SaberFang

Essendon game 2.0. Typical Melbourne, never learn from their mistakes.

Ironically, we don't appear to be playing anyone in defence. For the love of God Roosy, PUT SOMEONE ON RIEWOLDT AND KEEP HIM THERE! This is bloody Daniher all over again! Wake up!

Had my doubts about only dropping Brayshaw with a 5.5 day break. Was that really the smartest idea with Hunt and Wagner in defence and only 2-3 games under their belt? Petracca taking a while to work into it as well, which is to be expected, but it all adds up.

Embarrassing how predictable this rubbish is right now. Do yourselves a favour and stay the hell out of the media this week, team.

Seems Richo has Roos' measure the way Roos' has Hardwick's. Excluding the NAB game, Roos just can't win against the guy. We don't look switched on at all.

Don't like the look of our defence at all, which I completely expected (Riewoldt always tears us a new one). Where the Saints are vulnerable is our forward line because of their shaky defence, almost exactly like the Essendon game (which we screwed up royally). Manic attacking pressure is how we need to capitalise on their deficiencies here, certainly no gifting away of 50s to their forwards, Dunn!

Don't forget we've got Craig Jennings in the coaches box this year. Should make the Bulldogs match very interesting indeed, if he can anticipate Bevo's gameplan changes.

Geez tomorrow is important if we want any chance of finals. C'mon Dees! Apart from desperately needing the Dees to show up breathing fire tomorrow, I'll be keeping a close eye on: Geelong v Gold Coast @ Skilled Adelaide v Fremantle @ Adelaide Oval West Coast v Collingwood @ Domain Ideally we want Geelong, Fremantle and Collingwood to win these matches because it helps move us further up the ladder. Here's hoping there's a few upsets because you wouldn't expect Freo or the Pies to come close on current form.

I've long since given up on throws being umpired properly. Port had it down to a fine art back in 2014; I reckon the umpires just ignored it because the footy became so much faster and exciting with their obvious throwing.

Geez, and we don't get ANY Friday night games this year. Gotta wonder about that Etihad surface. Dogs are decimated. Geez why did Truck need to debut there...

CarLOLton.

Typical North, want to have their cake and eat it too. Just like Port wanting the China deal but refusing to give up a local home game. Flogs.

They'll wait until Saturday to see if they need any late changes, depending on how everyone pulls up. I'm not sure you want more than three <5 gamers in the side though. Hunt, Wagner and Petracca is enough as it is.

Strategic in a way. Gus will be hellbent on getting back in now so he can play with his mate.

Even more laughable is how fans decry he should be their captain. What a disaster that would be.

Oh, the irony of the whole situation. Seems like nobody is going to come out a winner there.

I think: In: Oliver, Petracca Out: Brayshaw, Frost

I haven't followed St Kilda much this year; are they well covered to match up on speedy smalls like Kent, Garlett and Kennedy with Hogan, Pedo, Watts and Petracca rotating through CHF?

Which makes list depth all the more important. The biggest benefit for such a young list is gaining the ability to rest players for a match and freshen them up (like Oliver last week, who will likely replace Brayshaw until he's cherry ripe). It means as soon as form drops off we can pick the best form player from the VFL to slot right into the role like a recharged battery. It's all very exciting. That we're able to hold back a player like Petracca would've been unthinkable for MFC supporters a few years back, now it's a reality.

It's mathematically possible for us to be 3rd on the ladder on Sunday night. We just need to beat the Saints by 100 points, have Brisbane defeat Sydney by 100 points, have North beat Bulldogs by 100 points, and have Gold Coast defeat Geelong by 45 points! No sweat!

Remember when Malthouse couldn't even see where Carlton would lose a game last year? Says it all.

Would love to see a win loss ratio with the games where we've been involved in a scrap. We seem to be pushing an aggressive, physical mindset as part of our plan to throw the opposition off their game and force turnovers all over the ground. Then, while distracted, we have speedy defenders in Lumumba and Hunt driving the ball forward to our smalls in Kennedy, Hunt and Garlett who capitalise on the situation. Brilliant if intentional and working a treat with our 2016 game style. It all fits together perfectly with our plethora of inside, aggressive midfield bulls.

Don't forget, given a bath by Jesse Hogan in his third game of AFL.

You mean equal 2nd with Luke Parker.

[censored] I love how much of a [censored] this lad is. Compliments the grunt of our midfield perfectly and gives us such an edge. Makes his mistakes forgivable too, because he makes up for it by taking opposition eyeballs off their game.