deespicable me

I reckon that albino bloke doing all that self-flagellation on the Da Vinci code might go alright off a back flank.

Although they won't admit it, they must have one eye on a finals campaign that may go for more than one week. Consequently they won't be using anyone else apart from the core group that have performed over the year. That means JKH, Trengove and Maynard are probably out of contention. The players that are in contention would obviously be Salem, Frost, Watts and Bugg. For mine I thought Frost was good in the twos, Bugg was industrious but wasteful and Watts was O.k in conditions that didn't suit. I agree that Wagner is making too many mistakes that end up in turn-overs so must be relegated and I also think Stretch is not best 22. Both these players should be kept ticking over and ready for any injuries but there is no point playing them this week. I think Goody saw something in Frosts game against the Swans and GWS that under pressure he can do extraordinary acts of madness and try to take on a bit much. He was good in the twos and I think he needs to come back in if he is going to be a part of the finals as we need to get used to how the 3 talls in the back-line works. I also think Watts needs to come back in if he is to play finals but now we are way tall. Maybe its Pedo and Watts isn't best 22. Crazy to even think that but balance is important and Goody likes a running team. Pedo's work in the last two weeks getting around the ground has been enormous. Reminds me of Brown for Collingwood in the 90 Grand Final. Had a massive bum but got super fit and was a great player for them. It would be a sad state of affairs if Watts missed our final team (if we make it). I think everyone wants him in the team so how it is orchestrated (if at all) will be interesting. Salem is a must and I'd like to see Bugg in but he may be put into the bracket of next cab with Stretch and Wagner. Overall I'd be happy if all of Watts, Frost, Salem and Bugg got a run this week but apart from Stretch and Wagner everyone else has done enough over the last two weeks to hold their spots. Tough week for selection.

I can't watch this umpiring. We reckon we were hard done by last week, this is as bad as it gets. The AFL have a real problem. It's unwatchable.

Rubbish. Bugg was made to take responsibility for his actions. He basically king hit a bloke. He has shown remorse, stayed out of the media, kept his head down and trained hard to try to prove that those actions were not representative of how he or the club would like to play the game. He's done his time and I look forward to seeing a BETTER player out there which I think he will be, because he has been handled well. Hung out to dry? I think you're a drama addict.

Oscar

If you asked this question Monday I would have howled you down as a poor excuse for our last two weeks. It's now Wednesday and I'm nearly accepting of where we are and what we still have to achieve. It's hump day.....maybe By Friday I'll be very happy with the team and thinking really if we can beat the Saints,,,,and we can definitely do that..... then we could come roaring into the finals full of confidence and spunk! But at the moment my words still feel hollow .....but maybe by Friday

Yes, I did say pretty much though and all those games they lost were against other contenders. West Coast are probably the most disappointing side in the league for potential versus return. If we lose the next two weeks I think unfortunately any gains will be lost and we will be on a par with West Coast for the team that is showing the most unrealized potential. That puts everyone under pressure and sets us up for a poor off-season. We are not a destination club, supporters start eating their own, the coach starts getting criticized and other teams and their supporters reckon you're a soft touch. We absolutely must win 2 of the next 3. I reckon we might lose all 3. My mate reckons I'm an idiot. I am looking forward to this game against St Kilda. Both teams should be hungry. No excuses. It's our Grand Final.

The thing upsetting me the most is that pretty much every other team in contention is fighting hard and winning games they have to, quite often coming from behind. Two weeks ago against North half way through the 3rd qtr we were still just in front of North who had the wind and we had the last qtr to come home with it. Meanwhile in Perth GWS were 15 points down against Freo. I'm thinking wow next week we may be playing GWS for a top 4 spot. Oh the possibilities! Instead GWS manage to get over the line, we manage to do what we've done for the last ten years and capitulate and then we back it up a week later with a further poor performance just to prove to the football world "No we weren't kidding, we are crap. You want a win, you need a win, come and see us. We'll roll over for you." They've got to be hungrier. The main problem with Jack Watts is I think he becomes pleased with himself too easily just when he should be looking to further improve his game. Good teams improve into the season, they become focussed. Melbourne are scattered to the winds.

and that's just the supporters....

