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Harsh. Was a very good player before his foot injury crippled him.

Two observations from being at the ground. Lockhart does a lot off the ball and looks like a key part of the defence. He is clearly still learning and does get beaten from time to time but it would be harsh if he was dropped unless he needs the rest. I thought Vanders in his first 2 outings looked off the pace but having seen him live in the last 2 outings he adds some real presence around contests. He had couple of terrible disposals but there was a sense of panic on the part of the Hawks when they heard him coming (or felt his presence). I think he is doing a job off the ball as well. I doubt it will be a tough week for selectors with everyone doing their job, just bad luck for those not included this week. Very hard to see any change.

Anyone else on their 2nd lap of the replay? Some observations - COVID... meh, who cares? We have been suffering from MFCSS for so long, we played 4 quarters of attractive football, the world just became a better place... But more sort of seriously.. 1. Koutoufides, that is what Trac has become, 1996 Kouta, just moves like a god, who would have ever backed Trac in a foot race with Scully. Playing with an Xbox cheat code this season. 2, I don't normally lose faith in players, but I must admit Oscar had lost me a little, so glad to be wrong, I think he will double his salary if he keeps playing this way. Our back 6 will be premiership standard before long, this has not happened in 50 years to have all the pieces. Hibberd for rebound playing like a man possessed. Salem sharp shooting. Three big tall bodies gliding across the park, I believe they can stymie any of the other attacks going around. 3, Harley is just amazing, before the end of the year his highlight reel will be all Red and Blue, starting with that handball, was a bazooka, like something from the 70's - a Chrysler Valliant V8 of a handball with a supercharger bolted on. 4, the love for each other is just like 2018, they really get around each other, back to valuing the score assist more than the goal. 5, Tmac for VDB, am sorry to say but his disposal was the only worry today, I know he is a beast but we have a couple. Don't go getting down on Tmac because he wasn't part of this win, we are better with him in the side, he is very close to a purple patch soon.. 6, Weid a serious step in the right direction, but I still think Tmac need to be in the same side, along with LJ, Fritsch and Kozzie gold dust. Can we get back to 2018 scoring? I don't think so yet, but I hope to be wrong. 7, it's been said many times, but what a game when there are no passengers hey!?! 8, Gawn as Captain, I don't believe it, when was the last time a Melbourne player got better while being Captain? Jones went close but I struggle to remember another. Note: (Please take the COVID comment in the light handed manner intended, seriously my prayers for anyone affected)

Had a good mate for many years. Travelled internationally with him a few times. Dated sisters. Lived at his joint for months after I was repatriated from working overseas. Had a blue with him after he got drunk and said some things that I took great offence to. Never spoke to him again. Last year out of the blue I had a missed message from him. "Call f**k ya" he said, in a voice that sounded almost desperate. I ignored it for a few days, then tried to call but no answer. Found out a few months back that he had taken his own life just after he called me. Never give up on the people you care about, as you might be the one who saves them. When people are desperate they will almost always reach out to someone. Make sure you are not the selfish bastard who doesn't reach back. R.I.P Shane. Thoughts to your family and friends.

This is just inventing what happens in the box, just to suit narrative/agenda. Goody’s started listening to his assistants and now we’re good. Or Goody’s stopped listening to his muppet assistants and become an authoritarian, and that’s what has made us good. Or, the most likely thing, the relationship with the assistants is the same as it always was, and they’ve arrived at the right chemistry by chipping away at the problem together. We don’t know though, so we shouldn’t guess. In my view if we’re prepared to unreservedly put the blow torch on Goodwin when we’re struggling then we have to be prepared to give him all the credit when we’re flying. Anything otherwise is complete double standards. For the record, I do neither.

I'll go against the trend here but I reckon he's playing his role and been critical in our turnaround. Yes, he has the odd wayward kick and he's not getting mega stats but his role is different. He reads the ball well off Max's hands as witnessed in the first contest of the game. He spreads well and opens out the play whereas before we would get drawn in to the ball. He also does a nice little tagging job when needed. ...and with Harmes is a great 4 & 5 option to throw in when the others need a break or we need to throw something different at the game. Stop watching the stats everyone and start watching the game. Seems like Angus is the new Omac...

