kev martin

J.Smith, no follow up to his good 2nd quarter. Fell out the game as his opponent tightened up on him. Harmes doing well.

Not sure if he looks restricted. BBB has been getting some involvement, but not coping when an opponent is close to him.

BBB and Tmac need to do more at this level.

Good scoring in the extra time period.

Joel Smith, working up and down from the 50 area and on both sides of the field. Looking fit, finding separation, and getting the ball.

Jed Adams got involved earlier in that quarter. Interesting that they are giving Jefferson a go behind the ball.

In the VFLW game before this, there was no commentary. The noise that was picked up, seemed to be the bench, with instructions and players being called off and on. There was also a couple of women's voices dominating the sound. Perhaps they felt more at ease, turning the pick up, off.

Could be concussion protocol ?. On Wednesday's training, I think AMW was in the light duties squad (oops, forgot to mention). After the captain's run on Friday, Casey came out, and he was with the squad, though didn't hang round to see how he trained. Does anyone know what has happened to Burgoyne?

There is always aspects of the game to enjoy. I learnt that from our lean years, in the 70's, whether it is yours or the others team. It is interesting that we are the powerhouse now.

When they did get a goal, I was calling for another, and to fight as most North supporters had their head in their hands, after that 1st quarter and early second, blitz. Though they did get some opportunities early in the second, held it in there with multiple entries, but our backs absorbed that pressure well, and North were cooked.

Noticed , he has put on more bulk, and can now stand up in tackles. Your right, good link player.

I was barracking for North at various times during the game. I like interesting, competitive footy. The North supporters, barely anything from them, resignation only. They just couldn't get any rhythm and when they scored we replied, and held the momentum from them. They did slow our scoring a few times but the dam kept breaking.

At times last night, the quietness of the crowd allowed me to hear all the noise the players make. Loved the talking we do, mainly structural, calling for the ball, encouragement, from what I could make sense of. I could hear it from the Q area (level 4) of the Warne Stand. The MCC has been opening the AFL Reserve Q area, to anyone, on those small crowd nights, so, was able to get a seat right in front of the wing area.

I noticed a sneaky car park area some were using. It is between the on/off area to the domain tunnel, making for quick access to the freeway, or Batman ave. It is on a service road that leads to the electrical station of the tunnel, via a dirt road. To get to the MCG, cross the domain tunnel rd and go up the back stairs of AAMI park. The other sneaky park is near punt rd, with an entrance under the freeway, off punt Rd heading north.

I thought the Roos banner, something about 5 interstate games, was a bit defeatist. The players look at that, feel tired, and have an excuse. They need motivational, emotional messages.

Great running and use of the open spaces, some of our swarming was undefendable. The backline also swarmed by playing out the back. North kept bombing into their forwards, and our backs were just too strong at the fall of the ball, and first to it, if it hit the turf. Love our accurate goal kicking. JVR and Schache couldn't find separation. I don't particularly like games when the other team is never in it. Gee, North have so much to do to make a cohesive style and to have any purpose/structure, so often they looked lost and confused about what to do. We are rolling well.

TMac or Laurie as Sub. Maybe they will go with Tom.

Wouldn't that be great. Hope the A-league get a team in Hobart, a 12 team comp isn't quite enough. If they expand into Asia as well, great for tourism. Getting on board, and the seating numbers would be expanded, if moveable stands then reconfiguration would make for great concert spaces, etcetera. The stadium would then be used on consecutive weeks for some of the year, as games alternate, benefiting the financial integrity. Our national teams, men and women, could have a good bunker in Tas.

Schache is tall and has good hands. You are right though, how is his change of direction ability? Especially as some of our stategies early in the season was about getting the ball over the back. When he has an opponents body chequing him, will he be able to push back? TMac was the one today who was really struggling with those change in direction movements, not because of injuries, but he appears heavier and that big frame he has makes it difficult to stop and push off again.

I think Schache will go alright if the training track is any indication. He was leading well to the forward deliveries. Those that didn't quite make it to him he was able to mop up. A kick to below his knee, marked it. The one that went to wide, he got one hand to it and paddled, then from the boundary, rolled it through. The easy ones, with some angled leads, no problem marking and finishing. He'll be an interesting inclusion. Looks fit, strong and appears to want to impact. How will he go, when he has opponents?

I would like Kossie to get back to his attacking and defensive best. Today at training it was Goody who was giving him plenty of talk and emotions. At one stage he gathered him in with an arm across his shoulders and held him there for a good minute, whispering sweet plenties.

May looked good, hitting his kicks with precision, vocal and moving reasonably well.

Addit: After the AFL finished, the Casey, MFC listed had a run. I didn't stay around as I had appointments to meet. They were led out by Salem, probably doesn't mean much. Tomlinson walking by himself and looked a bit forlorn.

Not sure if anything I do as a poster influences game day. Perhaps you mean the club. So much happens behind closed doors, and I suspect there is not much difference between clubs. Though, those subtle differences have an impact. My main impact is to boost entertainment value in the build up, offer some degree of speculation, and of course give some perspective for those who don't/can't attend trainings. Best way we can help optimise our chances on game day, is large crowds and the associated noise. Go Dees.

Sorry about some of the poor grammar, and of course, "Clarke" (auto correct). Love your interpretation @La Dee-vina Comedia Small new phone, bright sunshine (making it difficult to see screen), when posting from the paddock.