At the break of Gawn

Put the cue in the rack after last week. Although we had the Roos factor, the boys were looking forward to the off season. I wouldn't read too much into it. The Carlton game is more damning than this.

Please stop wasting forward 50 entries on Weids - he's in his 3rd game against one of the most experienced back lines.

Not that surprising really when Gibbs and Cripps dominate. Hate to say it, but I'd choose those two above any Melbourne midfielder. Cripps is a clearance machine and is built like Nat Fyfe/Bontompelli, while Gibbs (when he is on) has more class than any Melbourne midfielder. Probably would have lost by 40pts if Murphy had played. The fact that we didn't try and nullify Gibbs until after half-time is beyond me.

Hogan hasn't kicked a goal since the saints game - still wouldn't drop him though.

Seems Hogan is in a bit of a slump. Hopefully he can pull himself out of it. Mind you, I thought Port's big defenders did a pretty good job. Watts is in cracking form and didn't get a lot of clear opportunities (apart from that one in the last qtr). You'd think Hoges and Watts will kick 7-8 between them next week.

6 - Gawn 5 - Viney 4 - Jones 3 - Watts 2 - Tyson 1 - Oliver

Just tweeted this. I'm not too worried.

Interesting interview on 3AW with Jack's father. http://m.3aw.com.au/news/jack-watts-dad-speaks-about-the-rollercoaster-of-his-sons-career-20160806-gqmiwy.html Calls out that Jack's strengths have always been his skills and ability to finish - not so much contested play but he's certainly changing that! Said Jack considered leaving when Neeld was in charge due to being "too hard" on the players. Probably doesn't sound great for Jack, but coaches can't all be about the stick.

That 3 on one where he drew them to him and passed to Tyson was huge. As big of effort as his spin out and pass to Vandenberg against GWS. He thrives under pressure.

Thought he gave a really good interview - definitely more open than usual. Topics covered where: Gold coast game - Vince admitted it was his worst game for the club. Said it was a frustrating sort of game but not as bad as some commentators thought. Watts - Watts and Nathan Jones are the two players he's proud of the most. Basically said the same thing as yesterday around the plaudits he's receiving now. Watts' goal kicking - Says Watts is brilliant technically and has a lot of confidence when he has the ball in his hand. Jesse Hogan's goal kicking - Says after he improves and gets better with time, people will forget about his funny run up and say it's just his style. Roos' Legacy - says he's done exactly what he was brought in to do. Rebuild the football department and get them ready for finals. PJ said the FD was below AFL standard. Finals - Says the team is close but wouldn't commit to an approximate year as to when we will play. 2014 - Substantiated the claim that he looked at the players between the eyes after round 2 loss to WCE and just said that Melbourne supporters just want effort and the scoreboard will tick over. i think they were the main points. Talked the team up a fair bit including all the young talent.

I don't see Jones instruct the players or move them around like chess pieces like Hodge does. Jones is a lead-by-example type of captain and will just crack in, which is fine when everyone knows what to do, but with such a young team we need a captain who can educate, structure and organise. Pendlebury also does this really well. I think Watts should be in the leadership group, and he understands structures and roles better than most. Unfortunately since how he's a forward, he's probably not suited as captain due to the distance from the contest, nor does he have enough runs on the board yet.

Yep, the Saints lost to the Eagles by 105pts earlier this year and we came within an inch of knocking them off. Unfortunately we'll have to wait til next year (and hopefully at the MCG) to vindicate our progression ahead of the saints.

Saints have won one away from Etihad - at the MCG against the Pies when the Pies were in terrible form. The Saints have played at Etihad 11 times this year for 8 wins (72% win ratio) Melbourne on the other hand has played at the MCG 9 times this year for 5 wins (55% win ratio)

The only thing stopping him was a few inches with hus shots on goal missing. Dry weather probably would've kicked 3.

Bit harsh on Tyson. Thought he was one of our best.

Our forward line/midfield doesn't know how to handle the opposition's spare defender. They had 7 men back there the whole last half and every kick we did was to an out numbered contest. Need to be smarter with our ball use going in. Hogan may have had a down day but I can't recall too many one-on-ones where he had a genuine chance.

I've also noticed this a lot. This morning Ox on SEN stated he would pick Watts over Nic Nat now and Melbourne made the right decision. No surprise, Ox was barraged with a heap of messages like 'What have you been smoking? etc". Now I'm not saying that everyone should think Watts is a better player, but to think it's a ridiculous statement like most listeners were expressing just shows they still think of Jack Watts circa 2016 and more accurately JW Neeld era.

I think both coaches knew the game was won in that first qtr and Jack influenced the result the most out of anyone in that qtr.

Thought Roos and co. strategised this game really well. We spent all our energy early to set up a sizeable margin and coasted from there. Was really important that guys like Watts, Kent and Hogan kicked goals early which they did, while Gawn, Viney, Jones and Tyson dominated in the centre.

6 - Gawn. Dominated in the ruck and set us up early 5 - T Mac - was immense down back 4 - Hogan - 4 goals, 12 marks. Was dominant 3 - Viney - Willed himself to the contest and was prolific early 2 - Watts - Set up the win early with some strong marks and excellent kicking. 1 - Jones - typical captain's game and most disposals. Apologies to: Grimes, Hunt, Tyson, Vandenberg. Thought everyone contributed well, only quiet game was Garlett.

Can it be at least against someone else other than Port?

6 - Watts - close to his best game all year (got 149 SuperCoach points, probably his highest ever score) 5 - Jones - Tried all day, few poor disposals 4 - Hunt - Daring and dashing 3 - Garlett - dangerous as ever 2 - Tmac - apart from a few kicking blunders his intercept marking was great 1 - Jetta - won quite a few crucial one on ones

That 3rd qtr barrage of early goals killed us. They got easy centre clearances which resulted in quick one-on-ones that their forwards won. Roos then had to play Watts as a loose man to stop the rot which also hampered our ability to kick more goals that qtr too.

I think we're more likely to replace North if we end up making finals. They've got a tough run home.

So annoyed that the crows get a 10 day break before playing us. It'll nullify any of our freshness.They have basically received 2 byes.