Bang Bang Bang

Probably been answered already. But if Frawley does leave under Free Agency, we will almost certainly get pick 2 as compensation, correct? This is assuming we are wooden spooners. I still hope he stays. Anyone that thinks we are better off without one of our best and most durable bookends, are kidding themselves.

I understand the point of your post but can't agree with this, or at least can't remember them. Tyson was great today and lifted even further from his game last week. One of the very few that made calculated and sensible decisions with the footy + having the skill to execute them.

I've seen a lot of people mention Toumpas' lack of pace but for me it's not that big a concern. He modelled his game as a junior on Bryce Gibbs and Leigh Montagna, neither of whom are what you'd call quick. For him to take the next step I'd like to see him get more involved. 25, 30 possession games I'm talking. He would rival Watts, Dunn, Tyson or Vince as best kick in the team. If he gets his numbers up he'll be a gun.

I like Trengove, but I've seen Shane Watson chase balls to the boundary quicker than some of his efforts out there today. I remember when Scully and Trengove were going to lead us to the promised land. I'm sure he will still have an OK career, but he's terribly disappointing for a #2 pick.

6. Dom Tyson (ball magnet, and a cool head) 5. Nathan Jones (early errors, but keeps trying) 4. Lynden Dunn (a good player these days) 3. Daniel Cross (12 tackles, did his bit) 2. Shannon Byrnes (well, he did kick 2 goals) 1. Jimmy Toumpas (I'm struggling now)

It was a horrible mismatch on paper, but I had some faith that we'd provide a contest. I was wrong. It amazes me how good Tyson has been (plus the older recruits, too) and the +ive flow on effect it has on Nate Jones, we have Paul Roos, yet we're still going down by 15 goals.

Still a teenager, second year of footy, actually didn't play too badly in either game, should I go on? Already posters want him sent home for a packet of chips.

You're way too harsh on Toumpas.

We're going to set a world record for dropped marks today.

Tyson looks a ripper.

Really? We have enough small-bodied players that lack poise and miss targets already. He really was a poor #1 pick. Talent-wise, the worst of the past decade IMO. Looked good in 2010 but had weaknesses then and has not improved these an iota since then. Lucky for him that he can escape the scrutiny playing for a team that nobody cares about, and lucky for us that we got another bite at the cherry. Josh Kelly does look VERY good, although Tyson's only 2 years older and was just as impressive last week. Then there's Salem.. so I don't think we need to be too worried.

No change is a slight surprise but not really a concern, we of all people know how effective "deckchair re-shuffling" can be. A win's highly unlikely if not impossible, but the doomsayers saying 100+ is on the cards need a bit of faith. If we make the most of our chances we can keep it to a respectable margin. The Roos game-plan doesn't normally bleed goals.

I looked at West Coast's team on paper this morning and thought we'll be thoroughly tested next week. Very strong squad. Their 10-goal victory over the Doggies makes our task look even more ominous. Let's hope for the best! They beat us by 94 points last year after we were level at half time. I can't see that happening again, but I can't see a Melb win, either.

How is it disadvantageous to us? If we don't get the free kick, then it's a ball-up. Or worse, HTB to the opposition.

Paul Roos himself has said it a number of times, an 18-team competition will always have an 18th-placed team. If we show substantial improvement but still finish last, then so be it. It's an even competition this year. Personally I see us winning a handful of games, we will have days that we kick straight and have forward targets. But to have ever though we were anything but bottom 4 this year was wishful thinking.

Heaven forbid! Another club drafts a good player!

6 - Watts (reminiscent of Travis Johnstone at his best, outstanding) 5 - N. Jones (pretty close to elite status now. Have noticed he seems to have mastered a similar tactic to Selwood in getting free's) 4 - Dunn (rock-solid) 3 - Tyson (would have been higher if not for early errors. But still good). 2 - Vince (a bit wasteful but valuable) 1 - Trengove (busy but wasteful)

Disappointing result. Could have won this easily. Nick Riewoldt was probably the difference in the end - you see the way he goes about it and then you say down our end, our #1 target Pedo missing shots at goal 10m with no pressure, that's what kills you. Howe was also MIA tonight. I saw a few positives tonight: Watts being the obvious one. Tyson (after a few early errors) was terrific. Vince and Jones very good. Toumpas had a great first half (unsurprised to see more criticism on here, from the usual suspects). Bad kicking is bad footy. I'm not feeling as hollow as I did 12 months ago. The predictable "I'm done with this club" brigade are just getting caught up in the moment. I wonder if we'll get a "Sack Roos" thread tonight??? Will be a long season but if we can get Dawes and Hogan out there, we should win a few games.

What a frustrating quarter of footy. Ball use going forward, so poor. EVEN STILL, you take your chances when they present themselves. Jones, Pedo and Trengove missed easy enough shots. 10 straight behinds. Under the roof, that's deplorable. Seen some GREAT signs from Watts and Toumpas tonight.

Just saw Beau "*******" Maister is lining up at Full Forward for the Saints. The modern-day Kent Kingsley. They are also playing 5 debutants including Billings and Dunstan. Gilbert has been named.

No major surprises. Georgiou and JKH deserve their debuts. Tyson, Cross, Vince and Michie strengthen our midfield considerably, while the Saints will go in without Steven, Hayes and Montagna (probably their 3 best). Minus Dal Santo too obviously. I also have a sneaky suspicion that Pedo will step up. Despite the positivity I will say names like Matt Jones, Byrnes, Bail and Nicholson as EMG are a reality check that we're still a bottom 4 side even if things go well this year, IMO.

The Roos-speech won't load for me. I'm guessing it was vastly different to Neeld's in 2012.

Dunn's best feature is his ability to get the ball quicker than any other from point A to point B (60m downfield). His boot is underrated and close to the best in the team. Only a foot soldier but every team needs them and he's clearly best 22.

I don't think he's ever going to step up his attack at the contest and tackling though. He just hasn't got it. TJ never excelled in those areas either but his best footy (2002 and 2005) was as good as I've seen from any Demon. I have similar hopes for Watts, and tonight's game was a good start.

Do people still see Terlich and M Jones as best 22? All off-season I was the opinion of no, from what I saw tonight, it's now an even firmer NO. Clisby is clearly a better prospect than Terlich while the new midfield recruits suddenly make M Jones look superfluous and sub-par. It's a harsh call given their backgrounds but if these two play 20+ games again we're in trouble.