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the reverse Jack Watts debut!

Nick Reiwoldt to kick 6.

We hit the post 4 times, 3 times in the first quarter I think. Unlucky. We smashed them in the centre clearances and it makes a huge difference to the outcome. The goal that D Smith kicked in the last 3 minutes shouldn't have been allowed. Daniher played on from the wing - was outside the boundary line, ran past our player and the mark and kicked the ball fwd. He didn't enter the field of play and once he played on past the mark should have been a throw in. Elementary mistake by umpires which is pathetic and could have cost a game. Not good enough. Like what Spargo brings and we functioned much better as a fwd line when we pressure to keep the ball in. Hannan and Fritsch were excellent. TMac adds good value to our team with his flexibility and ability to contest fiercely. Jetta had his best game for some time and Melk has lifted bigtime the last two weeks.

Professional umpires would be a welcome addition to the game.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-04-30/dees-moving-to-lock-away-free-agent-utility Getting closer! "Maybe the next few weeks we'll see more action." "I'd love to get a contract done to stay with the Demons," McDonald said.

Keep him away from Petracca then.

The pick we got from Watts is what we used on Fritsch. Shows how good Fritsch is already.

How is it obvious? How many times was he out marked today? I cant recall one but may have happened. Did you see the two long pack balls he clunked in the second half? May come out if we choose to not play three talls but that will be the only reason he doesn't play I reckon.

Yes. Did you forget the goal he passed to Hannan?

I love the way Spargo pushes Jones out of the way so he can stand over the fIog.

Yep, loved both of Charlie’s goals today (esp. Melkshams long kick to Spargo 30m clear in the fwd line). but perhaps my fondest memory today of Charlie will be of him really giving it to Cale Hooker in a heated stoush. The boys got a lot of heart, and a bit of mongrel. Great debut.

There's a point where you just need to back Weed in and simply put games into him. This is the time.

The lid is off! Oscar is now mainstream.

For anyone that doesn't have time to watch a full replay this YT channel uploads every goals/behind/highlight of Melbourne games.

A very good low possession game. 3 brilliant passes which led to goals and also kicked a couple himself. Played really smart today and used his body well. Blocked and tackled perfectly.

Charlie Spargo will kick more goals(with less scoring shots)

Weeds has got attitude, hits contests hard, is a team player and if we are ever to win big finals as his two "Clunked" marks in contested situations are musts in finals footy!! Must be persevered with. What else he offers is a TALL mobile forward line of Hogan , Mc Donald and himself and with excellent mid height forwards around him Fritsch, Hannan Melksham et all makes us very hard to match up with. A KEEPER!

I'm not a fan of censorship, but really this thread should be closed down. It does no one any credit to be banging on about Jack. Just demeaning diatribe about an ex-player. It should stop. We should talk about our current crop of players like Spargo and Fritsch. Anyone but Watts.

I'd say it was just being managed. He has missed plenty of game time so they would have wanted to ease him in a little. Goodwin was really happy with this game yesterday so, if he pulls up well, then I don't think it had anything to do with him being injured in any way.

Spargo's couple of handballs that hit running players moving toward goal were elite. It was what impressed me more than his actual goals. He made those around him better. He has proper footy IQ...unlike athletes like ANB who spend the day running a lot. positioning and front and centre cork were also notable.

Tom ' The Difference' McDonald Just knows where to run to get the footy. And have we ever had a better run from the umpires, about time.

All the talk around Weidemann is exactly the same talk around OMac 12 months ago. We need to get games into him now. Nobody would drop OMac now. Get Weids to the same level and we’re another step closer to top 4.

Agree that we still have a lot to work on but I think we can take the way we played in the second half and use that as confidence over the next few weeks. Some things I was happy with today: Angus Brayshaw: thought he was outstanding in the 3rd quarter and seems to be moving well. If he can get his confidence back and start to work towards his best this will go a long way to helping us reach finals. Christian Salem: thought that he looked good across half back and would prefer we use him more there with stints in the midfield. He can win his own ball but I prefer him as more of a distributor. Bayley Fritsch: love the way this guy goes about it and he looks to be building confidence that he belongs at this level. Could become a very handy medium tall in the mould of Jack Gunston. Charlie Spargo: great debut by this young fella and just love his attack on the ball and man. We have really been lacking that energetic, quick forward and when Garlett is down we seem to struggle. Hopefully he can get back to his best and these two could really cause havoc up forward together. Mitch Hannan: great return game for his and he is another we really need to get back to his best. I could see him becoming a really damaging wingman and I think this is what he should be aiming for. Max Gawn was great again, I thought Sam Weideman fought on hard after a tough first 3 quarters and clunked a few great marks in the last. There is no point playing him at Casey anymore and we just need to keep playing him. He will have a game where he kicks 3-4 goals soon, I can feel it.

