kev martin

It shouldn't be holding the man, however the intention is to lock the ball down. This makes the scrimmage and encourages them to create stoppages and not a flowing game. Could penalise with diving on ball, (on player on ball and often they grab the ball as well as their teamate).

More room for the umpires to give a free within the rules. It will clear the scrimmage area, stop the "pile on" and not penalise the first to the ball. The defenders are getting an easy ride to lock the game down and others gaining from incorrect disposal.

They are having problems interpreting the tackle. So grey with so many different interpretations. Some are given leeway, others pinged straight away. I think it was Weid last night. Fumbling the ball till he gets it under control, the opposition lay him to the ground (right on his hammer), he realises he may get ping and attempts to clear the ball, but is tied up and free kick against. What is he meant to do? My pet hate is when the tackler drags the ball back in when they are ontop of the play maker. Why can't the tackler get pinged for dragging it back in? If they are both holding the ball how can the one that gets it first still be penalised? How can a tackler stay ontop of the ball getter when the ball goes clear. They can tie up our best players by holding them down. As the ball goes free, it must be up to the tackler to let go and to stop impeding the player. Given the restrictions now on the person going the ball, I'd be encouraging frees on holding the man after ball is released. Also, giving 50 and a free if the tackler doesn't release the player when the game goes forward. Why can the tackler be allowed to slow it down, make a stoppage or get the free kick? I reckon it gives too much advantage against the play makers. Don't like those who are allowed to stand over the ball to slow the play down when a free given against, they then interfere with the player trying to pick it up. Should be deemed in possession and a 50 given. If they want free flowing, fast football, then the defenders need to be penalised for slowing it down.

What a great first quarter. Kicking straight makes a difference and tells the Saints, they have to work hard for a win. Then we let in. Cmon dees stay switched on and desperate for the whole game. The Saints did not want it, except for a couple Steele, Hill, their full back. Nullified them well. Those turnovers, get our field kicking right and we are on. We don't use the angles well enough. Liked that we tried to control the tempo. Magnificent backline, reading the ball coming in, making a spread, hitting the mark. Great confidence and cohesion builder. Thought Tomlinson played his best game for us. Langdon just keeps going. Our stars stood up. Too many passengers again. We can win close games. Fitness levels are great. C'mon forward line start punching goals. Those crumbers need to get their hands on the ball . Weids looked to be double teamed most of the time. The other forwards have to lead the opposition away from him. Loved the exuberance of the club song. Thought it looked like a team going places. Don't drink the bath water. They can play with a little less pressure in Cairns with that win. Stay desperate, hungry and hard willed Dees.

No changes last week, against 6 this week. So much for stability going into the back end of the season. Hoping our structures don't suffer as we have been setting up well behind the ball. Last week was more about the 3rd quarter drop off and our lack of foward line pressure to stop the ball leaving easily. Tmac and Fritta both don't apply enough pressure. Hoping Spargo and Pickett can pick up some crumbs and a handful of goals. Melksham is in need of improvement and consistency. We still don't know our best 22. Harmes may be missing the support of Macca. Good for Josh to get a chance and the same for Brown. Max and his connection with our mids will make a difference. I think Omac usually beats his direct opponent. Could be his last chance to cement a spot for the year. Goodwin is playing his Psychology card, get desperate. They have to stay in the game for the 4 quarters and reply to every goal the saints get or at least, tie the game down. C'mon Dees, convert the inside 50's to goals and kick straight. Hoping they play with flair, creativity and skill. I think this will be our first game in a while with a packed crowd (if it is packed). The noise levels will get them going.

Some overt, though I am a bit hesitant to speak for the indigenous. As Stan says "I get it now, and it's I don't get it, I never will, I'll never understand what it's like to be black because I'm white". Institutional biases have played a part in the indigenous predicament. The invasion, the lack of recognition and rectification from the problems it caused to their community. The policy of stolen children, reservations and losing the land, the acts treating them like subordinates and wards of the state, stolen wages, inhumane living conditions, low wages, no wages. Policy of integration, stifling language, culture and genocide. No recognition of different nations but being part of the fauna! The decision for indigenous communities being made by departments and outsiders, the lack of autonomy and self-determination. The corruption, lack of services and opportunities, apologies, treaties and constitutional recognition. The institutions caused the poverty, the dislocation, the pain. As the ability to improve themselves becomes real then the backlash from some as the people start doing well or not the wanting change impacts through the vile and also the ignorant. Good seeing the institutions, including the MFC helping the acceptance. Though alot more is needed.

There is plenty of unwritten institutional racism and bigotry!

