Swooper1987

His marking today was excellent. But he can't ruck and he's a pinch hit forward at best. Back to defence and it'll be a very worthwhile investment.

Very hard because we really didn't have a player who won their position. We had some triers so here goes - 6. Van Rooyen - 8 marks, a couple of goals, looked like he put in a decent effort. 5. May - some rubbish stat padding but wasn't disgraced and managed to get the Freo fans riled up so points for that. 4. Petty - was decent around the ground but as long as his backside points to the ground he no ruckman. Liked his contested marking. 3. McVee - he played another solid game. He's composed under pressure and uses it well. 2. Billings - did more in less than a half than most did in a full game. 1. Langdon - ran a lot, got to position well and was a useful link Absolutely shocking effort by our midfield - Viney, Oliver, Sparrow, ANB, Rivers, Pickett. As poor a display as you could see. Lever - just about a career worst game.

An absolute superstar. On his day - and there were a few of them - he was unbeatable. His 1991 season was remarkable. 14 games - played round 1, then round 10, then round 14 through to the semi final. 0 goals in round 1, 1 in round 10, the proceeded to kick 70 goals in 12 games for the remainder of the season. Finished the season with 71.57. It was simply brilliant.

Agree except we didn't need Lynch last year. We just needed a fit Melksham. He'd have made the difference in likely both finals, but certainly the Carlton game. And from there, who knows?

He's a premiership coach - the only Melbourne premiership coach in my lifetime and he deserves to be respected as such. I think his footy acumen is desperately underrated. Last night was an interesting one. I watched from mu usual spot on the second tier right on the members wing. Petty was uncompetitive in the ruck as I expected and Draper did as he liked. 9 disposals, three clearances, 3 marks and 9 hitouts v Petty 1 handball and 3 hitouts. It looked an Essendon game. But JVR stood up in the second and absolutely turned it around. 5 disposals, 3 marks and 4 hitouts v Draper 4 disposals, no marks and 7 hitouts effectively neutralised what was the biggest advantage Essendon had. Our gut runners went to work - Langdon, Windsor and ANB. Oliver, after a horrid first quarter showed glimpses of the 3 time AA, 4 time B&F Clayton and Melksham led the front half magnificently. So overall, Simon had a good night. Petty is not a centre bounce ruck and he has proven that a few times. But as Draper tired her became more competitive in short bursts later in the game. Goody's faith in Petty was misplaced but as a good coach does, he righted the ship. Kudos to him.

It was a great night to be at the footy. A lot of vote worthy players but from my vantage point here were the 6 most influential 6. Ed Langdon - as Scott pointed out post game it was our peripheral players rather than the inside mids who did most of the damage and Ed was chief among them. 5. Windsor - another example of what Scott was talking about. This boy is a seriously good player. Proves that wet weather actually accentuates a skilful player. 4.McVee - another balanced and poised game from the new Corey Enright. 3. Melksham - his forward half leadership makes such a difference. In fact his injury at the end of last season cost us at least one final win and potentially a premiership. 2. Rivers - another very good game from a very good footballer. 1. Oliver - not his usual style, more of a linkman last night but used the ball well mostly, considering the conditions. It was great to see his improved ball handling. Honourable mentions to JVR who is a competitor of the highest order and to ANB who did a great job containing an absolute champion of the game. Merrett was still effective but nowhere near what he has been.

Grundy isn't in great form. He has been beaten (quite badly) in his last two games against Darcy/Jackson and then on the weekend by Marshall, who completely took him apart. And in case you've forgotten, he got flogged last year by Draper and Phillips. It was embarrassing watching his lack of ability to defend as the Bomber rucks kicked 5 on him. I get the angst about the Schache selection as sub in last years finals, but don't make Grundy out to be something he wasn't.

Over his career Heeney has shown himself to be a very fair player. That in all probability it costs him a Brownlow seems an incredibly high price to pay for what is really incidental contact. If Webster's nose didn't bleed there was absolutely nothing to see there. I'd be surprised is this was the intended outcome of the rule change. I hope they challenge this and bring in the Carlton lawyers.

He is a quick healer. His knee was supposed to keep him out for 5 or 6 last season and he only missed three. First game back was a good one against the Tigers, 8 marks, 17 disposals and a goal. I'll back him in to miss only one or two.

Yep, all clear for Melk. Only Yeo got a fine for umpire contact in our game.

Looking on the bright side, we did cover Oliver's absence well last year and we have found a great sub for Trac with Rivers so maybe we can pull another bunny out of the hat. It'll be a different experience for the midfield. And also for our defence not having the champ giving them a chop out. But just maybe it'll throw Essendon out a bit too.

The ruck position is important in so far as you don't want to be dominated in that spot. An ability to at least negate is important. However, I agree with Binmans PA that Petty could be an adequate replacement around the ground with his marking ability. He's absolutely useless at centre bounce, as demonstrated by his efforts in the Alice against Freo, but he can take a mark and he moves reasonably well. He's no Gawn, but he's probably the best option we have. Also, re Draper specifically - he loves to get forward - remember how he torched Grundy last year. At least Petty could defend him when he runs inside 50. He might also be able to hurt him the other way.

Only the last three games. He was in the coaches votes against Collingwood and very clearly our best player. That was the game immediately before the bye. So since the bye the three games we've played he's been below his best but not lowered his colours to a couple of very good ruckmen. I agree that a more even team performance has seen us improve, but the reality is Gawn not at his best is still pretty much unbeatable in the sense that the opposition ruck is at least negated. That all goes out the window with him not there. Draper, Darcy/Jackson and Briggs in the next three weeks. That could get very messy if the champ isn't out there.

Exactly. For those who think Gawn has been a down a little since the bye, he's played against Xerri and McInerney before this week and beaten or at least broken even with them both. They are two of the inform rucks in the competition. And that's max not in his best form. The opposition will have a field day in his absence.

He played a terrific game today. Great attack on the ball and the man. Reminded me of Colin Sylvia at his best - aggressive and explosive. The sort of guy you'd love to play alongside. He'll only get better the more exposure he gets.