watch days of our lives

Edited April 13, 201411 yr by Pennant St Dee

Cross can play another two years if he continues at this rate.

WTF are you the sort of [censored] stirrer who makes comments in a pub then keeps quiet when a row starts. You tried to make something out of JKH'S goal when he was congratulated by Jordie McKenzie & Bernie Vince we to him. Dawes rightfully had a go at him for not feeding him the ball as he was free and running through on goal it's what is referred to as a percentage play. JKH nailed it and that's where it ended.The kid will learn if you are willing to take that chance make it count or cop the spray.

I wont even ask what you were on about with your next comment re the game against Meth Coast. Ffs get alife or go and watch days of our lives

Well that escalated quickly.

WTF are you the sort of [censored] stirrer who makes comments in a pub then keeps quiet when a row starts. You tried to make something out of JKH'S goal when he was congratulated by Jordie McKenzie & Bernie Vince we to him. Dawes rightfully had a go at him for not feeding him the ball as he was free and running through on goal it's what is referred to as a percentage play. JKH nailed it and that's where it ended.The kid will learn if you are willing to take that chance make it count or cop the spray.

I wont even ask what you were on about with your next comment re the game against Meth Coast. Ffs get alife or go and watch days of our lives

Hah, take it easy there mate, was a fairly obviously tongue in cheek comment about the Hogan/Kent household. Hogan's in great spirits if his latest MFC interview is any indication, despite the running theme being 'Hogan looks kinda miserable at training.' Hopefully means he's not too far off his debut.

As for the "comment re the game against Meth Coast", if you're referring to when JKH kicked his first AFL career goal and trudged back to the centre square without the team coming over to congratulate him, I did find that a bit mystifying. But clearly I'm not the scholar of the game you are.

Anyway, certainly not worth lowering the convo to personal attacks.

Edited April 13, 201411 yr by Lamashtu

They rarely hand it to those who play in losing teams. So based on super coach scores of players in winning teams JKH was about 5th. But they then combine it with the strength of the individual game combined with the strength of the season of footy played. In like of that either McDonald (North) or Crouch (Adel) will get the nod. If they disregard winning team and go for the best overall game as well as one of the stronger 4 game stretches to Martin Gleeson should get the nomination. He's been fantastic for the dons and actually looks like a rising star.

Be disappointing for him if he was ignored because of the Bombers loss. If anything, the sign of a true rising star would be the player that stands up and makes themselves known in the face of a crushing defeat. Didn't watch the game but his stats are pretty impressive.

he is such a sick kent.

… we had 3 pages of this after he was drafted. Believe it's been done to death, but heh, going to be one of the ongoing memes on Demonland I suspect.

Amazing how we can hit targets when the confidence is up. The running to space was really good, the tackling excellent and the delivery to the fwd line largely good (perhaps cos we had a fwd line!)

Quite a bit of playing for each other on Saturday which we haven't seen for a while. ALl of a sudden players aren't worried about their own stats or their opposite player but rather the team thing.

The Roos philosophy showed itself. Long way to go but nice green shoots....

I'm glad Kent is rooming with Hoges. He can go home and take the positive mindset with him. Hopefully it rubs off on the slightly depressed looking Jesse.

OMG Jesse isn't $miling.

Didn't we have another player in contract negotiation$ who didn't $mile

We are rooned Hanrahan.

• While I was sceptical of the Howe/Frawley switch initially, I am fully converted now. Chip was super impressive with his judgement in the air and his hands while playing in front (which were my key concerns). His mobility and strength makes him a very dangerous CHF in the modern game as he is good at both leading up at the ball carrier and can burn his man off running back to goal. He is also a bull when the ball is on the ground. Howe looks the goods down back also and Tom McDonald has stood up well as the main defender in the last two weeks.
• I also now see Georgiou as a lock in our back six, so it will be interesting to see how we match up when Garland and Hogan are fully fit. A key issue will be who plays as the second ruckman, because Pederson will likely make way for Garland in the back six despite a reasonable last couple of games.
• I would like to see Toumpas come in for Terlich and play down back.
• I would consider playing Garland as the sub next week.
• JKH isn’t quite ready yet and needs to put on some size. He needs to improve his ability in the air to become a decent AFL player. He isn’t in my best 22 and I would give Salem a go because Byrnes and Blease have the same issues.
• We played more direct footy on Saturday. I am sure Roos has been driving this and it gave our forwards a real chance. Dawes and Dunn are smart and experienced forwards and gave plenty of space to Chip.
• Playing Jones as a tagger/defender was a good move and it should be tried again in the future. (I think McKenzie to Ablett at the beginning makes more sense this week though.)

Ins: Toumpas, Salem, Garland (sub)

Outs: Terlich, JKH, Evans

• While I was sceptical of the Howe/Frawley switch initially, I am fully converted now. Chip was super impressive with his judgement in the air and his hands while playing in front (which were my key concerns). His mobility and strength makes him a very dangerous CHF in the modern game as he is good at both leading up at the ball carrier and can burn his man off running back to goal. He is also a bull when the ball is on the ground. Howe looks the goods down back also and Tom McDonald has stood up well as the main defender in the last two weeks.
• I also now see Georgiou as a lock in our back six, so it will be interesting to see how we match up when Garland and Hogan are fully fit. A key issue will be who plays as the second ruckman, because Pederson will likely make way for Garland in the back six despite a reasonable last couple of games.
• I would like to see Toumpas come in for Terlich and play down back.
• I would consider playing Garland as the sub next week.
• JKH isn’t quite ready yet and needs to put on some size. He needs to improve his ability in the air to become a decent AFL player. He isn’t in my best 22 and I would give Salem a go because Byrnes and Blease have the same issues.
• We played more direct footy on Saturday. I am sure Roos has been driving this and it gave our forwards a real chance. Dawes and Dunn are smart and experienced forwards and gave plenty of space to Chip.
• Playing Jones as a tagger/defender was a good move and it should be tried again in the future. (I think McKenzie to Ablett at the beginning makes more sense this week though.)

Ins: Toumpas, Salem, Garland (sub)

Outs: Terlich, JKH, Evans

I was calling for Howe to go to halfback last year, to get a higher workrate happening from him. IMO he was in danger of going down the Jurrah track of just putting on a show flying for the footy & doing pretty things.

that wrecks player, & the Team ethos. this was the culture of 8 years ago... some chased, some received, some Flew.

Howe atill needs to work on how to track a player and the ball at the same time.

He did get better in the second team.