Don't understand why people wanting Lockhart drop. Brisbane have Cameron, McCarthy, Rayner as their smalls up forward who are all dangerous in their own way. Lockhart you'd think takes one of them.

God that was great to watch twice. Gawn was ridiculous. Petracca has officially arrived. We can use the term “elite” now Langdon, Viney, Oliver Crucial players. Hannan dropped off a little, but his first quarter really steadied the ship. We need him game in, game out. Weid, playing with confidence, makes TMac instantly depth. I don’t think we had any particularly poor performers today. Brayshaw perhaps. But watching the second time, it was interesting to see how many times he was the victim of questionable delivery. He does need to lift though. AVB needs to work on his disposal by foot. Kozzie and Jackson are contributing to the team like second-year players already. Particularly Koz. Great signs. Omac playing with composure and poise which is great to see. Theres more to say but I am lockdown-sozzled. Watching Goodwin slam his hand down in rage when we were 38 points up in the last quarter with only five minutes to go gave me a very unexpected feeling of hope. I like seeing such obvious signs that he’s expecting a standard to be upheld, no matter if the game is effectively won. Essendon are holding our rightful place in the eight right now. When are we going to get to play this missing game of ours and smack those bomber-pretenders? The only thing better than beating Hawthorn is beating Essendon. And vice versa.

i like these comments: We were awful tonight, but Melbourne were sensational. When the game was there to be won, we couldn’t get our hands on the ball. There’s not much you can do in that situation, that was some of the best footy I’ve seen all year. We got a few junk time stats when the pressure went completely off the game. We were flogged when it was there to be won. Every time Melbourne got the ball they had absurd amounts of space and when we got it we had none. Because we just don’t run to create space. Scully for all his faults is the only one. Melbourne were very good today and are a better side than I thought. for the most part they hate $cully and are frothing over will day

Not from wear i'm sitting CDP. Goody has been experimenting with a variation of the rolling zone (loose to tight variants) and the high press (half press and somewhat higher press, no spare out the back, a spare out the back etc) since 666 came in last season. Since the match against the Cats we moved away from pretty much giving up the front half of the ground in a pretty loose rolling zone (with no spare) from the get go till nearing the end of the 3rd (when the game was pretty much lost), and effectively conceding the match early. We then moved away from a loose zone in the front half, tightened up, pressured down hard on the man but still lost pretty badly trying to come from too far behind. Compare this to after the match against the Cats. Mostly playing man on man / or a tight pressure down zone (early on...and staying in the game early) to maintaining a slightly tighter zone once the game opens up (usually much later in the match but we are still in it or in touch). The exception was the Tigers, where the change to a pressure down style took place early. We stayed in the match and with them early before their cleaner disposal and better conversion in front (vs the reverse of those for us for much of the match) took its toll after quarter time. This change up in game style, particularly team defence early, means we have our teeth into the match (or have been) since the get go post the match against the Cats and, in my view, this began to pay dividends from the first quarter against the Tiges and has improved each week since then culminating in today's result. The replacement of T-Mac with Weid has also seen a big improvement inside 50. Giving the team a genuine leading target (structure / options coming inside 50, options out the back on occasions with room being created when Weid is dragging his opponent out on the lead) and bringing the ball to ground at the feet of our smalls and small mediums like Hannan & Kozzy a little closer to goal instead of the many shallow entries we were seeing up until the match against the Tigers (but no genuine in form KF to take advantage), along with the return of Harley and some manic tackling inside 50 / return to form from the likes of Hannan. Langdon and Salem (pushing up through the middle) have also been outstanding (Langdon all season....Salem in the last two matches) and added some outside run / class that wasn't there last season. As has Harley of course as he ramps up his game time slowly (75% last two matches vs 50% in his first match). Hibb's run off HB and the return of a much improved O-Mac (vs last season) has also been a huge help across HB. Lever has also begun to hit a bit of form. May in his best form (for us) so far. Added together, this has taken our back 6 to another level, making us even more difficult to score against. I would argue our back 6 is now better than what we had in 2018 which augers well going forward.

