At the break of Gawn

I struggle to fully understand the intensity thing sometimes. I understand how one or two players might not be 100% focused as the game started but how is it all 18 on the field? The Hawks pressure was immense that game, and obviously something Clarkson was reinforcing the whole game. My only conclusion is that Goodwin's emphasis was more on game plan before the game "the run and carry style" and didn't emphasise the pressure and structure stuff because he would just assume they know all that, but without that focus, it wasn't front of mind for them.

Needed to revive this thread to discuss our overuse of the football/handball happy that has crept into our game. Obviously a Goodwin influence, it seems when we are going poorly our handball to kick ratio is off the charts. When asked about our overuse of the handball at the presser today, he didn't seem bothered by this aspect despite many expert commentators pointing it out. Is there a rationale behind this? Seems like we are the worst in the league with unnecessary handballs.

What's going on with our forward structure? Seemed great last week with Watts as a deep forward with Petracca but it was just so dysfunctional today. They need to sort this out, ASAP as I actually think Watts plays a better deep forward than Hogan.

Kent won't get a game for doing nothing. Goodwin had flagged not many changes this week. In: Hogan Out: JKH

How much grace does Bugg's VFL performance give him? Yes, he had a quiet game but perhaps another crack at it? JKH on the otherhand has had two real cracks and been ineffectual.

First time we've won since he joined Essendon. Ironically, it was the player he almost broke (Watts) and of his most questionable recruits (Pederson) that shone for us.

Thought Tyson was a bit better today compared to previous weeks.

6 - Pederson. Was great in the ruck and kicked a good goal. 5 - Watts. Got a lucky goal but was excellent nonetheless. Last qtr contested mark was awesome. 4 - Tmac - I thought despite his kicking his intercept and ruck was was great. 3 - Petracca. Made the most of his opportunities 2. Oliver. Great clearance and contested work again 1. Viney. Huge in 3rd qtr Apologies to: Tyson, Lewis, Frost, Hunt and Garlett who also deserved a vote.

I thought Watts' post match interview was very good. Dedicated the win to Hogan/Hogan's dad and said Hogan was one of their brothers and that they love him.

Saw footage of training and Watts and Pedo were the only one doing ruck work I could see.

Champion. So lucky to have him.

Almost feel like Watts has to dominate this game. He has to be the man. I'm backing him in to do it and think he'll rise to the occasion.

Can people please stop comparing this situation to the Bulldogs? The third man up rule wasn't in last year and Bontompelli etc would often just run and jump unhindered to get a tap. The new rule was supposed to be our golden goose, instead it's turned out to be a poison chalice for us.

Tmac went to impact the contest and let him free. The rule is that if you are going to impact the contest and outnumber it you need to win it. He didn't impact it which left Riewoldt free on 3 occasions. Rance does this too, but 99% of the time his impact to the contest wins it for Richmond.

Have a feeling Daniher might kick a bag against us. McDonald is his bunny. Fantasia and Tippa both in good form also and there is Hooker to worry about. If you play Frost as the back up or our main you'll need OMac in to cover him.

Agree with Watts. He hasn't kicked as many goals this year due to ruck duties, but he's such a competitor now. He's almost one of our most consistent players (behind Jetta, Oliver, Gawn when in). It was annoying on Fox footy how McGuire is like, "which Jack Watts will turn up tonight?" I don't think that needs to be asked anymore. He always gives his all now which is incredibly pleasing, and to be fair, probably one of the last players we would be calling consistent a couple of years ago. Also, I still think Hogan is in better form this year compared to last. Have also learnt that Hibberd is going to be very, very good for our back line.

Went to the game and then saw that the replay was on after I got home and kept watching. We lost due to these reasons: 1. Petracca getting injured early. He started on fire. Left to playing ono one leg and could only impact minimally due to lack of mobility. 2. Spencer getting injured. Stuffed us up at stoppages 3. Watts having to ruck full time. Allowed Rance to do what he wanted. It's the antithesis to what any opposition coach would want 4. Smith getting injured. Stuffed up our structure and killed our rotations. 5. Fatigue from all of the above. Lost concentration at stoppages. See the Cotchin to Riewoldt in the last qtr. Cotchin was completely left alone out the back. Jones was just off to the side not directing.

6. Oliver 5. Hibberd 4. Hunt 3. Petracca 2. Watts 1. Frost

Melksham has to go. 0 tackles, turned it over again and again. Just can't see what he brings. In: Pedo, Lewis, Weid/Max King Out: Smith, Spencer, Melksham I'd like Kent to come back in, but he didn't exactly set the world on fire in the VFL. I think Goody will give JKH another chance.

Yeah I remember that one. Was ludicrous

Doubt Bruce will be commentating tonight - they'll use him tomorrow. Think we'll probably be stuck with Hamish and BT

I think the match committee were so bullish on JKH's preseason that they probably said, despite your broken arm, we won't forget your form and we'll find a place when you're back. Interesting though, I thought he was pretty average in all the JLT games he played. Think he only kicked one goal. Anyway, if he doesn't perform at AFL level this time around, just shelve him back to Casey never to return. In regards to Pedo being a chop out in the ruck instead of Watts, just cast your mind back to the Hawks game where he played yet didn't spend any time in the ruck. The coaches love Watts' follow up work and his decision making in the middle. It's unfortunate though, as I'd love to see Watts kick a bag but it ain't going to happen with limited time up forward.

Did Weid play or rested?

Call me negative, but I don't see what's with the strong push for JKH. He had his chances in 2015 and 2016 and gave us nothing (his 2014 was ok). Seems to panic with the ball like Toumpas used to. I get that he's had a terrific preseason and it should be rewarded, but if he fluffs his chances again on the big stage, then we might as well shelve away back to Casey. Kent on the other hand is a proven performer, albeit a goal hog from time to time.

Not sure about that Dusty comment. If I recall the last two games against us he was very quiet. Cotchin tends to always play well against us though.