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Not enough love for Billy Stretch. Provided run and was so dam calm with the ball in hand. A lazy 26 disposals to go with it.

I'm currently in a remote area of NSW. Watched the game on Fox, had a few too many 'quiet ones' post match to celebrate, and drove 30 odd K's this morning to find 'phone reception, so I could join the Demonland chatter .......... and of course I'm loving it! My two overriding observations on the game: no 'passengers' after 1/4 time; Goody can coach! You bloody ripper!!!!!

I can't sleep so I'll jot down my thoughts on the game. That first quarter was killing me at the time. Here we go again type stuff. The backline looked panicked and horrible, the mids doing [censored] all to stop it getting down there. But watching the replay, in a much calmer state, we really only played 10 bad minutes of footy. That's all it takes for 4 goals to be piled on in modern footy. I thought that was Jones' best ever captains game, ironically enough. Showed real leadership, just looked determined and turned the game. Nice left foot on him now too. Oliver is just a freak. I don't mean because he's ginger, I mean a footballing freak. Also because he's ginger. Those hands, he's like Magic Johnson out there. That lofted handball over his shoulder to Jones who goaled on his left was just footy porn. As gifted a footballer as I've seen. Don't forget the start of his pre-season - looked out of shape, drink driving incident, and was struggling with hayfever. What a turnaround. Gawn does what Gawn says he's gunna do. Said he needed to get one back on Hickey, and he [censored] smashed him. It was like having one extra player at every stoppage because of his taps. Jordan Lewis, lol. Thanks Hawthorn. I thought Bernie was his old self. I don't like him in the backline at all but this was one of his better days down there. Made mistakes, everyone did, but he far outweighed them with the good that he did. Was really smart without the ball, helped steady the shaky backline. Jetta. I feared he wouldn't get a game, thank [censored] he did. He's our best defender. One of our most reliable players. To think Melksham could've taken his spot makes me feel ill. I thought Melksham was terrible. How he supposedly went at 93% is beyond me. Was like a deer in the headlights and gave away stupid frees. A year out is no excuse for mine, considering how every other Bomber or ex Bomber played this round. I thought Tom McD was very good after quarter time. Some brilliant defending moments and that great mark near CHF. I still close my eyes when he has ball in hand though. Oscar really struggled, I like Oscar, but give me Frost. Petracca is awesome to watch. He will turn games on their head. Needs to lower the eyes more but geez he's exciting when he gets it. Was happy with Watts' game. I've always said he needs to jump at a pack or 2 and he did that. Loved hearing Goodwin mention that after the game too, so it's obviously been addressed. His ball use was good as usual. Hannan, what an exciting debut! What a nightmare to match up on. Young Dale Thomas ish. I've been a Neal-Bullen critic, but he was quite good. I'd still replace him with a fully fit Kent though even on that performance. Hogan was brilliant. Love the strings to his bow moving him up field. Has great hands for a tall. Looks set for a huge year. That'll do. [censored] yeah footy!

36 disposals, 14 contested possessions, 9 clearances & 7 tackles. 88.9% disposal efficiency. Clayton Oliver ??

Garlett kicked 3 goals. Thought it might be worthwhile to give it a mention.

Not sure if I watched the same game as the rest of you. Oscar had less howlers than Lewis, Vince and Jones. He's role is the spoil and he did that really well I thought. He's not the most polished player yet but there's no doubt he'll be best 22 every week if he plays like that

