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Anyone imagining Alex Neale-Bullen will get dropped after a 28 disposal, 10 tackle game is simply irrational.

I just remembered I was there. I got pretty close to Jesse, he was smoking menthols.

McCartin kicked a point and had 5 touches watts would have been burnt on the stake if it was him

It's extremely unfair of you to apply your circumstances and how you dealt with it, as everybody handles these things differently. There is no benchmark for dealing with tragedy.

We survived a merger and a tanking investigation, we'll survive this.

It's ok Gonz, I was working there as a Red Bull model. I picked up the butt he threw on the ground. Saty bought it off me for $50.

Great, so the whole team is smoking?

Don't really agree. We were in a position to win by a significant margin if our kicking for goal were better. It was our run and pressure that put us in that position and two ruckmen reduces our ability to do this. We didn't lose this match because we didn't have two ruckmen, we lost because we squandered two outstanding quarters without one.

A lot of talk about the quality of Oscar McDonald. I think it's important to see how the development of key defenders is generally different to most players. Oscar gets pushed around a bit by the really powerful tall forwards (Hawkins is one) but he competes a hell of a lot better with them than almost every key defender of his age and experience. At this point in their careers (just turned 21 years old): Frawley was playing as a medium defender (on smaller marking players), Tom Mc was playing as a back up to Frawley and Dunn, Harry Taylor was not yet drafted Brian Lake was still undrafted (and was still Brian Harris!) Heath Grundy had played 11 games in 3 years as a forward. His games were ... underwhelming. Ted Richards has played 12 games at Essendon as a forward. Very underwhelming. Josh Gibson had not yet debuted (and would not debut for another year too) Ben Stratton had not yet been drafted. Zac Dawson spent that season and the following season in the Hawthorn VFL team. Sam Fisher had not yet been drafted Ben Rutten had played 2 games as a struggling forward. Dale Morris was still a year away from being drafted in the rookie draft. Rance had just rejoined the team having spent the majority of the previous year in the VFL (he was being kept of the AFL side by Luke McGuane, Kelvin Moore and Will Thursfield!) Scott Thompson was still not yet drafted Sam Rowe was still 4 years away from being drafted! Jeremy McGovern was still a year away from being drafted Now, far be it for me to labour a point, but it takes key defenders a lot longer than most players to develop into AFL standard (even the exceptional ones) because their job involves being able to physically compete with big, physically strong opponents. Oscar does this very well at this stage, given that he is not yet fully physically developed. He is tracking waaaaaaaaayyyyyyy ahead of where he should be at this stage. We're very lucky there.

Jason Johanissen came back from a similar injury last year and won the Norm Smith....he'll be back if we are in with a chance of finals for sure

New jumper sponsor announced we've all been waiting for:

In quarters 2 and 3 the Dees had 23 scoring shots to 9. 14 more shots at goal. That is a massive imbalance. Under normal circumstances a club at Etihad would kick at least 14 goals. 14.9 = 93 and the other team would typically kick 6.3 = 39. That's a difference of 54 points in quarters 2 and 3 and has the game over at 3/4 time. I appreciate the ball doesn't go back to the middle, etc., which is why it's an argument that is futile, but our dominance was such that under typical circumstances we don't lose that game.

Great interview by Max on thclub website. Max at his dry best... Confirming his surgery tomorrow: "I have to fast from midnight, which I'm not happy about. I'll have a big meal at 11.59" On being asked if Jack Watts was pumping himself up after rucking out the game: "With 9 hit outs? I wouldn't think so!"

Mountain molehill. Clearly he wouldn't be a smoker. A young player on leave puffs on a dart at a concert. Not a great idea, but he's also under stress with an ill Father. Poor decision, but let's not hyperventilate over it.

I don't think the footage would even exist if it was Pedo.

He's a grown man, they can't pull the pin on anything of the sort. If they start trying to be all draconian on him, the club knows full well it will lose him. He's always going to want to go back to Perth, so be supportive and flexible about it. So long as he comes back fresh, fit and focused, who cares. Honestly. The only thing the club should be doing is saying "mate, next time please make sure you save the dart until you get home".

Disappointed to lose the best ruckman in the game for half the season, obviously, but in a way I'm looking forward to the element of intrigue this adds. Spencer's games record in a season is 8. Not many players get to stay on a list for 10 years for 36 games - most either get axed or go looking for more opportunities, so it's a very unusual case of the club and player sticking together. He's never had an extended go like he's about to get, and opinion is so divided on him. I suspect we're about to find out one way or the other if he's truly capable as an AFL ruckman or not. Good luck Jake!

Really want Angus Brayshaw to start firing so we have two things to thank the Saints for and to laugh at them twice as hard.

MRP what a joke. Ryder chases a player down the field and king hits from behind. Knights leaves ground and takes no further part in the match but the blow is considered low impact. What a difference between how Melbourne players are treated.

Hope no-one hurts themselves falling off these high horses.

So Paddy Ryder gets 2 weeks down to 1 whereas our guys get 3 down to 2! Crow's doctors must have given a 'no symptoms' type of report - classed as 'low' impact. The hate I felt for Carlton last week has just gone up a few more notches! They really are scum, big sooks and bad sports.

He's averaging 21 disposals, 7 marks, 1.3 goals (30 goal season), top 30 in league for goal assists, and 90 ranking points (last year 67). He's yet to have a breakout game, but he's a very important player, who's performing his role well and bringing his teammates into the game with some clever decision making. McCartin on the other hand ...

Watts playing as the spare ruckman has helped elevate his game. It's going to be the way of the future for him as a player. Frustrating that we are not seeing vfl reports anymore but it would appear Pedo is miles off a run. Can't see that many changes this week other than for injury, as the cupboard is looking pretty bare.

