DistrACTION Jackson

Yeah I thought at the time we were crucified, but like you I need to be careful that I'm not just watching with my Dees glasses on. Makes the teams ability to dig in and win the game all the more impressive, seeing as a lot went against us in that period of the game.

The umpiring in the second half was deplorable. It wasn't so much the frees that were paid against us, but the ones that weren't paid for us. I remember numerous occasions I had my arms up wondering how it wasn't a free kick.

You definitely don't want to be playing your best football in March/April and as long as you are getting wins that is the main thing. I will back the team to gel better as the season goes on.

I'd say he will miss 2-4. He's 35 so you would not be risking it by bringing him back until he is 100%

Did you watch the same game as me?

I'm in the camp that we need to bring Frost in to release Lever to that third tall, intercept marking player as that is his biggest strength. He definitely needs to be able to one on one defend as well, but I'm sure he will continue to work on that while we also utilize him in our side. At present it seems Wagner is playing the third tall role and while I thought he was ok on Saturday night, we've got a player who is miles ahead of him in that role so he must go out. I want to get Brayshaw back in the side, but I'm unsure who makes way for him. Salem isn't racking up heaps of touches, but he is doing some good defensive things and we need his kicking going inside 50 so I don't want him out. Hunt does seem to have lost a little of his explosive pace, which I wonder is a result of the back issues he has been having? I also think he should be played more of the half back flank where he can break the lines with his run. People calling for Lewis to go out are kidding themselves, he will play the whole season if fit. He needs to only play the sweeper role though as that suits him at this point in his career. He will also become more important as the season gets on and the play starts slowing down due to players tiring. Vince did a good shut-down role on Zorko who can really cut teams up and has had massive games in the past. I would be putting Vince on Higgins as he is probably the Roos most dangerous mid now. So just one change for Round 2 with Frost in and Wagner out. B: Jetta OMac Lever HB: Lewis Frost Hibberd C: Vince Oliver Tyson HF: Petracca Hogan Neal-Bullen F: Garlett Pedersen Fritsch R: Gawn Jones Salem Int: Melksham Bugg Hunt Harmes

I told you so

Agreed. But it's good to see them really put away opposition. I want that ruthless edge in the senior team.

Has does Spargo look Vogon? Think he will get a run in the seniors this season?

Weid has three

Looking stronger? Obviously you have to take the level of opposition into account, however it's good to see him playing well.

Frankston look like they will struggle this year.... good to see them back though

Out of curiosity has there been discussions in the past about altering the VFL season to be in line with the AFL? How ridiculous that we are into Round 2 and the VFL is still in practice matches. Surely this is a simple fix??

Anyone heading down? Would be nice to get some updates.

How's everyone looking?

Right. Hopefully nothing too serious and he can continue playing..... otherwise we will have a very small forward line this week....

Where did you hear this?

While I think Wagner was good after half time (1st half was terrible but so was most of our defensive players). I just think we should play Lever as the third tall OMac & Frost the others, which means I can't see a spot for Wagner while those three play. Lever plays that role perfectly, similar to someone like Rance, so why don't we setup that way? Ideally I'd love us to get a genuine lock-down defender at the end of this season, someone like a Tarrant.

Garry probably plucked that theory straight off of demonland....

After some reflection of yesterday's game I have surmised that the reason we lost was due to a number of our players being well below their best. Specifically I'm thinking Hibberd, Jetta, Garlett, Lever & Hannan, but there were a few more. Before the game I thought that our main strength against the Cats was that we have greater depth across the whole ground, I still believe that. However, the Cats have the elite stars in Selwood & Ablett who were the two best players on the ground (Max comes close). To win I thought we needed an even contribution to outweigh the impact of their stars. Unfortunately, we didn't get that and it was left to our stars in Gawn, Petracca & Oliver to carry the majority of the load. They couldn't quite get the job done, but I took a lot out of the game knowing we were well below our best and still matched it with them. For us to play finals and possibly win finals we are going to need n even contribution from the side, and I'm backing the players in to turn it around!

If we are going to play Wagner as the third tall I'd prefer we play Oscar and Frost and have Lever third tall to play the intercept role. I also think playing Maynard as a tagger was a poor decision and as much as he puts in, he isn't a natural footballer at the moment. Jetta & Hibberd played really poor games today so I will back them both in to play a lot better for the remainder of the season. Lewis was poor early but better in the last quarter and a half. He plays much better as the sweeper these days. Garlett was obviously poor but I'll also be backing him in to bounce back and put it down to match fitness. Without Viney we need more ball winners in the middle. People say Tyson can butcher the ball, well I would've loved a guy who can rack up 30 touches running through the middle today to help Oliver and Petracca. My team for Round 2: B: Jetta Frost Hibberd HB: Lever O Mac Lewis C: Hunt Tyson Vince HF: Petracca Hogan ANB F: Garlett Pedo Melksham R: Gawn Oliver Jones Int: Salem Fritsch Brayshaw Hannan Ins: Tyson Brayshaw Frost Out: Maynard Wagner Harmes

Chat with Olisik. He seems to wish we selected every player in the draft except the ones we actually picked.

You've lost it Olisik. I'm glad I'm not you.

He will play well in games that Port dominate and go missing when the game is tight. Did the same thing for us. I wish him well and maybe the penny dropped, or maybe it will be same old. Time will tell.

Fair enough. We can agree to disagree. Time will tell but I'm very concerned about Wagner's inclusion. Less so about Maynard as I like his hardness. Lets hope we get the win!