Wiseblood

Roosy was spot on then - we missed Tyson last week and his inclusion is already paying dividends. Good goal from ANB and we have the first 3. Another one or two before quarter time would be super!

Forward efficiency needs work, but, our pressure is much improved tonight.

I feel like we're setting up much better defensively tonight, too. A few times the Lions have been able to push forward and we've repelled them really well.

Garlett with the second. Looks in better form so far this evening which is a positive.

Won't happen, mate. It's against site rule. I know it's annoying that it's not on free to air but you won't get a link here.

Vince tagging Zorko early, which is a good move. I feel like we've started well and we look 'on'. And Hogan kicks the first! Good start!

One bonus early - no Derwayne commentating.

Maybe the years have dulled my hatred for the man, but I took no pleasure in watching Tom Scully writhe on the ground in agony. Wouldn't wish his injury on my worst enemy.

Outside of the Crows/Tigers game, the standard of footy this weekend has been rather embarrassing. I tipped the Suns though so I'm happy with that.

One thing is certain tonight - the Lions will kick a few goals. They might even kick the first. At some point they may even kick a few in a row on their home deck. It's important not to soil yourself when this happens. Remember, one and all, that opposition teams will kick goals against us at some point. It doesn't mean it's the end of the world, that it's 2013 again or that Oscar McDonald is a spud. It means none of that. I fully expect the Lions to have a real crack tonight and they'll probably be a little tough to put away, especially at home. I also expect us to be able to keep them at arms length and put them away when necessary.

I probably should rephrase that to 'knows how to get himself into position to kick a few goals, even though he misses his fair share. But he brings more to the side than Hannan does at the moment, so his selection is a good one.

True. We will need to come prepared, not with the stubborness of 'if we try this enough it should work at some point'. The two off the back of the square could be a diabolical move as North's defence are terrific at picking off the long kicks to a contest and getting numbers around the ball when it hits the deck. If they can run it out of our forward half without too much pressure from us then Ben Brown will have a day out.

I've backed Kent in the past, but his last few seasons for us have been pretty poor. Right now I don't think he would be in our best 30 players. Could that improve? Possibly, but he's been on the list a long time now and hasn't made the progression you would expect in that time.

The Saints have been absolutely awful, and it's down to the fact that North are the masters at bringing teams down to their level. They flood back, pick the ball off and go. It's nothing more than that. They put on some pressure but, seriously, they are a nothing side and when they are treated as such they can easily make you play some horrid footy. Today is a prime example. We will need to play smart footy next week to ensure we beat them. Bombing it long to a contest won't work.

That was one of the worst quarters of footy I've seen in a while.

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

Mine had the same title, mentioned how I'm on ignore yet he was somehow reading my posts, and had the odd insult in it as well. Say one thing for the man - at least he is predictable.

You getting them too? They're comedy gold.

I said much the same thing earlier in regards to your second paragraph, Red. Clearly they believed he could do it, or at least make an impact, but a bloke in just his second game of football can't be expected to curb one of the greats of the game. Maybe they just hoped he would limit his influence throughout the game, but as you say, it was a bit of a blunder in the end. His omission is evidence of that.

I actually think they wanted to try Maynard as a run with player and Tyson, who had a missed a little time, was the one to be left out. It didn't go as well as they would have liked and now Tyson is back in the side. Outside of that I have no idea, OD. I'm not in the inner sanctum.

I agree to be honest. I think it shows the FD believe he really has something to offer the side going forward; it might not have worked this time around, but I'm certain he'll get another crack sooner rather than later.

I like the changes. I'm on the record as being a fan of Bugg and I think he brings something unique to our side, especially the forward line. Kicking aside, he's a good mark, knows how to kick a goal and is a good pressure forward. Hannan really didn't do much at all last week so it's not a surprising change. Tyson for Maynard is a no brainer. Maynard will get another shot, he just might have to wait a little bit. Brayshaw has to injured as Goodwin said he was unlucky to miss last week.

I wasn't suggesting he was, just that it was an experiment that meant well but delivered little. You couldn't ask too much more of a second gamer - how many of them would be able to run with Ablett all day? Very little. He had a real crack but it wasn't surprising that he couldn't keep the little master quiet.

Agreed. Does absolutely nothing else but play the seagull role and jag a few goals. We made him look like a superstar.

We shut everyone down in the 4th... except for Menzel, who had an absolute day out. The bloke was plucking them from everywhere. Outside of him there weren't many others who had much of an impact in the second half (and I also believe Menzel was their only goal kicker after half time).