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Tim Watson is a moron and his son is a drug cheat.

That 15 minutes in the last qtr on Saturday when neither team scored was as tough, brutal and physically demanding football that you will see. I found it great to watch

Just watched this video and thought it had a good example of the point i'm making above: Not sure how to do a gif but freeze this video at exactly 5:31. This is a really good example of my point about their diamond zone set up, players not standing key forwards (or indeed hardly any forwards) and instead running to the contest to spoil. It's a stoppage so everyone has time to get in position for Wines' kick. The obvious target is their key forward Dixon. Despite this there is not one dees players in touching distance of him. In fact of the nine defenders inside the 50 metre arc, only 2 are right next to a Port player (note they only have 7 forwards in the arc). Omac is set up way behind both Dixon and another Port player. Frost is in front, Jetts and Hunt are to the side, with Hibberd not far away also guarding space. When you roll the tape (so to speak) you will see that Wines does in fact kick to Dixon (with the zone set up making it hard for anyone to lead into space, with maxy getting back hard to fill the hole in front). Omac comes from a long way back (wheres' the block?) and jetts comes from the side to both effect the spoil. Other defenders then come to the contest, fight for the ball, win it and with out number try to work it it out, initially by hand (backwards and towards the Port goal square, which used to be no no - hit the boundary line!), ending with Hibberd who tries to clear the 50 but mishit it. Now of course they don't always set up like this and there will be times they will play the old school man on man on the KPFs that Dunn loves to play but it is instructive they don't here, and didn't all day, against one of the best contested marks in the league in Dixon. And it worked a treat. he was ineffectual really and the zone really frustrated their attempts to bring the ball in to their forward line, keeping in mind they are one of the highest scoring teams in the AFL. In the end they had to use Boak to run though the corridor and inside the 50 metre arc to generate goals scoring chances. Which worked but took him away from getting high possession numbers. The zone also allows us to attack from the back half, through using free men, chains of handballs and wave running which when on we do so well. Great to watch.

Young key forwards are a mixed bag. And playing in the hardest position to make consistent impact doesn't help. Patton looked like a dinosaur at early stages, couldn't get near it. Now he's smashed a few games and looks set to be a player. Boyd looked promising, has done nothing. (Yeah yeah grand final blah blah.) McCartin was a number 1 pick. Hasn't got near it. For various reasons. Hogan is a freak and been a man since primary school. Still has flaws Daniher is an athletic freak. Still has flaws They're just a mixed bag. And they take time and development no matter how good or bad they are early days. The promising thing about Weed is he has shown glimpses of everything. Every facet of the game he has shown he can do it. Showed great decision making and link up play in his first game, neat skills. Showed defensive pressure and hardness against the Crows. Showed contested marking and long accurate goal kicking against Box Hill. He needs a tank, strength, and for it to mentally click. Those things take time for most tall kids. Cool your jets.

That tackle.

Gee we have changed as a supporter base when we are worrying about this. As Dory said in Finding Nemo, "just keep winning, just keep winning..."

I think a father who puts the image and future of a football club ahead of the physical welfare and well being of his own son is a poor excuse for a father. You embarass yourself Tim.

Smack bang in the middle of the Eagles members after McDonald kicks the winning goal.

Some encouraging news.

Not sure if this is the elephant in the room. There has been more close games this season than any other season I can remember. Record attendances, so many swings in games, upsets galore and a very even season. boring, predictable, certainly don't come to mind. The second half of the Melb v Port game was contest after contest, no side willing to give an inch. In the balance it was enthralling arm wrestle and the Dees did well to hold tight and score late to secure a great win.

Just thought that was worth repeating.

It a been a hard slog in the past two months. Lots of travel, good opposition and short breaks. Be thankful we won more than we lost in that period.

As I understand it both Hibberd and Melksham are relishing playing in a different environment which is understandable in the circumstances. As a result, they've had the freedom to progress their talents and improve their game. The sour grapes from Timmy are ill- founded and unnecessary.

He wears number 21 according to Basil Zempilas.

He's warming up.

You are all being overly critical of Sammy, stats do not tell the whole story. For those who actually saw the game (me) yes he was quiet but that's because he was double teamed all night, even sometimes triple teamed. What he did do well was compete strongly in the air, allowing the other forwards to get free and have big impacts. At one stage he ran back against the flight of the ball and crashed couragesly into a big pack, taking a fantastic contested mark and then stabbing a kick to Pederson who then converted a goal. You can't expect a 20 year old kid who was getting 2 or 3 AFL level defenders at every contest to have a massive game mark/scoring wise. God damn you dudes are crazy harsh

2013 me would slap 2017 me in the face.

