2 minutes ago, whatwhat say what said:

five of our premiership back six out but our entire starting midfield not defending doesn't help

That’s a big part of the poor play. The midfield dominance that underpinned our big wins last year just isn’t there tonight. Viney is MIA, Max, Oliver, Harmes and Tracc getting possessions but not working together and not getting back defensively and an undermanned backline is being exposed. LJ, Kossie, Spargo, Hunt really struggling. Hope this is the shocker we needed. 

Just now, sue said:

What's the definition of umpire abuse?   Clearly "youre a fckn [censored]" is abuse but is it not ok to say that decision was crap anymore?

Can't even shake your head, mutter "You're kidding me" and put your hands on your knees anymore.

1 minute ago, sue said:

What's the definition of umpire abuse?   Clearly "youre a fckn [censored]" is abuse but is it not ok to say that decision was crap anymore?

Not in the preseason and the first qrt of the season, then they’ll relax as the season goes on.

Just now, Chook said:

Can't even shake your head, mutter "You're kidding me" and put your hands on your knees anymore.

No more “ruck craft big boy”. Shame. 

Just now, sue said:

What's the definition of umpire abuse?   Clearly "youre a fckn [censored]" is abuse but is it not ok to say that decision was crap anymore?

Like all of these new rules, they come out hard, pay it at every opportunity, and then ease off as the negative press and club complaints roll in

1 minute ago, Jaded No More said:

No more “ruck craft big boy”. Shame. 

I suppose being demonstrative is out too? 

2 minutes ago, sue said:

What's the definition of umpire abuse?   Clearly "youre a fckn [censored]" is abuse but is it not ok to say that decision was crap anymore?

It doesn’t matter, what we think is abuse or otherwise. The players know that dissent will not be tolerated, so they’ll have to keep their thoughts to themselves. It’s not as if they’re going to change the decision anyway.  Best they learn now, before the season gets underway, I suppose.

Looking forward to watching the guys who have been pine sitting come on in the 2nd half

clayton dancing to the weeknd hahahaha

how many times are we gonna see that on replay

Brayshaw and Langdon are so important to us. We look like Melbourne from 2021 when they're doing defensive things.

Fritsch is just a born goalkicker. Horrible game yet has kicked 3 and it's just after half time.

lol ran a km.

Oliver on Cripps is a bad matchup because Oliver doesn’t care today 

Just now, praha said:

lol ran a km.

18 steps I caught.

wtf is this umpiring. 

Omfg that is a joke 

I just got home. Blues supporters will be happy. Any injury worries?

Turner on, wonder who’s off 

I reckon this game is teaching us all a few things.

First, a reminder about the importance of a healthy list. At no stage last year did we go into a game with 5 first choice defenders missing. Having one or two second rung players filling in is fine (eg Smith in the late Rounds and early finals last year) but when you need them to all work together with only Lever there to marshall, it shouldn’t surprise that it isn’t going to work as well. Carlton scored from 48% of their inside 50s (we had more, surprise surprise). 

Secondly, goal kicking accuracy. 12.3 vs 5.6.  We lost games last year because we didn’t convert. 

Third, we are nothing without workrate. Last week vs North I saw an entire side working like they did in the finals. If we’re not at that level tonight, that will explain why we’re behind. 

And fourth, tonight is a more real game than last week (too many read too much into a genuine scratch match) but it’s also not a real game. Remember,  we got belted by the Dogs in this game last year. 

[censored] Gary Lyon ay? Tell him to shut the [censored] up. Decide if you are part of the club or not.

If you want to be then don't sink the [censored] boots in at every [censored] opportunity 

1 minute ago, Jaded No More said:

Omfg that is a joke 

It’s a total joke!

Carlton celebrating like they’re winning flags. I love this. 

Sound of people putting Cripps in their SuperCoach team

The Blues are loving themselves right now.

they kicked another goal in a practice game in march! GET AROUND EM BOYS

The biggest things we need to take out of this game is that the umpires will not tolerate "who do I give the ball to" BS. 

We were the masters of that last year, and I'm not sad to see it go.