Wiseblood

They've also drawn with the Saints, struggled against the Lions and only just accounted for the Pies. Outside of thumping the Dogs, they haven't exactly set the world alight at this point of the season.

I'd say it was just being managed. He has missed plenty of game time so they would have wanted to ease him in a little. Goodwin was really happy with this game yesterday so, if he pulls up well, then I don't think it had anything to do with him being injured in any way.

It's because they've won a few games and it means the media is all over them. Apart from a good win over the Crows, they've knocked off Essendon and Carlton. They've been well covered in their 3 losses. But the Pies sell papers, so talking them up means more $$$$

I won't argue with the first half; it was one of the worst I've witnessed in a long time. But the second half was much, much better. The Bombers were very poor but we smashed them all over the ground and, when we show some composure and lower our eyes, we use the ball well going forward. Hopefully that's the footy we see more of in the coming weeks.

Or Daniher spoiling a marking contest right into the hands of Mitch Hannan for the first goal of the last term. I knew we were home when that happened!

I'd say Petracca is the one to come straight in. No need to make any more changes than that I'd say. Garlett may find himself in the magoos for a while going by today's performance. Spargo, Hannan and Fritsch combined for 8 goals to go with some excellent synergy when playing alongside each other. The second half was the best our forward line has functioned all year.

Supporters will see what they want to see. Mediocre first half, terrific second half.

I thought the same thing, Skuit. It was eerily similar to least year - horrible first half before we go on top and put them away. We still miss Petracca and Viney in our midfield, as I believe a stronger midfield would have made things difficult for us today. But Essendon's is as soft as butter and once Gawn got on top we gave them no chance.

I agree, but I also thought that when he was dropped that it was the right decision at the time. He needs to continue to improve his consistency but today showed what he can do, and it's bloody fantastic!

Stayed out of the game day thread today. Enjoyed the game way more. It was a fantastic performance... after half time. The first half was a disgrace to football as a whole. The less said about it the better. However, in the second half everything just... clicked. Gawn was in sync with the midfield and we waltzed it out of the centre with ease. Many player who had underperformed began to regain some confidence and impact the contest in a positive way. We stopped bombing it long to contests and actually looked to hit targets inside 50. Our backline, which was left exposed in the second term when we went back to our old ways of allowing sides to run it easily out of defence, came together and repelled almost everything that came at the them. The third term was what our side CAN look like when we worked together as a unit. There were some real positive performances today. Hannan and Fritsch, in the same side together for only the second time this year, worked perfectly alongside each other. Spargo had a ripping little debut and gave us a spark that Garlett hasn't really given us all year. Gawn continues to have an amazing season. O Mac killed Daniher to add yet another scalp to his ever growing list, while Jetta and Hibberd were also excellent. James Harmes also played his best game for the season and our tackling and hunting of the footy was terrific. Jake Melksham was also sensational - had a hand in a heap of goals and kick a couple of rippers to go with it. There is still plenty to work on. The first half was awful stuff and we let ourselves be brought down to their level and we couldn't find a way to stop it. We ran out of legs a little bit in the last 6 minutes to cough up goals, and I know some will whinge about it until they are blue in the face, but we only played 5 days ago. We went hard when it mattered and put the game to rest early in the last so when we ran out of petrol tickets it didn't matter. It's great to be back on the winners list and even better to beat the Druggies. Enjoy every minute of it and be happy that our season is now back on track!!

So one minute he is never in the box, the next minute he does both during games...? Why anybody listens to a thing you say or backs you up in anything is totally beyond me.

Before we start jumping off the West Gate, again, let's wait and hear from a trusted source about issue first. Right now all we know, from a rumour, is McCartney will be on the bench instead of the coaches box. We know nothing else, regardless of what someone like Tom Morris (who has come up with some absolute shite this year) has to say on the matter.

I disagree OD on the basis that each team needs a few players like him. Out of our depth players he is one of the better ones and you need foot soldiers in your side. ANB fits the bill perfectly.

We can't have 22 stars in our side week in, week out. You need foot soldiers, and ANB is one of those. He knows his role, he plays his role and does it well (most weeks). His form has fluctuated a little this season but he's exactly the type you need in the side. Granted, we may have a few too many of those at the minute, but he is in our best 22 going forward.

Just like you ignored all of the messages we sent you in regards to the Ultimate Footy League, which almost ruined the league for the entire season?

See, this is simply not true. People who want to push this idea are way off the mark. However, so are those who think Watts will be a super acquisition for Port. Bottom line is that he will provide for Port what he always provided for us over the last few seasons - a couple of ripping games, some good ones, some average ones and then a few absolute shockers. That's it. So it's time to move on. Love him, hate him, wish him well, whatever. While he still might be a Melbourne person or supporter in the future, he isn't a Melbourne player. Let's focus on the 44 we have on our list and our hopeful rise up the ladder. Dwelling on Watts - either positively or negatively - does absolutely nothing for us.

This. I can't believe that the season is well under way and this thread is constantly being bumped with mindless posts on both sides of the coin. He's gone - some are happy, some are ambivalent and so are still annoyed about it. Great. Feel that way in your own time.

I've heard otherwise. Good enough?

What a load of crap.

Which means what? You seem to be trying to insinuate something off one piece of play.

You would expect that figure to jump a little again on Sunday. I think the number is pretty good considering the bitter taste our end to last year left in the mouth. We would surely be above 40,000 by now if we had of made finals, so this is a fair number all things considered.

He has a really good mix of the attributes you want in a player - he clearly works hard and puts in on the training track, and he has the swagger and confidence to go with it that screams 'I'm better than you, and if you give me a moment, I'll show you why'. I hope we go with Gawn, Oliver, Petracca and Jones in the guts on Sunday. We can smash those buggers into the turf from the moment the ball is bounced.

Yes, you're right, Doc. I think I was playing with a few cards short of a full deck last night. Cheers.

No it won't. Journalists might get a kick up the bum, but fan sites? Unless it's horrible nothing is going to happen.

Let me clarify - is it 15% over 2 years (eg paying 7.5% each year) or do we pay 15% of his wage each year? That's different.