Tim is renowned for his exemplary coaching acumen as evidenced during his tenure at the Saints (whenever that was). EAD, Tim.

I've always seen this as a controversial phrase. When I used it once backstage at an Adele concert I got kicked out. BTW- if Dermatitis says we are GF or flag worthy then we are worthy. He may not be as intelligent as he would think ,but footy and fornication are two things he knows deeply,sideways and backwards.

Completely disagree, maybe a couple of years ago it was a worry but the players are getting better at playing through the congestion. You see guys like Clayton who come in and absolutely thrive off it. it's incredibly exciting when a team breaks through lines and has clear space in front of them, and players like Hunt and Frost have added value because they can tear through these lines. The games this year have been incredible, I really don't understand how you can say they're boring.

Any second half when the Demons are winning all day is awesome from where i sit. Bring on 30 years of Domination, we have all seen quite enough of the alternative.

The Hawks doctor was on the radio last week and went into quite a lot of details around concussion - he is the league's expert and was just about to head off to a world conference. Anyway, he was asked about helmets and basically said they could help prevent the impact type concussions (punches, ball hits etc) as they can help to soften the blows, the concussions caused by "shaking" where as you said the brain floats around and causes the injury the helmet would have no effect. The issue of repeat concussions was also brought up, and surprisingly he said that there not really connected as the brain has different areas which have different functions. So while there is a need to be careful, one concussion doesn't really lead to another or is connected with a previous one, good news for Gus I'd hope. Might explain why he's wearing the helmet, one of the concussions was from the ball hitting him on a wet day at Casey and another was from a hit behind play, so the helmet may have helped to lessen the blow in those instances.

Three things will be different to normal. 1) We are now regarded as a threat - so all teams will be tougher (but not stupid) on us, when it comes to deals. 2) We are in the window and don't have a high pick - so we have to be crafty just to get any players immediately worthy of AFL games. 3) Our list is for the first time close to perfect in terms of balance now. We've had the second worst run of key injuries this season behind only GWS and we still are in shape to make the finals. That said I have four players in mind - of which we'd be lucky to get one and be doing great to get two. 1) A mobile forward/back-up ruckman - this has been mentioned by almost everyone, although the rise of T-Mac as a forward has removed some of the urgency in this type. The club may decide to keep Pedersen (31 next season) again as back-up insurance and Weids is hopefully going to keep developing so there is an argument to say we already have this covered. I certainly wouldn't be making any big plays for Tippett (too old and expensive) or Casboult. To me the ideal pick up is Freo's Matt Taberner, who comes from Bright, and has been dominating WAFL games but after five seasons and 50-odd games is sitting behind Kersten and McCarthy in Ross's mindset. He occasionally comes in and dominates a game like he did against Essendon but then goes missing for a few weeks and gets dropped. He is 198cm and is a cracking mark with a good leap so would be a handy back-up ruck or back-up tall and he's still only 24. The bad wrap on him is that he's a tad slow - the same wrap that applies to both Pedo and Weid mind you, so that shouldn't be a complete deterrent because we are talking back-up tall here. Freo would want a second round pick, but so long as he doesn't have a cracker when recalled this week or next, he should be about a third rounder. 2) Pace - You could argue we need a Jeffy back-up, but we also need a Jayden back-up. Obviously we'd all like a Danger or even a Hill from Freo, but let's be realistic. The most likely interested player with pace and links to the Dees is Zak Jones. If you've watched him, you'd know he's a linebreaker, but prone to the occasional turnover because he pushes the envelope - like Jayden does. But he's a lovely kick like his big brother and has the same courage. The problem is that his rating has gone through the roof in the past 12 months at Sydney and if we were able to win his interest it will cost (probably about three years at $550K) and it will be a hard battle to avoid giving up our first round pick for him. But I'd do the deal as we all know pace is everything these days. 3) A quality tall defender - If we were to snare Taberner then you could argue that T-Mac's return to defence could give us this player anyway. It is also worth noting that O-Mac is improving at such a rate, that we wouldn't have room for such a player anyway. But if the rumours are correct, then we are into Jake Lever in a big way and there's no doubt he has the quality to play on bigs and mediums and is an intercept marking king via zone defence - something we have lacked since Howey left. My only issue is how we can offer something of value in return for him, especially if our first round pick goes to Sydney for Zak Jones. If I were the Crows, I'd be making a big play to get ANB - Eddie is almost done now and they need a clever small forward. Is there any coincidence that neither Jake or ANB have signed. Clearly ANB does not have Lever's reputation, but those who have watched closely will have spotted just how good ANB has become. Hopefully ANB stays with us and if so, I can't really see how the Crows will deal with us on Lever. My guess is that we will sign ANB in the next few weeks to a 3-year deal and that we will have to draft a project mobile tall defender with a late pick or rookie pick. We also have Col G coming back next year, so we already have a bit of cover in this area. 4) A classy medium forward/mid - Every side wants this type of player and that's predominantly what the first two rounds of the draft are used for. We missed the boat two years ago when we overlooked Curnow, and De Goey is coming on like a bullet as well, although he's more mid than forward. The reason why we need this player is that eventually (not this season) we have to start using CP5 in the middle - Jones is 30 next season but how many more years of battering can he take. There is one player that the Casey boys will tell you that Bayley Fritsch is a shoo-in to get drafted next season. He's a livewire, high-leaping 187cm forward who is still pretty light - so he has an up side that recruiters look for. KC from Casey has been in raptures about him all season. But the big issue is whether Mitch Hannan's impressive season has put him out of our league (pick). My suspicion is that, barring a poor VFL finals series, he will go for a second rounder and even that may be a stretch - the Dogs will be keen for payback. My only other comment on list is that I hope we keep Trenners. It's hard to find quality people and he's certainly good enough to get a game at most clubs and ours and is great role model for our VFL players. I can understand that Bernie and Jordie are preferred to him at moment but next year may be a different thing and they have already shown a propensity to miss games for disciplinary reasons. Finally, I'd love us to rookie draft a kid from the NT - refer my previous comments elsewhere on this.

