it is bizarre that Watts keeps getting a game. i agree bad for morale

Staggering he is still in the team

Will get monstered by the Swans players and avoid contact at all costs, like every week

I really don't get Roos and his selections. Last week we played Fremantle, one of the hardest running teams in the comp. So we play McKenzie and Michie, two absolute plodders who are great in a contest. This week we play Sydney, arguably the best contested side in the comp, so we bring in outside runners in Stretch and Toumpas and drop McKenzie and Michie.

I'm glad to see Spencer get a game. Jamar has been next to useless outside the centre circle yet again this year. At least we know that Jake will run until he drops.

I refuse to believe that Grimes is not in our best 22, and thought he was a long way from the worst last week. I would certainly have played him ahead of Toumpas.

They are compliant, its as simple as that. The players get asked to do something, if they do it they will be rewarded.

Stretch has been repeatedly called coachable. Toumpas allegedly been doing everything they've asked of him.

Michie doesn't tackle and focuses on racking up possessions, I'll bet my bottom dollar one of the people in Roos' mind when he mentioned selfish was Michie.

Staggering he is still in the team

Will get monstered by the Swans players and avoid contact at all costs, like every week

Its pretty clear they've put him on notice. I'd be surprised if there wasn't a conversation somewhere along the lines of, "Jack, you need to work out for yourself if you want to play AFL footy, if you have a hunger for the contest. If you do, then you need to show us something this weekend otherwise our hand will be forced."

Toumpas Is a dud. I have defended him in the past but he [censored] up everything he touched in the game he played as sub and simply isn't afl football standard at this stage. I hope he makes me eat my words but I see more in Brayshaw after a handful of games than I have seen in toumpas ever.vwhat does he bring to the team. Not hard. Not fast. Not clean. Not creative. What is it that the coaches see

Well surmised. I agree totally. It will be very interesting to see what he produces. If he gives us nothing again we would have to question the coaching staff as to why he is getting a game.

Staggering he is still in the team

Will get monstered by the Swans players and avoid contact at all costs, like every week

Its embarrassing to be associated with this debacle. Its not his fault he keeps getting selected tho.

If it wasn't for the Freo game, I'd be looking forward to tomorrow night.

We have to bounce back like we did after the GWS midfield touch up or else it shapes as another long season.

The key for me is Dom Tyson.

Whilst Roosy has moved on Jamar in the hope that the less silky, but more mobile Spencer will provide more physical support to our midfield, the question remains whether our two best clearance winners - Tyson and Jones - with support from Bernie, Crossy and Vanders can match it with the Swans - Kennedy, Jack, Parker, Mitchell and Hannebery.

Apart from the middle I think we can match or maybe even win against the Swans.

Their backline is well drilled but Grundy, Laidler and Teddie Richards aren't exactly AA's, so Hoges, Dawes and Pedo should be able to grab the occasional mark inside 50 - assuming we can get it in there. They may even be forced to send Reid back down there to counter us.

Our own backline with Tom Mc firing has been fairly impressive this year and while Dunn on Tippett and Garland on Reid will concede height, we should have Howey and Lumumba providing second-man up support.

But if it comes straight down from almost every clearance like last week then we are in deep sh..

The key is Dom. If he can return to his Pendlebury-type games of last year and just win the ball and dish as many times as Kennedy, then I reckon we are a chance.

It was interesting that Roosy singled him out last week for criticism, so maybe he knows Dom has the character to fight back and turn thing around.

Jonesy and Jack will most likely be a tie with the winner decided by the umpires interpretations. I actually reckon Bernie will pick up Parker and Crossy will go to Hannebery.

Mitchell will get plenty of touches but whether his disposal is good enough to hurt us I'm not sure.

No matter what, if we get smashed again in the middle, Roosy will have to rework his strategy in there.

While Billy is everyone's tip to be the sub, the other option apart from Jimmy T is Watts. Billy does provide more run and sometimes that first-game excitement helps engender spirit from everyone.

