watchtheeyes

Something I would like to see more of (particularly from Petracca and Oliver) is players getting the ball and exploding out of the contest. Immediately gets the ball moving forward and our players goal side of their opponents. Last week Harmes was one of the few players trying to do that. Completely agree he wasn't effective and was caught holding the ball, but I liked what he was trying to do. Petracca is often guilty of just throwing it on the shoe. So I'm ok with Harmes remaining - for a little while longer. ANB on the other hand, sickened he is in there. Doesn't go when it's his turn.

Rubbish timing. McDonald now has to play, and Jesse plays the Petracca role (50/50 mid forward).

Absolutely saw his shirk it a number of times, get him out immediately.

Ridiculous call. I reckon both Smiths are a big chance this week. Bull will tackle all day and present, plus goody loves the flexibility he offers by going in to the middle. And Joel has pace so can work back if we get caught out on the rebound. Plus he can play big and small. I'm not necessarily advocating either, but it wouldn't surprise me and I wouldn't be shaking my head.

Just a game for Salem? What game were you watching?

Admittedly I've had a few and am writing this in a cab on the way home. I've watched the game quarter by quarter throughout this week on the way to work. Salem was not anywhere near as bad as people are suggesting. Often very clean and effective, there was not way he was getting dropped. Wagner did a lot right as well. If you were looking at it objectively, out of the back 6, hunt was definitely the one to make way.

I actually came away with the impression that Tyson and Brayshaw are right in the mix.

I was a big Jack Watts fan, and was seriously [censored] when we traded him. So today's performance tempts me to rail against Goodwin for trading him, and a little of that still remains. However my real frustration is reserved for Jack. Why did it take being traded to perform? If you truly loved the club then you would've shown it on the park for the Demons. So if I hear any comment from him this season that 'he always believed he was good, and just needed to be given a chance', then I will lose it. We gave you many chances, and you chose to take it for granted. So the overriding feeling I have now is one of betrayal.

Could not agree more re Geelong, it baffles me. Ablett, Selwood and Danger are legends of the game, sure, but there must be a question mark if Ablett can stay on the park all season.. let alone the fact Dangers hammy just went. Even if they do play all season, whats beneath them? I like Henderson, but Hawkins and Taylor are past it. And then you've got a whole host of so so players. Will make the 8, but lower half.

On Petracca, in my emerging panic I have trawled the internet and social media and found no comment - no news is good news in my book. Plus, his instagram shows that he was in the park playing with his/a dog sometime yesterday evening.. You would think that if it was serious he would be at home with it elevated and on ice.

I recall an article shortly after the season ended where he specifically stated that there was a hot spot in his foot, and given their experience they wanted to be conservative; that even if we did make finals his involvement was unlikely.

We'll have to disagree here because 31 has as strong possibility to turn in to nothing, with Watts we had something. If as has been suggested we got two back and its being packaged to move back in to the first round.. well, I'll go back in to my box.

Pick 31 is a disgrace. Absolute daylight robbery. I feel sick.

Absent some king of other pick involvement arising from compensation or another trade, he'll stay. The club has repeatedly said that if they don't get a satisfactory outcome then he will stay. People seem so eager to take the clubs word on some things, but not on others.

The day Jack got back from touring Adelaide he came out in the media and plead his case, said he loved the club and didn't want to leave Melbourne. He has since toured the Cats, and spoken to the Swans while Port have in the meantime offered him a 3 year deal. They're not the actions of someone who was enamored with the prospect of going to Port Adelaide. Remember he has to agree to move. I might be alone here, but I reckon chances are skewed towards him staying now.

Very true. There's no way the Swans could get him under their cap. Its Port or bust I'd say, and I just can't see him moving to Adelaide. I've said it before, but I wonder how much Jack and the club have already been talking behind the scenes. I know the media has been harping on about the damage being done, and the trade being a certainty now, but you can't tell me Goody and Jack didn't chat at the B&F. I have no doubt there is a high degree of frustration, but I'm not sure its as acrimonious as the media is letting on.

Get the sense we're asking for a first rounder, and no one is prepared to give it. Unlike others, judging by the rhetoric used by the club through this, I don't think they're going to budge. Maybe to a high second rounder, but no way to a third. Just my thoughts anyway. From Jack's perspective, I don't know why he wouldn't want to move to Sydney. If he wants to focus on his business, its the perfect city! His shorts are made for Bondi.

What happened to all the chat about Menzel maybe being traded, was that untrue? If not, I'd be entirely content for a straight swap!

Spot on! 3rd rounder? We might as well through him in the Yarra!! As it is I'm unhappy about a 2nd rounder.. The devil you know is so much better than the devil you don't, particularly when that devil can kick a ball lace out to a leading forward!

Also gave the impression that the market is nowhere near what MFC are looking for in terms of compensation. You'd love to be a fly on the wall of the club at this time of year wouldn't you? I have genuine curiosity on a few matters, ie: Is this just some genius, yet high wire ploy to get the best out of Jack, never actually intending to trade him? How spooked were the club by the allegations Hogan was unhappy with the situation, and was meeting with Freo royalty? Further from the above, are the club now walking back having faced a near death experience? How much has the club been talking to Jack behind the scenes? So many questions! P.S. Absolutely wouldn't surprise me to hear in the next couple of days that he has recommitted to the club, having had a few emotional sherbets with Goody at the B&F.

Just listened to an interview with Mahoney from today, wasn't long but it left me with a strong impression that Watts is still an even money bet to stay or go.

I actually reckon he will play more of a traditional full forward, leading out of the goal square, using his strong marking ability. Hogan to play the Watts role further up the ground. Realistically they could both play each role at various times though, particularly given both have a good tank.

How olds Gaff?

Watts is criminally undervalued by some on this sites. Trade him to upgrade from 10 to 6??? Are you serious!?

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2017-09-13/end-of-season-to-drive-preseason-misson Misson said pre-season training wasn’t about reinventing the wheel – rather than simply honing in on the basics. “It’s not going to be a quantum leap in too many things. I know [coach] Simon [Goodwin] is really keen to keep focusing on fundamental skills – our kicking, handballing, tackling and shape work,” he said. “[We] really want to nail our fundamentals, because we felt towards the end of the season we gave the ball back too much. That was one of the reasons why we were working so hard, because our turnovers were pretty high. I find this a positive comment, and an awareness of the core issues that often plagued us this year. I often wonder how much AFL coaches really train fundamentals, rather than assume the players are already there. If we can get a 10% improvement in our kicking and tackling, then we will see an outsized outcome in performance.