BDA

Melbourne were talked up preseason by David King because of the intensity of our training sessions. Where is that intensity now? We just cruised yesterday. Not acceptable. Rubbish effort. Sort yourselves out Dees.

That is the second poor game for pretty much everyone this season so I’m ok if goody wants to send a message to the Group and swings some changes. Lever and BBB are automatic inclusions if fit for Tomo and Melksham. I’m a huge fan of Spargo but maybe a run in the 2’s might help him. He’s just not his usual self at the moment. TMac? It’s getting harder to consider him best 22. His good games are too few and far between. I think he’s at a critical juncture. He needs to start performing otherwise he’s depth only.

The Brisbane game was a horror show and yesterday was nearly as bad. I don’t think the brains trust can put this down to a bad day at the office and move on. Some honest conversations required. No point talking about individual players because the whole team were shizen. We were totally outcoached for sure. Their ruck strategy worked a treat and the quick ball into their forwards had our defence scrambling all day. Essendon outworked us all around the ground. Their contest work was outstanding, and their defence stood up. Credit to them. They were very good and are a better team than I realised. But you can talk about game plan and tactics all you like but without the right attitude and appetite for work it means nought. They came to play and we didn’t. We need to find out this week why that was and address it. And I'm not buying fatigue as a reason. 9 days til Anzac eve. I expect a big response. And if we’re going to get beat let’s die with our boots on. No more of this half-hearted rubbish. Having Essendon pull our pants down like that is embarrassing.

I'm watching the replay and just seen some Essendon supporters in the crowd carrying on like nuffies. God help us all if they have a good season.

Tough pill to swallow I know but let’s remember

Worst performance since Brisbane. 3 games ago. Worrying signs.

This will be a good test to see if we can lift in the second half. Leaders need to lead

Great kick Melksham. badly needed too

Brayshaw playing well so far

i don;t like clarry's body language. Waving his arms at teammates Grundy easily our best so far

Defensively very suspect today. Draper having a party. Need to correct this at qtr time otherwise we're in strife

Petty form a worry

McVee had plenty of time to pick out a Dee. very poor kick

but thats a rubbish dissent 50 as well. get a grip ump

Tomo a weak link so far

lovely sequence and goal to fritschy. much better

Grundy good so far

We need Gawny back. he wouldn't allow this slack start.

don';t want the bummers to build a lead in case the rain comes. Might to hard to peg back

Bummers will give us a game today. we're off

And i should have said, Ben King wasn't much better.

He was very poor last night. Didn;t contest at all. No second effort. Poor body language waving his hands in the air ala Jesse Hogan. If he was a teammate of mine i would have given him some direct feedback post-game.

How many Essendon players would get into our team? Stringer perhaps, if he did a 6-week intensive strength and conditioning program. Merritt maybe. I like Ridley and Draper but we have superior players in their positions. We are a much better team and should be aiming for a regulation 5-6 goal win. If it's wet, we win by 15 if its dry we win by 35.

killer mistake

There was no milking. Vlastuin pushed him straight in the back. as blatant as it gets