Gator

Football clubs are very different organisations and can't be judged using private sector behaviours. Melbourne uses the Leading Teams model, which is all about accountability and honesty within the group.

Whether it be Jakovich, Jurrah, Charles, or to a lesser extent Schwarz, we've had our share of unfulfilled talents. Petracca has a similar type of x-factor bubbling underneath the surface. Let's hope it blossoms in full.

Carman.

So even though he hadn't been meeting "intensity" standards at training for some "months" he should have been selected anyway so as to avoid public embarrassment ? That would have been good "management" ?

I do Melbourne.

If Kent plays well tomorrow he's a chance. I reckon Goodwin etc. really rate what he brings to the forward-line and would love to include him if it's not too big a risk.

Abe is right, we play an outnumber at the contest game that increases chances of possession. Once in possession the mantra is to spread spread spread. If there's a turnover the players are instructed to reverse the spread and get back into defensive positions as quick as **** This game-plan isn't yet second nature, so positional errors cost us, but it will start to be cohesive throughout the season.

Tom plays CHB, which you'd expect with his tank and offensive mindset, and Oscar replaced Dunn in the FB role. I'm constantly surprised how often people confuse their positions even though I acknowledge they're far more interchangeable than ever.

If Gawn had prevailed over Hickey we still would have lost. I'll be shocked if we play Spencer.

We didn't lose last year twice because of Hickey nullifying Gawn. We lost because their game-plan was far better, we were outnumbered at contests, and they used the boundary to move the footy as they carved holes in our zone defence.

Smith will play round 1, imo.

Possibly. I hope Oliver develops his outside game so that he stays around the 50% CP mark, but gets more of it.

Absolutely, and Parish won't get caught out in the heat of a final. We all know that Oliver is a contested ball winning beast and he came 60th in the league for contested possessions, which is terrific for a first year teenager, but Parish is no slouch in the cp department either. In fact he came 69th. 49% of Oliver's possessions were contested, which is an elite ratio, while 43% of Parish's possessions were contested, which is also excellent. The number 1 player in the game for CP (total) was Josh Kennedy, who averaged 54% and Dangerfield averaged 50%. By percentages Patrick Cripps is no.1 in the league at 62%.

Jones was on SEN this afternoon and explained that he "lost the toss" to Viney and attended. I'm sure most of the captains would rather not be there if they didn't have to.

Other than Grundy I'm not sure what other tall defenders the Swans had in JLT3. Bruce was the only forward who looked threatening.

Matthews never king hit anyone to win a game, those acts were never premeditated imo, they happened on the spur of the moment. No need to have a tennis match over this. I loved the way he played and you're disgusted by the way he played. You're welcome to your view and I assume (you agree) I'm welcome to mine.

I completely agree. The new lineup is great if you're into footy. I hate soccer, but love cricket, golf, tennis. It's the best morning show they've had for a decade.

Only kid at primary school who supported the Dees. Tonnes of fights defending the hapless 70's Dees . It's the way I roll. Started my Robbie Flower scrap book aged 7. I was never going anywhere. Rock solid.

So you're a turncoat ? Joking ... Great to have you on board.

Our guesswork concerns their readiness to play round one. Only club insiders know. We suspect it's not an ideal preparation, but we don't know how much is good enough. Well I don't. I favour the Saints, but I also recognise that the previous Melbourne teams they've beaten were absolute garbage.

I don't concede that you have better "values" than me at all. Just a different perspective.

No, I just don't take the actions of someone else to someone else personally. Why would I ? The bloke played 330 odd games in one of the toughest eras of footy and yes, commiited some brutal acts. Like hundreds of others. He's the best player I've seen and would have loved him in red and blue. One thing I ain't is a hypocrite. This is going nowhere. As I said, I get you don't get it. Let's move on.

Out of interest, who do you support in the AFL ? My Brother was on Hawthorn's list for 3 years, but I was never remotely interested in turning.

It appears that Tyson, Watts, Smith, Jetta, Garlett, Kent, Hibberd are all still in play for round one and likely to lineup for Casey on Sunday. Round one's team is still wide open. Some may be considered underdone, or deemed ready to play.

I have once. Ended up in hispital. Nothing to do with you though. It's life. Those agrieved by Matthews' unlawful attack on their person are well justified, if that's their view. That's their business. I'm not invested in their concerns. I'll leave that to them. I loved Matthews the player. My choice.