Flower Magic

The only good thing about the Clarry holding the ball howler was the passion and vitriol of the Melbourne supporters that followed. The MCC members close to the incident, myself included, went ballistic. The sad thing about it and the dubious Curnow free that followed was that these decisions killed the contest. To that point, either team could have won, and the Dees certainly had the momentum. But no, again the game is decided by the [censored] in yellow and not by the players. Interestingly, regarding the extraordinary run of free kicks to Carlton in the last quarter, most of them were there (what was Jake Bowey thinking???), but the last two decisions really decided the game in the end.

6 Kozzy 5 Fritta 4 Max 3 Salo 2 Clarry 1 Riv Hon mention Harvey But where were the other 16 players tonight? All very average or poor.

6 Trac 5 Melk 4 Harv 3 Fritta 2 Salo 1 Jack

6 Gawn - how his back and shoulders must hurt from trying to carry the whole team. 5 Fritsch 4 Bowey 3 Howes 2 Nah 1 Nah -6 Melksham, -5 Rivers, -4 Lever, -3 Petty, -2 Windsor, -1 Viney

Not watching the game? Several set shots from marks or free kicks is what I saw.

I was at the game. More fool me for wasting my money travelling from Melbourne. I have only felt physically ill while at a Melbourne game twice - first time was sick with worry as Gus was lying unconscious on the MCG. The second time was the last quarter today as I felt sick with disgust at the sight of simple shot after simple shot being missed by players that I thought were good kicks. We gave that game to the Saints, plain and simple.

Only players I didn't spot were Sparrow and Petty, but that doesn't mean they weren't there because every player was wearing the same T-shirt and shorts, many with identical caps. But those two didn't come to the fence to sign autographs, so I don't think they were there, or perhaps went off the ground early as did Viney and Lever.

Session finished with the boys coming to the fence, signing autographs and posing for selfies. All smiles. Only perhaps 100 fans at best, so everyone had a spot on the fence and could get involved. A guy next to me told one of the players that he'd come from Toronto for the game! I thought I'd done well to make it here from Melbourne. Shout out to him if he reads this.

In beautiful sunshine, the boys are out on Traeger Park. A few players doing specific drills while almost everyone else is having goal kicking practice. Jake doing some sort of resistance or strengthening work with a rubber tether. Clarry doing some running through the middle of the ground. Kosi spectating so far. Jack was out there for a while but can’t see him now. Only a handful of spectators.

6 Pickett 5 Gawn 4 Langdon 3 Oliver 2 Petracca 1 McVee (for the triple spew)

6 Melksham - getting better with age, the difference between the two sides 5 Bowey - love to see the ball in his hands 4 Gawn - give him the Brownlow now! 3 Rivers - great link up man today, faultless performance 2 Oliver - worth votes just for the desperate knock on leading to Kozzie's goal 1 Petracca - his handballing was sublime and would have scored 6 but for his numerous fumbles

Get him off! PLEASE!

6 Gawn - by so far it doesn't matter - up against a worthy opponent too 5 Bowey - great game 4 Rivers - so dependable now 3 Petracca - class above, as we know 2 Langdon - never stops running, get tired just watching him 1 Macdonald - best form of his career? and who said he can't kick?!

At least I could switch guilt free to the athletics on 7plus to see four of the best track races you’d ever see (100m x 2, 1500m x 2) instead of the putrid garbage being served up at the Adelaide Oval.

Does anyone want a ticket to the game? Section 211, row/seat K28. Message me or comment here if you'd like to have it.