Chook

Oliver's not a team player.

The Melbourne players in the final quarter against the Hawks players:

Leaver leaving his man to take that mark in the middle of the ground was so smart. His man was out of the play, so he left him and took the mark. Langdon you star! Who said you couldn't kick.

After an awful 1st quarter, ANB holds his spot this week you'd think.

Welp, if Brown kicks 4 in the last quarter we might have to fit him in next week too.

BIG MAXXY GOES BOOM!!!!!

Lever, amazing to win that 2 on one marking contest in defence.

Burgoyne had the ball, went to ground, put the ball on the ground, then slapped it away, all with no one tackling him. Isn't that incorrect disposal?

McDonald's argument is he didn't know it was a free, so how can he take advantage.

McDonald is cracking in and playing great. Fighting very hard to retain his spot as my avatar, in spite of Langdon's brilliance.

Didn't Jackson take the mark as well as the free? Pay the mark, and let Jackson go back and kick it. Academic, but we get there in the end.

No way McDonald goes out of the side on this week's performance, even if both those guys come in.

Ed Langdon is just a gem. Carrying us so well today when a lot of others aren't quite wanting to work hard enough. He'll never stop working. Might need to change my avatar soon.

Brown looks like he's stepped out of one of those early 2010's sides. Just nowhere near it.

Keeps his spot no doubt next week. In Jetta, Out Petty.

You feel we'll get there today, but only just. This is simultaneously promising but also deflating. The talent is there, and we're doing some individual brilliancce things that will probably win the day, but the effort isn't always there. Would love to not have our best 3 forwards out. Also, Jonesy I love you but it's time. Get your 300 this year, but not next week. Next week is too important.

Frosty headbut, gentle as it was, is not on. Dog move.

You can see this is clearly a game we'd normally lose, but we've got the talent and the system that can get us over the line even with everything else going wrong. Langdon's run, Lever's calmness, Gawn and Jackson and Pickett. All these guys are giving us a way out when we'd in past years have gotten totally blown off the park.

Awful defending from Tomlinson.

Actually great goal you're forgiven now Melk. Just do that all day today and I'll be happy. Much needed goal.

Yep. I'm perfectly happy to put a line through Melksham forever now.

Pretty sure we did the former last week. Forwardline is at Casey. Hawthorn are red hot on us when we get the ball, and are able to shrug some important tackles when they have it. Their intensity and speed is better today so far, and that's not to do with personnel but with attitude. The challenge has come early this round. What have we got?

ANB and Rivers both clear worst on ground for us. Everything they do turns to Hawthorn goals and opportunities. We're going to have to earn this one today, as our forwardline looks poor and our defence is shaky with Petty and Rivers down there not doing great.

Bit of Tom Hawkins there from Wiedeman just pushing his ruck opponent off and collecting the ball, then through for a goal. Wied is an absolute lock for AFL next week.

Nek minnet after that does a fresh airy trying to handball the ball.