Melbourne started well and led by 3 goals at quarter time but Adelaide slowly got on top to be 1 goal up at half time. The Crows got on top in the 3rd mainly from our mistakes across half forward causing turnovers, then they would stream forward in numbers putting our backline under heaps of pressure. Once on top, our young inexperienced team had no answer. Adelaide ran out winners by about ten goals.

Not all doom and gloom though. Fergy played a great game at full back after Benny Holland got a corked hip in first five minutes. Green, Bruce, McDonald, White, Whelan all played well as expected.

In the second tier players C Johnson, Bell, Jones, Jamar, Dunn, Bate, all did OK and are starting to look more comfortable at this level. Maloney & Bizzell showed promising signs returning from injury. Both spent some time on the bench.

Of the new boys Frawley played well and I think will get a game at some stage this year. Buckley did quite well and he to might earn a spot later. Hughes, Petterd & Garland need time at Sandy but showed some promising signs.

I like Paul Johnson, but not as a ruckman. For the last ten minutes of the game he played CHF. and I hope he starts there next week. Sure, not a great pack mark but every thing else is tops, even tackling. Plenty of speed and agility for a big bloke. We have nothing to lose. CHF has been a problem for some time now. Maybe we should give him more of a go there.

Now for the negatives. Yze would not be in our best 22 on Saturday's showing. Did not look interested and caused a few turnovers by trying to be too clever. Miller started OK but faded out. Davey was pretty quiet. Godders' skills let him down regularly unfortunately although he busts a gut for the team.

Next week we play Richmond and I would guess the coaches will be starting to put together the team they will use for Round 1.

Thanks ReDEEmabull.

Finally a decent balanced view of what actually happened.

Go Dees

Now for the negatives. Yze would not be in our best 22 on Saturday's showing. Did not look interested and caused a few turnovers by trying to be too clever. Miller started OK but faded out. Davey was pretty quiet. Godders' skills let him down regularly unfortunately although he busts a gut for the team.

This is becoming all to familiar with these 2 blokes.

I'm assuming Yze thinks he owns a spot in the team and there is no way he can be dropped. What the hell is going on with him! He needs to dominate Princes Park on Saturday or else......

And Miller....no comment. Didn't he miss a shot from 10 metres out.

Funny how you said Davey was quiet. In one media report he was listed as out best.

This is becoming all to familiar with these 2 blokes.

I'm assuming Yze thinks he owns a spot in the team and there is no way he can be dropped. What the hell is going on with him! He needs to dominate Princes Park on Saturday or else......

And Miller....no comment. Didn't he miss a shot from 10 metres out.

Funny how you said Davey was quiet. In one media report he was listed as out best.

Yze's problem is that he takes the "clever" (quick) option rather than the one which might involve putting his body on the line. This sort of mindset has helped his quest for consecutive games, however the way he's travelling he might spoil it all by being omitted.

Funny how you said Davey was quiet. In one media report he was listed as out best.

I saw that. Very puzzling.

It was difficult at times to see the far side of the ground but we didn't see any of the flashy stuff he does on "TV" and as for best player I would have to question if the reporter was even there. In our view he was just having a quiet day.

Gt crowd, dominated by Crow fans of course but heartning to see many Demons as well plus many neutral people there for the experience. Should be more of it.

Many well watered grounds down here. What happens to the MCG when you guys hit Level 5 watering restrictions..I hear that's not far off?

Apart from Neitz and Robertson , which of our certain first round selections didn't play against Adelaide ?

Apart from Neitz and Robertson , which of our certain first round selections didn't play against Adelaide ?

McLean, Johnstone, Carroll, Bartram, Pickett and possibly Rivers. Miller and Yze participated but on current form should not be regarded as "certain first round selections".

McLean, Johnstone, Carroll, Bartram, Pickett and possibly Rivers. Miller and Yze participated but on current form should not be regarded as "certain first round selections".

Pickett is far from a "certain" selection IMO.

He played in the Sandy practice match on the weekend. Interesting to see if he gets selected this weekend for the Richmond game.

Neither is Bartram.

I know he played 22 games last year but if you all did your best 22 i doubt he would be in many of them.

He would be in mine and I know many others as well if fit.

Bartram will not be ready until about round 5; he is therefore not in anybody's team for round 1. If I was to pick a best 22 from our list, he is definately in it.

Pickett is far from a "certain" selection IMO.

He played in the Sandy practice match on the weekend. Interesting to see if he gets selected this weekend for the Richmond game.

Pickett is a walk up start to the Demons first 18

I'm surprised that someone said that Bartram wouldn't be in their starting 22. What he brings to the team is a good run with player who also has decent skills, and apart from junior it's something we've lacked in recent years. With Bartram playing it frees up a playmaker like Green or Bruce to be more attacking. I just think for team balance he is a must.

With Bartram playing it frees up a playmaker like Green or Bruce to be more attacking.

And Junior, who had his best season when released from his tagging duties.

Bartram makes my 22 when we have a full list to choose from. It's a real shame that he won't be available for the first month of the season (at the very least).

Pickett is a walk up start to the Demons first 18

At the moment that's about the best speed he can conjour at the moment.

Thanks for the report ReDEEmabull. I'm just wondering if Jared Rivers played. I haven't heard him mentioned I don't think!

Thanks for the report ReDEEmabull. I'm just wondering if Jared Rivers played. I haven't heard him mentioned I don't think!

No, along with many others he did not play.

At the moment that's about the best speed he can conjour at the moment.

I can see him fitting in nicely at the end of a short and sharp run and carry sequence.

I can see that too and I also picture him blowing hard after it and being rotated off as he was out of gas!