Monbon

North actually played reasonable football in the last three quarters: they have some good young players. Despite their ability to win the ball, their forward line was obliterated by our boys, and there are weaknesses in their back half. It does worry me that both Schache and Van R hardly touched the ball. I loved Chandler, Neale Bullen, Sparrow and Rivers and Bowey, not to mention the relatively consistent contributions of Pickett and Fritsch.

6: Petracca 5: Chandler 4: Brayshaw 3: May 2: Grundy 1: Rivers.

Me thinks that Hardwick's days as a successful coach are numbered. I have hated him since the 2000 Grand Final when he and Wallis assaulted Brad Green, a nineteen year old. Had that happened outside a football field both would have been jailed.

Beautifully put.

I think the anti May analysis of this game is a bit tough. From watching the replay, I noticed that Riewoldt was a long way away from May in some of his goals...I thought May was solid.

A good win in the circumstances. The facts to consider are that Pickett and Fritsch had lean nights, as did Van Rooyen until the last quarter. Richmond are not that far from being a very good side. Had they kicked straight... Some of the umpiring decisions/non-decisions were farcical. They were also inconsistent... I liked the way Brayshaw and Richmond's Pickett helped each other to get up after a contest, and there was a similar incident of mutual respect in the last quarter. The game was played in good spirit.

6: Viney 5: Oliver. 4: Gawn 3: Langdon 2: Lever 1: Petracca

I'm turning 73 in less than 4 hours, have recently retired and the only thing I want more than good wine, and Melbourne winning, is the thought of living somewhere between Goolwa and Encounter Bay. Normanville/Yankalilla also sound fine. I worked in the wine Business and have been to SA over 50 times, mainly to McClaren Vale and that area. Apart from it being God's own country, anywhere north of the areas I mentioned get too hot for me in summer...

Nobody loved G.Baker as a player more than yours Truly. Jolly was forced to play number 2 to Jeff White, went to Sydney, Collingwood, played in premiership sides for both and played 237 games all up. Also, Gary Baker only played 5 games for Sydney when he left after 1981 - his knees were rooned, as they say. I recall some of his best work was his marking ability, especially when he played Back against the resting opposition Ruck Forward.

Agree with you on most points. I had to fit Spalding in, but methinks maybe you underestimate Hogan's performances - most in an ordinary side: Set to debut in Round 1, 2014, Hogan's senior career was stalled when it was revealed that he had stress fractures in his back shortly before the season started. Despite initial predictions that he would only miss a few weeks he was placed on the long-term injury list on May 1. He returned for one Casey game late in the year but did not make his senior debut until Round 1 the following year. Hogan effortlessly stepped into senior football the next year, kicking 44 goals despite Melbourne having another low scoring season and winning the Rising Star award. In an improved side in 2016 he produced close to the same numbers as his debut year, but struggled late in the season after a fast start. He then had a troubled 2017, suspended early in the season before losing his father to cancer and then being diagnosed with the disease himself and undergoing surgery. He returned later in the year, suffered a broken collarbone, returned again then injured his hamstring in the last game of the year. He had a more successful 2018 campaign, playing 20 games and kicking 47 goals before a foot injury ended his season after Round 21. He kicked 152 goals in 71 games and as you read above, severe injuries hardly helped his cause. With regard to Thompson, I'll play the 'just because they're named on the bench doesn't mean they won't start in the opening 18'...Have a look at the side as published yesterday...Chandler on the Half Back Flank...

Which is the Smith in the right back pocket?

You ask my wife: I'm NEVER wrong!

I'm not doubting: was it before or after his Adelaide stint?

Played 7 games...Talk of any Demon side post 1964 must mention Jakovich in some context!

Demonwicki lists 1 Hart- played 1 game in 1943...Who is this Ben Hart?

Yep: Woewodin and Wilson...Unforgivable in both cases.

Yes: I missed too many: Howe, Bruce, Bishop, Armstrong, Parkes, Trengove, Dunne, Yes, I have no love for Scully.

Tingay didn't play a game at the Swans: he was injured all the time....

That's what I thought and meant.

Backs: Walsh Frawley Hughes Half Backs: McLean Rivers Spalding Centres: Alves Wells Lovell Half Forwards: Pyke Hogan Watts Forwards: Farmer Jakovich Healey Rucks: Jolly, Barassi, Elshaugh Bench: Thompson, Dyson, Keenan, Byrne, Charles

Also, I forgot about Stephen Powell....And my biggest blunder: Carl Ditterich

Then again, I based the side on players who 'played' for other AFL sides in the Firsts... Farmer would make my side of Fabulous Melbourne exports...Scully would not be considered for selection...

I wondered that as well. He played over 60 games in Hawthorn Reserves. If that was counted, he'd be the first picked. Then there's Ricky Jackson...

You are absolutely correct: he came 3rd in 1980: apologies...

By Imports, I mean players from other AFL clubs.