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Tyson's pace is virtually never an issue, he has a great sidestep, is creative, tough, is hard to bring down, is good overhead, knows how to find the footy, is valuable in rotations through the centre square, and usually a good distributor. You may not have him in your best 22, but I'm certain Goodwin does.

Pre-season done, both games won well, no injuries and almost the entire best 22-24 up and running... Couldn’t have asked for more. Bring on season 2018. its gonna be a ripper...

I don't understand why people are so hard on Dom Tyson. Coming off an injury, he played under 70% game time and still accumulated a raft of possies, kicked a goal and laid 8 tackles. I know his kicking can be a little suspect, but he was crucial for us last night, especially in the first half. If you don't think he's in our best 22 then you've got rocks in your head.

Tex... Mate... get over it! He left your shitty club and got the hells outta Adelaide. Move on mate, gotta convince Sloane to stay now... good luck! ps, when did they get the interwebz in Adelaide lol pps, lol = laugh out loud. Shine on you crazy diamond!

I think not having OMac proved that we need OMac. I'm a big fan of Frosty but he can't hold down the big man fort alone.

Ablett just announced he’ll be playing now.

I agree, let’s get rid of him. An average quarter in a JLT is unacceptable.

Tyson would be close to the most nimble and agile player in congestion we have, Oliver excluded. He is tough as nails, his kicking is penetrating and he keeps getting the footy. He is not just best 22 at Melbourne he would be at any other club in the league as well.

For an entire word.

Brayshaw just needs a bit more time. I thought some of his class started to show tonight. 19 touches at 84% DE and two goals is a good start.

While the 3rd quarter "looked" bad from our perspective, it was a practice match, and we were trying different set-ups that were not used in the first half: * mid-field changed to Salem, Hannan, Maynard.....Jones and Tyson moved to wings and off the bench to allow the youngsters time. Remember we were 5 goals up and cruising. When we needed to press the pedal in the last, we did by putting the better options back in the middle. * Max played the whole game with Pedo as a chop out when needed. The Saints ran Hickey for the whole of the 1st half against him, and then brought Marshall on for the 2nd half as a completely fresh ruck. No wonder he cramped at the end, and we couldn't get our hands on the ball in the 3rd. * Oscar left the field with back problems and Frost replaced him. Suddenly Bruce and McCartin start marking the ball. Once Frost found his feet they stopped kicking goals.

He is a very smart footballer. I think his footballing IQ is under-rated...

I also think the drop off in the 3rd quarter coincided with having Maynard and Salem in the centre bounce for virtually the entire 20 minutes, and Jones was barely sighted (probably rested that quarter). We got well smashed in the centre that quarter which allowed the Saints to control the game. All of a sudden contested ball went in their favour after we dominated in the first half. Winning was clearly not the priority, as I am sure if this was a real game, the set up would be very different. Also I don't think it's a coincidence that when OMac went off in the second half, that Bruce started bobbing up. Frost is nowhere near as good a defender as OMac, which I know is a bitter pill for some people to swallow, but he is very good and clam under pressure and while Frost does some nice things, he panics easily and his disposal is bog ordinary. Missing TMac up forward and having Hogan playing high, didn't help our forward 50 entries, especially when we weren't winning clearances in the third so had to rush the entries. My biggest disappointment of the night is Hunt. We have to work out how to play him to best expose his speed. I know he is getting heavily tagged now, but we need to get 15 touches a game from him, or else his position is not warranted in the starting 22.

good post overall, but not sure this is right; jones effectively played outside the entire game and has done that the entire year - i think our plan a starting square combo is gawn, oliver, viney and tyson, with jones becoming a wingman in 2018 in terms of disposal count, i'd rather be efficient as we were than over-possess it like they did there's no way for mine that vince and hannan don't play - both are such good users of the ball and generally speaking hard as nails; i'm constantly amazed by how tough hannan is for a bloke who looks so slight

That looks painful!

My excitement level for 2018 went up another notch last night. I'm not too phased by the 3rd quarter when they got on top in the clearances (while our 3rd string clearance players were being given some exposure through the middle). This gave them some momentum that took us a while to arrest, however I reckon their run-on would have been more easily halted if Viney, Lewis, ANB and Harmes had been on the park. What really excited me was: our start (which was a problem area for many games last year); our spread of goal kickers / avenues to goal; our improved skill levels (confirming training reports); the return to very good form of Hoges, Gawn and Gus after injuries etc. plagued their 2017 seasons; and the continued development of Tracc, Clarrie and Melky. All looks fantastic to me!

Wowee! Here's the new whipping boy, straight outta left field! Oscar Mac, you're safe!