It's a bit of a waste if he comes on late in the third with the game over.

The Swans will probably use Goodes as the their sub, so Watts is a similar sort of match-up for him as the sub with both having more of a chance to impose when the heat goes off the game.

Its pretty clear they've put him on notice. I'd be surprised if there wasn't a conversation somewhere along the lines of, "Jack, you need to work out for yourself if you want to play AFL footy, if you have a hunger for the contest. If you do, then you need to show us something this weekend otherwise our hand will be forced."

I would have thought that conversation should've taken place five years ago.

No. The cull has begun in earnest.

No. it hasn't. The cull will begin and end at the completion of the season.

By your logic, commencing the cull now would mean the Nev Jetta would no longer be on our list.

I am agree that many are playing this season for their careers but that is no different to any other season. I agree that Roos has in mind some that probably won't be in his plans for next season but he also knows that those very players have the opportunity until the end of season to turn it around and be on the list next year.

I would have thought that conversation should've taken place five years ago.

It took place on here five years ago and has taken place every week since and it doesn't matter what we Demonlanders say about his lack of intensity, he lines up every week.

Suggest you get a new scriptwriter and just keep mum on it - it will probably happen the one day we don't say anything.

It took place on here five years ago and has taken place every week since and it doesn't matter what we Demonlanders say about his lack of intensity, he lines up every week.

Suggest you get a new scriptwriter and just keep mum on it - it will probably happen the one day we don't say anything.

Funny Despicable, Im suggesting mabee the coaches have this talk with him.

No. it hasn't. The cull will begin and end at the completion of the season.

By your logic, commencing the cull now would mean the Nev Jetta would no longer be on our list.

I am agree that many are playing this season for their careers but that is no different to any other season. I agree that Roos has in mind some that probably won't be in his plans for next season but he also knows that those very players have the opportunity until the end of season to turn it around and be on the list next year.

Nev Jetta is not on the cull list. His attitude is what we need.

Grimes is done in my eyes Jordie ditto

Michie is on notice Spencer has been given his chance

Watt's who the fcuk knows

I still believe the cull has gone up a notch

If it wasn't for the Freo game, I'd be looking forward to tomorrow night.

We have to bounce back like we did after the GWS midfield touch up or else it shapes as another long season.

The key for me is Dom Tyson.

Whilst Roosy has moved on Jamar in the hope that the less silky, but more mobile Spencer will provide more physical support to our midfield, the question remains whether our two best clearance winners - Tyson and Jones - with support from Bernie, Crossy and Vanders can match it with the Swans - Kennedy, Jack, Parker, Mitchell and Hannebery.

Apart from the middle I think we can match or maybe even win against the Swans.

Their backline is well drilled but Grundy, Laidler and Teddie Richards aren't exactly AA's, so Hoges, Dawes and Pedo should be able to grab the occasional mark inside 50 - assuming we can get it in there. They may even be forced to send Reid back down there to counter us.

Our own backline with Tom Mc firing has been fairly impressive this year and while Dunn on Tippett and Garland on Reid will concede height, we should have Howey and Lumumba providing second-man up support.

But if it comes straight down from almost every clearance like last week then we are in deep sh..

The key is Dom. If he can return to his Pendlebury-type games of last year and just win the ball and dish as many times as Kennedy, then I reckon we are a chance.

It was interesting that Roosy singled him out last week for criticism, so maybe he knows Dom has the character to fight back and turn thing around.

Jonesy and Jack will most likely be a tie with the winner decided by the umpires interpretations. I actually reckon Bernie will pick up Parker and Crossy will go to Hannebery.

Mitchell will get plenty of touches but whether his disposal is good enough to hurt us I'm not sure.

No matter what, if we get smashed again in the middle, Roosy will have to rework his strategy in there.

While Billy is everyone's tip to be the sub, the other option apart from Jimmy T is Watts. Billy does provide more run and sometimes that first-game excitement helps engender spirit from everyone.

