Gator

Mine aren't. I'm realistic about developing young talls. His complete lack of intensity is a concern. In the third quarter there was a 50/50 high bouncing ball that he rightly tried to tap forward to advantage. He failed because he skirted body contact. That's just one instance, but it sums up where he's at. He can take a lovely mark and they'll give him plenty of time, but his physicality, or lack thereof, has me doubting he'll ever be a quality AFL key forward. When the facts change my opinion will too.

Balanced observers of this sorry tale wanted the accusations tested before making judgment. Evidence is always a prerequisite for me.

If only that was the general sentiment on here 9 months ago. It wasn't.

This is quite an enjoyable re-read. Very few didn't jump to conclusions.

Nathan Buckley had an interesting observation re our stoppage structures On the Couch last night. As you'd know, he viewed the game from the opposition coach's box on Saturday. In essence he said that most teams play their wings as defensive sweepers, so there's cover if the opposition wins the footy and tries to forward exit the stoppage. They're set up to provide defensive pressure as needs be. Melbourne's wingers tend to play ''tight'' and don't provide that defensive cover. This means that all our mids are basically off side if the opposition manage to break away from a stoppage. They get cleaner entries while our mids are left chasing tail.

It's even sadder that someone is ridiculed for merely agreeing with someone you'd prefer to deride.

Imo, you should treat the two years separately. It's easy to lump the second half of last year with this year and extrapolate an argument, but we're different this year. Different personnel, different rotations, tweaked game-plan, a fitter group, etc. I prefer to analyse 2023 in isolation. If we win today, which I expect, 8/3 with the game's best percentage will hold us in good stead for the back half of the year. We haven't been perfect, but nor were Geelong in 2022. It's easy to forget they were 5/4 after round 9. Today is a very important game.

I've been wrong before but Duursma is the player I'd like. I won't be surprised if he ends up as good or better than Reid. I agree that he may fall around their picks and a trade with them may be earmarked.

He was second at his Draft Combine over 20 metres. His time was 2.898. Under 3 seconds is quick, under 2.9 seconds is express.

The better team won. They were cleaner and used it better. They out-numbered us around contests. Why we didn't tag Butters when it was clear what he was doing was extraordinary. Truly one of the most baffling decisions I've ever seen. It was so obvious I can't fathom the answer, even though I know the answer.

Petracca was best on ground. Petracca had 5 goal assists. To put that in perspective, Joel Selwood's career high from his 355 games is 4. And we all know how Geelong liked sharing it around in their dominant years. Dustin Martin's career high is also 4. None of the other 45 players who took the field had more than one. Petracca also had an equal high clearance game, was second in contested possessions with 15, had a game high score involvements (12 - next best 9), and the most metres gained of any player.

Petracca Oliver Viney Rivers Hibberd Neal-Bullen

Normally I'm ambivalent about fringe players, but I like Jordon and at just 22 years of age and 53 games under his belt we'll be missing out on his best footy if he leaves. Plus we won't get much for him. I accept good teams lose what they'd rather keep, but I really hope he stays. He's also a good size at 187cm. And who will forget that he's another Jason Taylor gem. He was on zero draft boards in 2018. When his name was called out pretty early (33) no-one had heard of him. He may never be a star, but he does everything well and can be a first rate part of any midfield rotation. It is what its is, I suppose.

Disagree. Rowell only had 18 disposals. Sure he had a good clearance game, but give me Petracca's more balanced game any day of the week. Oliver and Petracca were the reason Melbourne won.

Good post, mate. Unlike some I'm rapt with the performance. Playing like that the Suns will beat most up there. You can tell the Suns had really set themselves for this game and I reckon it was one of their best ever performances. We never let them get in front. They drew level but never got ahead. That was significant. Anderson was best on ground. At 3/4 time I wanted Harmes to be subbed on to tag him. He came on but didn't tag him. Anderson was dominating but we just let him run free. I still don't understand why we didn't send Harmes to him. But I'm happy to bag the points and move on. It's easy to forget Geelong won 5 and lost 4 in their first 9 games last year. I'm happy with how we're building.

I must watch a different game of footy. How many players have his influence and numbers under a heavy tag ?

Gawn Petracca Oliver Viney Bowey Sparrow

I only want him if he's good. Who his brother is is irrelevant to me.

He's not rated that highly. He's not in any top 50s that I've seen. But has time to move up across the course of the season.

The club website says 188cm, but elsewhere he's listed at 186cm. Not withstanding his short legs and long torso, I'd be amazed if he's taller than 185/186cm. I realise I'm quibbling over little.

That's just a game you move on from. Fun fact: Brad Scott has coached against Melbourne 14 times for 13 wins.

I listened live. Russell mention Pickett multiple times during this segment and explained that the only reason he was leaving him out was that he'd missed 2 games. He said his next list would have him in.

B: Fowler May Lever HB: B Lovett Hardeman A Johnson C: Alves Wells Flower HF: Lyon Schwarz Gerard Healy F Farmer Neitz Fritsch R: Gawn Oliver Petracca I/C: Yze K Pickett Wilson Jakovich I wasn't going to put Jako in because of only 47 games, but his career was so spectacular I couldn't leave him out. Pickett is a little pre-emptive, but also a certainty assuming he stays. An incredible talent. Including Jako meant one ruck only - sorry Jimmy. Whelan, S Febey, R Robertson, Tingay, Bruce, Green, Langdon, Jones, Hibberd and others given consideration. If I made this team again in a month it would probably be different. Disappointed I've only included 7 x 2021 flag team.