When judging a player I think the best think you can do is judge them based on one average quarter.

Not mentioned much thus far is Hogan’s game. I thought he was terrific - 21 touches, 7 marks and 2 goals. Effective involvement in inside 50s, some great ball use, massive tank and just good footy smarts. He looks confident and happy - will be a huge factor for us this season rotating through the midfield. I really like him as a roaming CHF, whilst TMac / resting Gawn tall timber up front.

100% agrre. I understand the knocks on his disposal but he is a definite best 22 lock in this side. It is a discussion point as to whether people believe he should a lock or not but i j have no doubt at all that Goodwin has him as a lock. And for what its worth i agree with Goody (who i guess knows a thing or two about football). His ability to win contested ball and clear congestion is critical for us. He is a big strong mid, a type that goody and Roos before him favour (look at Oliver 6'2 in the old, Maynard is big, Hogan when he;s there, trac, viney is a bull - even salem is a stocky little bugger)'. And whilst his disposal can be iffy it can also be excellent. I love the the penetration he can get of one step and he has good hands in traffic. I also like he has an eye for a goal

lever was arguably our best defender on the night; so smooth, all class he's going to be worth every cent

No coincidence that all their forwards got touches once Oscar went off. I’m a fan and he’s probably more important than I give him credit for. Shocking 3rd quarter. Loved Goodwin taking extended time right before the 4q bounce with Oliver, bang clearance. Once the class got their hands on it on the 4th you could just see the difference between the teams. Took a quarter off and still won easily.

Well I honestly can’t see us losing a game this year.

One of the first things Roos said on the telecast yesterday was that Tyson has been 'outstanding' since joining from GWS. Sometimes you forget how good he has been. We got him as a sort of unknown, but when fit he's a regular at the pointy end of the B&F. Any talk of him not being best 22 is nonsense.

Ripper headline out of the UK earlier this week about possible trade retaliation against US tariffs: "We'll put a levy on your Chevy and tax your whiskey and rye."

He looked very good last night, excited to see how he progresses this year. I think people forget how young he still is.

Clarry looked massive last night really tall, he got reemed by the umps though and doesn’t get frees when he is getting tagged but still was close to bog, I thought petracca was just brilliant last night his vision and execution in tight by foot is unbelievable, I remember the commentators jokeing in 1st quarter when he kicked inside to melksham saying he didn’t mean to do it, oh I think he absolutely meant it he will break out this year nothing surer, and my tip for the best and fairest

Stop listening to the external noise, and take a look at where he is getting his possessions. If you do this, you will soon realise that he is using the appropriate method of getting rid of it under the circumstances.

I for one am pleased to hear a decision has finally been made on this ongoing "will he, won't he" saga. It takes the heat out of the whole issue and I suspect, a substantial burden off young Jack's back. He can now forget the calendar and do whatever it is he needs to do to get himself right. We all know he wants to be out there, but more level heads are required for him to be able to stay out there. Good call in my view.

Fritsch is beautiful kick.

He spent a little time there, although we rotated players through positions quite heavily, especially through the third term. He got a look in there without T Mac playing and when Pedersen went into the ruck. Having said that, he did take a ripper mark over Carlisle at one stage, so he could easily play there if required.

I like Frosty, but you sometimes feel he is one extra step away from disaster. He did some really good things last night, including a great contested mark running back with the flight and some dash out of the back line, but you feel there is more scope for mistakes with him than there are with Oscar.

11 kicks 8 handballs 6 marks 8 tackles and a goal. you are delusional if you think he will be dropped

You could tell from the moment the 3rd quarter started we were flat after half time and stuffing around with the ball. Bernie - who was otherwise excellent all night - started doing all sorts of dinky kicks. The midfield couldn't win a clearance. The backline started bombing it in and the forwards weren't defending at all well. I don't really care that we came out flat thinking or knowing we were ready for round 1 and in some ways it made the 4th quarter a better test to play the game out. What kills me is that we can't bottle it up once we've started poorly. You have a bad 5 minutes and give away a couple of goals to start a quarter - every team does - but then you have to find a way to get control of the footy. Take the pace out of the game and switch the ball around a bit and get numbers to the contest. Every team has bad quarters. The difference between the good, the bad and the ugly is shutting those quarters down and getting back in the game.

