Wiseblood

No changes to either side. Dusty plays.

Go to bed angry.

It's a great article. There are some really good quotes in there about the support of the coaches and how the club was able to get him through the tough times. Yes, it's a puff piece in many ways, but it's still nice to hear of how far we've come as a club.

Fair point deeko. In the past I've been a fan of allowing players to have a fortnight to see how they go in the senior side, but for some it seems that they aren't being afforded this luxury this year. On the flip side you could argue that players are being told to come in and play their role straight away, otherwise they are out of the side. It's harsh, but at the same time we're at a different point in our journey than we were 2-3 years ago. We need to be a little more ruthless to get to where we want to go.

Do they think that, with the inclusion of Pedersen, we are going in too tall? The Tigers have improved largely through the efforts of their small and mid size players and having Pedersen, Hogan and Watts in the same forward line may feel a little tall. Smith can play the medium forward role and provide the defensive efforts we are after. Not saying that's right, it's just a thought.

Why do you agree? Was I turning up in threads getting stuck into posters and not offering a respectful point of view? Most of the posters in here must sound like him too as they generally agree, in this case, with my sentiments.

I can't find any picture of it, but I did find this one, which I don't remember him doing: Typical of someone like Matthew Kennedy to rip the hat in half as well, considering he was only half as good as Jim.

They are probably giving Dusty right up until game time to prove his fitness. They'll be holding one player for him and another in case something else goes wrong. Not sure if I want him to play or not. I can just see him playing half fit but spending the game forward where he kicks 5 goals.

Really? That's slightly below the belt. All I'm saying is that we're 4 games in. I like Dean Kent, I like Tommy Bugg... but they aren't in the side for a reason. Of course I would much rather have Kent running around in the ones (and his second half against Geelong was sublime), but what else can we say? I can get annoyed and make a whole thread about it, or give the bloke a little time. If this was his third year then I'd be really, really worried. He's 4 games in so I feel as though we have no reason to panic yet.

He did up at the GABBA in the early 90s. It was fluro green, too. I'd love to see Jake Spencer get one of those over his noggin' on Monday night.

I'm not fussed in the slightest at the minute. That may be because Goodwin has coached us for only 4 games, but he isn't that far off the mark. Take out our bad kicking against the Cats and a brain fart in the third term last week and we are 4-0. He can't be getting too much wrong at the minute. The stuff with Melksham makes me laugh, though. People keep knocking the block but then bringing up replacements who don't even play in the same position. Melksham, who I readily agree had a shocker last weekend, still beats out many others who we could play down back. It has allowed Salem to flourish in midfield, Hunt is released to use his pace more often and we have greater flexbility. I'll back Jake to turn things around. Other than that? It's fine. You guys panic too much.

How come players can wear any colour boot they want, but can't do the same with a headband? Why do I even care...?

It's amusing that some believe that Goodwin WOULD gift games to guys like Melksham because he coached them at Essendon. I understand that some are narrow minded and can't get past the fact that we have a few Bombers on our list, but common sense has to prevail in this case. Melksham is getting a game because the FD believe he is doing most things right. Otherwise he would have played for Casey last night.

The JKH selection is an interesting one. I think Ben Kennedy has been pretty solid down at Casey and was probably around the mark for a run as well. However, he must be working on a variety of things as well as he hasn't been named on the extended bench or as an emergency for the first 5 rounds of the year. Clearly that means he's coming from some way back, while they feel that JKH has been doing the things that Goodwin wants from his players. That's the only reason I can think of anyway. I would assume that Kennedy gets his chance in the coming weeks if he keeps up some good form.

Let's just hope it's minor and they're keeping him out to be on the safe side.

I'm in the same boat. There is no disputing that he's made a slow start to his career with us, but I think in time he'll turn out to be a handy addition to the side.

You don't think the club have considered this, Trav? Kent might be quick, but if he isn't doing the team things within the structure (which is why I assume he was dropped) then it's the right decision. We have enough players to create the pressure we need across half forward.

All I can think of is that he must be doing something right, regardless of how Goodwin rates him. I'd love to know the stats of the players he is playing on during a game. Perhaps, defensively, he has been terrific, even if he hasn't given us a whole lot going the other way yet.

See, I'll never understand this sort of comment. While Melksham has been average, he and Kent play in completely different positions. To suggest you want one for the other makes little sense. If you want Melksham out then suggest someone who will play across half back - if you look at how our side is lining up, with Melksham in the side (and the return of Hibberd) allows us more freedom to use Salem, Hunt and even Vince further up the field where they can do more damage.

Interesting changes, although I don't disagree with any. Having said that, I can understand most being slightly baffled by the omission of Kent. Clearly it has nothing to do with him getting his hands on the pill, it has something to do with him not doing other things asked of him within the gameplan and the structure that Goodwin has set. If that's the case then he deserves to be dropped while others are given an opportunity. We're too far down the line towards pushing for finals for blokes to be gifted games. Hogan straightens us up, Hibberd will be handy down back, JKH has had a good summer and Tim Smith gives us something across half forward without being the focal point. It's pretty good, really. Bring on the Tiges.

Lin Jong with the worst shot on goal for the year there.

Dogs playing like us at the minute - dominating the game but can't hit the scoreboard. Lions have barely gone forward but have kicked 2 goals.

I was there as well. What a day out that was! 1995 they rolled us by 3 goals, it was '96 when they absolutely smashed us. We didn't get a return game the following year after that!

They didn't smash us every time, just most times. Jakovich kicked 8.8 on our way to a huge Round 1 win over the Cats in 1994. I believe Sean Wight kept Ablett to 2 goals that day as well.

Once his footy career is done, which could be this year or the next, he may well return to Adelaide. I know his year to date has been ordinary, but his first few seasons with the club were fantastic and he embraced the club when it was coming out of it's lowest ebb. No matter how this year pans out it won't tarnish what he did for the club in his short time here.