Lord Nev

Because that's what I said... Clearly the concepts of list maturity & depth, the practicalities of list management and our trade position this year, player roles, team strengths & weaknesses are a bit above the pay grade, or perhaps attention span, of some.

Average score so far this year (on quick maths) is 61. So hardly call 55, 61 and 64 "big scores". Can't be bothered responding to the rest of your thinly veiled excuse for an insult post. Cheers.

55 points, 103, 61, 64. You sure hate to exaggerate hey. Catch ya again after the next Blues game I suppose. Cheers.

My argument was he would be a mature and reliable key forward while Weid and Jackson develop. I'm a Weid fan, but you're not seriously talking averages after 2 games? What are Jackson's averages in that time btw? If you're happy with TMac as our prime mature key forward, then that's your opinion. I feel it's a weakness in our team at the moment which is why I suggested 3 peak age free agent key forwards that were realistic targets. Nothing shows more of a lack of understanding of the game than people who think every player is either an absolute star or absolute spud.

Averaging more goals, marks, tackles, contested marks, marks inside 50, score involvements, clearances, metres gained and more; all by a pretty decent amount. TBF tho, McDonald has him covered for handballs, so it's a line ball call at this stage.

Needs to find form, but we had both he and Gus in the team at the same time previously, so don't think their roles exclude each other.

On what basis exactly is a player who is yet to debut ranked above 9 others who have?

Turned 26 today. Out of contract at end of year so potentially gettable. Just going to point out you suggested that trade haha! I've mentioned it a couple of times here. Move Salem up to Gus' role, Saad to Salem's spot. Salem's short kicking could be very handy going inside our 50 IMO. Just a thought.

Saad?

"Proud To Belong" would be an annual event...

Good intel @goodwindees vandenBerg to miss two matches

Thanks mate! Have heard a little about who we rate but tbh I don't follow the draft as closely anymore so don't have much of an idea about who they are etc. Appreciate the info.

Yeah, he's definitely gradually finding his game. And you're right about 2018, although that was his first post-concussions season I think and the first helmet season (?), so may not be exactly the same scenario, but do still wonder if that's something that effects him.

Have posted it before, and understand some don't like the idea, but Gus for Saad and then Salem takes Gus' role?

Love it mate. Think he's gettable at all? Out of contract?

@dazzledavey36 can i get your expert (or at least more expert than me) opinion on a few juniors you may know of? Kaine Baldwin, SA Logan McDonald, WA Jackson Callow, TAS Have heard that, as far as key forwards go, these are kids we may look at.

What's the go with Ian mate? Don't know much about him other than his brief AFL career so far. Did you see him in the juniors? Strengths? Know you often have the good word on players junior careers.

Got a lot more hope in him this year than last. Despite the few lapses here and there it feels like he's finding his way. And tbf, probably harsher on his kicking when he's not getting it as much.

Delete please mods.

I never said "fudging kicks all over the place". With that perspective let's have some accuracy hey? As I said in my post, I recognize it's not black and white. He did some bad, he did some good.

Disposal efficiency is not a good state mate. Has no context around it and there's certain circumstances where you can turn it over but it be counted as an 'effective disposal'. At least with clangers it's straight up. Not sure I'd be praising a bloke too much for putting in a second effort to clean up his own mistakes. Bit of a nil all draw I would think. I didn't say he was poor, I said some of his kicks were poor. I also made it clear I wouldn't be dropping him. Doesn't have to be all as black and white as you're trying to make it. He cost us the first goal, he absolutely fudged some kicks, didn't get a ton of it, BUT he stayed outside the contest, used space, the score involvements is a great sign and if he just cleans up the kicks and manages to concentrate for 100% of his game time then we are a MUCH better midfield with him there.

From a super quick look it seems most teams are traveling A LOT.

Round 9 – Melbourne v Port @ Gabba Details: Thursday, 30 July – time TBC Round 10 – Melbourne v Adelaide @ Adelaide Oval Details: Wednesday, 5 August – time TBC Round 11 – Melbourne v North Melbourne @ Blundstone Arena Details: Sunday, 9 August – time TBC Round 12 – Melbourne v Collingwood @ Gabba Details: Saturday, 15 August – time TBC Fixture update: Dees set for four games in three weeks

I'm a big May fan so I may lean more towards the good when things are a bit 50/50. Definitely loving Oscar since he's come back in and glad Goody has swallowed his pride a bit and gone a bit more 'traditional' with the setup. Our backline is really becoming the strength it should based on the talent there.

Sorry mate, not here. Thought May defended really well as well as had some really productive disposals. OMac didn't seem to be called on as much and his disposals tend to be more 'safe', which is totally fine of course, just comparing it to how May uses his kicking to attack and set up play. Reckon "spoiling team mates or mindlessly bombing out of the defence" is a bit harsh for mine. May's getting better every week, especially now that Oscar is so solid meaning he can focus a bit more on his own game.