HATERS, BIGOTS AND MY WARM FUZZY THOUGHTS I am amazed at the distress some try to cause to others. All for the reaction/emotion it generates in others. Mean and hate seems very much an extroverts' thing. When, I respond some stand with me and I know the majority object to bigotry. The perpetrators will never change! Censorship doesn't work, majority having objections don't work, ignore is difficult, confronting doesn't work, law and consequences only drive them underground, perhaps we need “a clockwork orange”, scenario (joking). I don't have an answer. Though I can see how and why they act that way. Inability to have joy in their moments and the institutionally imposed stratification within our communities. They are blind to the effects of the hate, or they have social pathologies. Why can't we see the me in you? If I experience your bliss and your pain, then, I would not impose on the other more weight to carry. Though I often see you as me, (even Collingwood supporters). If not for the grace of “life”. How to get through to them? It is not about being good or bad, as that is just “I am better than you”. How do we help them realise bliss, so they are more in-tune with themselves and so less hostile to their brothers, sisters and other life. Show more love, kindness and peace, it may help and can't hurt.

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Well put Dame Gaga. Excellent thoughts. Thank you.

Others do it? Personal development, psychological assistance, taking responsibility for his own life and not being reactive to hate thrown at him. Find some passion in constructive activities. Use hardship as a motivator to do better than the other. Be happy in what today 'brings'. Hope and work for Grace and peace.

I was there at Moorabbin when he knocked out Flower with a king hit. Thuggery, did the crowd hate him because he was a thug or to vilify him? I believe both to some degree, exaggerating the other. Did the coach set him up to take out our best player? For sure, given the disrespect he was getting according to the article. Did Flower vilify him? Can't imagine that because flower didn't like to even be tackled, so why bring the heat on himself. I think it is an excuse for a poorly formed personality. Why not have an apology to those he hurt. At the time, I had no idea of racial differences or vilifications in society. For me and the family I was brought up in people were people (with origins that are varied). I was maybe 14 yrs and so quite impressionable. He appeared to have so much hate. I now know about the privileges I gained, in terms of opportunities and not facing many barriers to be involved in the wider world. I would welcome any feedback on my inappropriate views. Respect is earned by actions, not their origins. I think we can all be victims to some extent. Though persecution and attempted genocide of their people are big barriers.

The North pick has nothing to do with our squad. Deal is done and it is now all about North. One or eighteen makes no difference to us in the present time. It would be good to see a stronger North in the comp. Interstates get so much more advantage with, home fields, academy players and higher caps (living expenses and development).

@Damo Preuss did at least one long slap. Didn't work, the same as some of his finesse work. The synergy didn't seem to be there with the midfielders. If Gawn is ready to go will they use both of them? I thought Preuss's around the ground work was good. Is Butler the St.Kilda barometer, play hard on him, do we stop them? Will we see the Jones brothers wrestling it out? Probably not with Nats quad. Don't let Kenty kick easy ones and get his confidence going.

I think we can win. At times we play good football. Just need our conversions into the 50 better and to take our chances when they are there. Alice is more of a home ground advantage then the others we have played at. Have the saints even played there?

We go missing as the score pressure builds when we play good teams. The other team feels comfortable, 25-30 point lead then we go again. It must be there heads. Why can't they stay involved for the 4 quarters? The other teams go and our players become uncreative, conservative, anxious. Are they putting too much pressure on them after the reviews and anxiety crawls in on game day? Perhaps, they don't want the intellectual criticisms. (It is why a direct blast is often better than, passive aggressive ''reminders'). When we are confident, relaxed, smiling we play well. Only a thought, gee they can go missing. Could be self protection and only want to be accountable within there role when the pressure is on. The other team start overlapping, they take it on and we are stranded on our little island on the field. Tell them to stay involved, get the ball and control the pace of the game. Red mist when we don't have it and blue mind when we have it (the ball). Go Dees with a bounce back against the saints.

Where is our head at? Back to last year where we couldn't arrest the momentum. How do they get a rally of goals? We need to work harder and smarter for a reply to every goal the opposition get. No 4 quarter efforts. We only played in bits and pieces. Game plan and structures not good enough against teams that run hard and fast, and can use the ball well. No plan B's. Still no crumbers. Too much arrogance. Handball turnovers killed us. What's with the dinky, too under pressure handballs? We seem to lose concentration and the will too execute. Didn't take our opportunities. Oh the lack of consistency of some of our players from week to week, weak and frustrating. Two steps forward and one back, or is it one step forward and two back. Hoping for more aggression and for the team to have there footy IQ working next time.