0 for 1 in predictions this year but Garry Lyon says St. Kilda are deplorable so they obviously will destroy us. https://www.sen.com.au/news/2018/04/29/lyon-st-kilda-absolutely-deplorable/ “Their kicking skills were absolutely deplorable,” Lyon told SEN Breakfast. “Like, deplorable to the point we all watch footy on Saturday night and we’re all experts in our loungeroom, your phone just starts pinging and all your mates are watching the same thing and wondering whether you’re watching AFL footy. “The players in that St Kilda side two years ago that we thought were going to become something, where’s Jack Billings, where’s Luke Dunstan, Jade Gresham seems to have just stagnated, Maverick Weller’s best footy is behind him, Jack Sinclair hasn’t lit one up for a long time and these were the sorts of blokes we thought were going to carry them. “Jack Steven’s their best player and can’t kick very well, still.” Also Membrey and Bruce can't kick and they always play the game of their lives against us. They too will destroy us. Only pessimists need reply. You optimists are deplorable too.

"THEY'RE OUT THE BACK HERE!"

I'll just leave this here what I said about the Richmond game........ Our form against Richmond was OK and you could see it turning around. Our 3 first half posters would have made a big difference at half time against the Scum but we clicked in the second half and hopefully will take some belief from that. Our efficiency and fwd pressure improved dramatically. The jury is still out on Goodwin's match day for me but he did ring the changes and brought in some real spark. He was very slow to stop the Ess switch and we refused to switch against Richmond but after half time on Sunday he made the changes required and it was a much more polished performance.

The win could be a springboard, hopefully: just hope they have the sense to confiscate the bath plugs to prevent the inappropriate imbibition that has plagued successes in recent times.

Well you get points for this! top call.

As an optimist you will live longer, earn more money and builder longer and happier relationships. Football is only a game your life won’t change if we win or lose - don’t worry about all issues out of your control. Football is not life or death. Are you still breathing- then it’s a good day. Focus on today, focus on your strengths and do more of them every day. But have balance recognise you will win some - you will lose some. Ignore social media , ignore negative people - they will try to bring you down because of their problems in life. Go Demons

Max is in Brownlow/all Australian form and has now re-established himself as the best in the business. His running and work rate is unbelievable. Even now kicking goals, although still wouldn’t bet on him slotting one 30 meters out straight in front. That will be progress if and when that eventuates! Weid’s game also very encouraging. Gradually establishing himself in the side. Will be very important in our future. Tyson is a very annoying footballer. Really good at getting possessions, seems to rack them up without anyone noticing, but his disposal is appalling, not only in front of goal. For that reason doubt if he will make our best 22 when everyone is available. Spargo’s first game very encouraging, but still think Jeffy is at this time a better player when he is in form. Time for Jeffy to have a couple of weeks in the twos to get it back. Spargo im sure will be a star of the future.... Oh yeah, isn’t it nice to have someone who can kick straight for goal. Fritsch will be another Brad Green, and that is high praise - both excellent kicks although I suspect Fritsch is a better overhead mark, which is a great advantage up forward. We have found one here I think.

Uhh... what’s that got to do with them having good starts to their careers?

Weid looks exactly like a 12 game, 20 year old 195 cm KPF should look. Promising highlights, some good traits, and in need of a bit of experience at AFL level to put it all together.