I'll throw in Essendon. May they permanently occupy the bottom rungs.

I think people forget how hard it is to play as a small defender in the modern game. Like us, every other team is trying their hardest to cause front half turnovers. Even in our worst games this year we still caused our opponent's defenders to turn it over a few times. Lockhart is quick (i.e. has great closing speed), tough, has good skills, is creative and doesn't release the ball until he can get it to someone in a better position. Every week he will be involved in passages of play where the ball is turned over... but show me a player that plays the same role in ANY TEAM that isn't involved in similar turnovers. We don't have a better option to play his role (Rivers plays a different role). Give the guy a break - he has shown he has all the tools required to be a very good player in this position. People forget he wasn't even on our list at the start of last year - and last year played predominantly forward. Crazy to drop him - he is doing his job.

Gawn. That's as good as a captains game as it game.

You're clearly a hard marker. Bennell's 20m bullet handball for a goal was outstanding.

AvB (and Kozzie) may not get a lot of the ball but their mere presence running full bore towards the opp creates so much 'inferred pressure' that he rushes the disposal; he knows a bone-crunching tackle is coming his way or will be caught HTB. The presence of 'inferred pressure' shouldn't be underestimated in causing turnovers and creating contests which is when we do our best work. Avb (and Kozzie) are very good with their second efforts, again more pressure. AvB stays.

What a beautiful way to spend a Saturday morning (also Europe) and a Sunday morning with the replay. Few things to add (though I’m sure it’s all been said) last week the team disposal was up a notch but Tracc’s was down despite his huge influence otherwise. This week his standard was up with most of the rest of the team and it had a big impact. I reckon the same is coming from Brayshaw. He is getting in good spots, seems to be running back harder, but had three shocking kicks in the first three qtrs. That being said, he also put that absolute bullet onto Weid’s chest in the third, which the weed unfortunately missed. It shows that Brayshaw does still have it, is still developing, and given our general resurgence I wouldn’t be surprised if he turns the corner really soon. Speaking of resurgence, I am just so proud of the culture at the club. Of note are some of the little connections between certain players after goals or when on the bench. I am loving the Harley and Kozzie big and little brother thing that is going on. Harl’s just seems so proud of Koz every time he does anything, but Bennell also has a maturity about him that I never saw in his previous iterations at the suns and freo. I reckon he, as well as Uncle Nev, are working hard to keep kozzie in line and on track to fulfill his immense potential. Just stoked. Love the winning feeling and may the Hawks be in for six decades of let down and mediocrity.

I just got tickets to the Brisbane game this Sunday. I haven't been this excited about going to the footy in a loooong time. Hopefully its a good game as Brisbane are in red hot form. Go Dees

Goodwin is a brave innovator. He thought there was an opportunity in this weird season to select a very pacy dynamic athletic line-up to get the jump on the competition, hence the selection of Hunt and Smith but it didn't work and he's reverted to a more traditional line-up with the talls at both ends - even then he's shown his courage to select Jackson ahead of Brown. I think the key thing is that with the "Richmond-style" gameplan you need footballers-first to execute because it's frenetic and you need to be able to rely on instinctive skills. I think athletes like Hunt, Smith and ANB who lack innate football skills are not suited to the style. We've been blessed/lucky that we have footballers we can bring in like Bennell, Lockhart, Langdon, Hannan, OMac, Weid and the return to desperation in Hibberd. Of course it helps when you add incredible athletes who can also play the game like Kosi and Jacko.

I'd just like to make a big shout out to Josh Mahoney and Jason Taylor - they work together very well. On the trade front Josh targets his man, convinces him to come to the club and then executes the trade with a minimum of fuss - Melksham, Hibberd, Lever, May and Langdon all essential pieces to the puzzle. And I think that Tomlinson and Preuss can still prove to be astute transactions. Josh gets the essential players resigned with a minimum of fuss too. Christian Petracca anybody? And when Jason Taylor alerts him to special opportunities at the draft he conjures the necessary picks and Taylor duly obliges with great high selections: Oliver-Weideman and Jackson-Pickett.

