Gator

The punishment has been served. So unless Hunt hasn't trained with "intensity" you can assume he'll be selected.

No. My disappointment is based on output. One good year in 8. A horrible disappointment.

You've been whining for a while, so I finally responded to you. As you'd know, I don't typically quote you.

You're clear that you "don't like how it's been handled" when you're in no position to judge because you're not armed with all relevant information. I don't know the relevant facts either, which is why I'm not condemning Goodwin or the club. How could I when I have no clue ? Just like you. My gut feel is that Goodwin isn't the problem. And I think I know who is.

What ? Watts is a horribly disappointing player. One good year in 8. Even the good Watts is nowhere near the player I hoped for when drafted.

You often seem to come to concrete conclusions in the absence of full facts.

I reckon you've just about nailed it. The only other player who might challenge is Smith.

Fair enough. I do agree that the second ruck is problematic, but for me playing a limited ruckman like Spencer, who can't play forward, is a luxury we can't afford. I'll be shocked if Spencer is named in the team.

You don't know how good this post is.

Spencer won't play. Goodwin isn't stupid.

Win the midfield battle and outnumber at the contest is the best way to curb their talls.

Conlan was huge, but pretty one dimensional.

I have two words for you: "Personal responsibility"

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/melbourne-demons-jack-watts-forced-to-leave-training-early-due-to-illness-20170228-gun52o.html Not worth clicking on as it has no detail. May have over exerted himself.

Mouthguard ?

Petracca is far more Kekovich than Watts. But with much greater skills.

Spencer ? Kennedy-Harris before Stretch ? Frost when he's clearly behind others ? Back to the drawing board, Clint.

I'll be exceptionally surprised if Spencer plays games in 2017 (save for injury to Gawn).

I don't think Hickey has had any great victory, more-so he's nullified Gawn. We couldn't counter their wide outside run through the wings and our zone defence was like Swiss cheese. I think our midfield and gameplan will be far superior round one this year.

It's not like Pedersen is Wayne Carey; and who here knows Weideman's role and how well he's playing it ? As I said, Weideman may not have dominated, but he's hardly been a liability. And not only did he gift Viney a goal, he dished one off to Hogan in the goal square early in the second when he marked Brayshaw's long left foot kick when matched by Weitering. I like the structure Weitering gives and he allows Hogan to do a Roughead occasionally in the middle. Developing Weideman, while picking a strong 22 is hardly madness. There are degrees of everything and Pedersen over Weideman is so inconsequential to me that the value of developing Weideman makes it a no brainer.

Watts missing 2 games is a statement, not a penalty. Players either deserve a game by measurable criteria or they don't. Weideman gave a gift goal to and missed a sitter from 25 in front vs Footscray. Also, the over the top goals show he reads the play very well. He may not be quite worthy of a senior game, but I don't see him as a liability either. The more AFL games the quicker he'll develop. Unlike Watts at the same age, Weideman has courage in the air.

You're not reading the tea leaves are you. Goodwin has made it clear he's playing his best 24. And the best way for Weideman to get better is by playing alongside Hogan, rather than Hulett.

Yes, I've read Carlton supporters use this excuse. It doesn't wash with me. We were so dominant around the contest it didn't matter. And we were 26 points up at quarter time. Like Vogon has mentioned, we were scratchy and fumbly, but it's still a work in progress and young players make mistakes. The easy dropped chest marks do my head in though. Also, I doubt I've ever seen a great display at Casey Fields.

You're in the top 2 thickest posters I've encountered on here. No mean feat. Congrats.

Cripps and arguably Armfield, Lamb, Sumner, Byrne, Graham and Phillips. But, out of that lot only Cripps would make our best 22. So, in essence, Cripps was the only player of genuine significance. Many of the above replacements would have been as adequate as those missing.