BDA

Debate over. TMac plays forward. Close thread

Looks like Harmes is the new Melks. Divides opinion. No changes but we are lacking fluency and look tired. One or 2 changes won't really make much difference. Viney will come straight back in when he's fit but other than that its just shuffling deck chairs. We're grinding which is what you need to do sometimes but I would like to see a run of games where we just click. It looks like hard work at the moment. Unbelieveable to be 8-0 but the loss is just around the corner. Glad we're not facing the Doggies or Lions next up. The bye can't come soon enough.

Kozzie didn't have his usual impact on the ball but he kept the Sydney defenders occupied and applied plenty of pressure without the ball. His forward pressure is elite. I don;t like his staging and flopping around. He needs to cut that out of his game. I think it's counter productive because once you get a name for it the umps won;t pay free kicks that are there. He's young and still needs mentoring so i'd like to think Maxy or Steven May have a quiet word with him and tell him to knock it off.

Pretty sure the brains trust don’t plan on conceding the centre bounces and definitely not by 17-4. That’s terrible. I know our defensive shape is very solid but there’s no reason why we can’t have that and win our fair share of centre bounces. They are not mutually exclusive propositions. The problem starts with Maxy. He’s off at the moment. Not winning taps and no use at ground level. At least Dogga brings the ground ball capability so looks a better option at the moment. Hopefully Max can re-discover his touch and form because until he does we’ll struggle. I think part of the reason for the loss of form is the opposition work him over physically. Over the first 8 weeks how many belts to the back of the head has he copped. The accumulative impact is taking a toll. I don’t think it’s a coincidence his output has dropped since the Richmond game when the Nank, Lynch et al gave him a sly dig at ever single contest. I don’t know how you combat this because umpires don’t pay the free kicks as its low level but the damage accumulates.

Melks will always divide opinion. I understand why supporters get frustrated with his half-hearted efforts to tackle and apply pressure. It makes my blood boil when I see it. But. His link-up play and delivery is very good. We don’t have too many others in the team that offers what he does. As long as he keeps producing those score involvements he stays in the team for mine.

You learn something new everyday. Thanks dee-tox

6. TMac 5. Salem 4. May 3. Oliver 2. B Brown (we wouldn't have won without his goals) 1. Jordon

Uncomfortable, nervy match. The G was on tender hooks all game. Sydney were very good, don’t underestimate their quality, they made it really difficult for us. TMac outstanding and BOG. BB took his marks and kicked his goals. Our defence rock solid as usual. May shackled buddy and Salem very calm and composed. Thought he had a great game other than one errant handball which led to a swans goal. Centre bounce work not good enough. Can’t remember us winning too many. It’s becoming a theme. Needs to be sorted out. Harmes did ok. Gus is off the pace. Oliver hard at it on the inside but his field kicking is sub-par. Maxy ok but not great. Jackson looked a better option in the ruck. Langdon always provides an outlet. Another solid game from him. JJ played a nice game. Trac tried too hard. Needs to steady and execute. Nibbler much better after last week’s horror show. Spargo is so important for us. A nearly game for Kozzie but he kept the Sydney defenders honest. Always buzzing around and never gave them a second’s peace. Fritsch had a shocker. Melks was Melks, some good some bad. We’re 8-0 and not playing particularly well. Let’s re-set and go again. Go Dees

Didn't read the start of the thread so no doubt i've missed the point but what's wrong with Grand Old Flag. It's a superb theme song imho. Can''t wait to belt it out when we finally secure that drought breaking flag.

I believe in the Weid. He needs to keep fronting up in the VFL, take his marks and kick his goals. We'll have injuries i'm sure so he'll get his opportunity and when he does i want him to grab it with both hands.

I've tipped the Dees every round so far. Haven't been wrong yet. We'll lose a game this year but i don't think it will be tonight

My faith was shaken a little by our first half v North. But the Fritta appeal success and the Trac contract extension will have given the team a real boost. Confidence will be high. I expect a full throttle performance, apply the heat early and for the full 4 quarters. BB to start getting into his groove. May to shackle Buddy. The midfield to put in a dominant shift. The Swans have had a far from ideal preparation. Predicting Trac will be BOG Dees by 5 goals

Geelong moved the ball much better but Richmond’s trademark pressure just wasn’t there. Geelongs' legs aren’t getting any younger and the season is long. Let’s see what kind of shape they are in come finals time. We’ll bring the heat for a full game when we play them next. Richmond have a soft run of fixtures coming up so have time to get players back and into form. I’m not writing them off yet. Both these teams will finish top 4 I reckon along with us and probably Port. Brisbane a chance as well.

Richmond starting to make mistakes, dropping marks, getting caught with the ball

Decent game this

I reckon we'll see Kozzie take a few like that. He has wound up a couple of times but hasn't quite got the timing right.

Mark of the year

2 changes is enough. I thought Sparrow showed more than Harmes but the selection has been spot on all year. I've faith in the match committee's judgement. Reckon Jones was due a rest as well. Before the season started I would never have penciled him in for 7 straight.

Aside from the excitement of following the Dees at the moment I'm really enjoying the slow motion train wreck unfolding at Collingwood. We played North into form last weekend and I'm tipping them to roll the pies tomorrow. Hoping Jaidyn Stephenson can twist the knife and kick a swag of goals as well.

Kozzie is a game changer. The most exciting young player in the comp by far. AA and Norm Smith medal potential. Jason Taylor is some kind of genius.

Super impressive individual. Didn't realise she was a sports scientist. I reckon she'll be the president who presides over our next premiership.

We badly need a dominant key forward. If Tayla Harris is gettable then i would go hard. We'd need to do our due diligence as the stories about her lack of engagement and fitness issues are a concern. But if she is motivated and in the right frame of mind then she would be perfect for us.

My contention is most non ex-player sports journalists are very good in this country. The exception would be Robbo. On the other hand former players who go into media are hit and miss. Gary Lyon very good, J Brown speaks his mind, Nick Riewoldt iffy. Dunstall (albeit he really got on my nerves last weekend) usually very good. Dermie, King, Matthews and a few other should be retired.

I don’t mind Cornes. He’s opinionated and provocative, but isn’t that the point? I don’t look to him as the voice of reason or objectivity.

I think he has been scapegoated. The Grundy and Beams deals were ticked off at board level so above his head. He was one of a number of people responsible for this but ultimately interference from the board was the problem. That Beams deal is one of the worst ever signed by an AFL club and that one is Eddie's fault.