Skuit

Strangely, I consider the loss to Port in Alice after the bye the best we'd played all year.

Why are people still discussing Garland? Has this just been dismissed as patently false? It's massive if there's even a skerrick of truth to the rumour . . . A 24 y/o rejects a seven year contract at over 7million dollars in favour of a five year deal a year and a half out from the end of his current contract with free agency looming. With COLA coming to an end what could Sydney possibly be paying him? Has Roosy spooked his old club with a gambit to pry someone else loose? WELCOME TO THE MELBOURNE FOOTBALL CLUB - JOSH P KENNEDY

Hogan gets hit by the regular bus. #fistedforever

. . . this strange thing where I have to keep reminding myself that he isn’t one of our father-sons. There’s something almost destined or dynastic about Gus being at the Dees, like he’s been part of the fabric forever and there’s absolutely no question that he or Viney would ever go elsewhere. Maybe it’s because of his AIS stint with us and the sense that he was always our genuine first choice pick. Maybe I’m channeling the future. Or maybe he’s just a kid with ten games to his name who seems to actually give a stuff and the Geelong game has softened my brain?

Fitzpatrick bagged more goals in his single game in the Top End than Dawes has managed so far this year and Spencer has for his entire career (and I still blame Dawes for losing us that same match against the Bears by getting outmuscled and dropping a couple sitters in the last). But if we want to use Dawes to crash the packs, which Hogan will provide as well – freeing Howe from that second role from last week – then we need the same level of crumb and Spencer misses out. Fitzy in for back-up ruck duties while Gawn rests forward and Howe covers in defence (with the possibility of switching with Fitz down back depending on the conditions/opposition). Garland in for Bail. One of the Glenelg besties back down to sub. In: Hogan, Fitzpatrick, Garland Out: Spencer, Bail, Riley

No catharsis necessary. Give the lad a week off - just the standard managing the veterans. .

Can't wait to finally witness those midfield explosions when Roosy sends JV over to take care of Ollie.

How about playing Harry high? We're not getting a great return from his running off half-back and he would add some defensive pressure up forward. Already kicked more goals than Howe this year . . .

Perhaps MFCSS speaking, but it seemed the only players on our list outside of Tmac to have shown some positive signs of individual improvement so far this year were Viney (426), Salem (426) and Kent (?).