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Superb win today. We were tough, we ran them ragged and didn't give up, even in the last term when we were out on our legs. If anyone complains about us stopping in the last term then don't listen to them. Seriously, we've just played our third game in twelve days and we were always going to get tired. We did the right thing by kicking 2 quick goals to start off the term and we killed off the contest. The big positive for me was the game of Gus Brayshaw. 32 touches and plenty of clearances was bloody brilliant. The confidence is back and, outside of a few poor kicks, he is showing the footy world why he was the third pick in his draft year. What an addition he is to the side. Hogan has continued his great season, Jones was terrific and our backline is working an absolute treat now. Our forward line worked well again, too. With Viney and Salem to potentially come back into the side we are really getting things going, now. I'll take the 39 point win and if anyone is annoyed about giving up a few late ones then just laugh at them. This is a fantastic performance from the side after some serious game time in the last week and a half.

We win a game of footy by close to 7 goals and do it with ease, and this is the garbage our supporters serve up. You should be embarrassed.

Can't agree with the negatives above. First time in a long time we looked like a fair dinkum footy team!

Thought I saw a very solid win where the opposition never had so much as a sniff, but I’m glad the collective Demonland mood has reminded me that we lost. If we’re not the sookiest supporters in the game I’ll be shocked.

BigFooty Aints supporter comment of the day: Well on todays exhibition the Paddy V Petracca has been settled once and for all - we should have picked Brayshaw! Eat a bag, Aints!

For those complaining about the 39 point margin....do you remember the days when we didn’t even score 39 points let alone win by that margin?

Yeah I’ll be livid if we roll GC and Carlton by 40 points each to be 7-3. Positively fuming.

In that gutting last quarter where the wheels totally fell off, St Kilda kicked 2.3 to our 3.0 to outscore us by a staggering -3 points. Oh, I totally get the angst now! Look I’m probably being flogish with the excessive sarcasm, but I truly think some perspective needs to be kept. In any game there is always two teams on the field and delivering a drubbing relies on the opposition requires the other team raising the white flag to a degree. As Melbourne supporters we should understand that. The opposition will score goals sometimes. They didn’t score heaps and they didn’t score them easily. It doesn’t necessarily mean we are weak or soft or anything like that, it just means things happened that can happen in professional football. To me it barely takes the edge off. It was an excellent win.

Tiffs on Demonland are so often black vs white when there’s a lot of grey in between the two, It’s okay to be happy with the win. Because regardless of the sub-par competiton it was a good, professional win. It’s also okay to temper that by not being happy with the ending. A percentage boost was on offer and it wasn’t taken, We know how costly that can be. Both sides have merit. The namecalling and derogatory stuff is really unnecessary.

I am so so happy for him. He is seriously good and just needs some continuity. Well done Gussy!!

Beat Saints on their home deck by 40 points. I'll take that every time. Two big positives, the Weed getting game time and looking better and Gus playing his best game for the club - by a long way. Let's be realistic and grateful.

Ordinary tackler? What game were you watching? The last 2 weeks hes laid some really bone jarring tackles in the middle and around the ground. Ordinary? So far from it..

Two things. 1. I'll take a 39 point win against any opposition any day of the week. 2. I can't recall Brayshaw having anywhere near 33 disposals in prior games, 360 degree player, fantastic game and a real bonus if he continues on with it.

32 disposals and a goal, in the best four players on the ground with Hogan, Oliver and Gawn. Continuing on from his great form last week when he was moved on to the ball. Gus is gonna be awesome.

Watched the game on a crappy little 30cm, non flat screen tv in a cheepo motel in Ceduna SA (driving to Perth from Melb) and had a ball! Really happy with the guys today after a big couple of weeks and great to get a good win. We have a good run coming up and if we keep the pedal to the metal will be well placed at the bye. At the pub now celebrating with a pint of ale, a giant steak and chips and watching the sun set over the ocean. Living the dream people, living the dream!

Gus you beautiful thing, his hit in on the Saints player in our back pocket was right in front of us. Inspiring. Hard as nails, he’s back big time!!

