Bang Bang Bang

Roos will only go somewhere if he feels his reputation won't be tarnished. He turned down a similar offer from Carlton a year before us because he knew winning a flag with that mob was unrealistic and would have been the club's expectation. He would have seen the job of turning Melbourne from a basket case into a respectable team, with a smooth succession plan, was easy money and easy enough to succeed. Can't see him going to Collingwood because the expectations will be similar to Carlton's. FWIW Barrett is a scumbag but he has decent sources at our club, I'm going to take the comment re. Hogan and others as the truth.

Was it you that reported on Oliver beating ANB 10 times out of 10, one-on-one, in one of his first ever training sessions? I remember being pretty impressed at the time but it's totally not surprising now. His height, smarts, contested work and strength would surely make him a difficult forward to match up on. Would like to see him down there more.

That's an oxymoron. People forget how bad a shape he was in prior to Christmas - summoned to the rehab group he was in such poor nick. Decided to take it seriously from that point and is producing elite numbers already. I shudder to think how good he'll be when he starts taking the off seasons seriously.

Demonland has jumped the shark.

Your first statement is not only over the top, but doesn't make sense. He IS an AFL player and will be for a long time. I think he's a clear rung below Oliver and probably not going to be a superstar but he was solid last week and best 22.

Was a very 2016 performance. This time, though, we cash 4 points in rather than 0. Oliver has 6 Brownlow votes and will win one as early as 2018. Garlett probably the match winner in the end. What a tackle. Thank you Mick. EDIT: Forgot to mention Harmes. Not his biggest fan but his disposal was clean today and ability to Dustin Martin his way out of tackles incredible for his size. He stays.

“We understand it’s round one and it’s not a final or Grand Final, so we enjoy the win for an hour or two, but then we review the game like we always do and we try to keep that neutral emotion throughout the week. “We understand we’ve got a game next week and it’s nice to beat St Kilda, because we haven’t beaten them for a long time, but it’s just another win.” Great mindset from Jordan Lewis. He isn't just killing it on the field, this kind of professional attitude is something we've been lacking for a long time. And all he cost us was a packet of chips. Thanks Hawthorn.

He's a very unique footballer. I could count the number of left footers who are comfortable using their right with one hand and that's league wide. Hannan doesn't give a [censored] what side he's on.

I didn't mean that, was more of an endorsement to Goodwin than anything.

Some more thoughts. Anyone who ever doubted Jetta's place in the team take your humble pie and exit the thread. Paul Roos himself even made special reference to him towards the end. Speaking of which, was weird watching the game with Roos' commentary. Very happy with what he achieved at the club but Team Goodwin did something in one game that he and about 5 other coaches couldn't do in a decade (beat the Saints). Tom McDonald was immense, Oscar was not. Lewis is bargain recruit of the year, like a fine wine, getting better with age. Love how the crowd roars every time Hunt gets it in space. After a slow start, he showed 2016 was no fluke. If we had taken McCartin over Petracca, there'd be a 100 page mega thread on here by now. McCartin is pedestrian, Petracca a star. Massive boo by the Saints. Who the [censored] is Mitch Hannan? A [censored] gun is who! That goal in the third quarter was stupendously good and the moment I knew we would win. Already mentioned Oliver, but he's next level good. Remember when we were in raptures when Scully got 39 against Dogs in the wet? Well Oliver nearly matched it today (15 in the third) and unlike Scully his disposals go to advantage. Not convinced with Melksham, and a real shame about Joel Smith (who was looking good) and do feel for Nick but this isn't the thread for that. I liked how there weren't any big celebrations at the end, this will count for little if we can't wipe Carlton off the park next week.

Oliver is a bigger freak than Steve Smith.

We beat St. Kilda convincingly in the final practice game last year. They then smashed us twice in the regular season. Some of you need to chill the [censored] out. Pav even admitted that the final 10 minutes is just hoping to avoid injury time every year. Oliver and Hunt are special talents. I think Spencer will play Round 1. Very unconvinced by Harmes and Tyson was horrific, but will cut him some slack.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvPk7GK8RTo

I'm a bit dumbfounded by the Melksham criticism too - he was equal leading possession getter and I don't recall any howlers with his disposal or decision making. He will play Round 1.

Petracca has been threatening to have a game like that for a long time, could be a Top 5 player in the competition if he fulfils his potential. Not many are capable of 25/5 type games but I can see him getting to that level. I have better things to do than whinge about umpiring in February but did that female umpire pay us a free kick all game?

I agree but it's also a dangerous sign for Trengove, who must be considered behind JKH and ANB plus a few others who sat the game out.

Is it worth noting that Goodwin's unofficial coaching record with us is now 4-0. Probably not, but it's a handy start.

Lumumba would free up a spot. Best thing he's ever done for the club.

Much better win than the corresponding fixture last year when we beat the Dogs reserves with plenty of skill errors. Big ticks to the fossils (Jones, Lewis, Vince). Smith had a quieter second half but is firming for round 1. Petracca was good, Melksham is heart in mouth stuff but was OK, slimline Oliver is amazing as is non-stuttering Jesse. I think vandenBerg and Harmes will struggle for games this year. JKH and ANB had their moments but neither confirmed they're up to the grade. I need to mention Oliver again, I think he's in for a Cripps 2015 year. Overall a lot to like.

Having Jordan Lewis out there in the dying stages will do wonders when the real stuff begins. He was everywhere late.

And why does he never miss when he plays us?

These commentators can talk some smack. Gerard Healy was impressed with Wagner's speed off half back last year. WTF? He's as slow as a turtle (has some other, good traits of course). I'm no doctor but Wagner's injury might be an achilles. Sad for him. Joel Smith will play 100+ games for us, lock it in.

I actually hope Dunn does well, his departing message last year showed nothing but class. What really annoys me is when commentators mention Howe's switch to defense last year as some sort of masterstroke on Buckley or Collingwood's behalf. Did these guys watch any footy at all in 2015? Huddo, one of the better ones, even mentioned it tonight.

Great report fr_ap. How did Petracca go? Lots of glimpses in 2016 but he never really tore a game open, was it more of the same today?

Garry is a phoney fan - he can't even remember we beat Port over there last year. Goodwin spoke well, although I chuckled at him saying "he's looking forward to" addressing the media after a loss.