Deespicable

Based on what I saw when I rode past Gosch's training this morning I'm tipping no changes. But hopefully the two ins whom everybody is talking about both show up on Thursday and look fit and fresh and have not had any setbacks.

Obviously a lot will depend on how they pull up and who is mega sore and thankfully the same will apply to Essendon even more after today. From what I saw, I'd be worried about Jonesy being 100% because he copped a nasty blow to the ribs from hitman Townsend. But Jonesy is tough, so he may play a bit hurt. With only one significant training session before Sunday, I can't imagine too many structural changes and that means we will persist with our gung-ho attack from down back and kicking up the line to contests, relying on our ability to win stoppages. Essendon, like Richmond, is a mega-quick side, but they don't have the Tigers physical presence, so hopefully our systems functions better against them. But the last thing I hope we do compromise for this game pace - hence I'd be really disappointed if we rushed back Lewis for this game. The two players who I am sure will come back in are Hannan (he was unlucky to be dropped anyway after Rd 1) and Fritsch - who was 23rd man against Tigers and is the ideal sort of player for Etihad. I'd also like to see Frost recalled - but that won't happen - he's been out of favour with Goody for some time now and basically Wagner has his spot and for the most part (except for when he is fourth man up in a pack like he was in the second quarter) he has been pretty serviceable. Obviously Kent is out and then it's decision time. Does Stretch get another chance or is he made the scapegoat? Does Jeffy's poor form warrant dropping given Etihad suits his style as well? If so we are getting close to career over. Was Angus' stunning third term (after a very poor start) enough to warrant his spot? Does ANB get sent back to find form in the magoos? Did Tyson provide enough run from his wing and will he be exposed by Essendon's speed? Was Salem's poor first-half ball use (unusual for him) enough to get him moved out of the middle? Did Harmes lose his way because he was flipped from position to position on the night or because he's down on confidence? All the above questions have the added caveat that we were up against the premiers at night when the pressure was intense. For me, I'd send ANB back to the VFL for a week or two to get him more involved in link play again. The Jeffy one is tricky and I'd prefer if he gets his final chance before we resort to Spargo or some other small forward option. Dropping Stretch is what I'm sure a lot of you will want, but doesn't he deserve another go against a slightly less physical opponent before we terminate his career (as some of you have)? The only other change to consider is whether Weid recovers quickly enough to go again, especially considering both T-Mac and Pedo are banging down the door for his spot and Tim Smith as well. Weid was handy and it was one of his best games he's played for us, but I'm sure if T-Mac is ruled fit, then he'll replace him. That leaves three changes IMO. In: Fritsch, Hannan and T-Mac (If ready) Out: Kent, ANB and Weid (if T-Mac returns).

We picked Stretch for what we hoped would be to provide outside run and what we hoped would be more defensive pressure and speed getting back. It didn't work, but that says a lot about how quick and tough the Tigers are. Fritsch and Bugg were replaced as our secondary key forward options by Weideman and Harmes (first quarter before being moved) with Melky playing more often than previous weeks from the goalsquare region.

Sorry guys but I have to speak up about the non-selection of Fritsch which a few of you seem to think was another Goody oversight. We were playing the most ferocious, niggardly side at night - the conditions that they have dominated for their past 12 games, the only exception being their game in Adelaide when they got a taste of umpiring bias. I am not sure how and why anyone could think that our classy newcomer, who is still incredibly light, would have fared better than any of our other small forwards. He would have had as much chance as Jeffy last night and we'd all be talking about dropping him this week. The good news is that his skillful play is highly suited to the perfect conditions of Etihad this Sunday and he will be fresh and I'm sure ready to show us a few tricks. Essendon are no where near as physical so it's an ideal chance for him to show us all where he is at. But a night game against Richmond, or Sydney for that matter, forget it. Wait a couple more years when he's got some more grunt about him.

