kev martin

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.

The fixture has given us a definite advantage over the collywobbles. We get to watch there set ups, then they lose players who are being managed or don't get over the niggles. They have there first 4 day turn around (I think), so will be unsure of there energy/intensity levels. An advantage but can we wack them. Be ruthless Dees. Get some percentage increase while we can. Wouldn't change the backline. They have been strong and Lockhart may need more time. Looked sore against Adelaide. In: Gawn and Viney Out: TMac and Spargo

We should have an advantage, we know the area and field. The week before, we play the Bulldogs Saturday, (Metricon), St.Kilda play Brisbane Sunday (Gaba).

I remember the West Coast Eagles whining about hubs. Hopefully our club is complaining to AFL incorporated about our change of training areas. We have to include Casey in that as well, given our home is Gosch's.

Both have a good set kicking method. I expect the problem is in their heads. Again, consistency with kicks and ball handling should come with more experience. Weeds still young and Fritsch needs to settle as a forward. Love that Weids doesn't look scared of the contact any more. Can hold his own and is clunking a few.

We seem to play better when he is in the team. Perhaps the comeback from the injuries inspire them, plus his straight lining of players, he is the enforcer, the protector. Positions himself well, can mark and I think he will only get better as game fitness improves. Hopefully he gets the "dumb" out of his game.

He seems to work in a different time zone. Loved his ability to connect with Oliver. Both fast muscle twitches. As he gets more experience I can see those fumbles not happening. Though a little concerning. The clean players are guns. He has a footy intelligence. The marks seem to be the basic lack of concentration. Agree he needs to settle, take some time but gee it is a big step up from what he is used to.

Thought the backline was great, especially the first half when they were slinging everything back that came there way. Goody's structures are working well. North couldn't get anywhere. Tried the keepings off, like how Geelong got us but it just pushed them further into our forward line, then the pressure hit them. They didn't have a plan B. Great pressure game around the ball from us. Oliver got his kicking together. Petracca has become elite, still the yips a bit infront of the goals. Not many turnovers, though a fair bit of fumbling. We are becoming a much more direct team.Did we "switch" the play at all? Enjoyed Jackson's game. Rivers did some important things. We are taking marks. We do some stupid things at times. Thought Melksham would have done better given his responsibility of leading by example. Feel for North, 4 day break and travelling, then the injuries during the game Hope we don't drink from the bath again. Let's keep winning.

Feel bad for ANB. The centrifugal forces got him. Could destroy his AFL career. The tribunal destroyed Tom Buggs game by making him an example with harsh decisions. He was never the same again after he wacked that player. I wonder why the umpire didn't give a 50 meter penalty for the aggression after the high tackle, if it appeared excessive. Would like to see them take into account the victims behaviour in incidents. The Adelaide player did not brace for any impact as he was attempting to kick.

Hoping for no more 4 day breaks between games. Sunday will be our second. They should endeavour to share the 4 and 5 day breaks around, as well as the travel days so as not to bias the teams.

Does anyone know what happened to the guy that Lockhart went at? He charged at him when Lockhart was limping. A bit similar to Carlisles aggression, hitting the injured hand of opponent.

Good to see us back to playing for 4 quarters. Forward line is functioning better. Still need a small crumber. Great we are taking marks. May is important for us. Fix up our turnovers , handballs to players under pressure, wayward kicks and we will be good. There are some passengers at times, need all to get involved in the game. Keep developing Dee's.

I thought he got a bit angrier when he heard the whistle for a high tackle against him (dubious) and he took it out on the opposition player. Two weeks for a MFC player and because of the concussion.

I believe they are camping out in Adelaide until after the Sunday game against North Melbourne game.

"A fierce wll to win" isn't just a bull at the gate type. In team sports it requires players chemistry and cohesion. I believe that it is about making the others around you better players, because without that we lose. Often, our disposals put the teamates under pressure. We need a team that brings the best out of each other, with act towards the advantage of the other, 1 percenters, support and sacrifice. We need a team, that as a collective, refuses to lose.