Gator

I will, but he would have meant throughout the year, not one game.

So Brayshaw needs to be "managed" after just one game ? I've heard it all now.

Some are overthinking things... Toumpas is clearly not a starting back 6 player, as there are others ahead of him. Toumpas is clearly not a starting forward, as there are others ahead of him. Toumpas is clearly down the pecking order in the midfield. Toumpas was named as the sub, which suggests he was the 22 player chosen, or close to it. Toumpas is the first player to make way for others. Dawes plays if the MC thinks we're more likely to win with him in the team. He doesn't if we don't. It's pretty simple really.

It's pretty simple really ... Dawes plays if the match committee thinks we're more likely to win if he's in the team and he doesn't if we don't. Everything else is noise.

His game was the most rounded I've seen from a team and role perspective, ergo, for me it was his "best". And unfortunately, only seeing the game on TV places you at an extreme disadvantage when making qualified judgements. I think it's called "agreeing to disagree".

All part of the ebb and flow. We won by a comfortable margin after 120 minutes of footy.

We weren't lucky to win. We had 46 more disposals, 14 more contested possessions, 33 more uncontested possessions, 18 more marks, 5 more contested marks, 3.5% better disposal efficiency, 9 less clangers, 13 more tackles, and 5 more inside 50's. We beat them in just about every important facet of the game. In fact, we had less clangers than any team so far this round.

This is the sort of stuff you don't notice on TV. Over his entire career Watts has avoided copious amounts of contests he could and should have positively impacted. He's held back when he's needed to contest. Unless you're at the game you don't always pick this up on TV. This explains why some supporters don't always understand the angst towards Watts. Watts' game on Saturday was arguably the best I've seen him play. His work rate, patterns and ability to be a target or impact contests was first rate.

Preliminary.

That's the last thing I'd do. Brayshaw lay 9 tackles in 3 quarters and made us a better team. There's no way I'd drop him. I'm not really into messages, but that would definitely send the wrong one. That one game and experience was worth 5 VFL games.

True, but just like the Dogs and Dons games in the preseason the coaches and players will learn much from this game. They'll learn what worked and they'll isolate where the Suns opened them up. It's the first game afterall. They were never going to dominate every minute.

It was a legitimate question. If you don't get to games you just miss so much. I've got home from games and watched replays over the years and often thought if I wasn't at the game Watts wouldn't have looked nearly as poor.

Nah, he worked so much harder, spread wide, ran smarter, turned his opponent around when doubling back to goal, etc. It was much much better. Were you there or just counting stats from the game ?

Watts finally has a role that perfectly suits him/team and you want to change it ? No thanks.

A bigger Aaron Hamill.

You're sweating the small stuff. Coaches least worry about the odd skill error if effort and decision making is good. Cross brings others into the game, always gives effort and makes good choices. It will be his last year and he won't play every game, but the club will be far better for having had him.

I'd cut him/her some slack. We all make predictions that bite us on the backside. I'm aware you're after a bit of humble pie, which is reasonable, but we all roll differently. They might still be celebrating.

I've doubted his output at the beginning of every year over the last 4 years and haven't been wrong. I have never doubted his talent. Games that some supporters laud I've been less than enthused about. I dare say some of the games that have impressed you have left me cold. That said, I've been quite bullish re 2015. My views would be no different to anyone within the club. It's supporters that set the bar too low with Jack, not his coaches or teammates. And not me.

You've quoted at least 3 of your own posts this morning and accuse me of drinking my own bathwater ? At least you have a sense of humour. Even his barely passable games have been played on his own terms. Picking and choosing when it suits him. Yesterday was a clear breakthrough for him, and, as I said, I've drawn a line under the previous 6 years and look forward to the rest of his career. I hope he can look back and say he got the most out of himself and worked out what it took to maximise his talents at the elite level.

There's no doubt a host of reasons have led to Watts' continual underperformance, however, it's time we cease the excuses. Many have been harsh critics, but let's draw a line under his first 6 years and judge him from 2015 onwards. We all need a fresh start sometimes.

The "doubters" will never be proven wrong. Watts has been an unqualified failure. Let's hope the penny has finally dropped and he continues that type of workrate and improved running patterns. Intensity is key for Watts. You can't not deliver on your undoubted talent for 6 years and then suddenly prove the "doubters" wrong. The doubters have been right. It's up to Watts to deliver for himself, his teammates and long-suffering fans.

That pack he split in the last quarter was probably the highlight of the day for me. To do it in your first game speaks volumes. His presence and confidence will only grow.

Dawes will come in. Dawes will/should make Hogan better. Obviously Toumpas will make way for Vince, but it has to be out of JKH or Kent for me for Dawes. I;d keep Kent. The versatile Frost won't be dropped after one game.

He's deemed not to be in the best back 6. With Jetta, Howe, Salem and relief from Lamumba it makes sense why he's on the periphery. Would you pick him as a bench player ? Ultimately, there's only one person Grimes can blame for being out of the side. I'm guessing you know who that is. He had a good game against the Dogs, but others were littered with his typical errors.