Clayton Oliver was incredible yesterday. Some of his ball handling and clearances were absolutely ridiculous. If it wasn’t for Gawn and Trac being distractingly phenomenal we’d be talking about Clarry. Jet.

Drafting Jackson and Pickett reminds me of a young Franklin and Rioli tag team. Not sure if any one of you follow them on instagram also, but the two are always cracking jokes and hanging out together. Love seeing it.

It’s worth listening to Jimmy Hannans post game interview. Nice to hear from someone that’s articulate and not cliche ridden. I think the forward line functions much better with him there.

It's essentially Richmond's game plan with a bit of 2018 Melbourne thrown in. We're finally seeing the plan A and B. The ability to play tempo when necessary. But the zone we played today was a high press, but then it had about a 20m gap again between the next reinforcement. We set up beautifully today. It's definitely built for finals, but unlike Richmond, if Gawn, Oliver, Petracca and Viney get going, it's too much for an opposition to counter and I think if they can find a level of consistency, in many ways we've got a greater ceiling than Richmond. What we have lacked that the great Hawthorn sides had and Richmond over the past 3 seasons, is that cleverness and creativeness around the stoppages and the forward half to create scoring chances and keep the ball moving forward. That ability to keep the pressure high on the opposition and capitalise when there's a chance to score. This is why I love the inclusion of Kozzie and Bennell, and even Jackson. They're clever, crafty, clean players that have great awareness and if they can stay fit, this will really give us another string to our bow.

Very sad. All you young dudes thinking you've reached the end of life please never give your enemies the satisfaction . Things are never that bad.

I loved Harley Bennell's goal. He was clear, on the angle, running at goal about 30 metres out. I loved it because as soon as he had ball in hand I just knew he would nail it. He is still growing in confidence but he adds some real class as both a deliverer and a finisher - an elite ball user!

Happening en masse' at the moment. Media covering it up. Male suicides this year in Oz are now at over 1200. And it will only get worse. RIP Shane

Watched it live over breakfast. (Europe) Have to say it was the best I have seen the team play since the finals run in 2018. A very complete team performance with a general lift across the board from a number of players that allowed the likes of Gawn, Petracca, Viney and Oliver to perform at their best. The defence looks very well structured and settled. I like the way that Omac and May are beginning to work together and develop and understanding. May's disposal was better this week and Omac is getting to run out of defence a bit to hit up a link. All very encouraging. I thought Jetta was better than last week and Lockhart is developing. I was doubtful about him but he is showing a bit. Lever and Hibberd are travelling well. Lever hass been improving over the lat two weeks. The midfield is going to put the scare into a few more opposition teams in the future. Petracca had a day out with just about everything working for him. A couple of his kicks to team mates were as perfect as you could wish to see. I pass to Fritsch in the last was one that will live in the memory for a while. Also enjoyed Oliver and Viney's work at the feet of the Big Man. we have come to expect the way Gawn goes to work but I took the time to watch the replay and concentrate on his game. It was a beauty. Langdon on the wing had a good one and I want to see him produce that a bit more. Brayhaw, Harmes and AvB are worth persevering with. Brayshaw and AvB both seem to be going through delivery nightmares but, to me, do not look too far off. I think Harmes is doing ok but needs to be a bit more involved. It my be the way the coaches are playing him. The forward performance was a revelation for me and I hope that it is not a one off performance. I would like to see this structure given a chance to develop. Wiedeman playing deep and Jackson playing further up the ground with a couple of mid size in Melksham and Fritsch leading and providing a link is looking good. Add Bennell and Pickett for a bit of speed, imagination and variety and it has the makings of a hard forward line to match up on. Add in Petracca rotating through there for e 'rest' and it creates problems. No chnges for next week for me but it would depend on aches and pains after the game and also the fixture list going forward.

Exactly as @Skuit says - you've basically said nothing - so much so that it would have been better if you didn't say anything at all.