Both Hibberd and Melksham had great games yesterday. Hibberd was sensational. Robbie Grey and Wingard hardly got a possession. He's fast, heavy and he closes space so well, then his tackles stick. Port were badly outcoached letting Hibberd roam free like that. We used him so effectively coming out of defence. I think he'll get tagged more often.

Oh yeah, 3 definite outs.

We've got 2 hours to guess the outs. I'm going out on a limb and suggesting Vince and Kent are definite outs The other two. Smith and Pedo?

What does success look like?................Not last night

Gawn to thump the ball 30 metres every time so no need for a midfield

I beg to differ, I'm pretty sure the sky is falling.

I hope you're right about Watts but in my limited experience watching training it's always good to see them back running after an injury coz it means they aren't far away. After yesterday I think maybe Garlett and Jones are ahead of Watts in their rehab.

I thought Kent looked sharp. I've seen him a couple of trainings and he came back pre-season with a bit of pud, got injured for a while and has taken a while to get in good shape. I was thinking he is pretty close now. Watts not there would make me think he is possibly two weeks away yet and may not get back for the game against Carlton. Garlett and Jones both looked good, both probably step it up next week and both are a chance for the Blues, running at 75%. Viney was interesting, he is still not 100% in the shoulder (in my opinion). They tested him with some bumps but he rolled his shoulder away on impact. I don't know anything about shoulder injuries so I'm not sure what the treatment is for his problem and whether it will be an ongoing problem or is nothing more than sore. Hopefully he doesn't have to carry it for the rest of the season. They may be rolling the dice a bit with him and considering what he is in for against the Swans mids on Friday I will be watching him closely and hoping like hell he can get through unscathed.

We are up way early, but after dropping a couple of close ones early we needed to be. Maintaining our form will be hard to do, but if we can keep winning and get luck with injuries you never know. It's the timing of having your best team available, fit and in form for those four weeks when it really counts. Many teams can win it, at least we are counted amongst those that are in with a show.

Apparently after last nights win Frawley has made himself available to play again.

Looking forward to Viney running straight past the ball and cleaning up Shuey with a shoulder bone to the head.

They've lost the plot. Which is stupid on my behalf for believing there was a plot. No-one knows whats going on. Players, commentators and the public. They change weekly. One of the worst years ever for inconsistent decisions. Scrap it, rip it up, start again.

I liked it last year and thought it made for a great Finals series and I hope they stick with it. There were massive crowds at training sessions which is a great initiative for getting fans close to the stars. The build up to the first week of finals was really exciting and the crowds at the first week of finals were records. And good games right through the finals were fantastic, I had mates who barracked for Dogs and they had the best 4 weeks of their life, even travelling to Sydney for the GWS game. I'd love for Dees to be alive in September and to be alive for an extra week certainly won't mean I'll lose interest. And I didn't last year. I'll go to training and enjoy the build up. Along with Dreamtime, MND big freeze, Pink day, Anzac day and Womens footy etc we are the envy of every other sporting code in Australia for crowd numbers and engagement. The league do a lot wrong but I think this is one of their better ideas.

I followed a link in there from the After Game thread and after reading a few posts I got out before I caught a disease or ended up on some terrorist watch list. Very sad little pocket of the world.

I'm pretty confident with this game. I actually think we'll win easy. I was worried about both Hawthorn and North because they had talls to worry us. Especially North with Brown and Waite. Collingwood will have to kill us in the midfield to win and while they may get the better of us at times I think if we plan well to limit Pendelbury, Treloar and Adams we should win easily. I think they probably should play Cox to try and stretch our defence but he is no Roughead or Brown. Dees with ease.

Yeah, I have. He is 22, only played 13 odd games, 7 this year, mainly because of injury and put into the right system and structure I think he would be a good addition. He beat Tommy Mac in many one on ones which was a good effort. Also he will cost half what May would. We need another tall defender. I may be wrong but I think your confidence that he is no good after only 13 games is a bit premature. I also think O'Brien is developing into an O.k player.