Hopeful Demon

I'm always at ease when Sparrow takes a set shot.

Umm... no. If anything, the rise of Jackson actually improved Gawn's game last year. It allowed him to become far more damaging up forward. The PF against Geelong was a great example of that. Fritsch, Tmac, Sparrow and Hunt aren't in great form. That being said, I'm not worried about those four players either given that it's only round 2.

Tough on Brayshaw again. He doesn't need 30 disposals to play his role for the team.

I'll take it. We may have been scrappy but the game was played in very difficult conditions and Gold Coast are generally dangerous team early in the year. I was very impressed with some of our young players. Luke Jackson is an absolute gun. I'm amazed that Bowey has only played 9 games. He's already playing like a senior footballer.

That was the definition of a gutsy win. I was thrilled with the way in which we were able to stop the bulldogs' momentum in the second quarter. It reminded me of how mature we've become as a club. Once again Petracca showed that he loves playing in big games. His goal late in the last quarter was an absolute beauty. ANB has really impressed me over the past 12 months. He's become one of the first few players picked every week.

Very good analysis but you were hard on Brayshaw. His defensive efforts were brilliant and I thought his disposal was effective for the most part.

I love Oliver's humility. I wouldn't blame him if he called himself the best player in the league.

Dean Jones, Rodney Marsh and Shane Warne have all passed away within a year and a half. That's difficult to sink in.

Fritsch is one of those players who can go from having a shocking game to an excellent game in a very short amount of time.

Are players seriously not allowed to show frustration anymore? Footy is an emotional sport, ffs.

The exact opposite of how he normally plays.

Langdon's workrate has been immense.

What an absurd comment. I wasn't around during Flower's time but he was considered an all-time great long before his death, so no one has started to 'overrate' him. Having a controversial opinion doesn't always make you right.

Aaron Davey. One of the most skilful players I have ever seen. He could play in just about any position.

I've always felt a bit sorry for Hogan. In his early years he looked destined to become our best forward since David Neitz and it's a pity that his career hasn't panned out in the way everyone expected. He has had some off field issues over the years but he really does seem like a great guy personally. I would really like 2022 to be a redemption year for him.

Wow Tmac is in the top 3 after round 15. I think that's deserved though. His first half of the year was close to All-Australian quality.

I imagine that Oliver, Petracca, Lever, Gawn and May will be our top 5. Oliver should finish first based on consistency. I'm expecting Viney to finish in the top 10. He may have missed some games due to injury but he's rated very highly by the club.

Petracca's obviously more explosive and more exciting to watch in significant games (e.g. Anzac Eve and the finals) but I feel that Oliver produces his best football on a more consistent basis. That being said, the Petracca/Oliver debate is probably redundant. We should just feel really lucky to have both. They're easily the best midfield duo I've ever seen.

Yes Garland was an underrated player. He didn't have many superstar attributes but his commitment was excellent and he was actually fairly versatile. I remember in Neeld's first year he was a major influence on our upset win over Essendon with his two goals in the last quarter. Pity he played for us when we were at our lowest point.

I don't see why we'll have a flag hangover. We have a very mature playing group. The way in which the team conducted itself during the finals series was impeccable. Instead of getting too carried away by each victory, they resumed focus and kept training hard. That sort of attitude was a major reason why we ended up winning the flag. The main thing that we should avoid is injuries. If the team remains fit next year, we should be well-placed to win another flag.

Quite possibly my favourite player at the moment. His first 10 weeks or so were All-Australian quality. He went through a slight form slump in middle of the year but he thankfully returned to his best just before the finals series. His goal in the last quarter of the Grand Final deserves more attention. His ability to run all the way from the backline to the forwardline and take a mark was unbelievable.

I never understood why he copped so much criticism in the home and away season. When players return from foot injuries, it can take some time for them to get back to their best. His performance during the finals showed why the club rates him so highly. He was easily in our best 3-4 players across the entire finals series. We're clearly a better side when he's in the team.

As he should have. His only season that was well below par was 2019, when the entire team was struggling. He actually showed glimpses in 2020 but kept getting dropped after one or two ordinary games. I think 2021 gives the best indication of how good he really is. He was excellent.

Oliver's 2020 season: AA squad and top 10 brownlow finish Buckenara: "Oliver is replacable." Petracca's 2020 season: AA midfielder and top 2 brownlow finish Buckenara: Lists Petracca as a b-grader I get the vibe that this guy has never watched Melbourne very closely.

He was one of my favourite players. He was easily the best small defender in the competition during his peak years (2017-2018). He was one of the most brave and loyal players we'll ever see and his field kicking was elite. Jetta and Jones retiring in the same year feels like the end of an era.