First world problems! I remember the days when we were complaining about how easily we were being crushed by other teams.

If you had of said 1st round and ANB 2 months ago I would have jumped at it, but I want to keep him now I think he is only going to get better, so I would start at this years 1st rounder and maybe next years second

We don't need Jones coming back anything less than 100%, re-injuring his quad and subsequently jeopardising his chance of playing finals football. And that's not just looking at it from a team perspective - individually, it's going to be huge for him to play in September after the ten + years he's had to endure.

I enjoyed the second half especially the last quarter where we basically kept them in their back half after their two early goals. Our zone worked perfectly with Lewis setting up as the general at half back. Two contrasting halves but brilliant to watch in my eyes, these styles can take you a long way to success.

The pleasing thing generally, is that as a club we are now thoroughly professional in our development of our players. No more is there a one size fits all mentality. Players with particular issues have them addressed. Whether it is technique, training/fitness, injuries, speed, game plan, 1%'s etc, we are able to work with our players to improve them and get the best out of them. We will end up with more AFL standard players as a result and be more successful as a result in our recruiting. I have come around to the development argument in the recruiting threads as a factor in so many of our recruiting failures. In the end you need good recruiters and proper development to get to base one, before you can factor in things like attitude, coaching, facilities etc.

I think that Vince's best position isn't off the half back flank. With Hibberd, Hunt, Salem and at time Lewis I think that's plenty of half back flankers bringing the ball out of defence. When Bernie was in good form for Melbourne he was playing in the midfield and off a wing. Remember in the first couple of seasons seeing him running and receiving the handball kicking 50m goals, that's the Vince we need back. I think we should push him back into the midfield and off a wing.

It helped that the Port player just kinda stood there and got no help with a shepherd, but I did enjoy this sight.

It's funny, but I have gone from the guy at work who follows that "irrelevant team" to the guy at work who follows that "thug team". All of a sudden we look the goods, and everyone f'ing hates us! I love it! I don't care where I am or am not welcome, I'm wearing my teams colours with pride. F' em all!

The game is fine - the elephants are named 'umpiring' and 'match review panel'. These two things are in dire need of sorting out. Do that and I'll enjoy my footy much better.

Congestion is the biggest issue with the sport and because of the open nature of the game it is impossible to police (without creating zones). However, AFL crowds are on the increase whereas NRL crowds are on the way down and Super Rugby is on its knees so your assessment is incorrect. It's still the best sport in the world, albeit too crowded at times.

I wouldn't put it past the cheating bastards to suddenly find "documentary evidence" that only Hibbert and Melksham took "the good stuff" and that Jab took vitamin C.