Absolutely stoked about this! I feel he is one that'll play better and more suited to the more quicker tempo of AFL rather then the VFL.. And just quickly, I've had a bit to do with young "Spargs" and I posted this back early January this year. Gday guys, on one of the training thread there's been a few doubts on young Charlie about his size and whether he can translate his ability to AFL level. Thought I'd bring this thread up and have my 2 cents worth. Just on Spargo, I had a bit to do with him when he was in the under 16s bushies . I didn't bother to write anything up on him when we drafted him (lack of interest in demonland at the time) but I thought I'd post my thought a on him now. Goody is going to fall in love coaching this young fella, he is 18 years old going onto 25 in terms of maturity and level headed. He was driven right from the very young age to succeed in footy and make AFL. He started playing senior footy for Albury in the strong Ovens and Murray league (step below VFL) at 16 and was still running rings around former AFL players with such ease. It was tipped right from then that this kid could potentially be the next big thing despite his size. He was quick, tough as F**k, and most importantly, driven and determined to make it. Despite being a quiet and down to earth sort of fella, he just oozes leadership on field! We played a praccy match against Bendigo once and he was captain for the day. The whole day he was barking orders, setting up midfield stoppages, encouraging teammtes, and giving direct feedback to coaching and senior officials on what was going right and wrong. He'll be in the leadership group in a couple of years. Mark my words. Obviously being in boarding school this year I barely got time to see any of his games (injured also). But we got word back from some recruiters that if it wasn't for injury he would be top 10 without a doubt. 3 clubs had even made mentioned that if he was just a smidge taller and injury free, they had penciled him for top 5. Every club rated him and the giants were absolutely filthy when they lost first rights to him. He is a genuine talent. If I was to compare him to someone in terms of toughness, leadership and skill? it would be Joel Selwood. He has everything that you need in terms of the culture you're trying to build and set. Yes I've pumped up his tyres, but the biggest test for him will be the transition to AFL level. The likes of Caleb Daniel and Eddie Betts have shown that it is possible if you've got the ticker and drive to succeed. I believe young Spargo has this. The likes of Jones, Viney, Oliver and Lewis will crave having this kid in the side running full tilt into packs and come out ball in hand. I don't want to put too much pressure on the kid but in my honest opinion, he is an absolute beauty! Hope that helps.

Who else noticed how easily shltlhad chopped up ?

And they had 7 AAs in their team....what a joke. Joe Daniher, Cale Hooker, Michael Hurley, Dyson Heppell, Zach Merrett, Brendon Goddard and Jake Stringer

Something I've noticed in the last couple of games. Not a knock, just an observation. Even though Oliver had 30+ against the Tiges he's dropped off a little. His touch is back to the level of a good player as he's been missing or double touching a lot of balls he would normally one touch. I look forward to him getting back in touch and taking a game apart again soon. Hopefully starting this weekend.

Classic. We need you to watch more replays and report DG.

Spargo has a bit of the toby g.about him. Angry and a real livewire. Could see him pinching garletts job up forward perhaps. So glad to see jetta and hibberd back in form with lever finding some. Same applies for hannan. Anb needs to lift. Hope jesse is ok.

Anyone who leave their partner 3 months after they had a baby, because they decided to sleep with high school groupies, is a despicable dirtbag. I wish him nothing but failure.

Just look at the difference in standard between ours and the Richmond Collingwood game to underscore that

Bailey Fritsch - Moves Like ROBBIE

OMac was in this same position 18 months ago. How's he doing now? Weideman is fine, is contributing, and will be a very very good AFL player.

Great to get a win, even if the first half is unwatchable. A few positives to come from the game: Brayshaw playing midfield where he should, Hannan Fritsch and Spargo etc... It was a nice win, but nothing to get me too excited. It still feels like just one game in the middle of a whole heap of bland under-performance. I still can't clearly see our best 22 or best 25 players, with lots of players like Harmes, ANB, Fritsch, Spargo, Garlett, Smith, etc... rolling in and out of the team each week as their form fluctuates. OMac is my highlight of the year so far. Love watching him now. I feel as confident with him as I do with Nev. Do we remember how many Demonlanders were caning our selectors for leaving him in the team when he was learning his trade? The vitriol was a pandemic. In hindsight, our player development seems to be an actual strength. (I can't believe I am typing that after the previous decade of horrors!) Now, that Demonlander vitriol reserved purely for developing players, turns to Weideman. How about we give him the same opportunities we have OMac? Weideman is a very, very good footballer who will turn out to be a 200 game player. He also has Hogan and TMac to learn from. He will be fine.

weideman flew at the ball and clunked a few; he doesn't deserve to be dropped unless it's for match-ups / game style however, gawn / weideman / hogan / t mac worked today; no reason you'd mess with it for next week at the same venue against a similar-ish opponent trac for anb is the only thing that makes sense

His job is to halve contests first and mark the ball second. Did his job and did it well. Let me guess you do your best players by looking at Fantasy stats yeah?

"Go hard for your teammates and your jumper." — Paul Spargo

Close to the dumbest footballer running around. And to think some of the punditry tipped him for the Brownlow. Dick.