You know what they say BBO don't argue with an idiot. Never really in doubt 3 games in 11/12 days player management comes into it , But just like Bomber blitz and AFL nuffies page, we have our share of window lickers here

Happy to provide some balance to the glossy, happy-go-lucky supporter posts Jumbo, thanks for the invitation. : ) Yeh, was a solid win with a number of positives to come out of the game. The main one imo being Brayshaw's game in the guts. He plays his best footy there and is of most value to the team there. Kicking and decision making needs some work, but I have faith that he's the kind of player that will eventually become a composed user, like Jones became later in his career. Those who follow my commentary on Oscar will be happy to know that I thought he had another solid game. Couple of scary moments where for some odd reason he'll pick a loose ball up believing he has half a day to dispose of it. Inevitably, he is pinged for holding the ball. Enjoying that he's generally making genuine spoils at contests and is even taking a couple of quality intercept marks per game. Really good signs for the juvenile giraffe. T-Mac's inclusion just changes the look of our side in such a positive way. Such a weapon to have and it takes pressure off Weed so that he can go about his business, play some AFL minutes and not feel like he has to be the 'main man'. Goody is playing fewer players through that midfield mix now which is also helping us big time both with Gawn's connection and continuity with the same group playing through there. Negatives for me was our clear inability to bury them. Interesting that nobody has commented on the fact that St Kilda didn't have a bench for the last half of the last quarter and we didn't kick a goal from 12 minutes to go in the last. Yeh, I get that we're fatigued. But again it came down to inefficiency going inside 50 and highlighted again an area of weakness. Also, ANB and Tyson are still two players that we're 'carrying' imo. Both playing in positions they shouldn't be and irrespective of Dom's numbers, he's not doing any damage to the opposition whatsover. One difficult goal on an angle doesn't make up for the countless mis-kicks, turnovers and holding the balls he gets during a game. I really don't know what Goodwin and co see in him playing there. Looking forward to next week and young Jack's return.

loved winning when we were a $1.32 to win, was watching the live ladder, thought we might make 8th but didn't, thought St Kilda showed up today, however if you added up all the ifs and buts, when equalled for both sides, we were still clearly better. Yet again Petracca would have the Saints nashing their teeth. Oliver I love, but am starting to get frustrated he doesn't kick a little more, he would seriously open up other sides, with 10 more kicks per game. Hogan was strong all game, I actually struggle to think of a game he has played better, and his head space seemed much better when kicking for goal, was a Matthew Richardson (on a good day) type performance. Angus has found his mojo in a serious way, will steal Brownlow votes off Clarry this year. My one whinge - ANB is not in the top ten, but he tries hard enough for mine, I really think there are some pretty miserable folks on here the way they chew him out, because you can't fault his effort, yes he needs to be better with his disposal, but the way he is described, you'd think he wasn't trying, and that is just not true. I can see him as being the first dropped to make way for Viney though, let's just be a little graceful for someone who is clearly a good servant of the club. Salem... hmm Harmes almost did enough to stay, Hannan looks like a threat, and both Vince and Lewis were very solid, Hunt was OK. I think Salem waits another week, then one of those just named). As Beez said - good on Goodwin for learning the best way to play Leaver, has now played two good games in a row, he also showed why he will never be Tom McD that kick for goal was putrid. Was wearing my Garmin today, HR didn't go past a 100 felt like we had it the whole way - that hasnt happened since i think bluetooth was invented

And he'll go home a disappointed man!

I still struggle with the Tyson hate. Had two shanks. Pinged holding the ball im the back half (Hunt and Hannan should have been pinged in the first quarter for the same) and the second shank in giving it off to Jones when he was still when both were going to get done. Other than that he’s been really handy with his hands and some nice targets hit across the ground. At least he tries to hit a target rather than bombing it long to no one all the time

I cannot believe the negativity about this game!! 1. We won 2. We have won 2 games in a row 3.At Etihad! 4.It was our 3rd game in 12 days Be happy.

I’m anti-Tim Watson.

Meh, just as predicted "WE FRASHED EM" Seriously though, finally seeing some value in Lever. Thought he was really good in patches today. Brayshaw was great. One of his best games for the club. If he can keep improving his game he should become a first choice mid. Really adds to our rotations. Hogan is a star. What a huge tank he has. TMac makes us much better too. Harmes was also pretty good today i thought. ANB however, sorry mate but you need a run in the 2's to find your mojo. I love the kid but he just doesnt have the touch atm. I predicted a 6 or 7 goal win so im feeling on fairly good terms with myself atm. Take the win, especially as we were playing 3 games so close together, and the oppo has been smashed in the press all week. That was a good result.

