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Jetta played on Burgoyne who did SFA. Hence Jetta won his position. I’m not sure where the criticism is. His primary role has always been to defend and he has always done that very well. He isn’t a play maker. Never has been. But name the last time a Jetta opponent has given us a bath?

The precipice stands right in front of the Hawks ATM. Burgoyne unsighted, McEvoy ( 1st game back from injury), no impact. Patten grossly unfit, was completely shot by quarter time. Scully run off his feet firstly by Langdon, then Tomlinson. Smith forced to play on Langdon and then did nothing during the game. Puopolo should be retired as he had as much impact as McEvoy. No forward line apart from Patten.......... Common factor....30ish years of age! Oh how wonderful this is.....Now for Geelong!

I agree mate, he had a good game and is a possibility to play round 1 IMO. Not huge numbers but was noticeably clean out there tonight. The hate this kid gets on here is ridiculous, the kids a 20 year old ffs.

My point was I thought Spargo played a better game than Bedford. No worries though mate, you clearly have much more knowledge than anyone else on here and make a point of stating that at every opportunity...apologies for having an opinion on an opinion site. Care to name the round 1 team for us? Or will you will go with the old line that you will keep it to yourself because you are trusted by the club with info that you can’t give to others?

Can't believe the posters who think Jackson looked ordinary... Take a closer look! He got pushed around in the first two or three ruck contests, but then adjusted. As the second half progressed he began to get his hands to the ball first and we started to take it away from the contests. His follow up work is elite and he wasn't afraid to tackle with vigour. If you think he will be playing at Casey for most of the year, you don't recognise 'star' quality when its right in front of you!

What game were you watching? Spargo's quick hands and smart position were one of the highlights of the night.

Spargo was good

Irony, meet your Overlord.

Jackson should not play this year unless we get injuries. He's a kid. A tall talented kid, but I mean c'mon it's like putting a baby giraffe into a battlefield. Yeah the giraffe might stomp someone but it's not the place he belongs.

I'm glad someone else is noticing Spargos creativeness. I've always felt he "adds value" meaning the person he gives the ball to is usually in a much better position to use it than he was. He doesn't get heaps of it, but his touches are often high value. It's something really good to work with.

Had a few DD? Having a differing opinion is great and needed but you really do offer zero value here. You just tend to slag people off rather than give anything back. It’s an Internet forum for Dees fans in case you missed that part.

Stratton deserves more than a sling tackle. He is actually a fairly dirty player and personally I wouldn't be sad to see him cop a bit from another team.

Can we close that Viney liability thread now. How many possies did he get?

Its highly disappointing that a positive post game thread is again ruined by the same trolls once again. Do many positives to come out of last night, our fitness stood out which is pleasing. My only concern that our tall forwards were unsighted. I think Brown has to play round 1. He adds something different down there. Hibbo is getting on. He was poor last night whichever you look at it. I can see him phasing out to Casey like Bernie Vince did in his last year.

Good on ya mate, what are you doing today for an encore? Parting the Bass strait?

We’ve conceded a combined total of 1 goal in the last quarter of both Marsh games. If we’re ahead or slightly trailing WCE at 3qtr time of round 1, you never know?

Steven Mays kick in from full back to Gawn in the 2nd quarter was beautiful. Got us a goal end to end in 12 seconds.

Spargo is a natural, ‘smart’ footballer. Considering his age, work ethic and competitiveness, he has enormous long-term upside. The aggressively directed negativity, ‘personal’ judgement and vitriol on here toward so many, or even any players, particularly when the potential damage to their mental health is now so well documented, is utterly BAFFLING. Having said that, I don’t envy the job of Demonland’s mods in filtering.

Oscar is playing round 1 because that's how our back line structure works. May takes the biggest and strongest, and will tend to stay at home. Lever is floating, reading the play, intercepting. He'll roam around but if his opponent is trying to drag him out of the backline, he'll switch opponents so he can be closer to goal. Omac is the inbetween, with the ability to play either role but not excel at either. He can step up if we need a second large defender but also isn't limited to only playing on the big guys. But his main skills are excellent zoning, and playing to team rules/structure. He allows Lever the flexibility to come and go where and when he needs. He provides the close to home support that May need to execute his role. I know most will call Lever the 3rd tall, because he will float and intercept, but I think that Oscar is the real third tall because his role requires the flexibility.