Great win but I still think we have another gear or two which we can get to. We played a bit like the Alice Game vs Adelaide in 2018, but not quite as clean. I hate Hawthorn more than any other club, so I have liked almost all the posts on this thread. It was great beating them but it also great knowing they are finally on the slide. Petracca and Gawn were awesome. Petracca's goal kicking is much more confident. The only downside was Viney missing that goal when he shrugged the tackle and gave a one-two from the centre bounce. I would have lost it had that gone through. Weideman has started to give us a real target and is kicking straight. Our tall backs are starting to gel and spoiling each other less. Jackson will be unstoppable if he can improve his marking and kick straight. Bennell is getting better every week. I spoke to a relative of Darren Burgess last week and he said how exited the club are about Harley, saying he is two weeks away from his best. The connection with our forwards was much improved and Weid and the other forwards did a pretty good job getting the ball to ground. Kossie looks so skilful and electric. He needs to be a bit cleverer about the way he finishes his chases to not give away free kicks. Hannan has been in really good form and has improved his goal kicking.

His workrate is immense. With more experience and bigger frame, he'll really start to clunk those pack marks. Not afraid to go in and crash a park which i love. Jackson, Kozzie and River. Yep, we absolutely nailed this draft. Well done to Jason Taylor.

I saw reports over the weekend that the club will be based around the Southport Sharks and it appears that many of the players left behind and not included in the Sydney hub are already on the Gold Coast. Many years ago - when GC17 was in its preparatory stages they played a season in the VFL - my family and Redleg’s family were up on the Coast and we went to the Casey Scorpions v GC17 and managed to get an invite to the President’s lunch at the Sharks Club. It’s a great facility - the game was enjoyable and we chatted with the players, most notably Jack Watts for a good while after the game. The club is currently in a good space both physically in terms of the place where they’re staying, the facilities available, the health of the list and their form. Let’s hope, it keeps up.

Kudos to the recruiting genius who had the foresight to persist with Bennell - the handball to Hannan was sublime. One of those players who seems to slow down time when he has the ball. Will win us a game off his own boot in the not too distant future. Only glimpsing his talent atm

In case it hasn't been noted by anyone else... Sam Weideman is currently No.2 behind only Charlie Dixon for contested marks per game. AND Sam Wiedeman is currently number one in the AFL for marks inside 50 per game. AND Sam Weideman is also equal first for goals per game. On a non-Sam note, Fritsch is 3rd for marks inside 50 per game, but his aren't as noticeable because his job seems to be to provide the wide lead and then assess - kick it to someone in a better spot (which is does pretty well) or take the shot. Everyone should take regular moments to remind themselves of that role when they see Fritta's poor-looking accuracy - he's typically taking the shots from 45 out on the boundary.

It's only a watershed moment for the people who were saying tripe like "he shows no emotion" "he talks in coach speak instead of real terms" etc. He hasn't changed. Their perception of him has.

If Gussy is our worst player during a match then we're in pretty good shape. We all know the kid can play and is clearly having a few challenges getting back to his best. I struggle a bit with the "third in the Brownlow" comments. It just shows the lack of knowledge that umpires have in giving votes for BOG. Gawn and Oliver were miles above Brayshaw in 2018. He was bloody good but he didn't even finish in the top 5 of our B & F playing as a midfielder with no recourse for his opponent. Last year he played on the wing in a team that refuses to use wingers. It seemed a spot wear we left good footballers out to die (Jones, Tyson etc). Also looks like this year and last that he is playing a more accountable style which is contrary to way he has probably always played his whole life. He is now behind Oliver, Trac and Viney in centre square ball ups but he's a pretty handy player as your first rotation. You don't trade players when they're at there worst - we back ourselves in to getting him back to his best. Right now his trade value is low but his ceiling remains high and he looks to be a very popular member of our young core group. Just keep picking him and back the kid in.

