At the break of Gawn

Weid won't play again this year. Read plappy's latest review. Out: Hogan, Trenners, JKH In: Pederson, Vince, Jones. Trac has to go forward. Would like to see Watts in the ruck again to get some disposals out of him, but I'm afraid Mummy would eat him for breakfast.

OMac got a 1 on SEN player ratings (normally reserved for players who get injured early on in the game),while Frost got a 2. I think you're being too generous to our defenders there.

I've calmed down a fair bit from yesterday. Demonland being down probably a good thing to save us from severe overreactions. Thoughts on the game: Lost it at the coin toss. It was always going to be easier to defend a lead in that last qtr against really difficult conditions. The players were very tired in that last qtr and couldn't capitalize on the wind. Same thing happened the year before, it was a carbon copy just less goals kicked. That ground is a hole and Melbourne should petition not to pay there for a North home game. How about Etihad next time? Oliver was awesome and almost singlehandedly won us the game. 173 ranking points. Funnily, Jimmy Bartel on 3aw didn't give him a vote. Lewis didn't "go" in that passage of play. Maybe if he was wearing a Hawks jumper he would've. It was a tough day for forwards. Tmac easily the best for us. Watts wasn't that bad, still got 73 ranking points which is almost double what he got last week which was a shocker. Also had 3 tackles, one which was an obvious holding the ball against Thompson but not paid. He'll improve again next week Hogan's injury is a huge loss right when he was coming back to form. Pedo is a plodder and won't win us games off his own boot. Petracca didn't play on instinct and over handballed. Worst game for the club. Trengove is gone. No effect on game at all. Not sure what's up with Hannan. And lastly, umpiring was again in their favour. Heaps of bad decisions and non decisions.

Pretty negative today. It was a terrible second half by a collective and too much handballing. Some of the umpiring in the last half was disgraceful.

Tackling is normally pretty good. Was awesome last week. Don't think this is a concern. North's midfield has big bodies.

Never watching a Melbourne v North game ever again until we beat them. [censored] hate losing to that rabble. It's torture watching us play them

Pretty pleased with that second qtr. Not a great day for forwards but competing really well. Watts looks in better touch, has had a hand in a couple of the goals. Melksham, Oliver, Tyson, Hunt (in that second qtr) killing it. Trengove and JKH pretty ineffective.

I'm in Hobart for work but unfortunately flying home Friday night. It's bloody cold here, especially in the mornings. Trust Melbourne to be picked again to play here with North instead of Etihad. Would've been a 10 goal win at Etihad based on how we're going there this year.

Tarrant will be back this week, so unfortunately Hogan won't get that third gamer. Watts will most likely match up against a 4th gamer (Durdin or Neilsen). Surely a good chance for him to recapture some form. Frost on BB with support from Hibberd OMac on Waite. Let's hope Wood is also out. He killed us last time.

I actually didn't think it was all that cold at the game. It's colder for those 3:20pm games once it gets to 3qt. It didn't even rain, so if you removed the wind, it was perfect conditions (no glare either).

If we beat North and then GWS, we'll get 60k vs the Saints if they are still a chance for the 8.

Geez, David King was heaping the praise on us in the first half. Some of OMacs spoils into dangerous space were terrible. He's still a long way off despite significant improvement. Waite or Ben Brown might embarrass him next week if norf are on.

Lol so I had one small typo on fumbled. Jog on mate. It's negative supporters like you that ruin this forum.

Hammered it to the opposition

You obviously have a poor interpretation of the game and a lack of understanding of forwards. Watts efforts were fine. He was bloody rusty, don't get me won't, which caused him to fumbled and drop a mark or two, but his defensive pressure and getting to contests was the same all year. He's not a contested marking beast and isn't going to clunk them down the line, that's what Tmac is for. I bet you also think Tyson played well, which would disqualify my argument, but you're also probably one of those supporters who didn't notice how many times he turned it over (more than usual) due to his lack of game time.

Pretty much spot on this week

About as rusty as you can get! Getting in the right spots though and speed looks as good as ever

Can't comment on Tyson, but after the interview I read on Watts, he thinks his hammy feels great and even Max Gawn brought back "Gawn in 60s" to interview him.

Tmac will back up in the ruck.

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.

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

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