Agreed, and that's without even talking about the excellent pressure game that he bought. Harassed well all game and properly stuck some great tackles. To me it was pretty close to the sort of form that saw him play the majority of the 2018 season. Really don't understand why people are so quick to pot Spargo. When he's up and about he makes an impact.

Hibbos disposal was ordinary and he was pretty poor below his knees. He has a habit of kicking balloon balls to no one.

OMac is a defender and was excellent in the defensive system tonight

He looks to be a quick learner. He adjusted his position at ruck contests & improved by the minute. Was holding his own with Ceglar by the end. Would like to see him occasionally drop back at ball-ups around the ground & use his leap. Got far more involved in general play & had a couple of really nice moments

Not convinced with Harmes in the backline. Reckon he's wasted there. Performed heaps better in 2nd half when thrown on the ball and forward. Put Salem back in his spot and throw him back into the middle even if it is off the bench.

Nailed this! God it was painful

And you wonder why you get slapped around.

Less said about the first half the better. Skills from both sides were extremely poor, although it did allow Jones to stand out. Keep in mind he only played a half of footy. If he had played a full game I think many would be singing his praises. Jones in the forward half will be a weapon this year. Langford and Tomlinson, wowee. Not only are they aerobic beasts who open up the ground but they look like they are leaders out on the field, Tomlinson especially. Top class recruiting. Acquiring small forward depth seemingly overnight is both unexpected and tasty - Kozzie, Spargo, Bedford and ANB all pushing their case for a spot. From a team perspective, to run out the game with seemingly plenty left in the tank is a huge positive. It’s little wonder people wanted Burgo’s autograph at the family day. We can play a hell of a lot better than that and still won by 5 goals. Much to look forward to.

We're lucky Lockhart is looking so promising.

So the real positives for me were the return to good form of: Viney Spargo Freitch Melksham May Oscar - I actually thought he looked like he belonged again tonight ANB in patches Hibbard late in the game Brayshaw was quite serviceable and did a few nice things Bedford showed he's on the pace Continued good form from: Lochart Tomlinson Langdon Was a bit disappointed with: Trac didn't dominate, but better to save that for Rd 1 Clarry was average, but has a few credits up his sheave and did a few nice things Jones didn't play a full game. I assume he is being managed for the season ahead, due to old age, but did some nice stuff when on the ground and suggested again he could make an important contribution this season. Injuries to Weid and AVB Commentators talked up Lever a fair bit, but I thought he was just ok, but conversely good to get through another game T Mac's almost non existent presence was one of the more disappointing things of the night to me, but then I do also wounder if they had him playing a slightly different role, with Freitch and Melksham playing deep and being the main focal points. Overall, I thought we lacked a bit of system and skills at times, but the wind did seem quite tricky and for a team in the Hawks that I think many commentators would have ahead of us, I thought we made them look pretty ordinary and were not really threatened by them for most of the game. For the most part though, I thought we looked pretty well in control of the game, which had not often been the case against Hawthorn for the past few years. The game did look a little like the intensity wasn't quite there at times, like both teams really did hold back a little more in reserve than if there was points on the line.

Still wondering what he did wrong with that bizarre call against him when he spoiled the ball over the line.

Been super impressed with Lockhart. Certainly didn't picture him as a defender when he was in the forward like last year. I think he only missed one target all night when he bit off more than he could chew on the switch. Kicking has real penetration.

Don't care what anyone says. It was a nice change to spend a quiet Friday night and watch Melbourne win a game of football, especially against Hawthorn. Let's hope we're allowed to attend the football this year. Don't want to see it cancelled, or played in empty stadiums.

Great observation. Thanks for your insight

Bedford looked impressive from limited minutes, will certainly give Pickett a run for his money for that small forward role if not rd 1 early into the season Ball movement infinitely better with Langdon and Tomlinson running the wings Wouldnt mind 10 of Bayley Fritsch Was great seeing May looking happy out there and the back 6 settled Lockhart massively impressive down back, great composure with ball in hand and should make his way into the rd 1 side As hard as it is being optimistic about this club at times, this preseason has been exceptional and the boys have set themselves up well for a good crack at the season. Will have nowhere to hide and no one to blame if this all goes belly up. Go Dees!