6 - Hibberd - Hard, brilliant and his courageous attempt to mark going back into Riewoldt gets him across the line for me. 5- Hogan - Really loved his game tonight. Forget what the stats say, used the ball smartly tonight and he even kicked the ball a long way. 4 Melksham - Often played from the goalsquare in the role that Buggy and Fritsch have been doing (poorly). Often against the game's best in Rance. Four goals was a huge return. 3 Lever - Smooth all night and his kicking by and large was impressive. 2 Gawn - How do you not give him votes for us when he again smashes his man. But why can't our players rove him? 1 O.Mac - Huge second term - just don't look at the last term replay.

Exposed for clearance ability and exposed for outside run by Richmond's bevy of small hard-running forwards. It's the first game I've seen this year where we've really missed Viney's influence and hardness around the contest and with Oliver and Petracca unable to win clean clearances it was good night Dees because our advantage was in the ruck and we again got no benefit from it and frustratingly for Gawny, the umps rarely look after him like they used to with Jimmy. Apart from Viney, the one player we really miss is an outside run type - no wonder there are already rumours that we are after Gaff for next season. Stretch came in to try and play that role tonight and sadly he wasn't able to get clean ball - it was slippery and Richmond are the night experts - they pick hardworking, quick players to go with their handful of genuine stars and it's working. It's easy to say in hindsight that in those conditions the last player you want on the field is Jeffy, but his no-show tonight makes it tricky for next week because Etihad will clearly suit him better and he is the first player that should be dropped on tonight's game. You could also easily make a case for rejigging our midfield set up - getting Vince back in there for instance - but Essendon isn't noted for their hardball players - it is more of an outside run team. Despite the loss there were plenty of positives IMO. Hibberd returned to his 2017 form and his courageous fly back into Riewoldt was unbelievable. Hoges showed that he can kick more than 50m on at least two occasions (this has been my main criticism of him) and his second half was brilliant. Lever was impressive, in fact most of our defenders were. It was only in the last term that under siege, the damwall broke. OMac second term was phenomenal and Wagner was great in first half before losing his way a little. Hunt's rabid attack on players was great, although his disposal again let him down. Jetta did a great job on a resting Dusty for much of the night and was another worthy of a pass mark. But he must play again next week. What we learnt tonight is that we are a fair way off the pace of the Tigers and probably a couple of other teams. The pessimists will say we won't make the finals, but there's very little difference between teams 4 and 13 - we just have to bring our best to the table regularly enough and ultimately the return of Jack Viney in Round 8 (hopefully) will determine how far we go.

Sorry Joeboy, but if you don't go to the game (as you obviously didn't), then taking pot shots at players for lack of courage (eg: Salem) is weak as [censored]!

Just hope you say the same thing about Hardwick and Shaun Grigg! They did win a flag with it mind you Febel!

