Swooper1987

Max is now third in the Age Player of the Year award with 54 votes, behind Grundy (68) and Tim Kelly (61). He doesn't get a look in at the Hun, but no surprise there. He's in the top 19 in the AFLCA award as of last week and should move further up after Saturday night. I think he's been excellent since round 4 and is a chance to poll a lot of Brownlow votes between round 4 and round 11. He could have picked up votes in games against Sydney, Hawthorn, Gold Coast, West Coast, GWS and Adelaide. He's currently at $67 with Sportsbet but given the lack of competition from team mates this season I think he's not without a chance. His biggest test will be next week against Grundy but he usually plays well against him. He's having another wonderful season despite the team performance.

Josh Smith impressed, the big forward for country who kicked 3 and missed a couple. Moved well, very competitive, took the forward line ruck work and did not get outmarked once in the entire game. He's a big unit but with a couple of preseasons could come along nicely.

6. Gawn easily 5. Jones was good most of the night 4. Oliver amazing second quarter 3. Viney 2. Harmes 1. Garlett - 3 goals but could have been a match winner

I was unfortunate enough to be at the game and in the first half I saw Max Gawn play one of the great one out games. He was magnificent and without him we would have been at least 70 points down at half time. Hore and Frost were the only other players who gave anywhere near an acceptable performance in the first half. Based on the fact the game was effectively over at half time I'd go: 6 Gawn 5. Hore 4. Frost 3. Viney 2. J Wagner 1. Baker

6. Salem - consistently outstanding ball use all game. 5. Oliver - his last quarter was magnificent 4. Melksham - great first half 3. Jones - a steady head, composed all game 2. Frost - he is in rare form 1. Gawn - beat Witts who is a very good player. His last minute was decisive in the outcome.

Terrible today. His defensive work and pressure was way down. He's a gun though and will bounce back.

Max is a champion player who rivals Dean Cox and Simon Madden as the best ruckman of the past thirty years. He is a better pure ruck than Grundy and his form this year has been very good - not as good thus far as last season but with 2/3 of the season still to play he is building well. He was brilliant on the weekend against probably the third best ruckman in the competition.

Go back and look at all of the last 10 minutes.

The Age votes by John Pierik, who actually is a pretty decent journo and watches the game: 8 Gawn 8 Harmes 7 Oliver 7 Salem 7 Shiels Hard to argue with.

Because they are both leaders (especially Lever) who understand how a backline should set up. But anyway...

I've been off Lewis for a while now but I thought he was actually quite good in the last 10 minutes today. His marshalling of the defence and his important late touches made a real difference. He is a liability in that he is of no use when the game is at its quickest but as it slows down and becomes more of a slog he can find a useful groove. He's not long for the AFL but I thought he did what was needed late today. Having said that I'd think that when Lever and May return there won't be the same need for his generalship of the defence.

It's a rule (and not a new one), he's a smart guy and a professional footballer and he infringed twice and it could have meant a different result. He played a great game but that was just dumb. And yes he did kill O'Meara.

6. Gawn - another dominant display for the whole game 5. Harmes - after quarter time was great on O'Meara but 2 50's in exactly the same way was inexcusable 4. Salem - Allan Jeans would call him "a good driver in heavy traffic" 3. Oliver - some dumb decisions but boy can he find the ball 2. Hibberd - much improved in the last two games 1. Frost - a very steady game from a player I doubted I would ever call steady.

Even with the injuries he was a star. Whilst probably not quite in the Flower class, he had many of Robbie's qualities - leadership, skill, fairness and plenty of courage. He often played on much bigger opponents, both in defence and attack. He got belted by Brereton and Ablett but was a genuine ball player. He's probably the best Melbourne Captain in my lifetime. A genuine match winner at both ends of the ground. In my time watching footy - since the mid 70's only Ross Glendinning, Paul Roos, Terry Daniher and Lyon have been genuine match winning (or saving) KP utility players. All 4 regularly kicked multiple goals forward and saved plenty when playing back. I'd imagine all were coaches dreams. A state captain and 3 AA's says it all really. Without the injuries he would have jhad a better record in terms of games and goals, but he was a great of this footy club regardless.

