At the break of Gawn

30 minutes ago, Clint Bizkit said:

Well yes, without Pedersen I mean who plays taller than Watts.

Will be interesting to see how they match up on Port's defenders.

You'd think maybe:

Hogan v Jonas

McDonald v Clurey

Watts v Austin/Broadbent. 

1 minute ago, Clint Bizkit said:

The big test will be how Plugger and Hogan go in the same forward line.

Didn't that happen the last two weeks though? I assume you mean, Watts, Hogan and TMac?

31 minutes ago, brendan said:

We are still $2.23 get on it that price won't last long 

Made a h2h bet last night ?

Wouldn't be surprised if we're favourites by tomorrow.

Here are the "high"lights of that game as well for the masochists out there. 

I absolutely loathe the 3:20 start games on a Sunday. When we lose, it carries right into Sunday night and then puts you in a bad mood come Monday morning. 

Loves an audience

2 hours ago, GoodAsGawn said:

soooo we have
Optumus Prime
The Cardinal
Feeling Garlett has to have one... seeing he has been dominant for us.
Pig have heard for hibberd
any more...

Jayden is called Nippy's after his love of Nippy's flavoured milk.

Expected to lose coming in this game with our injuries. If Watts, Tyson are back next week then no excuse losing to Port. 

Thanks for your contributions this year, Pedo. It's been wild. Hello, Jack Watts.

JKH's last chance. If he can't handle the heat (and by that I mean the heat of playing in the midfield and not Darwin) then see ya later.

Tyson a long shot and Watts ruled out according to Mitch Cleary.

Heard Frost being called Optimus prime by some of the players

Saw a fan post on Twitter that he spoke to Wattsy during the Blues game that it was getting better but he said he was still feeling it slightly in his hammy after running. Taking a while to heal I guess.

I think if they had treated it as a strain in the first instance he'd probably be ok by now but the premature run set it back a week.

Don't think Watts will play. I reckon his hammy will need another week. 

Kent will go out for Ben Ken I'd say.

Cue the "Saints can win the premiership" talk on Fox footy... 

Jack's my favorite player and I love watching him play, but I understand the criticism he received. For years he gave this perception that he didn't play with intensity and I think that gave people the reason to criticise him. If you're a footballer, you can be criticised. It comes with the territory and no one is excused. 

What I often wonder with Jack though, is that was his lack of confidence on the field (which was clear) manifested this "laziness" tag? In other words, Jack lacked confidence which meant he didn't give it his all as he doubted his own abilities/was afraid of failing and disappointing. A lack of quality coaches compounded this issue until Roos came a long and started to work on these confidence issues.

I think Jack has had mental demons on the field, and I think anyone watching him in 2013 and some of 2014, 2015 could see that. Credit to Jack though, he's been able to realise Football isn't everything, which has probably helped him with the criticism, and fortunately his football has turned around which means he's enjoying life even more but still not riding the emotional rollercoaster of a win/loss mentality that football can have on many players. 

12 minutes ago, ProDee said:

Channel 7 news said Watts won't play.  But we expected that.

More likely to come back for the Port game I'd say.

Hogan's punch caused delayed concussion; Bugg's caused concussion.

Hogan's was behind the play; Bugg's was behind the play. 

Hogan's was high and intentional; Bugg's was high and intentional.

What's with the double standards of Melbourne supporters? They were both bad, and I admit Bugg's looked worse, but the response by Melbourne supporters has been OTT. I just feel because Bugg is a fringe player he's copping more heat. 

What if Viney's punch on Ebert last year had caused concussion? I bet the condemnation wouldn't have been as bad as this.

57 minutes ago, jnrmac said:

There are a lot of pathetic posts in relation to Bugg. He is one of our players. He gives his all.

He tries to play on the edge and last night he crossed the line. It was a bad mistake no question. He will pay for it. Not the least because, unlike Houli, everyone is happy to pot him.

He clearly doesn't get the 'good bloke' discount. The commentary last night was disgraceful. They were happy to let their lickass friend Buddy get away with a hip to Hannan's head but they stuck the proverbial boots into Bugg.

I support Buggy because he is one of ours. You should too.

From what I've watched/read in interviews, the players really enjoy having him around. He adds a level of confidence and some arrogance around the place which isn't necessary a bad thing. It was a silly thing but I really doubt he meant to land one like that. 

13 minutes ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

Last night for the first time I felt the coaches box didn't have their act together. 

1. Your note above that Goodwin didn't re-focus Bugg is a simple mistake for a first year coach.  But the more experienced could have suggested it or done it themselves.  They may not have seen the incident but they couldn't possibly have missed the melee and the fallout. 

2. Last night, Goodwin said he didn't know why Oliver was on the bench for the first 13 minutes.  He said something like: we will need to look at how the rotations work and the coaches don't get too involved. I know its the sports science people that manage rotations etc but I'm surprised the coach(es) aren't across it.  I know a lot of the play was on the other side of the ground but there were lulls in play where they could have made a switch.  The first quarter and therefore the game could well have been different if Oliver had been in the middle to help get the ball into our fwd50. 

Not wishing this to be critical as am a huge fan of Goodwin et al.  Just noting that we had an ordinary night off the field as well as on.  To use a Goodwin's mantra 'they will learn from it'. 

Not our night, I guess.  But we are still in the hunt for September.

I actually think Goodwin and co did that on purpose due to the fact Swans were going to target him. He played dumb with that question from Stevo. It was obvious.

25 minutes ago, Ditcha said:

Jack Watts was speaking pre game and saying thim him , Jeff Garlett, and Jesse Hogan all big chance to play next week.

What station was that? Said on Fox sports he's definitely not playing next week.

Hibbo was good. White won't play AFL football again i'd say.

Pedo's credits in the bank have been halved. Another couple of performances like that and he'll make way for Watts when he's available. 

51 minutes ago, leave it to deever said:

I think there may be some foxing going on with this weeks selection. we may be  surprised by at least one of Hogan, Garlett and Watts.

Don't think that would go down well with the betting agencies when it comes from the horse's mouth.

How does hamstring tightness for Watts goes from a "expected to play against WCE", a "hopeful for Sydney" to a "week by week proposition"? Will the same happen to Jeffy? Who knows when we'll have a full strength forward line. 

2 minutes ago, brendan said:

Any sign of watts?

Not out there according to Ben Guthrie