So who do you leave out, that is the question and there are probably 10 possibles after such a lame effort. But for me the outs are: Jetta - Yes he copped a knock to the leg in the third term, but he's been struggling this year after a superb 2017 and his lack of run out of defence has reached a stage that it is stifling our options. Back to the VFL to regain last year's form. Replacement: Hunt. Fritsch - I said last week how excited I was when I first saw him at training (Robbie Flower-esque was my comment), but that doesn't mean you go stupid about him. Yes he deserved a game, but he has now been carried for four weeks. He is still a bit lightweight and he hasn't been able to fulfill the role of locking the ball in at AFL level, nor lay the crunching surprise tackles of a small forward. Needs to go back and be recalled after some dominant VFL displays. Replacement: Hannan. Frost - My preference is that this is Lewis, but I reckon we have a suitable match up for the ageing ex-Hawk in Townsend and I have no doubt that Frosty is again out of favour with Goody. Clearly there is no point playing Lewis at the fast Etihad Stadium the following week, where like several teammates he should be rested due to the 5-day break. Replacement: Stretch (note: Brayshaw to move into the centre mix and Jones to be sent back on Edwards to provide smarts early before being summoned into the midfield in the second half. Melky - Essentially he is rested up for the Essendon game (five days later) but he just needs to get his game-thought process back as he has lost his way after a sensational pre-season. Replacement: Tyson Bugg - It's between Buggy and Jeffy and this decision should come down to the wire and the conditions. Both can be big game players but both butchered chances yesterday. I just think Jeffy might be a harder match-up to contain out the back. Replacement: Tim Smith I also think we should play a spare down back for much of the first half and Lever gets that role, especially when Dusty heads forward. It's really important that we try and keep it low-scoring and having wise old heads like Jones, Lewis and Vince down back should ensure we switch the ball better early and control the tempo. As to Dusty, I'd start Brayshaw on him and have Wags go to him when he rests forward. Angus needs to be given a challenge and so far all we've done is protect him for three seasons now. It's time we found out what we have. I'd also play Trac for large periods of the game at full forward in the hope that Rance goes to him. Like Angus, Trac has the abililty to lift in big games and big match-ups. Salem should start on Cotch with a view to switching him with Jones in second half. So my side is: B: Hunt (Butler) Lewis (Townsend) Hibberd (Caddy) Spare: Lever HB: Jones (Edwards) O.Mac (Riewoldt) Vince (Castagna) C: Stretch (Lambert) Brayshaw (Martin) Hannan (McIntosh) HF: Kent (Houli) Hoges ANB (main role to shut down Short who is a key rebounder for them) F: Garlett Petracca (third missing as spare defender until half time) Rucks: Gawn (Nank) Oliver (Conca) Salem (Cotchin) Int: Tyson (midfield), Wagner (defence), Harmes (mid/back-up ruck), Tim Smith (forward)

I have four certain ins with a fifth likely, depending on coaching philosophy. In: Hunt - if you are going to play a high press, as we have done, then you need quick players to get back. He's a monte anyway against Richmond's small forward set up. Yes he may bomb it long too often, but which of our defenders was immune from mistakes against the Hawks. Tyson - If he's healthy again then he has to play. Sure he makes the odd error, but he's a genuine worker and has the confidence to present and the vision and long kick to switch play. Stretch - As with Hunt, he's needed because he works hard both ways off his wing and he presents and makes space. With Tyson, a key to us rediscovering how to switch play again. Hannan - Our 23rd man yesterday and given how poorly most of our small forwards went, he has to be recalled. The fifth gets down to whether Goody decides he needs a stronger (albeit slower) tall-marking option up forward than what he has got already. Personally I would go Tim Smith (because he is a better tackler than Weids or Pedo), but there is a case for both Weids and Pedo. I'm just dubious that this is the right game (at night against a ferocious tackling side) for Weids or Pedo and I doubt whether they can influence the ruck enough against Grigg to make it worthwhile. Harmes has been prepared with this game in mind - to forsake him now, would be a panic move.

6 Gawn - Sure he missed another sitter, but our only clear winner on the day. 5 Jones - I'm not forgetting how highly Mitchell has been rated over the past 3 weeks. 4 Oliver - Worked hard as he always does, but lacked impact and even clean hands on occasions. 3 Neal Bullen - Ran and ran and ran. As with Oli needed to do more with it. 2 O-Mac - benifitted from being the last line of defence a lot in second half but kept Roughy relatively quiet. 1 Kent/Hoges - brilliant first terms, let's not mention what happened next. No votes to Salem? - he was on o'Meara for a lot of the game.

