Swooper1987

Minimal changes. Hore for Salem and Pickett replaces Tholstrup.

Hardly the end of the world. Brisbane are an excellent team, very unlucky not to be the reigning premiers. Their "poor" start to the season has been significantly overblown. They have won the inside 50 count in every game they've played. A couple of teams have kicked insanely accurately against them. They were never out of form as the media would have us believe. We got beaten where it matters most, and beaten easily. The limp performance of our mids was the reason we lost. Neale, Dunkley, Rayner and McCluggage (with Berry) absolutely smoked (to use a Steven May term) Petracca, Oliver, Viney and Sparrow. That is the game in a nutshell. The odds of our midfield being beaten that badly again, all on the same night, are slim indeed. For those criticizing anything at all about Gawn's game last night, have a good hard look at the replay and then yourselves. McInerney is a good AFL ruckman who is as honest as the day is long and Max tore him apart. Gawn's tap work is elite. We lost a lot of clearance from our mid's fumbles, overpossessing or simply actually losing contest. If Gawn didn't play last night, that's a 10 goal plus loss everyday of the week. 8 clearances to the big man was better than anything anyone else on our side could do. McDonald is looking like Tom of old (final year of his contract - he's done this before!) Kudos to him. Might have been worth a shift forward at half time, but in reality our defence held up well given the amount of ball they saw. Can understand why Goodwin didn't shift him. Pickett is a huge loss, as we all know. We can't afford for him to be missing games. We look completely different with him out there. Expecting a big bounce after the bye.

6.Gawn by a mile then 5. Rivers 4. Tom Mac 3. Lever 2. Langdon 1. May Our defence did a superb job given the non-existent performance of our midfield (Gawn aside).

One of my great non-Demon memories was the 1986 finals series. I went to all three of the Fitzroy finals, the last finals series they ever played. Knocking off the reigning premiers in week 1 in the wet at VFL Park; another close one against Edelsten's Swans in week 2 and the very last final they ever played, getting belted physically and on the scoreboard by Dipper and the Hawks, who went on to win the flag. Parkin even now thinks that season trumps any of his flags in terms of his own coaching performance. Their fans were such great, salt of the earth footy people. It was a sad day when we said goodbye to old Fitzroy.

or Trac 5 x 2 McVee and Soligo both 4/1 Lever 3 May 3 Gawn 2 and 2

He's a marvel, isn't he?

Derm was a great player - one of the greatest big game players of all time 35 years ago. He is largely irrelevant in 2024. I loved watching him play then, and hate hearing him speak now. He isn't always wrong, but the gap between fact and opinion is getting bigger with each passing year.

I don't think this is that hard. Don't choose to leave the ground and then hit the opposition player in the head under any circumstances and to any degree of force. Retrospectively, Cripps wouldn't be a Brownlow Medallist, Maynard wouldn't be a premiership player. This "new" rule addresses those things many were unhappy about. It has now been applied(rightly) to one of our players. I love Kozzy. His ability on field is matched by very few, but he and Van Rooyen both need to find a better way to channel their natural aggression. We have some naturally very aggressive players - May and Viney being two examples, Sparrow another - who manage to keep out of the way of the MRO. Pickett and JVR need to examine how they do it.

6. Petracca was outstanding all night. His decision making and ball use set him apart. 5. Gawn, like Petracca was imperious. O'Brien is a very good AFL ruck and at times he made him look like a schoolboy. 4. McVee is developing into our very own Corey Enright. Cat like reflexes, doesn't ever go to ground, sublime foot skills and as clean as a whistle. 3. May played like a guy who hasn't missed a beat. Understandably his first half was better than his second, but he helped withstand the Crows early charge and got us going the other way. 2. Sparrow is really proving his worth as a mid forward. Now a genuinely good AFL player who has become another problem for our opposition. 1. Fritsch played the best individual quarter of the night. Granted he did little in the other three, but his scoreboard impact ended up being the difference!

After opening round Gawn has certainly hit a strong patch of form. He'll be in for another big night on Thursday. O'Brien is one of those old school big bodied rucks who'll make it a physical encounter. I reckon he's likely running second to Heeney in the Brownlow at this stage.

Lucky for us we get them twice this year. It really is a massive advantage for those sides who have drawn them twice. They will jag one or two upset wins but they are definitely in the same category as the 12/13 Demons.

Interesting to note this morning that Gawn is in second place on the Footy Show Lou Richards Medal, behind Heeney who'd have 9 Brownlow votes already. After his performance in round 1, Max has certainly sent a strong message to the competition. No other Melbourne players on the leaderboard.

6. Gawn 5. ANB 4. Lever 3. Langdon 2.Petracca 1.Rivers

He was in the best players in both the Age and HS, as well as receiving 7 on the Footy Show. He clearly beat the Hawthorn ruck and fed the dominant midfield most of the day. Mitchell rates him very highly - part of his game plan against us is to avoid kicking it to Gawn - and I dare say Mitchell gave him his 2 votes.

I think Mitchell was referring to Oliver, not Petracca.

^6. Petracca 5. Fritsch 4. Gawn 3. Nibbler 2. Pickett 1. Langdon Coaches votes will be interesting this week. Could be a few getting them.

A million bucks for finishing 5th (AFLW) and 6th (AFL). Gotta sort out whatever that finals malaise is that we've got going on. Nice comeback by the women but too little too late.

I've not seen any footage of Lever playing forward or mid like Leake. Hird comparison stands up on size, versatility and skills. Seems to know how to lead, how to deliver under pressure and how to be clean in a contest. Obviously these are highlights only and only give a glimpse, but it's a pretty impressive glimpse.

Moves a bit like James Hird. The clean marking from some difficult spots, his clean hands around the ball, looks a decent field kick. 187 cm - interesting size. If we don't take him with our first pick he won't be there at our second.

I've been told by someone who should know that Watson is the second best natural footballer in the pool behind Reid. He doesn't believe his height will stop him excelling and he said if he was 6 or 7 cm's taller he'd be well and truly in the conversation for pick 1. The same person said Melbourne are keen on pick 1 but would be happy to be in a position to draft Watson. At the moment they are not in that position. He is of the view he's a top 5 lock. Source is a player manager but not his manager.

He'll go at the end of 2024. No way they wait until he's out of contract. Let's hope he has a big 2024 and increases his value.

Fair deal.

WC and Melbourne have been talking for a while. They'll have told Lamb exactly what they want. All the Petty talk is for a reason. It's not in WC interests to work with North right now.

It's part of a bigger plan. I'd say Petty is going. They are going hard for pick 1. 10 from Adelaide and McAdam for Petty, gives us 6, 10 and 11 to work into pick 1.

He has done a number of effective run with roles over his career. My personal favourite was the 2018 final against the Cats when he played on Selwood and drove him completely insane. Probably one of Selwood's most undisciplined games in what was a very disciplined career. Played well on Libba in 2021. Has done less of it more recently. I wish him well wherever he ends up and will be eternally grateful for his important role in breaking the drought. He got to live out a boyhood dream. His dad was president of the junior footy club I coached at before Jimmy got drafted and the family are Demon mad. Will be an adjustment for them when he changes clubs!