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Salem’s little squeeze kick after Jones managed to win that crucial contest had to be millimetre perfect and it was. That released us up the line to get it to Melksham in the square. Salem’s kicking this year has been elite.

Prime Minister coup or Collingwood drug scandal? Herald Sun absolutely stumped for today's front page.

Fritsch's kick to Hannan in the Melksham goal play was superbly weighted.

1, Maxy's kick off the ground in the last quarter was huge. It covered a remakable distance. I guess he used his long leverage very well on this occasion.. 2. Petracca's brilliant pass to Melksham to seal the game. Reminded me of the Jack Watts pass to Dom Tyson in the Queens Birthday match last season. Can we safely add Christian's name to our elite kicks in the team?

I wouldn't be casting too many stones on this one 'brendan'... It's a problem in all clubs from what I hear, big problem. From an article in 2002... https://www.smh.com.au/sport/lewis-drug-accusation-isnt-that-far-off-the-mark-lyon-20020309-gdf52z.html You would have to be mad to think it has improved... "Things go Better", seems to be the choice these days. Young men, risk takers, time and money...plenty of hangers on.

Petracca’s kicking elite? Not even close. His kicking really needs to improve a lot, especially his goal kicking. One cameo a game doesn’t put you in the same category as Salem, Melksham.

Hi all, first time poster here. Something that has impressed me this year has been our development of what I assumed to be mid to lower level players. I’m talking about guys like Melksham, O Mac, Harmes etc. who I felt were ‘filler’ and wouldn’t become much at all. It seems to me that we have created a better environment for players to thrive in. I have to hand it to the coaching staff for believing in these guys and giving them the chance to take the next step. I’ll be the first to admit I had no faith in any of them. Excited to see who else is going to step up! Go Dees!

Yes Game day illicit drug taking is treated as performance enhancing so different drug code

There was a lot to like, the Harmes pass to Kent in the last few minutes for the goal was a beauty also. Wasn’t a long kick so to speak, the outstanding part was the composure and vision in such a pressure cooker moment by Harmes.

45K reached

I hear his defence will be that he took a deep breath while standing next to the Cheer Squad.

Put your hand up if you're exaggerating indignation to cover the fact that you have nfi who Sam Murray is. Aye.

I wouldn’t be discounting the Dockers. They have an unpredictably dual nature in that they are the competition’s Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde: usually very good on their home deck but they go shockingly when they have to travel away. Barring the local derby games, Freo are 7-3 on their home ground this year. Their scalps include both Adelaide teams and earlier this year they nearly knocked over the Eagles at the venue. I’m backing them in to upset the Pies.

I took my two little boys down to training today So impressed with how friendly and accommodating all of the players were after training. Happy to say hi and chat, sign autographs, take photos - such legends! ?

Ablett is scared of him. He ruined his shoulder for over a season. He won't sleep the night before.

I actually feel sorry for the poor lad that has to line up on viney in finals round 1. Itll be like unleashing a caged animal, add finals to the mix, he will be [censored] terrifying.

Harmes now has a real weapon - he gets the ball and like the Dangerfield's of the world he runs to get clear, all the while assessing his options. He then delivers exceptionally well. Not so long ago he, like a lot of others, would instantly dish the ball off to a stationary target. That change comes from confidence in yourself and your team mates to make position. Its a terrific development.

Really? Then why not keep him in the bench until the last 15mins and then release him? Petracca's kicking could be amazing but it is actually pretty poor most of the time. He gets too close to the man on the mark so often it makes me want to scream.

I agree Wise. In fact, if there was one thing that really struck me on the weekend, it was our composure in tight / pressure plays. I thought it was as good as I have seen from our team in a very long time. I was particularly impressed that it didn't fall apart in the last quarter when things got really tight. Hopefully it's a sign that we are maturing as a group, and it will increasingly become the norm. It makes a huge difference.

Pity the AFL were not so diligent back when cousins was in his early career!

What was good about that pass, and many of the others, is that it wasn't rushed. In that instance you could forgive Harmes for just getting it back inside 50. But he took a few steps, assessed his options and took the right one. It was a smart and mature decision that, coupled with so many others, helped us win that game of footy.

Nothing says “no change” like that ins list.

Best thing McAvaney has said all year. The 8 is set!!!!! Yeeehhhhaaaaaa

Ollie Wines is slowly becoming an overrated player for me. Give me Angus Brayshaw every day of the week.