We are definitely considering channelling Richmond's manic forward line pressure - all sides are, it's also a question of whether we have similar strengths and manpower available and whether conditions favour hard-tackling smallish forwards - night football is the ideal format for it, particularly when it is greasy or wet. I think it's fair to say that we decided to trial it last week - Harmes was given a hitout on ball in preparation for Grigg on Anzac Eve. Similarly Bernie was recalled into his tagging role (Higgins) in preparation for ... Tom Mitchell and then Dusty. Whether conditions this Sunday arvo suit such a small set up is questionable, but having the extra tall down back frees up Goody's options anyway. I'd expect one of Pedo or Weid to be listed in our squad of 26 for the game on Friday and most likely miss out. The other three inclusions I'd expect in the squad would be Brayshaw, Hannan and Stretch - the latter of whom would play VFL Sat night. The only player IMO opinion who should miss out from last week is Bailey Fritsch. Like many of you I am so excited by the way he plays - that early mark against Geelong and that disallowed gem versus North are season highlights so far, but against North he provided zero tackles and was unable to lock the ball in with the same degree of ease as Trac or Bugg or Kent or even Oliver in the last term. I have him pencilled in for the Essendon game after a couple of development games in VFL, just as I have Jayden pencilled in for a return against Richmond. Hannan was majorly stiff to be dropped after Rd 1 and is an obvious like for like, but my heart still hopes Angus will get the gig - although clearly he has been playing mid and would require another major omission decision to get him a game. Or would Goody be willing to start Oliver at full-forward with a view to negating any tags and then summoning him for midfield work as the game progresses? Either way, unless we have perfect conditions on Sunday, I can't see another tall forward getting a gig until the Essendon Etihad game - where height can be a factor.

6 Gawn - his harassment in the first half was amazing. Needs to look at how he gave away free kicks though and got nothing back from maggots. 5 Petracca - with Oliver copping a hard tag he stepped up with Salem for three quarters. Smart arse in last term though. 4 Hogan - how mobile was he up forward and he kept presenting. If he could figure out how to kick a long ball he’d be a superstar. 3 Wagner - our best defender today - Anybody who puts him in their possible outs this week is brain dead. 2 Jones - play of the day when he set up Garlett and really lifted after half time when pace came off game. 1 Bugg - clever at times,’wasteful at others but kept working and finally things paid off for him.

I've said all year that we need to rotate our players this season to keep them happy and keen because we bat deep to about 30 and to be honest, from players eight to 30 is purely subjective - they all can play at AFL level and do their bit and make the odd error at the same time. So instead of suggesting changes I'll say this: My top 8 that must not be dropped this week are: Oliver, Jones, Gawn, Trac, Hoges, Garlett, Hibberd and based on his form of the first two weeks - Bernie. The rest, as your comments have shown above, could be omitted depending on Goody's whim. And I'd suggest after watching Jack Watts play today, our coach will be in a pretty whimsical mood. As with others I'd love to see Frost, Brayshaw, Stretch and even the reformed Kent back in the side this week, but how Goody achieves that without someone being injured or banned is beyond me. But I'll say this, if we don't beat North this week, it will become a lot easier to find room for the four of them.

Can't see many changes, although there is a strong case for five inclusions; 1) Angus Brayshaw - even though Goody didn't say so, I'm sure his wisdom teeth removal was a factor in his omission. His last quarter against the Saints pre-season was unbelievable and he has the ability to play pretty much anywhere. He has primarily been training with the midfield group and that's where he should play much of it. 2) Dom Tyson - overlooked for Maynard because he isn't noted for applying a hard tag. But our link play wasn't as good without him. 3) Tom Bugg - after a fantastic pre-season was left out as we opted for two fellow left-footers who are far more exciting - Hannan and Frita. Will Goody again opt for both livewires ahead of Bugg's tackling and niggle and stronger presence in the face of two-on-one situations? 4) Sam Frost - yes we know his disposal can be a bit dodgy, but if we are going to go man-on-man - as we did in the first half against Cats - then we need pace down back for when they get through our press cleanly. Lewis' professional free (and resultant stupidity mouthing off) was a classic case of not enough genuine pace down back on the last line. But if we are playing a spare down back (like we did in the second half), then we don't need Frosty and it will be a low-scoring grind. Coaching choice. 5) Billy Stretch - beats me how we left out one of our best running linkmen after such a strong pre-season. If Salem has to miss (after effects of injury?), then Billy's the obvious inclusion to play the wide roll. And Billy's kicking now is elite on most occasions. As I've said elsewhere we now have a squad of around 30 players who are all AFL-worthy. It's a question of which ones each week and I hope we rotate a few players in the first few weeks and particularly when we play Essendon on an Anzac Day-shortened break. But my guess is that Goody will be stubborn like he was last year when he left Melky down back for six weeks and kept Weid in the side for the first four games. So I expect an unchanged line-up from him. But there are others on the selection panel and maybe he will listen to other ideas.