Cripes it is the Spanish inquisition in here Glad you guys were never my parents. Lot worse things you can do than light up a dart ( I miss 'em!!)

I'm wondering how many people who commented in this thread actually read the article. He went to Perth with the club's blessings for family reasons. I imagine, as was posted last year, it has something to do with the very poor health of a family member. I also know that smoking is often tied in with stressful situations, so it's no surprise to hear that he was smoking. And before anyone says that if it was a serious family situation what the hell is he doing going to a music festival, having been in such a situation (as I'm sure many of you have as well), it's important to get out occasionally to clear the head. The club has said they don't condone his smoking, but they are putting their full support behind him in what is a very difficult time for him. I'm completely anti smoking, but I think he should be cut some slack given the circumstances.

Relax. It might have just been cannabis.

I'd think he should be put on after school detention and the club should call his parents. Very naughty indeed. He won't think he's so cool when his father finds out.

Not a good look, but it's hardly a big deal. I'd rather him puff on a ciggie than be popping pills instead.

This is so damn good. I've already sent it around the family.

Well you might be the only person on the planet who holds that view. Even Scott conceded we were the better side and if we had kicked straight would have won.

Interesting view. I thought we were well on top until 3/4 time. As Roos and Hudson ( a Cat's supporter ) said on Fox Footy during the game, we should have been 8-10 goals up then. The 2 champs stood up only when Max went off and their 6'10" ruckman, playing against a non ruckman 5 inches shorter, was able to hit the ball straight to them and the clearances changed from us up 5 at the last break to down 5 at the end. No Hogan, Lewis, an injured Vince and then Gawn off, them not missing kicking 18 straight and us kicking at goal worse than I can ever recall, was the reason for the loss. Inside 50's , 53-38 our way. We were the better side on the day and lost. That is the game I saw.

Sounds over simplistic but it had nothing to do with Hogan, Lewis, or even Max going down. It was 100% about the conversion. Game plan and personnel stacked up, when you convert the way we did and they pull them out of their a#se thats what happens. Lots to take from it. I have seen every minute of every game this year from the stands and we will worry, and beat, lots of sides, even with our injuries stacking up. No 4 points, but at the end of the day we were CLEARLY the better side, anyone questioning that either wasnt at the game or is just waiting for a chance to stick the knives in.

Seriously anyone finding outrage in this needs to get some fresh air (and perspective)

We could be a chance of scoring Marlboro for our back of jumper sponsor now though.

It's worth noting that even in a game where he started with a hard tag and wasn't at his best, he still managed 28 disposals, 5 clearances (equal third most on the ground) and 8 tackles (third most on the ground). He is going to be a super, super player.

Another great game from ANB, that backwards kick aside. Starting to see why people were calling him a steal at pick 40 in the 2014 draft, with some mock drafts having him go in the late teens. (And his equally impressive mate Billy Stretch was a steal in that drat too at pick 42)

Ryder 1 week? Lyons a fine? Get [censored] MRP you [censored] [censored]. You can all sooth on a bag of dicks

what?? what on earth would make you think that? If its 12 weeks then he would be back with like 7 rounds to go... maybe if there was only 1/2 rounds to go and we were out of contention they wouldnt risk it but with 7 left he will play.

I can. Roos did.

I was looking forward to seeing Max up against "The Monster" but that's sport. Jake will concede size and experience to Sandilands so I doubt he will beat him outright. But if he makes a hard competitive effort and does not allow Sandilands to dominate, plus a couple of grabs around the ground, he will have done his job.

Just because a festival is sold out, doesn't mean it's difficult to get tickets at the last second. Jesse probably had a mate who had a spare one, or picked one up off FB. To infer that he'd planned to go to this festival on a day when he should have been playing against Geelong in Melbourne, before the fact, is ridiculous.

I would be bringing in Spencer for Gawn, but also bring in Pedersen for either Weideman or Smith to play second ruck. Let Watts play forward, especially after having to ruck all day Saturday.

Dude you may want to remove this post - you were meant to be working Saturday remember

I am actually looking forward to the next 8-12 weeks, or whatever it turns out to be. We have to develop another ruck that can hold his own at AFL level and with Gawn dominating it was always going to be hard for someone else to break into the side and have a good crack at it. Now big Jake has his chance, and has a nice block of games to make his mark. Go Spencil!

There have been a few comments on the Watts Goal (which deserves the capital G). I just want to point out the defensive work he did to start that passage. He was the one who managed to get a hold on Dangerfield and hang on just enough to make him fumble a handball instead of bombing long. That in itself would have won him some points, but he continued to chase and harass up the field until the team defence forced a loose ball. To me that's as big a statement from him as the aggressive one-handed pickup, break away pace out of congestion and the goal itself.

Taking into consideration Hogan's circumstance (family), it is hard not to cut him some slack. Smoking at a festival is probably not very high on Hogan's 'give a damn' list at the moment - which is understandable. We do have sponsors to consider, and it isn't a great look on the club, but I am pretty sure that most will understand it isn't an ideal situation Hogan finds himself in (with his old man ill). I cut him some slack anyway. He did come back to pre-season in great nick. Recent incidents (on field and now off) aren't ideal though.

"Over the past few months, Jesse has been dealing with the deterioration of his father’s health and the club took the opportunity, with him being suspended, to give him three days away from the club over the weekend,” Mahoney said. from Hun article. Cut the guy some slack ffs

Bloody hell. Watts is dying in a ditch from exhaustion from rucking all day and Hogan is smoking darts at a music festival...