At the break of Gawn

I was very pleased with Spargo’s efforts tonight. I’ve been a big critic of his, but I think he really put on a lot of forward pressure and did a heap of smart things. I hope he gets selected round 1. Lockhart was also very good, and definitely is worthy of a round 1 spot. I’m a bit worried about Tmac’s form, but I suppose his second half against Adelaide was decent.

A pertinent question I think is: Does Viney deserve to be VC? If he’s that far back in the votes amongst his peers, then he shouldn’t just be a walk up start for VC. I honestly think it’s great that the administration has given the power to the players to decide, and if Viney isn’t no.2 then he shouldn’t be VC.

Have noticed that.

Really enjoyed the second video. Who was the club official putting the hard word on Bennell not drinking? I didn't recognise him. Loved Gawny's rev up before the 3km time trial.

I think a golf score on a Par 3 hole is the best way I can rate this: Bogey: 9th again - Goodwin probably keeps his job Par: Finals - first or second round exit Birdie: Finals - 2 wins and a Prelim appearance again Eagle - Premiership.

I wonder if David King had thought he was about to get his old job back... To be fair Roo is probably the best of them left. They could have taken a big risk and get Hird back. At least he has, albeit completely tarnished, coaching experience.

Players get demoted all the time from the leadership group, so I don't think it's overly shocking. My opinion is that Viney shouldn't be captain as he needs to focus on his form first and foremost. Also, the co-captain model is no longer in vogue, which is also evident with the most recent premiership winners. Gawn as (C) Viney as (VC)

Felt sorry for Billy Stretch being at the rev up from Goody and Burgess and then goes and gets delisted...

I suppose that’s a good sign as most club doctors can normally get a sense if it’s an ACL or not. It’s why most suspected ACLs always become ACLs because the scan often just confirms what the medical team already know.

I’m not going to take much notice of this story until I hear it straight from the club/Burgess. I wouldn’t be surprised if this has been sensationalised by the HS.

I honestly think Jones finishing 3rd is a bit of an indictment on the rest of our young midfield group coming through. Tremendous effort by him though...

Interested to see where Brayshaw finished...

Here I was thinking it’s been ages since we played the Eagles at the G. I actually think if we win this and go on to have a good season, it’ll be like lifting the curse that was placed upon us at this venue during a Saturday afternoon in September 2018.

I expect the Saints will get the most Friday night games of the bottom 6. My tip is round 1 is an away game against Freo.

Think he’ll be playing a lot at Casey next year. How he got to 14 games this year is still a bit surprising. Can’t recall a game this year that he was listed in the “best on”.

The most baffling results since Terlich finished in the top 5.

I was tempted to bet on Sportsbet option of J Viney to poll a single vote but didn’t have the confidence. My doubts were warranted I guess. No votes for Petracca either which was surprising.

Angus Brayshaw: 2018 - 3rd in the Brownlow 2019 - 0 votes yet played all 22 games. Mirrors Melbourne in 2019

Considering the players who have also received that honour, I’d doubt it. He led them very well through Phil Walsh’s death and was v.good for most of 2017. It was the club’s undoing with stupid camps that caused their undoing and Tex has been a scapegoat. Melbourne hasn’t had a natural leader since Neitz. One great example was his statement in 2004 after the football world was calling us soft when he ran through Luke McCabe. I sincerely hope this changes when Gawn is made captain.

Probably an unpopular opinion on here but Tex was twice the captain Jones was. Tex is a 2x AFLPA captain of the year. Jones has never been in the top 5. He’ll no doubt announce his decision over the summer to step down or it’ll be stripped from him anyway.

100% agree. Rawlings was the one I wanted to keep. Rooke, Chaplin and Matthews are our Achilles heel.

Not sure if anyone else watched Open Mike last night, but they had Ray McLean on who founded leading teams. Interestingly, Geelong went through a big shake up at the end of 2006 facilitated by leading teams which led to their stellar 2007 season. Some of their work with Sydney, Hawthorn and Geelong speaks volumes considering they’ve been the 3 most successful clubs over the last 15 years. I know Roosy had them doing work for us as late as 2016 (his final year as coach) but I can’t see if there’s been any more involvement since Goody took over.

Big deal. His tenure as captain is over anyway.

I’m a Viney detractor, but I would like to see him have a go after a full preseason. Apparently he’s never really had one.

Max was running laps of New York 2 years ago during his break which led to his amazing 2018. Him cycling around Europe might do equally as good.