6 Max Gawn - Sure we wanted more from the hitouts, but Smith spent all day trying to negate him and Max was a clear winner. 5 Christian Petracca - unbelievable first term and mega dangerous in third as a forward. Based on that is top tier. 4 Clayton Oliver - obviously he's had a tricky couple of weeks getting over his knee knock, but god it was great watching him do his work at clearances and his kicks forward were generally more dangerous than our other midfielders. Clear gap to the rest and we all can make a case for just about anybody from here. 3 James Harmes - just loved his attack on the footy and his third term when he moved on to Ablett and hurt him going the other way. But I'm sure he won't want to see a replay of his missed pass to Hannan in the last down the AFL members wing - it was mega costly. 2 Nathan Jones - he just kept working, but as with many mates, struggled to hit enough targets. 1 Bernie Vince - really lifted with Harmes and Wags and Lever in the third and that charge was inspirational stuff. Did Goody err in not having him for a stint on Ablett and Selwood? Maybe.

What a game - great to see we finally can play against a genuinely big opponent on a big stage with so much at stake for both sides and not be found wanting - we will be competitive with all the top sides based on that. Ultimately we were smashed in the air - our outlet long kick down the line was picked off with ease by the Cats. They also were way smarter using the short kick out of defence than we were, particularly in the second term when it all came unstuck for a while. Quite a few players down, although first game of the season, things don't always go right. But what I loved was that we had two of the best midfielders of the past decade - Selwood and Ablett - trying their darndest and having to work for almost every kick. By contrast our two elite players of the future - Oliver and Trac - showed how good they are going to be with some amazing clearance work and plenty of almost results. The biggest worries to me, were our lack of marking power, our inability to invoke the switch of play for much of the game, our poor delivery forward to targets who invariably played behind looking for the cheap one over the back and our failure to stop Geelong's link play and lack of pace down back for their forays forward. But the Cats were up for it, it was Selwood's 250th and Ablett's return game after all.

Brayshaw wasn't just good in JLT2, his last quarter was sensational - the first time since his opening year that I thought he can be elite. To drop him after that is incomprehensible, so let's hope they were worried about his wisdom tooth reaction. You make a good point about Maynard being chosen to play more of a tagger role on Selwood or Ablett. It's still a big call though on Tyson. I have no problems with Wags playing, he can play tall and small so gives our defence more flexibility, even if his kicking lacks penetration. But what seems to have been missed is that Jordy Lewis, who has trained all season with the backs, is selected and will play as a midfielder - barring us ditching one of our other seven defenders. Too me that is a surprise. Clearly Jordy can cope - he played around 250 games in the guts for the Hawks. But it is still a shock and smacks a little of 'different rules'. But then again maybe Jordy at the Hawks had a knack of annoying Selwood. I just hope that for the first six weeks, we rotate our squad around a little - we will need to a bit when we have just five days between Tigers and Bombers, but what we are seeing is that we have a squad of about 30 players who are all damn good and not all of them can fit into 22. So maybe adopting cricket's horses for courses policy is appropriate.

