At the break of Gawn

Cleary just kept on repeating himself, didn't have anything more than on here. I'm sure someone at the club will clear it in a presser

Nothing in it. How would you have fit him in with JKH, AVB, Weiderman, Spencer, Petracca, ANB all around that forward line with the usual mainstays of Hogan, Garlett etc not to mention the fact how tall we would have been going in? I bet money Hoges won't play either next week or the week after. We don't need a full strength line-up for each of these JLT games and you'll see key personnel omitted next week just like we did last year.

Yep, no surprise that Watts and Hunt are Brighton Grammarians with their public speaking skills.

I asked Jack Watts if his mate Hoges was staying put and he just gave me the thumbs up and said "Yep he'll be ok". Pretty sure that's his standard response though.

Saw a pic on Twitter as Buggy dressed up as Warwick Cappa but nothing else apart from that.

I think we are required one Ethihad home game a year - if we have to I'd prefer it to be against Brisbane (pending that it's not like that game in 2014) Hopefully we can play North at the MCG as well to help break that hoodoo.

He has elite training habits and an awesome work ethic - could teach the young guys a bit like Crossy did.

Perhaps this is a little premature, but what are your early wishes for the 2017 fixture? Mine would have to be: 1. St.Kilda at the MCG (so we can beat that hoodoo) 2. Geelong at the MCG (haven't played them there since 2014) 3. West Coast at the MCG (last time was round 2 2014) 4. Richmond twice 5. Essendon round 1 Friday night (saw that Essendon was proposing this. I think it'd be an awesome way to start 2017 with a win at the G on a Friday night)

I'll be happy when we get a back up ruck so Watts can stay forward and kick 50.

Overrating Jetta there, don't think he's received a coaches vote this year. Harsh on Hogan as well - the delivery into the forward line for most of the season has been putrid. With better delivery him and Watts could kick 50 each a season.

So you're essentially saying Jones and Vince will become more selfish? Interesting call given that Roos has spent 3 years telling Jones that a good performance for him isn't about a 30 possie game but an effort that lifts the team.

Spot on this week

Also, bit of a wake up call that our midfield isn't that good yet and we lack real leadership. For everyone bagging our forward line, I don't think Dunstall or Lockett would have kicked 2 between them playing in a team with that delivery and slow ball movement.

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.