Gator

Great highlights, but missed one of his absolute best against Richmond where he tapped the ball over an opponent's head in the middle of the ground, regained control and ended up goaling from 50.

Just a bit of levity, bloke. I prefer to back people's eyesight and regular watchers of Jackson lauded his leap (as stated in my post). It's not the sort of thing people tend to make up.

OK

Do people ever just watch something with no expectations ? Enjoyed.

He may never play again, but he's the most naturally talented player on our list. I've said it before, he's a better footballer than Tim Kelly. But yes, it means little if those legs don't mend.

The MFC was very good at covering for Hogan throughout his time at Melbourne. He regularly presented them with off-ground challenges regarding his behaviour. And it's not like Freo weren't aware he had issues, which is why Bell nearly backed out at the trade table. While the club would have been happy to retain a fully committed Hogan they knew what they were doing by letting him go.

Clearly Melbourne knew what they were doing when they agreed to trade him with a year still to go on his contract. Some supporters should have a bit more faith in the club's list management decisions and take pause to reflect the next time they're inclined to wail like excitable banshees.

You're a good man, Ron, and looking back at my post in the cool light of the next day it was ridiculously harsh. I was surprised when I reread it.

Point 1. Yes, plainly we agree that we disagree. No, I don't value Watts two kicks per quarter. Nor did his former coach and nor did his new coach, otherwise he wouldn't have had his [censored] kicked to the kerb by the former and he wouldn't have been dropped by the latter. Point 2. Yes, he's OK behind the ball. Thank FFT, as he's useless anywhere else. Point 3. Yes, he has skills. If you need industry sources as validation of Watts' skills give up watching footy. We all know he has skills. Point 4. I doubt Goodwin craves your validation, but I also have zero doubt about his desire for the contest. It hasn't changed. Now, he knows there are degrees of contested beasts, but his ''acceptable level'' in the contest would not have changed. We sucked in the contest in 2019 for a number of reasons and Watts wouldn't have helped that criteria. He's comical. But he still has a belated chance to improve this failing at his current club. Point 5. Why keep bagging him ? If a poor watcher of football makes incorrect assertions about a player, i.e you, I reserve the right to contribute. I responded to drivel, I didn't initiate. You did.

Almost half the competition play finals, so making the 8 isn't being successful. For me success is finishing top 4 at the end of the H&A, because the premier nearly always comes from the top 4. If you finish top 4 you've given yourself what 14 other teams wanted, a realistic chance.

Sure. No-one was as soft as Jurrah. Not even Jackie boy.

You mean he matured after 10 years in the system ? Wow. Good on him. What you, and others, seemingly constantly fail to understand is that his attributes ... weren't ''enough''.

As an aside, why do you think he was dropped twice in 2017 ? And dropped by Port in 2018 ?

Lumumba was one of the softest Melbourne players I've had the misfortune to lay my eyes on.

I'm responding to you, but it's wasted on you, so it's really for others. What couldn't be replicated by simply running was contested work. In a quality preseason contested work, i.e. bumping into bodies, tackling, competing for pack marks, getting up quickly after you've just been brought to ground, sprinting to tackle when you're fatigued, etc. is all part of the necessary preparation to get you ready for the most brutal team sport in the world. None of our midfielders completed even half a proper preseason and most didn't start any contested stuff until February. It also doesn't provide players with any confidence that they're ready. They know what's required and they also know what's less than ideal. Confidence is huge in footy and most players heading into round one would have had serious trepidation as to whether they'd done the work required. Preseason running to get a fitness base simply doesn't cut it in the modern game, chap.

Interesting question. Who would I prefer on the wing, Kolodjashnij or Tomlinson ? How good would it be if Harley Bennell somehow returns to his best ? Neither player in the poll inspires.

Good pick-up - just as Lord had been patting himself vigorously on the back. Not only did we not select Young, Sydney did not bid on Green. ?

Agreed. I wouldn't call a player an A-grader on the back of one great year let alone one game.

It's wishful thinking, but I liked the Cyril draft pick reference.

You do realise that it's 2v2 and not 4 players all spoiling ? ?

I'm sure he's greatly relieved.

That's a little unkind to my friend Picket, Duncan. Fwiw, I do think it's an error to not review your biggest loss of the year. You review your wins and you review your losses. Always. That said, not one of our midfielders completed 50% of last year's preseason, so a horrible year was on the cards and is at least explainable.

Richmond were also ranked 12 in 2017.

Yours and other reports are greatly welcomed by most and I think they've been very balanced. Keep up the good work.

I appreciate the efforts of posters to keep us informed and feel like I can handle the truth about a few errant kicks. If I was in a socialist country they may want to hide me from it.