Punishment for Collingwood. They forfeit tomorrow’s game v Fremantle. Thoughts?

Surprised Dangerfield didn’t vote for himself.

MELBOURNE MVP: Max Gawn, Tom McDonald, Clayton Oliver Most Courageous: Neville Jetta Best First Year: Bayley Fritsch They select themselves really. Great to see Nev get this recognition. So many times he has been knocked around in a game yet bounces back the next week.

Oliver has had a better season than Dangerfield and Martin and should be starting on the ground. MacRae ahead of Oliver is laughable. Same with Gaff. Dangerfield wouldn't be in my team at all.

where's the holy trinity?

Tracca's kicking is sometimes questionable, especially for goal, but it was his vision to spot Melksham and his ability to deliver a long, direct pass off one step that sets him apart. He makes good choices under pressure and can deliver over long distances. He also seems to be better balanced to kick from a standing start Harmes' pass to Kent was also a gem as was Kent's pass earlier in the match at the other end. Reminiscent of some of nibbler's short passes to advantage. It is the ability to make and execute good choices that sets elite players apart from just good players. Our numbers are growing. The real question is whether the change in game plan as a result of Jesse's absence caused them to look for alternatives. As Bay R said, long bombs on top of Jesse's head would have cost us the game like so many times this year eg. game 1 against cats where the opposition set up their slingshot and catch us out in defence. Go dees.

If it’s in your system on match day it doesn’t matter when you took it.... Love a good forum defence lawyer.

But if you’re still over the limit on match day that doesn’t matter does it?

I liked Spargo's kick to Tom Mac in the third.

The panel on SEN this morning raised an interesting discussion. Should a team be stripped of the 4 points had the team won if the player tested positive on that particular game day? In horse racing a win is taken away when a horse returns a positive swab on the day, I understand it’s a totally different scenario and more an individual competition but, how many players would need to test positive on ‘ Game Day’ for points to be stripped? Also, is positive testing on match day included in the 3 strike policy?

Morning Eddie

my preference would be to seek revenge on the cats in 2 weeks, to say we owe them is an understatement.

Warning THIS IS A RANT. I have never been to a final before. My husband (hawks) has been to a zillion finals plus 4 grand finals. You know what he said when I told him I would be road tripping it to Sydney if we end up having to play there? "You aren't single anymore, you have a family & kids to look after. Plus your team is not the only team in the finals (i.e. if you go to Sydney I have to stay home & MIND MY OWN CHILDREN & hence will miss out on seeing my team play finals". My response "ok ok, we will cross that bridge if it comes to it, stomped out the room & yelled BUT I AM GOING & YOU CAN'T STOP ME....!!! Bloody selfish poos & wees supporting husband..... Rant over. Thanks for listening my fellow demons :-)

His wife secretly filmed it without knowing.. So bloody good!

I agree re his kicking. It’s sometimes exceptional and sometimes v average. Eg his goal kicking. Also I still see him slipping over or fumbling at critical times....and sense a mind set in him that , in the main, isn’t quite owning the moments . At least not in ways I sense he could. I feel Like he hasn’t quite taken the next step up mentally. I also agree he’s excellent in close... but I don’t see him as explosive. He doesn’t have that much real pace imo. Not slow, but I don’t see explosive. Degoey, martin, Garlett are a few “explosive” players that come to mind.

He was very good in the last 15 minutes. It's why we drafted him. Those performances win games. He, Oliver, Harmes, Salem and Gawn all went to another level when the Eagles hit the front.

I'm still hoping to see two meter Peter in red and blue. He's got the skill-set, he's got the size , he's friends with Lever and he's a dirty bastard.

Its ok, i really dont know all the soccer leagues that well, but also perhaps other readers and not posters may look at these. We do get a few views i guess. I do know Cristiano went there tho!

Start dreaming of this:

Is the Dylan Buckley named (interchange) for the Giants the same Dylan Buckley that kicked 3 against us for Carlton to knock us out of the finals race in 2016? The same Buckley that kicked a 60 metre barrel in the wet that horrid day?

I'll just leave this one here.

The decision to play Petty (over Frost) against St Kilda is still one of the most mystifying of the year and nearly cost us finals, atm it’s costing us top 4. I hope the “learning” Goodwin has taken from this year is to play our best 22 as often as possible. anyway, FINALS!!! ??????

Love the Ox pretty much tipifies what we were all feeling.