At the break of Gawn

8 hours ago, binman said:

Thanks for that. 

Link is here http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-late-mail-round-4-melbourne-livewire-jeff-garlett-in-doubt-for-sundays-clash-against-collingwood/news-story/12811d6af8f4f1fd5c26266827ab356e

I think Watts has had that leg strapped since rnd 1 for the corky - during training and during the week (saw it strapped in a Twitter photo mid week at some social event). Don't think it's anything to worry about.

Read Foxsports Late Mail article just before. Garlett is very doubtful, and apparently Watts had heavy knee strapping but "soldiered on"

2 hours ago, jumbo returns said:

Ffs....there were a million errors in the game and you isolate Watts?

You're kidding.....

I'm partially blaming Hogan for presenting the lead in the first place. Why even offer a lead when the bloke with the ball in hand is our best set shot for goal in the side and he's 30m out?

I just can't see us winning this one. Even if we do, we absolutely have to back it up the week after and beat Collingwood otherwise we're back to square one.

Geez Adelaide are good. Walsh, Camporeale, Pyke. Doesn't matter who coaches them. That team can learn a new game plan in the matter of months whereas we take years to adapt :s

I heard a comment by David King during the last qtr that he thought Watts was still suffering from his corky in round 1 which is why he was playing so deep. Surely this can't be the case? 

I doubt Lamumba will be dropped after just one game (although I wish it would happen)

I think the OUTs will be: Harmes, Oliver and the INs will be: Frost, ANB. 

After pulling the trigger too early on Brayshaw, Roos may be a bit apprehensive about bringing back Dunn and will opt for Frost instead.

It almost feels like it doesn't matter if we win next week. We still lost to Essendon, and it'll be a stain on our season. This really has to be a line-in-the-sand moment for us. Massive improvement from here, and I'm talking 3-4 game winning streak is the only cure for this.

19 minutes ago, P-man said:

King had to be heard to be believed.

He admitted at one point that he was "half barracking" for Essendon. Giggled after every Bombers goal. Almost exclusively commentated on what Essendon was doing, good or bad. And to top it off, stated "we believe in Joe" in his summation at half time.

I've never heard more one sided tv commentary, ever. Dwayne included. And it's Essendon ffs. King must really, truly hate Melbourne.

Don't think he hates Melbourne. Certainly doesn't respect us. But he really does hate Paul Roos. I think he's worried Roos will take his spot on the couch.

19 minutes ago, Coup Cooper said:

Triple M worst votes.

3 Tom McDonald (Towelled up by Daniher.. Again!!)

2 Jack Watts (no tackles)

1 Jack Viney (opposing players had 30+ he had 17 went at 59 percent)

Watts is always an easy target for them. Not even Wayne Carey would have had an impact with such poor delivery inside the 50.

This team has clearly got ahead of themselves and that game was lost above the shoulders.

Let's compare this to last week's first qtr. Players were relentless in pressure, guys like Jack Watts were doing blind turns and taking the game on. This week, Essendon's stand as one lifted that whole playing group. They were pumped, and we needed to match that intensity. Instead, we were just pedestrian like. A Sunday stroll. No pressure, no close checking, no defensive acts.

Given the whole playing group was affected. The blame has to go to Roos. Just as Ross Lyon took the blame last week. He failed to prepare them.

As long as it's not Queen's bday...

I think our forward line was too congested with tall/similar players. There was no space for effective leads, and our ball movement was slow going in which didn't help. We hardly took a mark in our forward 50 despite all those entries in the first three qtrs due to this.

In the last quarter, Roos just left Watts and Hogan as the two talls, Garlett and VB to support, and all of a sudden we had a functioning forward line. I have a feeling starting with 4 talls in the forward 50 won't happen again next week.

One thing I noticed about Jack that I haven't seen before was the amount of noise he was making throughout the game. From the goal celebrations to bagging out the opposition during set shots. He was making his presence felt. He seemed to have a buzz of energy. I noticed him and Vince hugged at the start of the game and you could just tell he was pumped and raring to go. 

I will say that the cork really took it out of him and I had almost thought "the old jack watts is back" as he seemed to lack that spark - even though he appeared to be over the pain. But his last qtr was immense and I think it'll give him heaps of belief that you don't have to have a perfect game, but just stand up when it matters. 

I remember thinking that maybe his game in 2014 against the Tigers (he kicked two in the last qtr and won us the game) might have been a break out game for him, but this one feels different.

feels like we've done a 360 on his positioning though. We drafted him as a high forward, played him there a bit, then defence, then wing, and now finally back as a forward - his best position.

6 - Viney - consistent 4 qtrs, and stood up during the middle patch where things weren't going our way.

5 - McDonald - very solid in defence all game.

4 - Watts - He started the resurgence and had numerous important touches. He seemed really vocal all game, too.

3 - Kennedy - like Watts, had a huge last qtr and plenty of score involvements.

2 - N Jones - solid captain's game and his move into defence really steadied us.

1 - Gawn - Had an excellent game on Mummy.

Umm. Pretty sure this is on tomorrow? I just watched today's replay and Melbourne wasn't mentioned.