TeamPlayedFine39

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...

May is a real mongrel and deserves what he gets from the tribunal; hope they nail him. While I'm not infatuated with GAJ, I think people are making a bit much of his role in this. Is the theory that May was going to somehow miss him until GAJ redirected him? For mine, the fault is May's and May's alone; hope he gets five weeks.

I think we need to find room for Vince and someone may consider themselves to be very unlucky, or in Oliver's case, managed. Jeffy though hasn't played, not really trained since April 2nd, he may need a run in the two's just to get match fitness. Now that the cap has been introduced we're seeing players getting exposed when they're coming in and they're not at 100%.

It looked like a lot of our tall forwards were 'let off the leash' and were able to move up an around the ground; with Hogan, Watts, Frost and Pederson all getting marks and possessions up the ground. The fact they were more mobile gave us a much more unpredictable elements to our gameplan. Was very impressed by Frost today - was reminding me of Mark Blicavs. We tend to forget how few games Frost has played; still very much learning the craft.

Whilst not thrilled with pick 25, I see a bigger upside in Melksham. With that said, we can't consider them in isolation, we need to look at the package. Last year we gave up a second round pick for a mid-range player with potential... now that that has been done, do we want to do it two years in a row?

For me it all comes down to their status at the end of the year. If the suspended players contest their contracts and become free agents, yes please- the more the merrier. A player like Hibberd though I wouldn't be willing to trade much for.

I agree. If we can win 2-3 of the next 3 matches we will hit the hit the season full of steam and full of confidence. If we drop these matches (which is also a real possibility) we are in danger of slipping into the general malaise that has consumed the last ten seasons.

Never thought seeing Essendon get smashed would make me feel so sad... don't think it'll last for too long though.

Didn't see this one coming - well done!

Good to see Oliver was in full traing; hopefully this means he'll be right to play this weekend after possibly being referred to as one of the 'tired players' on the weekend.

Doesn't sound too terrible... light jog afterwards.

I hope he matures and grows out of it too, but there are many champions who were cantankerous, dummy-spitters... Richardson J.Riewoldt Lockett Barry Hall Brereton Even our beloved Allen Jakovich. Flanboyant stars, full of flair and personality and passion.

Jesse is out of form, possibly for the first time in his life. He had concrete hands in the NAB challenge was towelled up by Davis Round one and was unable to hold the ball in contested marks against the Bombers. He's frustrated that he can't do the things that usually come very naturally to him. He's still very inexperienced; he didn't play under 18s as he was over here with the Dees, he sat out an entire year with a back injury. He's an immature player in a very mature body, many tend to forget this.

Most decent/semi-decent hotels and resorts around Asia seem to have the same basic cable, that includes Australia Plus. Afl live international can just be accessed through the AFL site.

Two very different players and both have made excellent starts to their AFL careers. If we were in a position to have both, I would have grabbed that with both hands!

When the Libs came in and revamped the Australia Channel there was a lot of talk about there being no more AFL. The only real difference is the Australia Network has been renamed Australia Plus. 1 Friday night game 2 Saturday day games 1 Saturday night game 2 Sunday games We're pretty well looked after in Asia and when the Melbourne matches aren't covered, the AFL Live app work well.

A few people have said this before me, but I'd hazard a guess that there will be very few, if any, changes for next week. Roos regularly espouses the value of continuity and sticking to the gameplan. In many respects this is what makes him such a stubborn (and in many opinions on this site, poor) gameday coach. He believes in the gameplan and the system that they have in place and he is unwilling to be reactionary and change it. In his first year at Melbourne he said it was pointless to swing massive changes at the selection table as the team didn't gel if there were five different players brought into it each week. Whilst I don't necessarily believe it's for the best, it's what I think will happen - one, maaaaaaaybe two changes. The coaching staff seem to have huge belief in Lamumba, Kent, Harmes, etc. who are at the tops of a lot of people's lists.

Inflammatory title, but a sound OP. I agree - bring on Round 3!

It's not so much a matter of ability for any of these players mentioned- they're simply not match fit. We'd have 4 Brayshaws out there huffing and puffing. Give them all time.

I was trying to add to your comment, not rebut it- I agree with you.

And that people try to draw too many conclusions from one or two games.