TeamPlayedFine39

Two things that stood out for me in the match: 1) The amount of goals that were given-off / given away by players to their team mates. Very often during the game players were taking possession of the ball in poitions where the goal was kick-able. Instead they were giving off to team mates in better positions and making a certainty of it. This is a sign of a team playing for each other and not for themselves. 2) I don't mind our 'clash socks'

The sad reality is, now that this thread exists, people are actually going to use it anytime he has a bad game in his first 50. (I could have even written 'bad kick in his first 50 games)

Agreed. It's almost as though people are angry at him for not being more talented. I'll gladly pot a player for not putting in effort, but this has never been a criticism of Dawes. He is an exemplary trainer, takes younger players under his wing and puts in on match day; it's just that he wasn't as blessed as some on our list with huge talent.

That's a fantastic effort - hopefully Jetta mrk 2.

It's interesting that most clubs (Melbourne, Adelaide, Richmond, Port) have the 'R' for Recognise, while it appears that Hawthorn and Essendon don't.

Have been checking in daily to see if they're stocking shoes for my over-sized joke of feet. They give members very good deals every year.

Yes, I suppose he's tradable... and we'd get something pretty good for him as he is a very, very good player. I'd prefer to keep the developed, seasoned, 23yo, 100 odd game, center-half-back, who is consistently the leading aerobic runner at the club and a member of the leadership group.

Looks great! I was a big wrap for last years as well, but this one is a little more bold, yet still distinctly Melbourne.

Defense is never about the 'defenders', it's about how well the team can defend. The people delivering the ball into our defensive 50 had no pressure on them, they were moving into space and had space in front of them to put the ball where the opposition forwards wanted it. The games where our defense has looked sound were the games where our midfield worked harder to defend. You could put Bruce Doull down there in our defensive arc and he'd be made to look foolish by our collective lack of pressure.

I grew up in the 80s and only started to pay close attention to football in the early 90s. I missed the Richmond dominant years and have only ever known them to be a complete basket-case. Therefore, I don't have the 'hatred' for them that many other posters feels. I don't feel sympathy for them however as, like us, they've had plenty of opportunities through the draft to rebuild and develop their list and, like us for the first three rebuilds, they stuffed it up.

Bernie wanted to reject the trade and stay at the Crows until he spoke to the Coach and list manager. Was told that no matter how well he played in 2014, he wouldn't be offered a contract at Adelaide for 2015.

Bernie was thrown.

So far above and beyond.

He just keeps getting in the bests for Casey and all the match reports seem to be singing the same tune: good ball use, attack on the footy, poise, and kicking goals. For me, Trengove's return is the big story for 2016. He represented so much hope for this club when we were floundering and he deserves to be there when it all finally comes back together for us. My guess... Round 8 vs Bulldogs.

I was wondering that too - seems to say it at stoppages. Was thinking it might be breaking the contest into tiny units, like: 'Win the next three seconds...'??

Has played 27 games.

Love 'im and it's great to hear him encouraging and teaching out there. Was a little surprised to hear how quiet the other players were out there though. Loved his comment to Jeffy: "This is why you play"

Exactly - it's network television and there's always going to be more independent viewers than alligned viewers watching- they need to be given a reason to stay tuned in. They try to sell every match as a great and exciting encounter and always look to sell an underdog narrative. If the commentators were actually honest they'd say 'rubbish game, you may as well change over and catch the end of Midsummer Murders.'

IMHO Rance will get two, with a likely plea down to one. Viney won't get anything; it was forceful and aggressive, but there's no way that can be construed as striking.

I'd support no changes after a win like that. The week before we had two unlucky players miss out after a great win, but I don't see any 'must haves' in the mold of Vince and Gartlett sitting in the twos at the moment. Let them keep beating down the door while the team is performing so well.

Love him. I was very, very wrong about him. Thank god we (Rawlings) gave him another shot!

I would say our best chance would be Oliver, but a lot of that depends on when Petracca debuts. I'm expecting at least one of them to be a top five finish, but not expecting a win this year. I enjoy the Rising Star award and process and see it as a bit of fun and extra level of interest. My early money would be on Weitering; he's been nothing short of amazing this year.

I was certain we were going to drop the Essendon match, an absolute certainty- was down the whole week leading into it. With that said, I agree with some of the sentiments expressed here; that that match could and should be a catalyst to ensure that it doesn't happen again. We've matched up very well on Richmond for a few years now - I'm confident going into this round. (In regards to the op - I've read thousands of more absurd posts on Demonland than that one from the Tiges supporters)

No concerns about Salem whatsoever. I'd say he's just down on a bit of form so far this year; not terrible, just down on people's (rightfully) high expectations. Perhaps some time up on the wing to let him have a bit more of a run at it would help him get his touch back?? But, like I said, no concerns about Salem or his role in the team - if this is how he performs when out of form, we've got ourselves a real gem!

One thing he's got going for him this year is he's running with the ball a lot more; the flashier sort of things that get noticed by the umps. He'll poll well, not sure he's quite ready to win just yet...