Gator

You're a far better man than me.

This isn't quite right. He was asked "who has been the best team you've played" ? He nominated Richmond first and then Melbourne. As you say, he then included Collingwood. He finished by saying that in his opinion those three sides best footy are probably the best in the competition. But they're not always playing their best, are they ?

Not true. I've watched Goodwin's conferences all year and when he's said he expects a player to play I can't think of a time they haven't.

Yep. No Viney or Oliver doesn't bode well. I just try not to worry over things I have zero control over. What's the point ?

^^^ Why people bother posting this childish sort of rubbish I'll never know.

Wallis is the last player we need. Just more of the same.

Injuries happen. If he plays he plays if he doesn't he doesn't.

I gave up suffering from the past about 10 years ago. I made a choice.

Will retire a premiership player.

Look, it's hard for me to argue with you if you don't take up a contrarian position.

Our structures are very different to round one. Tom McDonald didn't play (nor did Viney - again), Brayshaw didn't play, Salem wasn't being played in defence, etc. Both teams are now very different. Round 1 is irrelevant for both teams.

I don't agree that we're overly slow. I know it's a popular assessment. We lack outside class and perhaps one express runner, but we're not as slow as is made out. Oliver, Brayshaw and Petracca are above average in the pace department for big bodied mids. Frost and Smith are above average, while Salem and Jetta are fine. Melksham and Harmes are above average, as are Garlett and Spargo. Fritsch is also fine, as is Jones. We know the small handfull who lack pace. If you're winning the contest and spreading it's amazing how quick you can look. Who's Geelong's outside star that regularly cuts up the opposition ? Like us, they don't have one. As for balance ? We've got the best ruck of the two teams. We have two dangerous key forwards to their one. We're playing two tall defenders, plus the 191cm Smith, which looks fine to me. It's not our best personnel, but we're talking 'balance' here. We have two small quick crumbers up forward. We've got 'one on one' midsize strength with Melksham and perhaps Petracca or Fritsch. Where is their superior 'balance' you speak of ? Btw, they have 8 players under 50 games to our 4. As for their "precise footskills' ? This is a furphy. The reason Adelaide beat them last week is because they butchered the ball by foot out of their defence. We may lose this game (I think we'll win), but it won't be because we're slow or they have better balance.

There's no doubt our defence needs to have a really good day.

You must find it extraordinary that this terrific and well-balanced side has won one game less than us and count losses against Footscray, Essendon, and North, who are all out of the eight. Boy oh boy wowee !! How could it be !?

How do Geelong look ?

What some people are able to extrapolate from an injury or two is extraordinary.

Pretty incredible that a 51 game 20 year old player (21 tomorrow I think) is equal no.1 in Champion Data player ratings as discussed by Glenn Luff on 3AW tonight.

In 60 games under Bolton Carlton have had 12 x 60+ point losses. Melbourne had 11 x 60+ point losses in 2013 alone.

Let's put things in perspective. In 60 games under Bolton Carlton have had 12 x 60+ point losses. Melbourne had 11 x 60+ point losses in 2013 alone. And their 60% is better than our 2013 percentage of 54. They've also had far more injuries than we had in 2013. Their plight is certainly not as bad as the Dees of 2013.

Geelong are BOG ordinary. Prior to Viney being a late withdrawal and now Hibberd missing I was confident of a victory. It will now be tough. Out: Hibberd, Hannan In: Smith, Tyson Dees by 10 points.

You keep your best players unless there's no alternative. Hogan is 3 years off his best footy. Most clubs would be rapt to have him. Best of all, the MFC is his home.

As supporters we have no real basis of knowing whether he deserves another year. What's his attitude like ? Is he doing extras ? Is he coachable ? And many more elements determine whether an unproven player is offered another contract.

Hogan feeling at home in Melbourne by Ben Guthrie 31 May 2018 JESSE Hogan says he is not actively contemplating a return to Perth ahead of his contract at Melbourne expiring at the end of 2019. "I've lived here (Melbourne) for about six years now and I'd almost call it home," Hogan told AFL.com.au. "I still love going back to Perth obviously. But with each year I stay here, it's probably that little bit further away from going back to Perth."

Goodwin will play two genuine tall defenders from here on. There's zero chance Frost is replaced by Smith.

Kennedy-Harris won't be dropped, but he's not up to it.