It's a bit of a waste if he comes on late in the third with the game over.

The Swans will probably use Goodes as the their sub, so Watts is a similar sort of match-up for him as the sub with both having more of a chance to impose when the heat goes off the game.

Roos is trying to build a team that play their role and put in. Very clearly players that didn't have been removed. Not all of them btw; just those that can be lost to allow for the greatest potential gain.

"The key is Dom" is just laughable. The key is the whole team playing as a team - comprised of individuals learning to play their role and trust their teammates. It is something we are bad at and it is the most basic aspect of modern footy, upon which all things (gameplan especially) rest.

Give yourself a slow hand clap and find a mirror.

Bit surprised Watts survived the cut. It's now or never for him at the moment.

Grimes and McKenzie... why is it at Melbourne we have so many players actually go BACKWARDS in their careers? It is not supposed to happen that way, and it makes little sense when it does. We always go 'wow, if he's this good now, imagine him in a few years with a bigger body, bigger tank and some experience' yet they actually end up WORSE than they were in their first couple of years. Is the same thing going to happen to Brayshaw, Kent, Hogan and Salem?

Not necessarily. They may be going forwards but at a slower rate than everyone else. (No, I don't believe it either.)

One suggested cure for insomnia: use the advanced search function to find Picket Fence + Toumpas and begin reading his collected posts.

Does Demonland have an advanced ignore function? I'd love to be able to ignore any post which is Picket Fence + Toumpas. I don't mind most of Picket's other commentary (although I don't always agree with it.) Also, it would cut Picket's contributions that I read by about 70%

They are compliant, its as simple as that. The players get asked to do something, if they do it they will be rewarded.

Stretch has been repeatedly called coachable. Toumpas allegedly been doing everything they've asked of him.

Michie doesn't tackle and focuses on racking up possessions, I'll bet my bottom dollar one of the people in Roos' mind when he mentioned selfish was Michie.

Bingo. In fact, I wonder if the other three are also banished for the same reason (although Jordie could well have been dropped anyway).

Bit surprised Watts survived the cut. It's now or never for him at the moment.

Like every other week. One day you may be right.

Its pretty clear they've put him on notice. I'd be surprised if there wasn't a conversation somewhere along the lines of, "Jack, you need to work out for yourself if you want to play AFL footy, if you have a hunger for the contest. If you do, then you need to show us something this weekend otherwise our hand will be forced."

I would love to know if this is the case - and if others coaches have said similar to him in the past

I would love to know if this is the case - and if others coaches have said similar to him in the past

I'd say its happened several times in the past, but not from coaches who he respected - or anyone else respected for that matter - and I reckon Bailey treated him with kid gloves.

Now with it coming from Roos and McCartney (McCartney won't suffer no fool) it would have to start to ring true.. wouldn't go astray to have a few of the players get in his ear too. Vince and Jones come to mind.

I'd say its happened several times in the past, but not from coaches who he respected - or anyone else respected for that matter - and I reckon Bailey treated him with kid gloves.

Now with it coming from Roos and McCartney (McCartney won't suffer no fool) it would have to start to ring true.. wouldn't go astray to have a few of the players get in his ear too. Vince and Jones come to mind.

All these negatives. Problem here is that no fool is a wise or sensible person.

So McCartney won't suffer a wise or sensible person? Perhaps he doesn't suffer fools gladly.

The language is ass especially in the wrong hands. Like me.

If it wasn't for the Freo game, I'd be looking forward to tomorrow night.

We have to bounce back like we did after the GWS midfield touch up or else it shapes as another long season.

The key for me is Dom Tyson.

Whilst Roosy has moved on Jamar in the hope that the less silky, but more mobile Spencer will provide more physical support to our midfield, the question remains whether our two best clearance winners - Tyson and Jones - with support from Bernie, Crossy and Vanders can match it with the Swans - Kennedy, Jack, Parker, Mitchell and Hannebery.

