59 minutes ago, PaulRB said:

Hogan and Lewis both be out for next week...

bring in Vince and Spencer.

Sorry, why, did I miss something?

Can't believe anyone can say drop OMac did not turn the ball over did not get beaten by his man,  a good backmens game,.

Hogan all most lost  us the game,  but made up for it in the last,  Jeffrey won as the game,  was a good  win only conceding 64 points,  the only part of the ground we played poorly was kicking into the f50. Watts played well can't say a bad word about him today,  should of got a free kick in the third qtr had his arms chopped.

 we should of won by more, there was 2 moments in the game that turned it around Hogan missing from 25 in front, then giving away free kick in goal square, he kicks that goal and we would of run away with it, those 2plays was a 23 point turn around, like all good sides we lifted in the last qtr  to win the game  and win well.

the only thing Tmac did wrong was give a silly free kick. 

Oh, I missed Jetta. He's a star. Tommy Mac and Omac were good today too.

7 minutes ago, Sir Why You Little said:

Melksham worries me

22 uncontested possessions

concerning

He was good today. When our other backs and kids refused to run and spread he was constantly making space across half back and switching it when needed. He is one of the few positives from today. We need to get Vince and Hibberd back in to give him a hand as he was doing it on his own for much of today. Jetta is our rock defensively and atm Melksham is our smartest rebounder. Hunt is a bit up and down at the moment and is more of a one man show. He's having to learn with getting more attention. Still love him though. So exciting to watch.

Mids didn't use the ball well today. Their kicking into the 50 was abysmal at times. They also didn't push back when they turned it over. There were multiple instances of Carlton forwards outnumbering our defenders in the back 50. That's unforgivable in any AFL game and shows a lack of effort to run both ways.

Clarry, Jones, Salem and Garlett were all good today. Viney and Lewis were not. Viney is well down on intensity and work rate this year thus far which is disappointing. Hopefully he gets going soon!

Happy we were able to grind out a win despite not playing great. We would've lost that game the last few years so it shows we're improving steadily finally!

I really dont care about the semantics. We won the bloody game. If we win ugly most of the time that's just fine with me.  We have had years of losing ugly every bloody week. So let's be happy with the win. 

Just now, Lord Travis said:

He was good today. When our other backs and kids refused to run and spread he was constantly making space across half back and switching it when needed. He is one of the few positives from today. We need to get Vince and Hibberd back in to give him a hand as he was doing it on his own for much of today.

Mids didn't use the ball well today. Their kicking into the 50 was abysmal at times. They also didn't push back when they turned it over. There were multiple instances of Carlton forwards outnumbering our defenders in the back 50. That's unforgivable in any AFL game and shows a lack of effort to run both ways.

Clarry, Jones, Salem and Garlett were all good today. Viney and Lewis were not. Viney is well down on intensity and work rate this year thus far which is disappointing. Hopefully he gets going soon!

Happy we were able to grind out a win despite not playing great. We would've lost that game the last few years so it shows we're improving steadily finally!

Fair call. I only saw bits off the TV which don't always show Run and Spread. 

To not have one contested possession is a rare stat. 

Reading this post match discussion so far; Brayshaw is slow and not up to AFL standard. Watts needs to be dropped. Viney and Petracca were bad and probably won't be too far behind. Imagine if selection were in the hands of some of the commentators here. OMac of course wouldn't have played after last week, or for the rest of the season. Pederson would play and never be dropped (this one really fascinates me). The level of kneejerk absolutist rubbish some of you spew is frankly hilarious. Those who just can't seem to work out that form is variable, particularly for the under 23 year old players. One week up, next down, maybe underwhelming for a few in a row. If you expect week to week or even month to month consistency from every player, you're going to be continually frustrated and angry. 

Gees some of you are in for a long season based on what I've read here.

Ultimately Carlton played a very well coached game style that could only win if we let it get to us. We didn't, and so we won. That in and of itself is a step in the right direction.

They got an top of us mentally, and we adjusted and hung in and came away on top. 

