Wiseblood

His heart wasn't in it. He never wanted to leave Essendon and it showed.

Yep. You can just see it now - Bombers asking for at least a first rounder for a bloke who can't get on the park. If he came for a fair price you might consider the risk involved, although their idea of a fair price would be vastly different to everyone else. Edit - although I believe he is a free agent, or at least a restricted one, at the end of the year so you wouldn't have to deal with Essendon.

You beat me to it, Nasher. I think there is certainly plenty of evidence from the game on the weekend to suggest that Oscar makes Lever a better player - it allows him to play his natural game as the third, intercepting defender while Oscar can lock down on one of their key forwards. He spent time on both King and Day on the weekend and kept them well under control (with May also doing a terrific job on their other key forwards as well).

Can't fault the performance at all. Came in and looked more composed and stronger in the contest than last season. I mean, it's one game though, so let's not get too carried away, but you feel a little more confident in his skill set and what he brings to the side than he did previously.

The current leader of the Coleman Medal, Brody Mihocek, was a late pick in the draft. It's just one example I know, but having a high draft pick doesn't always equate to either drafting a gun forward or trading for one. Plus with free agency you can go 'shopping' for one without needing the picks. If the club feel the need to add another tall forward to the mix come seasons end, then I'm pretty sure we can do that without a first round draft pick. We might just need to be a little creative or take a punt on someone late in the draft.

Everyone has a dip in form at some stage. Right now, that's what is in front of Nev. He has been terrific for us for so long, but right now he just seems a step or two behind his normal output for us. I can understand why some want to right him off, especially at his age, but I'll back him in to bounce back in the coming weeks. I still think he has a role to play for us, at least for this season and into the next.

I pushed for the experiment to continue (even though I was very happy with what Oscar did last night and he more than justified his selection in the side) because I see what he can bring to the side - he is strong, athletic and in the back line we can keep it simple with him. While he has made a few errors, he certainly didn't have any bags kicked on him and I thought it was worth persisting with. I'm not sold on him as a forward, though. His only claim to fame there is a four goal haul in a pre-season game. At least he gives us some depth at the minute if we need to call on him again.

Hey jumbo - I get what you're saying. Brown was recruited as depth and nothing more. However, have a look at the Hawthorn defence. They have some big boys down there in Chip, Frosty and Sicily, and I think we need at least two tall, stronger type players who can create a contest. While Brown is not necessarily 'big', he brings experience, height and a good understanding of how to play as a forward to the side. If Tom has to miss then I have no problem bringing Brown into the side, especially against Hawthorn. He might not 'win' us games but he will certainly help to keep us competitive.

@jnrmac is covering himself in glory here. It's great.

'Goodloss'? No offence, but you sound like a five year old saying that.

After a win, I'm inclined to go with the absolute minimum of changes. So, as Nasher said: In: Brown Out: Tom McDonald. With Chip, Frost and Sicily down there, I think Brown is the way to go with the bigger body. While Jackson might be tempting, they would out body him all night. Weid and Brown will at least be able to provide a regular contest. Other than that, we stick with the 21 who played tonight.

We were due after it seemed as though they'd been kissed on the [censored] by a fairy for their first 7 goals.

All three had massive second halves. AVB with some big tackles, Hannan getting back to some of the 2018 form that made him so dangerous, and Viney leading from the front. Really terrific to see.

Is it what. Fantastic debut. I thought Nev did okay in patches but he was too clever for him on a few occassions.

I love Melbourne. I love you. I love a win. It was one of the most frustrating games to watch in among some good footy and in among some horror football. But the last two minutes summed it up for me. The new Trac, kicking the sealer. Lever and May taking big marks when we needed it. Then Viney boots it forward to Kozzie who shows maturity in kicking in to Harley. Love it. There is still so much to work on but we won away from home against a side playing good footy. Love it.

I more mean that they will pull one out in the last minute which will result in the winning score and either have us really angry or just a little bit angry.

We are supremely frustrating to watch, yet we're in front. I have no idea how that works or why it has happened. We will need to kick at least 3-4 goals to win this with the way GC are kicking them from everywhere.

I'm calling it now - some sort of ridiculous mistake, umpiring decision etc. will decide this game for one side.

I don't think I have watched more goals pulled from a rear end than I have tonight. Umps super soft there.

Hold on... We won the clearance... Brought it to ground... And then kicked the goal without them touching it... ? What team am I watching? Nice little touch from Kozzie as well.

Get [censored].

Poor disposal hurts us again.

Already Hannan and Melksham have made an early impact which is good to see.

Great contest from Weid... which made up for the [censored] poor tackle attempt thirty seconds earlier.

It's pretty clear Garry and Browny want GC to win really, really badly.