Hi Damo. I would assume they would do this a few times during the match. I see a downside if he misses the mark. They will be out of defensive positions. With a game under Preuss's belt and training as 1st ruck, the stoppages will be better prepared for. I'll keep an eye open for the 10 meter slap as well as some finesse. With a stable side we should see good field structures. Hoping they work for each other and our turnovers are minimal. Also don't give them goals in the last 3 minutes of the quarter. Let's find time and space. Remember the white boards, "blue minds", Go Dees, hit the marks, play the roles, take it on and make a difference when it is your time. Can the Dogs kick straight? Usually they give us a look in by not converting.

There are bastard kids out there. I never said suddenly, I believe the change comes over if they move down that path, incrementally. I remember playing against a junior Port Melbourne side. A few chased our best player off the field after thumping him a few times. Scared too go to the change rooms. No-one could stand up to them, adults or umpires. If there are no consequences it can get bad. There are some bad kids. The only thing they can do is physicality. Can't always lock em up. Maybe you played in the wealthy leagues where all have aspirations. Kids are an example of there parents and there are some bad parents out there. On a sarcastic note, perhaps we could have a designated thug. Plays 15 % of the game and pushes the boundaries. Club pays the fine and they accept the suspensions. Could have a few, instead of the squad fillers. Bring in Mad dog Muir. (King hit flower) "Think of the children" is an issue for the AFL. They do lots of marketing to them and there parents. They want safe games and a family atmosphere. They need grass root players and volunteers. With a violent game they lose them. I am amazed about the Lynch non suspension, purely from a family perspective. I like boxing but AFL has changed. Possibly even for the worst. The Biffo was very emotive. The suburban game still has thugs, no cameras and plenty of cheap shots. Your sarcasm is not appreciated. I have a right to my own opinion without you isolating me suggesting I am the only one with this passing thought. You sanctimonious fool.

Great example for the junior footballers. I can see the tall junior forwards emulating Lynch and there coaches telling them to push the limits. Great look for the AFL development and the families who want to protect the boys and girls who play. Back to the 70's and 80's.

I think that was also Gary Pert in with the players at the end of the game. Good look that he was not with the corporates. Showing his support to the team. Emotionally Intelligent, well done, especially after his spray.

Alot to like about this game: Disposal efficiency, not too many clangers, conversions inside 50, passes hitting targets in the 50, playing 4 quarters, responding when opposition kicked goals, dominated some of there periphery players, taking marks, the joy on the players faces, goal kicking accuracy in general, our endeavour to get to the contest, not too many stupid, overused, dinky or hospital handballs, continued strength of the backline, most players having an impact when called upon, fitness levels, the opposition couldn't fight and lost there structure, we dominated the tactical moves, at last getting the crumbs in the forward line, sharing the goal kicking, our second quarter when the game opened up, Sparrow following Pendalbry and Sidebottom around (learnings from the best), Oliver's kicking, hard play of Lockhart and Vanders and our backline flood is working. What we can improve upon: Some players were in and out of the game, apparent confusion at the stoppages, lack of Sheparding, getting to where Preuss taps the ball, May shirking a mark, Picketts fumbling (though goes when he gets it) and a few losing there footing. Tough to find anymore, an impressive outing.

Looking at the Brisbane, North game it appears to be a sunny day.

Quotes from commentators; "Get ball, hold ball" and "Collingwood score off turnovers". I want the stupid taken out of our game. If and when we are clean with the ball and kick straight we win. Goal pressure is needed. We have been playing 4 quarters, bringing the pressure at contests, carrying and hunting in packs. The backline has been good. We can control momentum. Collingwood has trouble kicking big scores. Pickett for a few goals and some assist. Recognised recently with contract and rising star should give him plenty of self belief. Melksham to play a blinder, as he is due. Weids, May and lever to get a handful of marks each. Hoping for no passengers. C'mon Dees, take the angry pills, knock 'em off there pedestal.

Yes, sorry meant Adelaide. I feel TMac and Spargo were brought in for, Gawn and Viney. My changes are not about form, as I thought both did well against North, more about team cohension. Agree about Melksham, but I think he is a Goody favourite. I expected a "lead by example" last week but was disappointed in his output. Can barely beat his one on ones, they used to be his speciality. Thought Hannan's game was OK, he was looking clean especially early in the game though faded. I like Harmes as a footballer, wouldn't drop him, best 22. Unsure about Tomlison. Difficult to match up on and is versatile, but decision making, speed and touches. A bit like Hannan and goes missing in the game.