We are the team being coached against in game like today's now. We dont have to negate and drag clubs down to our level. Our level can be a step above, so that means clubs they'll try and block us up like Carlton did fairly well today. Some credit needs to go to them for that.

As for the other comments potting blokes let's not forget that we now have 8-10 players that can move through the midfield at varying times. Blokes like Viney, Brayshaw, Petracca, Salem and even Jones, Lewis and Vince (when available) are natural midfielders making it work, or learning, as half forwards and backs. It's a work in progress and they'll feel more or less involved depending on the game style and opposition structures. BUT if they can play 50 games together we'll have a rock solid team for 5-6 years after that.

 

We were the youngest side on the park This weekend. Second least experienced. 

Top teams average 100 games played with at least an age of 25.

we are 71 games and 23.7 yo

might be a couple more years before we really hit our straps 

32 minutes ago, Pates said:

It took until the last quarter for him to start getting his hands out to mark it. What happened? He took a really strong mark that resulted in a gaol for us. I don't know why he goes for the chest mark, he has good hands (mostly).

It was an interesting showcase of old Watts v new Watts. Looked out of the contest and one step behind for much of the game but lifted to his 2016 level in the last quarter. I think that's what frustrates the fans, we KNOW he can do better and when he does that we are a much better team. 

He had no JLT lead in guys. Was always going to be a little flat after his first up game against the Saints. He might also be recouping somewhat from whatever the reason was ? that kept him from getting a JLT Guernsey in the first place. I suspect he is just not quite at the match fitness level and touch we saw in 2016 but is still a much better user and deliverer of the pill when out in space than most even when half baked (fitness wise). Although I was disappointed he didn't see and hit up a loose Jeffy in the pocket at one stage when coming i50 in the last.

He will be a whole lot better for this run in the next few weeks I reckon. He was one of at least half a dozen who helped win this match for us in the last and also kicked our first so I'm not complaining.

4 minutes ago, Sir Why You Little said:

Fair call. I only saw bits off the TV which don't always show Run and Spread. 

To not have one contested possession is a rare stat. 

It is a bit rare I'll give you that! He was one of our only blokes running hard all game for the spread though, which you wouldn't see on TV. He was good today and will only get better with Vince and Hibberd in to help share that load.

We played like millionaires at times today and refused to run hard defensively. Being outnumber in your defensive 50 is unacceptable and Goodwin should give them a rocket when going over the tape.

5 minutes ago, hemingway said:

I really dont care about the semantics. We won the bloody game. If we win ugly most of the time that's just fine with me.  We have had years of losing ugly every bloody week. So let's be happy with the win. 

Spot on Ernest. My farther used to say good sides win close games when they are not playing well.

we did not play well for large parts of the game but found a way to win.

And no body dropped their head.

Remember when people questioned Jetta's place in the best 22? 

Just now, old dee said:

Spot on Ernest. My farther used to say good sides win close games when they are not playing well.

we did not play well for large parts of the game but found a way to win.

And no body dropped their head.

I saw a few dropping their heads OD, namely Cripps and Rowe ?

1 hour ago, stevethemanjordan said:

Mistake central.

Jones, Salem and T-Mac really solid and Garlett inspiring.

Tyson didn't need to come in as I said. 80% mistakes, his man beat him to the contest most times. Makes us look slower.

O-Mac will go straight out for Frost when Frost is ready. 

Happy to get a win out of a performance like that.

Let's actually show up with some smarts and skills against Geelong though.

Otherwise #187 here we go 

 

Mate, what are you talking about regarding Tyson, and what is with the constant hate? He played well and was one of our better players. 

He had 32 disposals at 63% efficiency with 7 tackles.

Now compare that to Viney, Petracca, and Bradshaw who got 22 at 59%, 18 at 64%, and 11 at 61%, respectively.

Brayshaw is not getting enough, nor tackling like he use to and is due for an extended run in the seconds.

1 minute ago, Rusty Nails said:

I saw a few dropping their heads OD, namely Cripps and Rowe ?