I've just returned to the welcoming bosom of The Manor so will be an armchair expert today. I confidently predict a minimum 6 goal victory which I shall celebrate with the maid.

That’s virgin on the ridiculous

She's had birthdays before and she'll have them again. Why do wives think their silly birthday is more important than a big dees win over the saints ?? Go to the game and enjoy it.

The Saints have had a week of 'soul searching' and 'home truths' so I'd expect them to come out hard. Withstand their early flurry, get the game on our terms, and then let our superior talent dictate terms.

I think the coaching staff may be ‘wedded to the three tall forwards’. With that said, they’re not playing as three stay at home forwards and, in fact, wouldn’t be in the 50 at the same time anyways. Hogan and McDonald in particular are currently playing like 6’5” 100kg flankers and Weid is doing his bit in the ruck. The versatility seems to have been working for the last two weeks.

Man, don't know what you were watching today. His tackling is fine. Gus is one of the few on our list who can kick either side comfortably. And if you think Harmes is a good kick, well, that is just plain silly.

0 goals combined from Melksham, Hanna and Fritsch and we still kicked a decent sized score. Fritsch showed a lot today, he can impact a game without hitting the scoreboard and he can cover a lot of ground - 18 touches and 7 marks. Kid is good.

Not even, I was at the game and the supporters were thrilled. It’s just that Demonland is the sookiest place on earth.

A disappointing win for me. - Failed again to put a side away. - Tackling needs work for some of our players. - So many wasted entries inside 50 - We did however have a good spread of goalkickers again which is important. - Were any of our talls hit up on a lead inside 50? (I didn’t see the first qtr) - Our forward pressure was good when Saints tried to kick early out of their defensive 50, we were able to pick them off. When they unloaded a series of quick handballs they could navigate their way out quite easily. Then were able to move the ball quite easily at times. - Hogan or anyone who attempts a snap from a set shot from directly in front and misses should be dragged. - The Gawn mark on 50 then handball to Hibberd who sprays was disappointing. I liked the idea but we need to execute better. - Oscar and Lever continue to improve but on occasions (and yes this will happen) our defensive unit was caught out on the rebound. We won, obviously we’ll take it. We are such a better side for having TMac back in it. Spargo and Fritsch continue to impress. For the next two games would love to see the Weed playing out of the goal square the whole time with Jeffy at his feet. Watched 3/4 of the game on my phone in a hotel room, looking forward to getting home and watching the replay on the big screen.

We missed finals last year not because of percentage. We should never have been in that position we lost to Freo at home the Hawks when they were a rabble and North twice. That's why we missed finals. Should have been secured with 2 games to go

He’s definitely pro St Kilda for this game. Didn’t he coach them for a while? Might have a soft spot similar to when Roos commentates us That commentary where he hoped McCartin was ok was fair enough in his concerns but how Jetta didn’t get some love for his courage is beyond me

Jeffy for ANB any day.

ANB is a liability

God I love Jetta. Smacked in the scone, gets up, runs 100m forward with the play moving only to put his body and scone on the line again on the HFF to keep us in possession The guys a hero

take her to the game as a special treat

...and then carry on with it. Don’t forget they nearly came back and rolled us last year after a six goal lead early

Mark it down now another season 2008 coming. Richmond being the Cats this time. Some team will click between now and September to challenge them. Please god let it be us!

Barely got out of third gear and still smashed them. Petracca was underdone, still waiting on Viney to come back and Salem was out injured. Don’t think anyone played poorly and Lever is building in confidence. No OTT celebrations at the end either, they got the job done and are now looking forward to the next game. We’re building into the season.

Just 4 points off 3rd spot on the ladder.

DROP ANB PLEASE

DOM TYSON FOR THE BROWNLOW!!!

Can I take that back....

No excuses for this game. Saints will come out fired up after all the negative press, good sides absorb the pressure early then grind over the top (see Richmond). On paper, the talent discrepancy is enormous, but if we let Saints jump us, or fall asleep for our trademark quarter, it's not going to be comfortable. Saints are missing some of their best players in Bruce, Roberton and Acres but play Etihad better than most. Won't be a pretty game, but our talent should rise. Dees by 26

?Give ourselves a buffer for the inevitable fade ?

If we are serious this should be a percentage boosting game. No excuses.

I will check in with my source this week and report back.