I know its bad karma to wish ill will on people, but I couldn't be happier that the Hawks have absolutely [censored] the bed. The smugness of their club over the last few years just amazes me. Yes they won flags and well done to them but every time a Hawks supporters pipes up about that I remind them it was when free agency came in and the draft pool was destroyed by GC and GWS leaving teams with no access to talent for development and trading. Might not be 100% true but, well, stuff them. The arrogance of there recruiter is on a whole other level and they have backfired massively over the last few years picking up multiple injured players and 'not quite rights' who they believed they could fix and turn into stars. Scully with a stuffed ankle is a shadow of his former self. Lot's hear despise him still and talk him down but his 2016 was sensational and his 2017 year was great as a pure winger until his injury. He ran hard on the weekend but squibbed at least 2 contests and didnt chase at times as well. Ty Vickery. Was a battler at the Tigs while the Hawkers were going to turn him into Carey V2.0 Jaeger cost them a P10 and second rounder. Is a B Grader at best Patton looks slow and even before his injury I wonder if he would get a game in stronger teams Jono O'Rourke. Former P2 bust who they beleived they could turn around They clearly over rated there list when they brought in Wingard as well. They bugger off a young talent in Ryan Burton and another first rounder to get him and although he's been good, for that kind of investment you want him being good in September. No way they will get there. Mitchell was a steal, I'll give them that. His injury was awful and I'll be surprised if he gets back to his best. Now they have a team full of NQR mercenaries, players impacted by horrific injuries and bugger all talent coming through and I'm very excited to watch a decade of Hawthorn filth.

Fair enough. Over the years I have formed a pretty healthy disregard for what “sources” say on matters like this which are completely subjective. Even if Troy Chaplin himself was my best mate and told me that the newfound success was because Goodwin started listening, I’d still treat it with skepticism because I know if I asked Goodwin he’d say he’s always listened to his assistants. Perspective and facts aren’t the same thing, so I think we shouldn’t treat them as such when we’re so far away from the situation.

I want to know what Harmes' role was yesterday before I make judgements. I may be wrong but I think he was playing on Smith, who regularly destroys us. If so, he did an excellent job as Smith was basically invisible. He also appeared to play a little more forward, which I don't mind, but of course that will lower his stats. Wouldn't pay too much attention to the free kicks. There were some pretty soft ones paid the Hawks way. Can't blow air on them without it being a free. Gawn was absolutely immense yesterday. At one point my husband said 'I don't know why they bother playing someone on him, just give it up'. Next minute the umpire is yelling 'no Hawks ruck', Gawn takes the ball out of the backline all on his own. It's like they knew.

Sorry if it's been said before in this thread, but how bloody good is Max Gawn? Not only was yesterday a master class in ruck work and marking around the ground, but his collection of the ball off the ground and general play with the ball are stuff that ruckman are not suppose to do. At one point he out manoeuvered $culley for a ground ball as if he was a nimble 5'10" rover. Oliver did one of his occational hand balls out of know where to a totally unexpecting Gawn deep in the backline (who I actually suspect was trying to recover he breath from copping a hard knee to the back of the rib cage) and Gawn sucessfully moves on to a team mate and out of the area. You could tell that in the second half Hawthorn were trying to double team and were putting in a concerted effort to try to take Gawn out of the arial contests, but were mostly hapless to stop him. I temper this somewhat that while McEvoy was a quality ruckman at one point, like a fair percentage of Hawthorn's list he is clearly past it and was pleasing to see Gawn towl him up. I was also glad to see Gawn rested for reasonable periods and Jackson give him a chop out int the ruck (of which he did quite a credible job). Huge game against Steff Martin next week.

Having the right mix of forwards has been the biggest reason for the improvement. In fact, it's no coincidence that the last two weeks when team selections have been less cute and more addressing fundamental problems that the team has played better.

I didn't have my heart in my mouth watching this game.

My two boys were playing today and I did listen to the last quarter driving home from my oldest's game, so knew the score when watching the replay which I just finished. Awesome effort loved that we weathered the early pressure and the second week of smarter and more composed ball movement. Gawn was absolutely awesome as was Trac, backline good again as a unit and the Jackson/Weid combination had me smiling with a lot of promise shown. Looks very much like Gawn, Oliver and Viney have taken the criticism after the Tigers game personally and are playing angry with points to prove. Next week will be interesting