I watched the game heavily under the influence of red wine by the end so my views may not be in line with everyone else’s. A shame about Vanders, but I feel like he is almost in the same boat as Bennell... any games this year from him will be a bonus. Impressed with Jackson. He had 12 hit outs in a half of footy. For comparison‘s sake - Gawn had 14 in a half. He has a dip too and just oozes class when he gets it. No exposed form as a viable option anywhere else but in the ruck, so I’m prepared for him NOT to play Round 1. But I really like what I see. May and Lever showed why we paid three first round picks and a big wad of cash to get them. Neither were outstanding individually but collectively our defence conceded 6 goals for the entire game. May in particular makes everyone walk taller and is usually a great kick. Now, we just need them to stay fit. I didn’t notice Spargo that much last night, but people quickly forget how effective he was in his first year. He’s an excellent decision maker And his game stood up in September that year. He definitely plays ahead of Kosi for now. Agree with the Hibberd haste - just not sure what happened to the AA guy we got at the beginning. Very one-sided and rushed again last night. He gets a game Round 1 but Rivers will edge him out very quickly I predict. Oh man how could I forget, Tomlinson and Langdon you beauty! The latter is meant to be a [censored] kick but hasn’t missed a target in two games. Just goes to show that bargain basement, lower profile Paul Roos-style recruits can sometimes be just as valuable as the big names.

I thought the knock on Tomlinson was that he doesn't get enough of the ball. Wow! 32 isn't too shabby.

It's early interesting because they are all so different. ANBs strength is his endurance running. Does have Langdon and Tomlinson negate the need for this? He also generates a lot of shots/ chances on goal. Doesn't always take them but it's involved a lot. Spargo doesn't necessarily have the gut nor the knack of creating chances close to goal, but he seems to create a lot of scoring chains from up the field. His touches add lots of value, but there aren't heaps of turn. Bedford seemed to have good spark and pace, and apparently had good endurance. If he keeps developing it will be interesting to see where he goes. Kossie has power, explosion and opportunism. In limited exposure he seems to find the goals, and hunt opposition. He is more of a goal sneak at this stage. What roles do we want them to play? Creator? Finisher / goal sneak / opportunist? Chance generator? Edit: I probably fence sat so he are my thoughts: I'd probably start the year with ANB and Kossie based on exposed form. I think primarily, ANB is under pressure from Spargo, and Kossie from Bedford, and it wouldn't surprise me to see three of them in the side at times this year. It's a great problem to have given we've struggled in this role.

Saty is completely out of his depth when it's not a training thread.

lol he said Hibberd was one of the best. Glad nothing has changed. Anyway, horrible footy for a lot of the time. I felt it last year, across all games, and lost interest for the first time in my life. But this time last year we were visibly unfit and outrun in these practice matches, it’s been the opposite this preseason. Langdon and Tomlinson look to be perfect pickups. Fritsch having 2 years wasted out of position will annoy me every time he kicks a goal now. Viney was excellent, easy to forget how good he is when he hits a form slump. So important that he stays fit. Lockhart looked good early last year too, so I’m not sure he’ll keep this up but I’m hoping he does. Backline looks solid. Overall; fitness and the wings are the biggest takeaway.

We can only go by what we have seen so far and it’s pleasing to see the defensive structures working well. We have conceded 70, 49 in the two Marsh games and include the 33 against North if you like. We wouldn’t know what other teams are trying and the season proper will go to another level but those are pretty low scores against us. There’s lots to like so far on how we are preparing.

Comments like this Saty makes me think you didn't watch the game. Was very, very ordinary tonight. As was Jetta for that matter.

9 intercept possessions is good. 7 clangers is bad. Think he has to play to his limitations with the ball more now that he's lost a yard of pace. No longer can he attempt to out run every opponent and launch a 60m dart. He'll have to be smarter with the ball.

No coincidence that Lever plays like that when he is the 3rd tall. First time with May and Omac together in the side....

Lockhart played as a small in the backline in 2018 for Casey and was super impressive. It got him the AFL spot. I think he’s a lock for round 1. His intensity is what we need in the dogfight.

We are finishing games strongly That is what i take out of these early games. keep up the training regime Mr Burgess

Outmuscled. Pushed in the back illegally. Same same.

Tomlinson and Langdon are footballers with tanks great recruiting.

Ecellent call . Was disgraceful.

3 from 3 (I refuse to count the Essendon game as we played next to no one in it, plus it doesn't suit my narrative...) Pretty much no injuries (fingers crossed for AVB and Weid) Some encouraging signs, especially with the defensive unit Gawny made a successful comeback Fritsch kicks 5, Milkshake 4 We'll roll the Eagles by 10 goals in Round 1. Bring it on!