Oliver spent the first hour doing various leg drills with Pat McKenna and Declan Keilty. He then went over to join main group but got sent back over to rehab with Nathan Jones and Tim Smith and forced to do some three-on-two drills. At this point it looked all over, red-haired ruck rover. But seconds later he bobs up and joins in goalkicking snaps with main group and then gets a gig in match simulation.He doesn't dominate and at one stage is caught and tackled hard by Joel Smith. But he looks like the old Olly, by Golly. He's in, barring pulling up mega sore. Apart from no Viney and T-Mac, there's also no VDB (as usual). But ANB and Jordy both train and look good. But BOG in my opinion from the scratch match is Melky - for a guy that was so out of favour, he now looks like a genuine A-grader. I left just before Goody annointed Bayley I think and whilst I love our new Fritta and have him in my SuperCoach team, I can't help but feel disappointed that we weren't loyal to our older brigade before allowing our excitement to take hold. One of Pedo or Bugg will now get the flick for ANB, and both have been impressive all pre-season. Maybe I'm old school, but I'd rather go with the devil you know before brining in the kid.

Well, we are just two more sleeps away from our first side being named and on Thursday the extended interchange means we won't have a complete answer, but I have listed my emergencies here. I have assumed that O-Mac hasn't been suddenly trained up to replace his injured brother at CHF, which means Frosty is our emerg and Pedo gets a game. Lewis and ANB sound like they are right to go, but I have left out Oliver, who I can't imagine we will risk now. Defenders (7) Jetta, O.McDonald (Frost), Hibberd, Hunt, Lever, Vince, Lewis (Wagner) Emerg: Wagner Mids (8) Injured: Viney, Oliver Gawn, Petracca, Brayshaw, Harmes, Jones, Tyson, Salem, Stretch Emerg: Maynard Forwards (7) Injured: T.Mac Hogan, Pedersen, Garlett, ANB (Fritsch), Hannan, Melksham, Bugg Emerg: Fritsch

I still think that when Ross Dillon went down with an achilles injury in 1971 after making the state team the previous year it was bigger than Schwarter's knee. Back then nobody even knew what an achilles injury was - it was the turf-toe of today. Speaking of turf-toe, it sounds like T-Mac has succumbed to it - must have something to do with jumping up for the ruck tapouts. Anyway by my reckoning we may now have five first 22 players missing for Rd 1 and there's a few yet to prove their fitnes. 1) Viney. 2) T-Mac. 3) Lewis. 4) ANB (he's still not allowed to do competitive work). 5) VDB (he's a favourite of mine, although like my colleagues above I accept that I'm living in the past). You can also add O.Mac and Oliver, who are racing against time with their niggles, but I suspect will get up.