Were you at the game? Melksham was definitely not "poor". Go watch a replay

One of the things that really struck me was just the pure contest from all players right across the ground. There were mistakes made but it was the second, third and fourth efforts and the one-percenters that players were prepared to do. Some who were down early really came into their own as the game wore on - thinking particularly here of Salem, Brayshaw, and O Mac who I thought were all impressive as the game wore on, rather than showing a heap early like others. Sat right at ground level at that hotbox of a stadium - for god's sake, OPEN THE FREAKING ROOF!! Individual player comments: 1. Hogan - I thought he was immense, his movement around the ground was so (dare I compare?) Riewoldt-like when he was about the same level of development, and he really relished in tackling today which he doesn't always do 2. Jones - superb with his ability to change direction when in possession, and then use it well; not going sideways and backwards but instead punching it forward and to advantage 3. Salem - really quiet early, it looked like it was going to be another game where he wasn't getting involved enough but was it a case of the team improving and thus he improved or was his ability to win the ball the catalyst for the form turnaround midway through the second term? I lean towards the latter 4. Watts - I thought he was okay overall and 'did his job', yet at the same time he gave a lot of spark when he was in the ruck and again like Salem he improved as the team improved in that second quarter period when we started to get on top 5. Petracca - how funny was it when he had the set shot and dropped the ball, casually picked it up and dobbed it from around the 50m mark? He has an incredible arrogance but fortunately backs it up 6. Lewis - thanks Hawthorn, he is so classy, has such a calming influence on play, and will be massive for us for the length of his contract I think 7. Viney - wasn't massively influential when compared to others, but still did his part and his fierceness at the contest is brilliant to watch, plus that ability to accelerate out of the contest 10. Brayshaw - bugbear of mine is his short field kicking, but for the most part I didn't really notice him going short, and if he did he wasn't muffing it up, and I'd say he was about as good as Viney on the day 11. Gawn - Maximus Gawnius is just a collusus in the ruck, and the way that he got on top of Hickey (who from my spot right by the bench looked very sore in the lower back before Gawn went off for treatment on the same) was fantastic to see after last year; he kept giving his rovers first use 13. Oliver - I just watch him and marvel; I don't think I've ever been so excited for a player in the red and blue as I am Oliver - he's even more exciting than Hogan 15. Stretch - SOS is a pearler, his contested work is getting better and better all the time, and his run and carry has always been so encouraging, and now he's really starting to get heaps of damaging ball 18. Melksham - was a bit rusty and slow to dispose of the ball at times, but like others he contests and fights and works hard to retain the ball and brings strong defensive accountability to the back half, freeing up other players like Vince to be more creative 19. Hannan - a really super debut I thought, the way that he kept bobbing up and doing something creative - be it an outstanding goal or a strong mark - was a really bright sign that he'll be an excellent contributor 23. Vince - that's the Bernie we know and love! Sure he stuffed up once or twice but I'm personally okay with that when he's doing so much so very, very right 25. T McDonald - stopped Riewoldt completely once Roo pushed forward permanently, was creative when he got the ball, didn't take the wrong option very often and was a rock down back 26 Weideman - another player who did his job I thought, love the way he flies at the contest, and his field kicking and goal kicking are both really, really good; I love the way he gets involved at ground level to stay involved in the contest 28 O McDonald - I actually thought he was pretty good - sure, he made some mistakes, arguably more than others, but his ability to get to and impact the contests was good and I think he's tracking as well as his brother was at the same age / experience 29 Hunt - those kamikaze crazy runs are contagious; what's great is that he's also comfortable leaping at the ball and impacting the contest, tackling, getting down and dirty and is not afraid to use his surprising strength one-on-one 30 Neal-Bullen - another like Viney and Salem and Watts who got better as the game went on, and his ball use was great; you'd like to think he can build on that sort of game going forward 36 Garlett - the tackling and defensive pressure exhibited all game was the best thing, but his goalkicking and speed was also fantastic to watch 39 Jetta - thatta boy Jets, I was so worried when he didn't play a game in the preseason as I think he adds so much to the backline; much like his game today where he was just so good defensively and even got on the scoreboard! 44 Smith - such a shame to see him go down like that as I thought he was looking good; was it when he went off that the Saints started to get on top? That's my glow-of-a-win memory of it all

“We understand it’s round one and it’s not a final or Grand Final, so we enjoy the win for an hour or two, but then we review the game like we always do and we try to keep that neutral emotion throughout the week. “We understand we’ve got a game next week and it’s nice to beat St Kilda, because we haven’t beaten them for a long time, but it’s just another win.” Great mindset from Jordan Lewis. He isn't just killing it on the field, this kind of professional attitude is something we've been lacking for a long time. And all he cost us was a packet of chips. Thanks Hawthorn.