Overall an impressive display, although a worrying third term when Savage and Billings tore us apart with their disposal skills and we were smashed at the clearances in that term. It was interesting to see who would step up for us when it mattered and it was general the younger brigade – Oliver, Trac and Brayshaw the stars and Bugg, Lever and Tyson huge as well. The big difference is that for the first two terms our disposal and ball movement was so precise (almost Hawthorn of 2012-15ish) and you could see the errors unfolding for our opponents. Pleasingly, we got a reminder in the third term that you can’t ease up the intensity and even more pleasing, we stepped it up again in the last. So many good players but here’s my take: Oliver: Brilliant first half. Set the tempo in the middle in the first quarter and then drifted down forward and snagged a couple in the second. What are his Brownlow odds? Petracca: Not far behind him. Big marks, big takeaway, big mistake by Saints three years ago. Lifted in the last when we needed him. Lever: Unbelievably clean early when the heat was on and safe and sure in the final term. Does anyone now question why we paid the big bucks to get this guy? Brayshaw: He was back tackling like he did in 2015 and he even cost a goal with one of his over-exuberant efforts. Then his final term took it to a new level - he was everywhere. After a so-so display against North, he made sure he’s in for Rd 1. Fritsch: Skills, pace and the only question mark (his intensity) were answered early. But a quietish second half begs the question – how can he get a game ahead of ANB and Harmes if they are fit … and Bugg? Hannan: After an ordinary sort of game against North, he stepped up big time and his pace and tackling was a feature. We know the coach loves him and on that showing, you can see why. Lock him in for Rd 1 Eddie. Salem: I’m not totally sold on him in the guts, but he was clean and showed how dangerous he can be with a classy snag in second term. But along with Billy, he has to keep performing. Hibberd&Melksham: The Bomber buddies must be looking forward to Rd 7 already. Melky continued to show that he is a dangerous hard-running small forward. Hibberd is a SC must. Maynard: OK someone has to miss out in Rd 1 and if Viney plays, it will most likely be him. But he’s courageous and a massive worker like his brother. He will play at some stage, but I suspect he’ll win the Casey B&F. Tyson: Came back in and looked fit and smart and his first goal was Tysonesque with a nice change of direction. Prolific in last term. Put him back in your best 22. Stretch: Billy was everywhere in the first term and his releases were generally exceptional. He kept running and it would be tough to leave him out on that display. But if Harmes, Viney and ANB return, then it could get down to him or Salem for Rd 1. Bugg: Showed his value in the third term. Beat his man, legged, no free and still gets up to lay a strong tackle that sees the ball spill to Jeffy to re-establish our lead. Really lifted when it counted and it will be a brave man that leaves him out Rd 1, but it could get down to Fritsch v Bugg for that last forward spot, if ANB is fit. Garlett: A few classy intercepts and a couple of snapped goals. Not dominant but his pace adds to our forward pressure mix. Pedersen: Brilliant early mark and long kick to set up Petracca’s first goal. Did nothing wrong and worked his butt off but hard to see playing Rd 1 if T.Mac returns. Jetta: Not his best night, but maybe needed the run. Won’t get Motlop (he’s not there) but will get a key Cat in Rd 1. Frost: Came on in second term and made a couple of poor kicking errors and beaten a couple of times by Bruce but lively and grew in stature in the last term. Hunt: Not his greatest night disposal wise, but showed why he’s so dangerous and converted the sealer. Wagner: Another handy game, but if Jordy is fit, then he looks likely to be the unlucky one to miss. O-Mac: Was he rested after quarter time. Or injured? He wasn’t that impressive early, but we did miss his kicking composure in the third term. Vince: One cross field howler, but overall another strong display. Will he pick up Danger when he rests forward? That is the question. Jones: He’ll be better for the run. Certainly not his night. Gawn and Hoges: Our two money men missed quite a few targets early but both got better as the game wore on and did not stop running and presenting – which ultimately is what their paid to do.

At full fitness Jack Viney might be our best player, but an underdone Viney can be pretty ordinary, we've seen that a few times of the last few years. I'm hoping this decision was really based on what's best for Jack but I also don't think it's a surprise that the call has been made after Brayshaw and Tyson both played well last night. Time to back those boys in for round 1 now.

The brown fist award.

Frost's best attribute is his dash out of defence and we need that attribute ... we can't be relying on Hunt alone as a good opposition coach could curtail Hunt's dash. Having 3 speedsters out of defence would be even better but the speedsters all would need to be decent players as well. But Frost's spoiling efforts last night were very good (I watched him carefully) ... he got a fist to the ball on a number of occasions and sometimes those spoils aren't noticeable. 10 x 1%ers as compared to our next best with 4. He's getting a lot better at killing a contest. However, I don't necessarily see it as Frost or Oscar anyway ... it can be both especially if both are playing different roles.

Bugg is the sort of player that would have played 100 games for us in years gone past. He's good depth, but not best 22 in a quality finals team. That's not to say he wouldn't play a final, but imo it would be off the back of injuries.

