Gator

Bugg is a chump. Don't rate him at all. Out: Salem, Kent, Bugg In: Melksham, Neal-Bullen, Trengove (or Harmes or Stretch) I know my changes won't happen, but I'd have all of my 'ins', including Stretch and Harmes, ahead of Bugg. I'd also give Ben Kennedy a go ahead of Kent even though I haven't named him.

No, no it's not. This is far from rose-coloured glasses. Making weekly progress reports isn't objective list analysis. If our development is not compromised we will fly past those teams. And while North jettisoned 4 veterans they're not as young as people seem to think. They only had 6 players with less than 50 games on the weekend and averaged over 100 games with an average age of 26. I get that drafting is still an inexact science, but there's enough evidence to prove top 10 draft picks give you a greater chance of drafting a quality player. Only one other club (GWS) has as many top 10 draft pick in their best 22. When I select a best 22 there's 10 or 11 top 10 draft picks (bids/selected) lining up. That's half the side. The Dogs only had 4 in their premiership team. Some are still young and don't perform every week, but it's clear our raw talent exceeds that of North or the Saints. Our success will come from our 23 and unders. If you think North or the Saints have a group equivalent to Viney, Hogan, Petracca, Oliver, Hunt, Salem, etc. by all means name them.

*Days

This week ? He has one of the most miserable personas I've ever seen.

Weideman terrible and Pedersen has competed well. Pedersen doesn't do it for me and never will, but he's performed his role as well as possible. Any other questions ?

As for Tyson ? I doubt I've said a harsh word about him since he joined us, but for me he's a disappointing player. He hasn't progressed since his first year (with us) in 2014 when he was 21. He turns 24 in two weeks with 80 games under his belt and he's no better now and arguably impacts games less, because he hit the scoreboard in 2014 with 16 goals. He's kicked one this year. In the overall scheme of things I concede he's OK, but he's had zero growth as a player halfway through his 4th season at the club. I know Trengove's papers are stamped, which is fair enough, but you'll have a hard time convincing me that he wouldn't offer the same output as Tyson. If Trengove replaced Tyson over the next month I don't believe our chances of winning would be diminished one iota. But plenty of players infuriate me. Nathan Jones turnover kicks are hurting and intolerable from a senior player. Tom McDonald is having a down year and I shudder when he's got the ball in his hands. Wagner ? I'm at a loss as to why he was rushed back after one game at Casey. Clearly the coaches love him, but I'm yet to see this amazing talent before my eyes. Lewis is a disappointment to me. I was expecting a lethal left foot that never missed its mark. He turns it over with the best of them. No doubt some posters eyes are welling up with water as I criticise their darlings. I'll cope.

I agree with this except the last bit. He's been pox this year. His inability to physically compete, even in 1v1 marking contests has been horrible. Welcome back the jack of old.

There are still holes on our list. We need a gun key defender that can handle big gun key forwards and we need a speedy outside link player. I'm also in the camp that you can't play both McDonalds and Frost in defence.

Jones - butchered ir Viney - tried Salem - fumbled Watts - a [censored] again Petracca - Hall of Lame Lewis - I'm expecting more Tyson - treading water Oliver - not his best Hibbert - needs help Kent - apt username Frost - flawed but important Hannan - did his job Pedersen - couldn't expect more Vince - frigging hell mate T.McDonald - a forward;s a-hole Weideman - 7 more kilos O.McDonald - slow motion Hunt - decide his position Bugg - depth Garlett - first dirty day Jetta - not his fault Wagner - not there yet

We really miss having a classy winger with speed, smarts and ball use. What I would give for Josh Kelly. Also, I have tremendous respect for Cunnington. What a superb display under a massive injury cloud. Poise, calm, and execution.

Anyone who makes the 8 is a contender. We won't make the 8.

Not a finals side.

GWS are decimated by injury and just going West Coast are rubbish, especially at the 'G Port are looking good, but I still reckon are flaky Geelong are ordinary. And if you can limit the output of Dangerwood they're trash Sydney might make the 8, but are just a side Saints aren't a flag side Richmond are Richmond Adelaide lack midfield stars, but will be thereabouts Dogs are solid, but are not a dominant footy side Put a fork in Hawthorn It's not a stretch to say that any side who makes the 8 is a chance. And if you think that's a ridiculous assertion take up footy for an interest.

It was the best 13 disposal, 3 mark, no goal game by a key forward in history.

He was so dominant he got dropped ...

I quite like McCartin, but I would be concerned by his body shape if I was a Saints supporter. And if that is linked to his diabetes it's an issue. Right now he looks fat and slow.

I'm not sure why any player would prefer the Saints or North if Melbourne were genuinely interested and in the ball park money wise. Firstly, our list is better than both of theirs and secondly, we're an MCG club. Why would you want to play with an inferior list and your homes games at Etihad if the coin is the same ?

Dominated Port in Port ? Haha 13 disposals, 3 marks, 2 hitouts, no goals, no tackles, 43 ranking points. World domination ! Move over Carey !

I think Garry Lyon summed it up best when he said we need to learn how to deal with expectation. Footy is played above the shoulders, so in that respect I agree with you. Look at Geelong last night. They played like men possessed, while weeks earlier they jogged behind or beside their opponents. Belief and momentum are funny things. Let's hope we have them towards the end of the season.

I don't know what's funnier, posters thinking a team that makes the 8 this year literally has no chance of winning or posters thinking the existence of a thread like this could harm our chances. And when confronted with the last sentiment a poster says they mean this type of thinking "getting in players minds". Let me tell said poster it needs to "get in the players minds", because they'll have no success without it getting in their minds. We become our thoughts and those that don't think or dream big generally achieve nothing.

It depends on the individual and their symptoms. Clarke retired due to ongoing headaches and symptoms lasting many months. Thankfully, the severity of his case appears to be a rarity.

You do a lot of uninvited commentary on here. Learn to zip it.

I don't see it either, which sort of excites me. Cos I just have the strangest feeling.

I knew the OP would be ridiculed as soon as I started reading. It was too long for me, but I got the jist and very much admire the passion. At least you've come up with some ideas and bothered to articulate them. Unfortunately, you're low hanging fruit for Demonland.

Second most useless stat in footy.