I sure did in the 3rd Quarter!!

Feel sorry for the kids sitting near me today. I lost it in the third quarter and unleashed some horrible language. This team tests me sometimes! Very relieved we won!

Agree that OMac wasn't bad today, his par performance should be at the level he played today.

TMac was good, but he gave away a stupid free kick

Hogan was off today yes, but i thought he did some good team things as well. Wasn't his day, but he helped others around him (minus some brainfades)

Jeffy was fantastic, a great crumbing game today. i was always calm when the ball was in Salem's hands (which was a lot today!)

 

Jetta...............he continues to be the rock our defense needs. He is pure quality and deserves more accolades. Without question , the best small defender in the game.

Just got home from the game. Geez it was an ugly scrappy win. 

First half was ok then suddenly carlton flooded back and we didn't know what to do, then we started over thinking and doing to much.Lazy kicks, to many handpasses and missing set shots. Then it was CArlton who suddenly managed to find free space and open it up. 

Also some stupid undisciplined acts from our leaders. Also at one stage Max was off and Watts was to busy fighting Carlton players and couldn't get back into the ruck and Oliver had to do the centre square contest. We lost focus. 

Luckily we re grouped in that final quarter. It was great to see Jeffy put on defensive pressure. Hope he continues that. 

But we got the points and look at the ladder. It reads us 2-0. We would have taken that 3 weeks ago. 

Hopefully Hogan and Lewis are ok. At least we have handy replacements if Lewis goes. But we need Jesse. 

Great to see Salem play good footy we always hoped to see. also Oliver has had a great start. But next week we need to play so much better or else geelong will thrash us again. 

 

gee there are some tough critics of here.

JW played well for most of the day IMO.

early on he was doing a good job in the ruck and dropped two masks that should have both been "in the back".

Then he turns in a great last quarter and we win.

 

5 minutes ago, bandicoot said:

We were the youngest side on the park This weekend. Second least experienced. 

Top teams average 100 games played with at least an age of 25.

we are 71 games and 23.7 yo

might be a couple more years before we really hit our straps 

Don't bother mate

Most on Demonlanders think we are running out with the experience of the Swans/Hawkes each week and like to critique every small detail to the death.

 

My positives for the day,

We seem to be closing the gap on our best and worst footy. Building some consistency

We were able to win although we didn't play great footy - that is a real sign of improvement as normally we drop these games

We don't rely on 1 2 or 3 players to win us games.

We are still young and we will get better

 

There are plenty of negatives but we won ffs.,, There will be negatives in every game player by every club. Time to have a beer and enjoy the replay

12 minutes ago, hemingway said:

I really dont care about the semantics. We won the bloody game. If we win ugly most of the time that's just fine with me.  We have had years of losing ugly every bloody week. So let's be happy with the win. 

Amen to that Ernest.

5 minutes ago, praha said:

Our backline ultimately won the game for us today I thought.  They got the job done, and more often than not it was the mids and roamers that let us down going forward. The McDonald's were both great. Jetta was great.  Salem. I think people underestimate our defense. There was a Carlton onslaught in the third and we're lucky we weren't 5-6 goals down the way we and they played. Our backline really held firm and our structure down back was superb I thought. 

That's a positive to take out from today.

 A year ago, we fold and lose that game.

Was going to say the same praha ... we restricted them to 9.10 and any time a team does that, you will generally win.

A lot of errors were made further up the field but our backmen as a group defended well and our zone was quite effective.  And we don't necessarily need the stats to tell us what our eyes see either. 

However, the Macs & Jetta had 4 clangers between them ... 7 players further up the field had 30 clangers in total.  And many of those errors cost the team scoring opportunities.  

3 minutes ago, Sir Why You Little said:

I sure did in the 3rd Quarter!!

But you were not on the ground at that is what counts

My God some Melbourne supporters have absolutely no idea, one peanut behind me who ran with the old "kick if long" all day, said during the game "if the ground spoils the ball, then it is a mark".