Chook

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.

I'm only watching on TV, but I could see them only bringing in Wiedeman next week. Ben Brown moves awkwardly at the best of times, but he still looks a little bit off. Wiedeman is moving like a Ferrari or a Jaguar, while Brown's moving a bit like a ute with a trailer on it.

Arguably we've won so many 8 point games that they've all turned into 4 point games. We're in the top four calculations now, which brings with it a whole other set of 8 point games. Bring it on.

Totally. I was incredibly frustrated to see the Saints playing finals footy last year while we were in no mans land, but at no stage did I think what they were doing was sustainable. I've never thought the Blues were ahead of us, even in 2019.

So you don't rate the demons then. If you're still unsure, then you already know the answer.

I reckon people are underrating the Dogs and overrating the Tigers. Dogs are far and away the best side this year. We just have to hope they drop off as the year progresses, and we have to hope the Tigers stay right where they are.

Now that's a good stat.

First time I've ever barracked for the Giants. Felt good to get a win in my first outing for them.

I would've sidled up and given him a sly little "PositiveLingers" out of the corner of my mouth. You're not a real Melbourne supporter if you don't know what PositiveLingers means.

Good on him. Hope he can get his life and career back on track. Still just 26 I believe.

Totally agreed, This tendency for clubs to "rebuild" in the AFL (with the associated 2-3 or more years of consistent terrible performance) is an indictment on the AFL because it basically shows the only way clubs have of developing their young players is by exposing them and the club to consistent beltings in the top-level competition. To borrow a phrase from my industry, it's the epitome of "testing in production." Any business that does that is amateur at best.

I'm never going to begrudge a player for moving to the club they supported as a kid. Even if it is Collingwood. (Hope Christian Petracca never reads this though).

If the AFL is serious about gambling abuse they should look at the hideous amount of gambling advertisements everywhere across all platforms they control.

Martin rested vs the Suns.

Dogs and Port are both the real deal. No way either is losing today, as much as I also want to see it happen.

They'll get absolutely torched by quicker sides, especially those who have talls who can bring the ball to ground consistently and not get outmarked by the WCE talls. I have the utmost fear of West Coast after witnessing that harrowing day in 2018 first-hand, but I think we can legit bring it to them with our list and gameplan even over there.