I'll just leave this here: Oliver - 35 possessions, 14 contested, 9 clearances and 8 tackles. What a player.

I am a Fijian Indian who has been a Melbourne supporter for 30 years. Last year I took my parents and my kids for their first AFL game. It was at Etihad against St Kilda. My son is now 4 years old and my daughter is 6 years old. This year I took my mother inlaw for her first game. Kids did my head in during the game. But after the game, the demon supporters were fantastic. Everyone was so friendly. People we didn't even know were talking to us. After the game they all stoped and talked to my son and gave him high fives!! Some talked to him like he played in the game. He now calls himself Jack Viney and his big sister is big Max! I am Jack watts, his mother is Nathon Jones. And his visiting grandmother is Jesse Hogan! Thank you to all the lovely Melbourne Supporters who made my kids feel special in their first win!

They were horrible because we made them look horrible. Don't forget that. It was the same in the first quarter for about 10-15 minutes when their pressure and foot skills made us look 3 steps behind them.

Looks like Jack W can breath easily, we seem to have found a new "whipping Bot in Omac. Let the kid develop, he did not start real well , but he did a lot of 1% and improved as th game went on. Celebrate the win please.

Six or seven years ago I thought Nev Jetta was behind Bennell, Jurra, Wonna and Davey, and would be lucky to make it. Then time on the rookie list and injuries and bulk time at Casey. Fast forward to 2014 when Roos taught him how to defend, when to man up, when to zone off and how to play contact footy. Since 2014 he is a gun and possibly the best small forward stopper in the league. An All Aussie nod would not surprise. That confident contested chest mark from a wobbly high kick in the last quarter was evocative of Scarlett. (At least from where I was low down at the other end of the ground.) Great stuff, Nev.

I thought jones was brilliant yesterday, I had a few saints supporters behind me and they kept saying WHO THE BLOODY HELL IS NUMBER 2 HE IS KILLING US, Had a good laugh over it

I'm calling it now, we won't lose a game this season.

When did we last kick 10 straight on someone else's home ground? i am enjoying the moment. There will be more. Thanks PJ and Roosy

How can an inside mid have 36 touches at 91% DE? That is all.

Oscar McDonald - Void of Skill / Back to Casey / Can not Kick / Our Achilles Heel / Riding brother's Coattails / Heart in Mouth / Head in Hands / Can not Watch

In Jason Taylor & Todd Viney we trust. Not a bad debut for Hannan. Mitch Hannan. 16 disposals, 7 marks, 4 tackles and 2 goals playing half forward. Only one game but I reckon we've found a player.

No he's not "better than that" He is Slow, Indecisive, Uncoordinated, and should not be playing at this level. He simply is not up to it and in my book never wil be! Mark my words in a tight game he will cost us dearly. Any decent forward will have a day out on him. His brother is better but still has brain fades OUT OMac- Smith In any of Frost, Pedo, Tyson

I said Clarry would get over 30. I said Roo would kick at least 3. I said Stretch would play a scorcher (26 touches) I was wrong about us needing 2 rucks and was wrong about our winning margin but I will cop that. Seriously feeling vindicated boys and girls! Hogan player like Lance Franklin, Jeffy had the opposition backs panicking every time it went to a foot race. Hannan was excellent and proved to be a good selection, Nifty Nev was his usual self. CLARRY 35 touches (8 tackles)...Jesus christ, not bad for a kid with 15 games under his belt. Trac showed good poise and Lewis showed his old head was essential. But what I loved was that when we were on the attack it was so quick and ferocious that even the commentators couldn't keep up at times. We straight up bullied them and our tackling and intensity were elite. Bring on the Blue baggers on our home deck next week and lets really strike some fear into the comp! RAISE HELL