I think Melksham has done enough to keep his spot. Given he does little defensively and is now playing up high he was the logical move if you wanted Tom and a taller lineup but I think Jake stays. He seems to be the leader of the forward line as well. Would be nice if he could just go 1 week without throwing the ball or giving away a 50. The only other move I'd think about is whether Bennell is fit enough to go on a wing and provide class from the wing, and then Tom goes in forward with Melk moving in to Harley's rotation and with Vanders out. But I think Vanders is a decent match up on paper for Mitch Robinson and it's best not to rush Harley from where he's been doing well. Vanders absolutely has to start hitting some targets. By hand as much as foot. But he sets the tone defensively and the midfield defending has been so much better since he moved to the wing at half time against the Tigers. Lockhart - one bad dropped mark, but otherwise he competes defensively and the talent to step and opponent and run is evident, surely we're just finding out if he's really up to the level, keep going with him.

Few thoughts - Oscar and Lever were brilliant in 2018 together, let's not forget that. I really hoped Joel Smith would've taken the role as 3rd key defender, but Oscar has now for the second time proved himself as a great defender when has a good mix of bodies around him. - Our defence is looking better because the pressure is sustaining for longer. Any defence will look ordinary if it's getting bomb barded. Mids and Forwards locked the ball in and held up the play well for the zone to set in these last two weeks. - Gawn and Trac dominated from start to finish. - Fit Viney is an elite mid. Gawn, Oliver, Viney and Trac is an elite midfield. They showed it once before, need to do it again. - Brayshaw and Harmes dissapointed today for me. I never question their attitude or desire, but both butcher the ball. Harmes is giving a way a lot of silly free kicks as well. Both need to and can lift. - Weideman looks like he is playing with some real anger. He got clattered 3-4 times and was first back to his feet everytime. Also when your mids kick the ball to your lead you will look good, but Weid has everything to be that dominate forward. If your in the opposition you don't want to let Weid take a mark inside 50, because he will punish you. - Hannan and Vanders both have been big ins for us. They both look like they know what we have been doing wrong and look the most fustrated when someone isn't doing the right thing. - Bennell has only played 3 games, but atleast for two of those he's been better then i thought he would be. Hopefully he stays fit. We can work it out with him in team if we start him deep in our forward 50 and almost let him roam. Against Brizzy or another top team it will be interesting if we can afford to have him cheating as he does. However, he was quite physical today which i liked. - Jackson looked like he had adjusted to the physicality and speed of the game well today. Looked like he could do everything, loved the ruck work today as well. - Kozzy just looks AFL made. Like he is the full package. Speed, Silky, fancy feet, great set shot, unpredicatable and effective with disposal. Also not a bad looking young man, hopefully a dee for a long time to come.

Woewodin had a really good year, and we where third on the ladder at the end of home and away, and the bombers had so many stars taking votes that year. Brownlow are on that year, not one's whole career.

That’s just rubbish and clearly not correct. There has been a clear change in personnel, structure and game style over the last 3 weeks. I can also tell you that in a very positive exchange recently between Goodwin & some senior players, the Coach was asked to be “a little harder on the same players making the same mistakes repeatedly”.

Shout out to Frosty who managed to kick the ball directly to a Melbourne player for the first time in his career.

I love watching half the dudes here jumping on and off the train based on weekly results. A coach showing emotion in the box means nothing. His game plan either works or it doesn't. The game plan we've played with in the past two games is exactly the same as we've been playing since Goodwin took over. It's a good one when we execute. Go Dees!

Even if Jones plays down back (which he won't because he is too slow) he would play a different role to Lockhart who is playing the lock down / nullify / tag role. Lockharts absolute commitment to the contest around the ground, hard two way running and throwing himself in and on any thing he can was fantastic. I think he'll get the first chance on Charlie Cameron next week, with Jetta being a bit more free. VDB was our "worst on" today but even he wasn't that bad. The options to replace him are Hunt, Spargo, Tomlinson so I think he gets another few weeks. TMac should be "best 22". But on form he isn't. Statistically and in impact, Jackon had a better game today than TMac has had all year. Given Goodwins reluctance to play 2 KPFs, I can't see him now playing 3, unless he employs TMac as a fulltime wing (the Tomlinson role). For me, no change unless forced.