KingDingAling

Even at pick 80 Toumpas wouldn't be good value. That isn't to say he won't be a good - or even great - player. But as of today, Jimmy Toumpas hasn't done a lot at AFL level. A VFL player could be taken at pick 80 and if he'd of done as much as Toumpas, we'd be calling for his head. I'm not saying Toumpas won't be a good player, I'm just saying that to date he has done nothing. Why do people call Toumpas a bust at pick 4? Because players taken after him - players we could've taken - are performing at a far superior level. Does that mean Jimmy Toumpas cannot perform at that level also? NO, it doesn't. But every year he doesn't perform at an expected level, it becomes unlikely that he will. Thankfully it is only early days for Jimmy Toumpas, he has had his first full pre-season where he wasn't injured. So there is a lot more to be excited about - than there is to dwell on.

Positives 1. Newton looked clean, classy, and got a lot of it early. Looks a real find on limited viewing so far. 2. Vandenberg came on and immediately had an impact, he was one player last night who didn't panic under pressure, lowered his eyes very well. 3. Frost. Backs himself and takes the game on. I was very impressed by this kid. 4. Lumumba. Pleasently surprised by H. Needs some work on the inside, but regularly followed up his efforts, and taken the game on - he is going to be a vital player this year. 5. Jesse Hogan. I thought he was excellent, already looks our main target going forward. 6. My winnng bet to get within 19 points got up with 1 point to spare:) Negatives. 1. Tom McDonald early, made costly errors and didn't look up to stardard. He did rectify that somewhat in the second half, but he has a lot of work to do. 2. Matt Jones gives away silly free kicks. It is frustrating, but I also question whether Jones is up to the level of AFL (could also say the same for Jack Grimes). 3. Our second quarter. 4. Max Gawns disposal. 5. Our back and forward line. 6. We lost.

I agree. Maybe Pederson gets a gig, but Jamar and Gawn look below the level. I think Spencer would be a better option.

Vince or Viney come in for Matt Jones. Based on tonight I could see Newton and Vandenberg getting a lot of midfield time this year. Newton was deadset impressive.

That is what you call, running a very fine line.

It didn't look like it. I thought he just copped a bump.

I reckon the kid can play a bit.

I liked that Toumpas tried to actually have a dip. That is all we ask for. I don't care if he gets caught, just back yourself in Jimmy.

Matt Jones, do you have to get them in the back every time?

Yeah I think the new guys have been our better players - Lumumba, Hogan and Newton, all impressive so far. This Newton, I'm a bit blown away by this kid atm.

NAB cup is no reason to not man up players. Especially when those players are the opposing captain and renowned goal sneak. It is just dumb football, I understand it is the NAB cup, but I imagine Paul Roos would expect more from this lot - a lot more.

Yeah, it has been embarrassed, marks taken without pressure, absolutely unopposed. Walters, Pav, unmanned. I don't know, but I've been around footy all my life - I just expect a lot better from AFL level players.

There is no point whinging about it, Jimmy Toumpas isn't our problem. We have far bigger problems than Jimmy Toumpas, for instance, we have a lot of guys who are either very rusty today - or just plain ordinary footballers.

Lumumba is actually going ok. Newton is deadset impressive, I am impressed by him. Salem looks clean when he has the ball in hands.

I've said that for 2 years, as a footballer, he makes a very ordinary one.

Yeah, good luck with that forward line Roosy. Hogan looks very good so far, but one man cannot do it all.

Newton looks really good. Like exceptionally good so far.

That was a shocker.

In one word for Melbourne - limited. In one word for Fremantle - clean. Newton going well, Jetta and Jones playing well.

I expected a touch better at the line.. +18.5 at $1.90. Nevertheless I've dropped a $150 on us for good measure. I am reasonably confident we get within 3 goals with Fyfe, Sandilands out and a Roos vs Lyon game of defensive tactics. These coaches won't let the shackles off just because it is NAB cup, they are both men of structures, discipline and defense.

From tomorrow night onwards Salem will become everyones top 5. I've always thought this kid is the best kid I've seen us draft. There are no flaws in his game, I've watched him since juniors and he has a blend of polish and toughness - a rare blend.

I like that we are getting old ties back at the club. In recent times, Viney, Stretch, Lovett. That is what football clubs are all about, family, friends and loyalty.

Last head is Salem.

Carlton, they are just an average side with some less than average players. I think Richmond will be a flop aswell, they are talking finals, I don't think they will make the finals, to me that is a fail for them. St Kilda will be bottom 2, they haven't bottomed out yet, they still have some ways to go, I'd have them bottom 2 for the next 2 years at least. I don't think it will be a good time to be down the bottom from here on in, just as we are seeing the same sides play off in the top 4, we'll also start to see those down the bottom of the ladder - stay there. I think MFC will avoid this due to a raft of young talent on our list, rebuilding sides can only dream of having a young brigade like the MFC.

Looks like a very favorable draw for us. We match up VERY well against Richmond and we will take that win. We've got Collingwood twice and that are also very beatable. And come round 21 Carlton will be lumbering on the bottom of the ladder, that will be our biggest win of the year.