Happy for the media to ignore us. The last time they fawned over us we put in a stinker against the Swans. They can leave us alone as far as I'm concerned.

I would pay 2 first rounder but demand next years second rounder back from AFC.... that at least gives us 2 second rounders next year.

Yes Macca is the unsung hero of the revival. Roos and Goodwin have been huge, but I'd assume Macca has been equal to these guys in terms of player development, instilling confidence and contested ball craft.

Adelaide has had a terrible run since the free agency era began. Maybe worse than any other club. So many high profile players seeking trades, or simply jumping ship. It's great isn't it.

The old "we didn't want him anyway". Whatever, Tim. Feel the burn. We love Hibberd and your being a bad sport about it makes it all the more sweet.

Far out. Without a word of a lie, I wrote that Dory joke on here the other day then decided it was probably too obscure for people to get, so I didn't post it. Hope nobody laughs at it now!

A lot of players are still building their tanks. Our game plan is very demanding over four quarters. The big wins will come, hopefully in the form of a ten goal win this weekend against North. For what its worth, I'm pretty content with just winning these days after only 17 wins between the start of 2012 and the end of 2015. EDIT: Sorry, did I say 17 wins? I meant 15....Ouch.

I would say this has been one of the most even and unpredictable seasons that I can remember- and my deplorable tipping results can testify to that! So many close finishes and come from behind victories (even some pearlers involving the dees) - I've thoroughly enjoyed watching the footy this year. This year there doesn't seem to be any safe margin at any stage of the match.

Speaking of that did any one else hear last night on SEN when Dermit Breaton said the Dee's are the best placed side in the eight to win the GF OX almost feel off his chair he was that happy. Hope he is right?

Got here just as jetta being assessed. Hard to tell but he walked back without assistace. Watts worked with defensive group on hanball and short kick drills. Brayshaw looked solid. Garland ran laps solidly Nathan jones ran beautifully all session and looked really sharp on close in drills. Didnt kick, but then noone else was except jesse. All handballing by everyone. Viney not out there. Bugg fully involved. I may have missed him but couldn't find max out there. Really windy but skills still looked good. Oscar and tom played on each other for goals kiciin/defending drills. It looked like they were having fun, music playing etc. Just a really good vibe if you like. Goodwin very public in control over all.

I'm out of the Omac discussion (though i as looking forward to SMJ's promised involvement by involvement review of his game - oh well, and it does raise a chuckle that earlier in the season he was being criticised for not being able to spoil at all and now it is for spoiling into the corridor) so this is not an attempt and defending him, but you make some good points here. I think some football watchers don't really understand the zone. And i include the ex footballers who do 'special comments' in that. More often than not key defenders do stand their man the way they used to, the way Lynden Dunn does for instance, certainly ours don't. They stand to the side and to the front, with a small sometimes behind, often in a diamond around the key forwards It means they are often running to a contest to spoil and have far less capacity to direct a spoil or drop it to their feet and cause a stoppage (it also is why so often a jetta is going up against much bigger players). And in most instances they will have to spoil in the direction they are running. A good example is the attempted spoil on Dixon that Omac missed. He was coming from the corridor to that contest. If he had made the spoil, as he should have, it would have gone towards the boundary because that is the way he was running. Frost, who started closer to Dixon, but in front of him also missed the spoil. If he made it he would have likely had to have hit it towards Ports's goals and perhaps even into the corridor as he was running back slightly with the ball. The second Omac spoil to the corridor he was running from the boundary to the goal square to make the spoil. He had to spoil - imagine the barbs if he hadn't. Where else could he have hit it? And it is easy to forget the fact that he made the spoil, saving what would have been a goal and then did well to get the ground ball, clean up and be part of a chain of possessions from our well drilled and connected back six that worked the ball out of our defensive half.

That was Lewis's best game for MFC IMHO on a day made for him. In close tricks, defensive smarts and lack of errors make me think he is getting back to his best.

Don't worry about what the 'box' is showing.....just whatvthe scoreboard is. So much media....so much agenda

Next time one of the uneducated bogans from the HS brings up Josh Kelly and Tyson/Salem, make sure the following year's trade is pointed out to them. Melbourne traded pick 23 to GWS for Frost, pick 40 (Neal-Bullen) and pick 53 (Oscar McDonald). The best part? GWS used pick 23 on Pat McKenna, who is now on our list. That has to be the most one-sided trade we've ever done. Anyway, ANB, tracking very nicely. Has gone from panic merchant to Mr. Cool with ball in hand.