He was a great player. Started out as a mobile forward, became a great rebounding CHB and then in 1994 and 95 kicked 70 plus goals both seasons. Then his back injury robbed him of a couple of seasons. Had a solid 1998 when we reemerged in Daniher's first year as coach and then finished up early in 1999 when injury flared again. One of Melbourne's best ever and should be in the hall of fame.

He and Salem are the only two players that haven't gone backwards this season so far. He can say and write what he likes as long as he keeps playing good footy. Thus far he isn't the reason why we are so [censored]. If everybody else was dominating their position the way he does we'd be exactly where we all hoped we'd be.

6. Gawn - his game actually gets better the more you watch it. He is a genuine champion of the game. 5. Stretch - Billy showed a great deal last night. He was physical with his tackling, his pace was a real asset and his ball use was improved. 4. Melksham - Jake's best game for the year. 3. Hibberd - Hibbo's best game since his AA year. 2. Salem - he is having a career best season. Shame he hasn't got more help. 1. Oliver - Just keeps on winning hard ball and a great tackler. The effort was definitely an improvement, but the skill level is deplorable in the main and our forward line is a joke! I think all those who bagged Hogan might now understand just how good he was for this team. To kick 40 plus goals three years out of 4 as a very young man was an extraordinary effort with the opposition best defender hanging off you every week.

The event is fantastic and well worth attending. The game will most likely not live up to the event which is a real shame. I am hopeful rather than optimistic that our mob can can put on a good show but I do like Lockhart, Stretch and Garlett as ins. At least they can all run, which is a massive improvement on the blokes they've replaced. Bull Smith has a crack. He'll make a contest and hits it hard. Maybe we can make things uncomfortable for the Tigers.

It's scapegoat time unfortunately. Macca is a great fella but he's old school. I don't think there is anything wrong with that but obviously somebody does. Our players need to harden up and understand the requirements of a professional athlete - in and out of season. Our players are mentally weak unfortunately. I think more time with Macca is probably what is needed however the opposite is the more likely outcome.

Hard to blame Misson for Jetta's injury and May's lack of condition. Misson is the same bloke that in 2005 saw the Swans unchanged for about 10 weeks on their way to a flag they probably shouldn't have won. His record in sports science and rehab and preparation speaks for itself. He has the absolute confidence of Roos. May, as a highly paid, professional athlete has a responsibility to present in decent condition. His lack of discipline clearly extends beyond his on field brain farts. Jetta is just bad luck. It's a collision sport and [censored] happens. Lever the same. If his knee recovers he will prove to be worth every bit the two first round picks we paid for him.

Too defeatist I think. In 1987 after 16 games we were 6 wins and 10 losses. We ended up winning the last 6 in a row and finishing the H&A in 5th spot and should have won the preliminary final. We are capable of putting a block of form together which could still see us reach finals. Writing off the season is a cop out and gives the club more excuses for inept performances. I have paid this club a fortune over the years in membership fees and I want to see a decent return on that investment. Effort and a willingness to do the basics well would be a great start.

Frost was our best tonight

Jones is actually playing significantly worse than Junior McDonald was when he was forced into premature (and as it turned out, temporary) retirement. For the first time in his career on Friday night I noticed him deviate from a contest and self preservation was obvious. The Jones of previous seasons always ran a straight line and took the punishment when it was coming his way. I have always thought of him as a good honest player - no star, perhaps a B grader in an F Grade team for much of his career. He has zero accountability and is a kick chaser. He is not and never has been an elite level midfielder and Tyson was of more value to us last year than Jones. At present though, he is still in our best 22. That may change as players return from injury, but for now he stays and as a midfielder - which in the modern game means anywhere from half back to half forward.

I'm pleased to hear it. As much as I would have loved him to be playing for the Demons, I am happy that loyalty isn't dead.

If true I'm stoked. He'll be well compensated but it strikes a blow for old fashioned club loyalty. Simpson and everyone at WCE stuck by him. Despite his old man's illness, he's four hours away, not in another country. A few blokes could learn a lesson if that's how it plays out.