I have been saying all along st. K, is overrated, last season they had a easy draw they had the drug users 2 times, Carlton twice, and us twice at their home ground, the drug users won't be crap this year, Carlton will be crap, we won't lose to Carlton Jordan will not let us slip next week, the hawks lost last night because instead of Lewis willing them over the line, he was in the red and the blue doing it for the good guys.

Oscar for anyone. No Tyson until one of our mids have a poor game and Tyson has a belter in the VFL. There is absolutely no need for him to come into our side right now.

Oliver has been my favourite player before he even played, and time and time again he proves it. Not sure if many of you watch the way he goes about his footy, but players of his ilk and skill do not come around often. The way he grabs the ball mid air and fires off a handball before landing is nothing short of art. The way he picks up a ball and instantly throws his hands in the air and handballs over his head to a player running into space is mouth watering. He runs from content to contest bullocking his way through. Honestly, Clayton Oliver is the perfect mixture between grunt and sublime skill. He will be our become our most elite mid and one of the best players in the AFL. Watch this space.

O Mac - not ready yet Weid - not ready yet Melbourne - exciting year ahead

Nev Jetta..... best sidestep in the game.

Just goes to show that Jetta is incredibly important to our structure. While Tommy is running up the wing stinking up his disposal (and I love Tom as a defender- so please don't get me wrong), Jetta is down back holding the place down.... defending! Superb game from him. Is he the most consistent player we have, maybe aside from Jones? I can't remember the last time he had a shocker. 100% reliability.

I want to flag Weidemans attack on the ball in the air - quite frankly he isn't delivering on the outcomes consistently as yet , my word though, he will. He glides, yet attacks with oomph - the sure hands will develop.

Lots of guys played well today and played an Etihad style of game today. Therefore Goodwin was as influencial as a 23 man. But what gets lost in every game and for the last too many years is the the progression and now influence of our Caprian Jones. He is now a complete player. Great decision maker, great skills, gets the ball consistently week in week out. He is an AA grade player. The work he had done on his game is MASSIVE. In now good times and in extremely bad times he continues to perform and is so much better now he has good support around him. when others have floundered he has excelled due to dedication. He deserves to lift the cup for what he does now and for what did in an environment that killed more talented individuals

It's going to be a long year for Dwayne.

AS we walked down the concrete stairs yesterday from level 3. A few started the team song, it grew and grew (the acoustics were amazing). It became ear shattering loud, just amazing and made a few tingles down the spine.

Thought this would be a thread about picking Oliver. I love that they've been able to find gems late in the draft like Hunt, Hannan etc, but it's nailing those early picks that the previous bunch muffed that will project us towards the top 4. It looks so far that all of Oliver, Brayshaw, Petracca and Salem will at least be very good, with Oliver almost certainly going to be in the top echelon if not already. There's always misses in the top 20 but we seem to have gone from one extreme to the other. It's just such a relief knowing our key picks are in such good hands.

The best way to make Oscar better is to keep playing him. He'll be far better with 60 AFL games under his belt. That said, he does make inexplicable mistakes. My main query is his lack of pace. But I have no doubt he'll be better when he's stronger. Goody and Macca really rate him, so I don't think they'll be dropping him any time soon.

Oscar plays the game like an 18 game young key defender finding his feet. Just like any young player they have inconsistencies in effort and execution. However with a mid or forward they usually control not being in the game at those points which is not something you can control as a defender. It is pretty obvious the kid will end up something special. He is not quick but covers the ground well, he reads the ball beautifully, has a very well timed spoil and has better execution than his brother. His body work is better but lacks impact due to his immaturity. He is not holding a quality mature defender out of the side so he should continue to be played and we should accept that you are likely to get inconsistencies in one so young but it will accelerate his development and pay dividends when we need it most in coming years.