Overall an impressive display, although a worrying third term when Savage and Billings tore us apart with their disposal skills and we were smashed at the clearances in that term. It was interesting to see who would step up for us when it mattered and it was general the younger brigade – Oliver, Trac and Brayshaw the stars and Bugg, Lever and Tyson huge as well. The big difference is that for the first two terms our disposal and ball movement was so precise (almost Hawthorn of 2012-15ish) and you could see the errors unfolding for our opponents. Pleasingly, we got a reminder in the third term that you can’t ease up the intensity and even more pleasing, we stepped it up again in the last. So many good players but here’s my take: Oliver: Brilliant first half. Set the tempo in the middle in the first quarter and then drifted down forward and snagged a couple in the second. What are his Brownlow odds? Petracca: Not far behind him. Big marks, big takeaway, big mistake by Saints three years ago. Lifted in the last when we needed him. Lever: Unbelievably clean early when the heat was on and safe and sure in the final term. Does anyone now question why we paid the big bucks to get this guy? Brayshaw: He was back tackling like he did in 2015 and he even cost a goal with one of his over-exuberant efforts. Then his final term took it to a new level - he was everywhere. After a so-so display against North, he made sure he’s in for Rd 1. Fritsch: Skills, pace and the only question mark (his intensity) were answered early. But a quietish second half begs the question – how can he get a game ahead of ANB and Harmes if they are fit … and Bugg? Hannan: After an ordinary sort of game against North, he stepped up big time and his pace and tackling was a feature. We know the coach loves him and on that showing, you can see why. Lock him in for Rd 1 Eddie. Salem: I’m not totally sold on him in the guts, but he was clean and showed how dangerous he can be with a classy snag in second term. But along with Billy, he has to keep performing. Hibberd&Melksham: The Bomber buddies must be looking forward to Rd 7 already. Melky continued to show that he is a dangerous hard-running small forward. Hibberd is a SC must. Maynard: OK someone has to miss out in Rd 1 and if Viney plays, it will most likely be him. But he’s courageous and a massive worker like his brother. He will play at some stage, but I suspect he’ll win the Casey B&F. Tyson: Came back in and looked fit and smart and his first goal was Tysonesque with a nice change of direction. Prolific in last term. Put him back in your best 22. Stretch: Billy was everywhere in the first term and his releases were generally exceptional. He kept running and it would be tough to leave him out on that display. But if Harmes, Viney and ANB return, then it could get down to him or Salem for Rd 1. Bugg: Showed his value in the third term. Beat his man, legged, no free and still gets up to lay a strong tackle that sees the ball spill to Jeffy to re-establish our lead. Really lifted when it counted and it will be a brave man that leaves him out Rd 1, but it could get down to Fritsch v Bugg for that last forward spot, if ANB is fit. Garlett: A few classy intercepts and a couple of snapped goals. Not dominant but his pace adds to our forward pressure mix. Pedersen: Brilliant early mark and long kick to set up Petracca’s first goal. Did nothing wrong and worked his butt off but hard to see playing Rd 1 if T.Mac returns. Jetta: Not his best night, but maybe needed the run. Won’t get Motlop (he’s not there) but will get a key Cat in Rd 1. Frost: Came on in second term and made a couple of poor kicking errors and beaten a couple of times by Bruce but lively and grew in stature in the last term. Hunt: Not his greatest night disposal wise, but showed why he’s so dangerous and converted the sealer. Wagner: Another handy game, but if Jordy is fit, then he looks likely to be the unlucky one to miss. O-Mac: Was he rested after quarter time. Or injured? He wasn’t that impressive early, but we did miss his kicking composure in the third term. Vince: One cross field howler, but overall another strong display. Will he pick up Danger when he rests forward? That is the question. Jones: He’ll be better for the run. Certainly not his night. Gawn and Hoges: Our two money men missed quite a few targets early but both got better as the game wore on and did not stop running and presenting – which ultimately is what their paid to do.

We've trialled it several times before with him in previous seasons and it hasn't worked - he's no Garry Lyon - isn't a quick enough decision-maker. As I've said elsewhere, happy for him to be trialled in the ruck when Gawny rests because he has the natural tank for that role. But sick of genuine midfielders losing their chance at glory to a petulant, albeit freakish, natural talent.

Hope both you and Saty watched the game today and got an idea of his inability to have clean disposal. I'm not bagging everything about him - the guy is a freakish mark and has a freakish natural tank - especially for a smoker. And he is a great kick for goal from anything under 40m and he has a arrogant presence about him which we needed in the past. But his kicking for goal from anything outside 40m is abysmal and have a look at his left foot stab early from the boundary in fourth term I think. He can't kick - he even had to handball to Hibberd when he was 45m out because he knew he was no guarantee of making the distance and he didn't want to embarrass himself. Jesse, is like Jack Watts, he hasn't bought into what the coach wants him to do, although because he's young and we all know what he could become we excuse it. He's not soft like the highly-skilled Wattsy, but he doesn't spend time working hard at training and while I'm sure he will have some good days this year, he also will be found wanting through lack of work on his field kicking. If he applied himself to his game at training like his good mate Harmesy, then he'll become a superstar. But everything that i've seen from him, indicates he won't because he has a chip on his shoulder because he's a natural. Reminds me a little of Allen Jakovich a super, but wasted talent.