Wiseblood

Just goes to show how little influence he has on games that these things are being praised. Seems like a nice bloke and people are keen to see him do some good things after all he's been through, but he really brings very little to the table. Just on the Saints - they look like a bottom 4 side at the moment. Richardson is now in his 5th year in charge; is he in some strife? They were VERY lucky to get over the Lions, they were total poo against Norf and, while they've had a dip tonight, they've been totally outclassed again. Surely the pressure is right on him now.

You might not trust him, but he's not being dropped after kicking 4 goals. Would be the stiffest player in the history of the game to be dropped.

Were you drunk when you wrote this one, joeboy? After last weeks, which was really good, this one is way off the mark. Your assessment of Salem's game is weird - he was sensational in the clinches with 8 clearances, tough around the contest and had an influence on the game.

Spot on, DS. I'm a Bugg fan, but I think it's clear now that if we are to replace him it needs to be someone who is willing to do the same things he does, only better. Hannan isn't the one for that role at the moment, Spargo probably needs a little VFL time to get going and who knows where JKH sits. Buggy, as you say, provides excellent pressure, he knows how to lead and move to the right spots and he has a knack of hitting the scoreboard, something he did really well today. It's clear that we play our best footy when we get great pressure from our medium and small forwards, and Bugg is part of that right now, for better or worse.

I think we go in with no change. Apparently Vince didn't hurt his groin, it was just cramp (according to Goodwin), and with an 8 day turnaround we should be able to field the same 22 again next week. I think in it's current form it's a pretty even side across the ground, although you would think if a Pedersen or Weideman impresses for Casey they'll go close to a call up.

I liked Goodwin's comments after the game that they had embraced the hoodoo and he had spoken about this being an opportunity to continue to change the culture around the footy club. We've allowed to be beaten mentally for too long, and this is another step on our way to being a mature team that embraces a challenge, rather than allowing it to consume us.

That looks fantastic, mate. Bit of black metal playing in the background as well?

Popping the top of the first one and gulping down some of that sweet amber fluid will be magic!

It's also further proof of how even this competition can be. Unless you're a real powerhouse side, then belting teams is a thing of the past. The Lions were also missing Beams, arguably their best player (or in their Top 3 best players) and they almost got over the line.

The hoodoo, ladies and gentlemen, is over. Just soak that in for a moment. The one thing I think we can be proud of with this win was, when the game was on the line in the last term, our leaders stood up. Lewis was terrific, not just with the goal he kicked but with his ability to identify that we needed to slow it down and take the right option. Jones just kept running and running and running and drove us forward. Gawny was also immense. And we had others stand up for us as well. Hogan was excellent. Salem was terrific in the gut with 8 clearances. Bugg with 4 was a revelation, while Kent totally justified his selection with 3 goals and some great work across half forward. Vince was another who stood up, while Oliver fought through the tag to snag two at the end. Really, you could list most of the players (can't forget Wagner either who played his best game for the club), but when our backs were against the wall after coughing up 4 goals, we absolutely smashed them. It was great to watch. Hoodoo done and dusted. Enjoy every minute of it, then on to the Hawks next weekend!

Bugg with 4, Kent with 3. Who would have picked that at the start of the game?

5 frees to 1 in North's favour in this last term. Umps doing everything they can to keep them in it.

Leaders have been HUGE for us in this last term, Lewis and Jones in particular.

North neared it cleared from the back half? Don't worry, the umps will show the way.

Great start to the term! Jones with a super kick to Lewis - two of our leaders stepping up there.

Trac gets manhandled... no free. Just baffling.

I can't believe how bad this umpiring has been.

Kent totally justifying his inclusion.

Lewis just got pinged for throwing the ball when it was a handpass. The ump who gave it? Nicholls. We are all not surprised.

Say one thing for Melbourne, say we make the goals hard on ourselves.

That run from half back from the Kent goal was pretty good...

You know the umpiring has been bad when you're leading the frees 14-12 and you're still angry. They have been given some of the softest free kicks of all time. I reckon a few of our more maligned players have been excellent so far today - O Mac has been great, as have Wagner and Buggy. Gawn has been awesome in the ruck as well. We're the better side, we just need to make sure we enforce it.

Oh Buggy! Could have had 4 going in to half time! Obviously a much better second term and they were getting a real leg up from the umps. We need to go on and finish them off now!

Seeing as he has helped to set up plenty so far, I'll let him off for one of those.