GLASS THREE QUARTERS FULL by The Oracle Melbourne fans were left with a feeling of holding a three quarters full glass in their hands after their team’s 26 point win over St Kilda in their second JLT Community Series match up last night. Their team produced some stylish and scintillating football in the first, second and final terms in front of 4,567 fans at Casey Fields but it was the complete fade out in what is often described as the “premiership quarter” that left some of them with worries about the season ahead. Yes, it was only a practice match but this was a team that missed the finals last year by a slim percentage margin and surely, its occasional propensity to switch off from time to time was one of the contributing factors to that sorry outcome? The Demons were quick out the blocks with their eight goal opening term in which ruckman Max Gawn was a dominant factor who gave his midfield led by an effervescent, slim line Clayton Oliver an armchair ride that opened up multiple avenues to goal with some strong contested football. The Saints somehow managed four goals on the rebound but Melbourne maintained control and looked comfortable as it led by 39 points well into the shadows of the half-time break. The team seemed to ease up the pressure just a little late in the second term but not only did they completely lose momentum in the third, they also coughed up the lead after a run of seven unanswered goals left them five points in arrears until a Jeff Garlett kick found a way from the outside of his boot through the big sticks to settle the team down 30 minutes into the quarter. Big Max had been a little quiet after half-time but he was back to his best in the pressure cooker atmosphere in the final term as the Dees regained their composure in the final quarter through Angus Brayshaw who booted their first two of six goals that saw them safely home. Despite the lapse in that third quarter when the team was often beaten on the rebound after pushing hard forward, there was still plenty to be pleased about with a little over two weeks to go before the main campaign starts. Recruits Jake Lever and Bayley Fritsch were impressive with the former putting in a superb display in defence. The team was generally neat and precise in its ball movement, and there was great depth and evenness through the team with 13 goal kickers. Also pleasing is the fact that there would be close to half a dozen important players out of the side (including Jack Viney, Jordan Lewis and Tom McDonald) who will also come into selection consideration for the opening game in a fortnight’s time. With a full strength side, Simon Goodwin might yet have a team that can fill his glass with success. Melbourne 8.4.52 11.5.71 12.8.80 18.11.119 St Kilda 4.1.25 6.4.40 12.7.79 14.9.93 Goals Melbourne Brayshaw Garlett Hogan Melksham Oliver 2 Bugg Fritsch Hannan Hunt Petracca Salem Tyson Vince St Kilda Bruce 3 Sinclair 2 Acres Armitage Billings Clark Gresham McCartin Membrey Savage Steven Best Melbourne Oliver Gawn Hibberd Petracca Lever Hogan St Kilda Billings Acres Ross Geary Savage Steele Injuries Melbourne O McDonald (back tightness) St Kilda Steven (rolled left ankle) Reports Nil Umpires Rosebury, Fleer, Mollison Official crowd 4,567 at Casey Fields

Picks the ball off the ground on the run very nicely too.

Better than laughing at/pitying us like they were 5 years ago

Spot on. Plus I think we continued to experiment in other areas during the game as well. If we had played with our proper gameplan and our best side for 95% of the game, as you normally would, then the comeback from St. Kilda would never have happened.

Had our 3rd rung midfield for most of the quarter and the Saints took control of the clearances.

Rebound is his strength. Timing is his weakness. Needs more game-time.

Pre-season or not, but am I the only one who thought Bernie probably played his best game in nearly two years? Looked in great touch tonight.

Positives: - We won. A win is always a positive, no matter how you get it. - When we played at full tilt in the first two quarters, we looked fantastic. Great transition, slick ball movement, manic pressure and our backline was terrific. - It feels like we have some players ready to take the next step. Petracca and Hogan rotated through midfield and forward well, Gus had a really good game, Lever is a ripping acquisition and guys like Hannan and Fritsch give us some real X-factor up forward. - Gawny is ready to be an All Australian again. - Many of our players had limited game time. We rotated much more than them which showed in the third term. Negatives: - The third term. We changed things up a little but we stunk it up big time. We need to fix that ASAP otherwise we won't make the improvement we all expect. - We had a few players off tonight. Hunt couldn't really get himself into the game, Salem was just okay and I'm not sure Wagner is in our best 27-28 players. - We fumbled a bit but that was due to the conditions more than anything. Overall, it was a good win with a horrible lapse in the third term. Bring on Round 1!!

Some feedback from my Santos mate. There was a very strong head wind last week at Randwick and Santos faced the brunt of it during the run. It was a very tough and gutsy win as the horse looked like he might get swamped with about 100-200m to go.