Wiseblood

We can still win this game of footy.

One player who I reckon has sewn up a spot in Round 1, if he hadn't already, is Fritsch. He's had a great day.

Not as key cogs in a side, though. Allow them to be role players again and they'll do their job well.

Absolutely spot on, Dappa.

Our forward entry then was a fine example of the difference in the players we are missing today. We crumb it, it ends in the hand of Maynard who can't snap more than 20m out and it lands in Rance's hands, they run it down and kick a goal. Have that land in Melksham's, AVB, Petracca etc and it's normally going to be a goal. That's life in the JLT.

We are also currently playing Keilty in the ruck for extended minutes. Not his fault as he isn't a ruckman, but it has coincided with their dominance this term.

You've been here long enough to know how a few will consistently react to a game like this. Common sense gets thrown out the window.

Harsh assessment for the first game of the year in 35 degree heat. Plus we're playing a pretty much full strength Richmond side. This was always going to happen. The one thing we're struggling with at the minute though is the ball hitting the deck. They are picking it off with ease which is allowing them to do as they please. Thank goodness the commentators are at least smart enough to acknowledge the players we have missing and how it's impressive we are as close at the minute.

Just wait till we add Viney back into the midfield mix with Gawn knocking it down they're throats. It will be orgasmic to watch.

And for all that, we're on level terms at half time. Funny that.

And Jack Watts.

Yes, his disposal hasn't been good so far today, but I'll put it down more to it being the first half of real competitive footy for the year than anything else. His disposal isn't always that flash regardless.

I disagree. It's why we class them as depth. Plus it's March. Every first up game has these sort of turnovers.

That's why they're depth, Jim. They are being relied upon in this game to do more than usual and it shows. That's what JLT is for. Guys like JKH, Stretch and others are spending far more time in the midfield without Viney and Jones in there, while our backline has struggled without May, Hibberd, Lewis and Jetta (plus Lever, but as we know he's out for a while). I'm impressed with the side we have in that we're level at half time and we've played some excellent passages of footy.

Again, much of it coming from the depth players. It's not even a blip on the radar. Change out many of those for the 8-9 we have missing today and we're away.

I love Gus, but he turns it over too often off the left. Done it twice in 2 minutes.

Petty has been one positive in our backline so far today. Has already taken three good grabs and has used it quite well. Positive signs for him.

No surprise to see the Tigers get on top here. If you're watching it carefully, the mistakes are coming from the depth players who are being given a run today. It also means that our work from the kick outs, and even the run from defence, isn't working how we'd like. That's what JLT is for, though.

Spot on, bing. Many of their scores came from a turnover or missed spoils. That won't happen nearly as much with the first choice defence in there.

He's no Max, but he'll quickly become a very handy addition to our side. If he can hold his own up forward then he can feast on the oppositions second ruckman when he gives Max a rest.

They'll get a run in the second half I'd say, with a couple of our senior players getting a rest.

Pretty impressed with our start, although I'd wager it may drop off with the heat factor, but we are on top in the midfield and we are generally taking our chances.

Getting through with no injuries will do me just fine.

Both Dom and Kent have had pretty good outings for their respective teams today, but it hasn't changed the fact that they weren't best 22 for us and, in Dom's case, I think he'll still struggle for game time when others return.

Neitz Blitz needs more depth on his threads. Debate.