Brendan McCcartney needs to make o. Mac his sole project for the next couple of weeks otherwise his dropped marks and fumbles will eventually cost us a game

Mitchell and Lewis 70 possies. Hawthorn:

Weid showed a couple of things this game I hadn't seen from him yet - some agility and a bit of speed. Once he starts clunking those big pack marks he is so close to taking, he gonna be awesome. He is just 19 amazingly, so he has plenty of time.

With the club refusing to provide documentation on what was injected it's impossible to know what long term benefits these players have gained. I find it completely unnaceptable they've been allowed to remain at the instigating club, and rather they should have been farmed out across the league via some kind of mini draft mechanism or the like. The so called 'top-ups' from last year should've been the new list and they rebuild from there. It's simply not good enough to allow that club to reap any potential benefits from blatant cheating. Let's hope The Verve got it right and the drugs don't work! With their track record, I'd also guarantee their little compensation payouts have tainted the salary cap, so yet another leg up for the poor victim club. As for the commentary on last nights game, I don't think I've ever heard anything so sickening. The poor players who've been put through so much because of the drugs saga. It wasn't a [censored] saga, it was blatant cheating by means of an illegal PE drug injection program. They are not the victims, they are not heros, they are officially the cheats. The only reason it went on so long is because they tried to slow everything down and worm their way out one way or anoher. By contrast, have a look at the other club involved - the Cronulla Sharks. Cheated, take your medicine (pardon the pun) and move on.

Despite rumours that I have been dead a long time, yesterday's result has brought new life to my spirit and soul.

Agree. What some people don't seem to notice, is that every possession goes to our advantage.When you have 26 of them that is fantastic. Billy flies under the radar.

I'm keeping the lid on old. This thread is mis titled too. Sure we broke "a" drought, but "the" drought has been going since 1964 and it's not over yet. My lid will come off when we're up by more goals than there is minutes left in the game that will break the only drought I'm worried about. You won't hear a "relax we've got this" from me before then. Not even this week, we're still fickle till we prove otherwise and we can only do that with time and wins. Doesn't mean I can't enjoy the win though, and enjoy it I did.

Frost for Oscar when fit.

Clayton Oliver grabbed that game by the balls in the second quarter and swung it in our direction. He is already some player.

A couple of other things I noticed that I hadn't seen from us before. 1) How organised we were right across the ground. For example, we had guys front and centre at almost every contest. We swarmed in numbers, but it was the long kicks to 2 on 1s, where a tall MFC player would either mark or have a Hunt or Salem or Jetta at the foot of the contest to whisk it away if it wasn't marked. 2) Our ability to change tempo mid game. This is the big one and shows the greatest sign of maturity IMO. We seemed to know where and when to slow the tempo. And unlike previous games and seasons, where if we weren't moving the ball quickly our game plan would disintegrate, we moved the ball precisely and methodically from one side of the ground to the other. We also used the wings better than I've seen us do. Short little hit ups until we could get it inside 50. 3) Our spread. Our spread after quarter time was the best I've seen from a Melbourne team. We seem to have finally got it. If we play like this for four quarters the Bulldogs', the GWS' and even the Essendon's won't trouble us anymore. It'll come down to whoever wins the stoppages and with Oliver, Jones, Viney and Lewis bringing even and dominant contributions, we've seemingly learnt how to kill a team on the spread. Importantly, this means we can also stop teams on the spread. Maybe Misson is deserved of a bit of praise here too?

Saint fans have been talking up their two new key backs Brown and Carlisle all preseason, one game in and Hulk Hogan made them both look like trash.

A huge shout out to Neal-Bullen. I've been a critic, but he was very good and important today.

Is it a grand old flag? You freaking bet it is! DEMONS!

Don't ever underestimate what Roosy did for this club