Waltham33

His pace is valuable as this is still a problem for the team. I first noticed against Essendon that he is a real competitor – no wonder Bails promoted him. Well done Nicho on the game today.

The AFL think it is behaving like the NFL with expansion but it actually is behaving more like the NHL. Introducing extra teams in Sydney and Brisbane will certainly lift the popularity of the game but I doubt enough to avoid a situation where the majority of the teams in NSW and Brisbane will need significant propping up. Goodness Port needs significant investment in an estalbished football state.

Did you see Tarrant monster the smaller Brad Green last week?? We need our key position players to have key position size if we are to compete at the top of the ladder. Col is a midfielder/flanker and a good one at that.

Watch out Liam - Demonland is turning. Miller and Juice were loved once here as well.

Saw it tonight, agreed with it all. That said I know we are moving in the right drection, our ceiling is a lot higher than those around us. Things will fall into place. Supporting this club is never dull that is for sure.

Bottom line no excuses for the performance yesterday. We are small bodied, lack a plan B, lack the will to compete when we are down and this has been the case for longer than this group of players has been around. That is it for yesterday, time to move on.

Getting a KPF from another club is a bonus if it happens. I just hope our most recent draft class is doing extra weights sessions, need them to be big if we are to make the finals in the next 3 years.

Totally agree. I learned on Grand final Day in 2000 that until our team is at least 2/3rds big bodies we will never compete with the top teams. Yesterday proved it again.

looks like a competitor. Strong effort last night.

Agree. Add to that a wonderful shepherd and the fact Essendon actually had to defend him tightly, he was a real difference maker last night. A great back-up test next week.

it is only one week - lets see this effort sustained.

6. Rivers – better than ever? 5. McKenzie - outstanding 4. Martin - ditto 3. Moloney – great leadership at the end 2. Trenners – so many skills 1. Howe – for his workrate and dedication in the bright lights Absurd that I left Gys out, but it was hard to choose. Maybe Demonland can erase the votes from last week and extend the votes this week?

Trenners talke the talk during the week and walked the walk last night - Trenners + Watts + Scully - what a foundation

The good 1. Rivers – probably saved three goals alone on the night with spoils 2. Beamer – leadership personified when the Dons got close 3. The shepherd of Howe in the 3rd, those one percenters have been absent from this club for a while. Well done rookie. 4. A kick out set up that actually worked occasionally!!!! 5. The defensive workrate 6. The structure last night, Gawn and Howe made the Essendon backmen think defence first and cut their run down 7. Scully 8. Trenners 9. Strauss playing like a 100 game veteran (I did not know he had it in him) The bad 1. Not sure how much the fatigue of the Dons contributed The ugly 1. Dons fans turning on Hird and players like Hille - hmm

This has been a fortnight of dumping on the MFC. Only one remedy - winning

For the first 10 minutes last night the gameplan looked like ‘kick it to Neitz’ - it was 2003 all over again. David King on 3AW said it well - we need to decide on a gameplan and stick to it.

If Morton is dropped what does that say. They should play Morton the next 2-3 weeks to see if there is anything there. Going back to Casey does not benefit. Juice is having a dip, he stays. Bate and Bennell are heading the outs for mine.

Forward pressure last night was almost no-existent and pressuring and chasing does not even require much skill - just desire. Still annoys me thinking about last night

Choko - there was 2 areas we did not compete well at all and it needs to be said 1. Tackles in the forward line - Carlton were escorted out of defence most of the game and it is effectively irrelevant in modern football to break even in the contested ball stakes in the midfield if the ball is going to be let out easily of the forward line. 2. Running to space - Carlton players were gut running and linking up, most of our guys did not have that ability/desire etc. I am not one for overreacting, but those 2 points alone were worth a significant difference on the scoreboard. As for the Tigers – I am watching them a fair bit this year and the difference in passion at the moment is clearly evident. We shall see if that remains when we get Scully, Trengove, Davey etc back.

Pretty sure he copped a knock to the leg V the Roos - likely he is carrying an injury.

1. Gary Ablett Jnr - first cuaght my eye in 2003 at Kardinia Park when we got slaughtered by them 2. Dustin Martin 3. James Bartell

Before the injuries I would have said we were behind where I'd hoped we would be - just in general play. Since the injuries it is difficult to measure. Bring- Back-Powell has described the bigger picture well.

When you win you can do what you like. Definitely something to keep in the memory bank though.

Agree. A frustrating day for all with not much opportunity for the forwards or defenders. Games are won and lost in the midfield.

I do not see the potential for a Max Gawn sighting until next year. That may not be a bad thing however as I highly doubt he could make a positive contribution this year. That said, I am hoping for him to be a regular in the team in 2 years. Keep growing Maxy!