TeamPlayedFine39

Was so happy when we got Toumpas! Some breathtaking, Stalin-esque revisionism going on here. On a different tac... what's the Mark Neeld lollies story??

Anyone who's read David Schwarz's book would know it would have been great to play alongside a leader like Lyon.

You'll get inconsistency when he's inexperienced at senior level. I've liked a lot of what I've seen from him so far. He's not setting the world on fire yet, but he's shown enough to play for the next two games in my books.

Unfortunately, quality tall defenders is what we were lacking throughout the our recent finals playing years 2000-2006. How would we have gone with (Frawley), Garland, McDonald and Dunn back then? Now we have a good defense, and very little of anything else... but we're getting there.

I believe Garry has, time and time again, said that his career, future, interests, etc. lie in the football media, not a football club. It would be highly unprofessional and beneficial to no one if he was biased, and by your own admission, misleading in his analysis of football. Garry was a great player. By all accounts, was a great leader of the club. But that was 20 odd years ago; he a commentator, analyst and editorialist now.

Agreed, a great interview. I loved how quick he was to disagree with Burg when he suggested Fremantle were too good. TomMac has a great belief in himself and the team- but he was filthy after the game.

Did the Toump play in the second half?? 15 touches to half time; didn't break 20 at full time...

Grundy went to Collingwood at Pick 18.... At what stage did we have pick 18?

One of those right-place-right-time sorta players. Seems to miraculously find space at the perfect moment to hit the scoreboard. IMHO he's been a very solid addition to the midfield rotation. Must say, I haven't noticed him in the center square at a bounce yet. Would love to see him more involved in the guts in the future.

Agreed. We lose a lot of run and skills if we bring in an additional specialist ruck. Look no further than Jacobs vs Cordy in the ruck on Sunday afternoon at Etihad. Jacobs mauled an undersized Cordy but the Bulldogs midfield, half forwards and half backs ran the Crows off their feet. Toumpas and Grimes for mine.

Agree 100%!

It's not strong-arming; it's negotiation. Yes, if his manager said $650- and refused to budge or negotiate, then PJ would say 'see ya'. But a manger and a player have to get the best deal that they can from a club, and a club should pay a player what they are worth to them. Players usually get paid slightly unders to stay at their club as there's always gonna be someone offering a tempting deal. It's not offensive to ask for more money.

Perhaps I am in the minority, but I really enjoy the Rising Star award and the weekly nominations. I must stress that I find it 'enjoyable' and don't take it too seriously. I think our boys might be a bit unlucky this week; Cripps was excellent and may take it out ahead of McCarthy. Hogan and Brayshaw's value to the team is not indicated by outside accolades like the RSA, but it is a nice little nod for an up-and-commer to receive. Hogan, Brayshaw will get nominated at some stage this season and Demonland will acclaim the Rising Star Award!

A manager should be (privately and respectfully) inquiring to other clubs. He has to know the market value of the player to ensure that he is being payed appropriately by the club. Even if Howe is 100% wanting to stay at the Dees, he needs to understand his value on the market to ensure that Melbourne aren't taking him for granted. What I cannot abide is a manager playing games through the media. It is a distraction and reflects very poorly on the player who has to answer to his team mates.

Was a standout in the first quarter and set the physical benchmark for the rest of the team. I though we were looking a little slow and overawed at the start of the match - not Kent though. He's a big loss, but this has to be an opportunity seized by Michie, Toumpas, or JKH to cement a spot in the 22 over the next 12 weeks.

Hogan was hardly modelling good posture during that interview. Was slouching and swaying all over the place. Richo, like all former player/commentators was standing bolt-upright and sucking it in.

Good point. I wasn't sure if it was a Richmond tactic to get McDonald out of the D50 or a Melbourne plan to force Riewoldt out of theirs... either way, it worked very well for us. Riewoldt can have as much of it as he likes 75m out from goal.

If memory serves correctly, Dawes didn't like rucking for Collingwood as he didn't have the tank for it. He'd spend six minutes a quarter rucking, then be exhausted when returning to the forward line. His formed dropped off dramatically as a result. He's lost a lot of weight in his time at Melbourne and he's clearly improved aerobically, as he spends most of his preseason running laps of Gosch's paddock... maybe it's time to have look at it..?

There was a video posted in Instagram last week showing Hulk practicing his goal kicking at Adelaide Oval. Very straight, methodical, and fluent. This was not the run up he uses on match day. It's one thing to train a player to change their natural kicking technique, but under match day pressure all that can go out the window and the player reverts to what is comfortable and trusted. (And it's only his third game)

Parochialism aside, I've never really had a problem with Collingwood and Essendon playing the Anzac Day match. Realistically, they have built a huge rivalry around the match and there is always a great atmosphere at the G. These two teams rain; hail or shine will draw 90 000 to the match and it is a completely stress free day for me to watch the football with some mates. I think there's value in your proposal for it to be a Grand Final replay, but in regards to sharing it around; I don't think most teams could draw a crowd or create an atmosphere that's comparable... including, unfortunately, the MFC.

Yep, Pedersen was out there in the second half. Only saw him playing deep forward so he may have spent some time on the bench. FWIW - in the second half I though Fitzpatrick, Michie, Riley and Toumpas looked very good.

Toumpas has been good too. A few of his efforts on the outer side have been credited to Stretch I think...

Great ! Cheers for that! Sadly there is a large pillar covering the 20-40m of the Casey forward 50, but other than that, a very good quality feed.

Bit of Ben McGlynn about Newton!

Omitted for form I believe. He's struggling playing second fiddle to Martin. They're both at their best when they're the number one ruck.