Apart from the middle I think we can match or maybe even win against the Swans.

Their backline is well drilled but Grundy, Laidler and Teddie Richards aren't exactly AA's, so Hoges, Dawes and Pedo should be able to grab the occasional mark inside 50 - assuming we can get it in there. They may even be forced to send Reid back down there to counter us.

Our own backline with Tom Mc firing has been fairly impressive this year and while Dunn on Tippett and Garland on Reid will concede height, we should have Howey and Lumumba providing second-man up support.

But if it comes straight down from almost every clearance like last week then we are in deep sh..

The key is Dom. If he can return to his Pendlebury-type games of last year and just win the ball and dish as many times as Kennedy, then I reckon we are a chance.

It was interesting that Roosy singled him out last week for criticism, so maybe he knows Dom has the character to fight back and turn thing around.

Jonesy and Jack will most likely be a tie with the winner decided by the umpires interpretations. I actually reckon Bernie will pick up Parker and Crossy will go to Hannebery.

Mitchell will get plenty of touches but whether his disposal is good enough to hurt us I'm not sure.

No matter what, if we get smashed again in the middle, Roosy will have to rework his strategy in there.

While Billy is everyone's tip to be the sub, the other option apart from Jimmy T is Watts. Billy does provide more run and sometimes that first-game excitement helps engender spirit from everyone.

It's a bit of a waste if he comes on late in the third with the game over.

The Swans will probably use Goodes as the their sub, so Watts is a similar sort of match-up for him as the sub with both having more of a chance to impose when the heat goes off the game.

It's interesting, Dee. As soon as I saw the team, especially those named on the bench, I immediately thought that if Billy wasn't sub, then Newton would be the vest wearer. He can come on, play 45 minutes of footy, run his guts out, and is capable of kicking a couple of goals. With that though, there's no condition that the sub has to come from the 4 named on the interchange come team selection time.

All these negatives. Problem here is that no fool is a wise or sensible person.

So McCartney won't suffer a wise or sensible person? Perhaps he doesn't suffer fools gladly.

The language is ass especially in the wrong hands. Like me.

He aint gonna suffer no fool! Was being casual with the language.

It'll be McCartney's way or no way at all.

It's interesting, Dee. As soon as I saw the team, especially those named on the bench, I immediately thought that if Billy wasn't sub, then Newton would be the vest wearer. He can come on, play 45 minutes of footy, run his guts out, and is capable of kicking a couple of goals. With that though, there's no condition that the sub has to come from the 4 named on the interchange come team selection time.

Newton would have to be on notice as well. If Neal Bullen has a couple of screamers then there is the natural switch, particularly if Toumpas finally shows something. Toumpas has also shown a willingness to tackle this year, at all levels, as did ANB last week and Stretch the week before.

Both ways.

Can one of the Watts haters tell me who's replacing him in the lineup once he's dropped?

I am curious to get opinions on this, what are the expectations of Watts and Toumpas?

I feel alot of people judge these blokes because of draft position, expect them to dominate games, for me if Watts leads hard, takes a few grabs, keeps his opponent accountable and impacts the scoreboard he's playing his role

Jimmy i just want to see show a willingness to win his own ball, and when he does use it well, we know he's going to run hard, but i want to see him use the ball really well and make his teammates want to get it in his hands, he's more than capable of being damaging by foot. he seems to do alot of unrewarded running at times

Can one of the Watts haters tell me who's replacing him in the lineup once he's dropped?

Hyperthetical, Fitzy comes in, back line reshuffles and Howe plays the high half forward role?

I hope Viv has improved.But his lazy attitude to defending has seen him cop a spray last year.

Quite worrying when he has been back in for a short time and dropped.

It's what he does when we dont have the pill that goes against him,and most supporters probably only see what he does when we have the ball.

He was pretty good in this regard against the Tiges though I thought. Clearly not last week.