Dee-tonator

Interesting views here on our drafting strategy. I believe Lindsay and Langford (like Windsor) have the making of long-term elite contributors, which any aspiring top-four team has to have. To get them we had to make some sacrifices on picks which could have been used to build depth. For me, quality always counts more than quantity. Anyway, drafting has never been an exact science (eg Max Gawn hasn't done badly for a pick 34) and I have every confidence in our current draft decision-makers.

Five goals for Turner in VFL today. Could replace any of our forward flops, especially Fritsch.

May - failed to dominate Petty - doesn't seem interested Howes - far below standard McDonald - off the pace Rivers - struggled under pressure Salem - hitting skids now Bowey - lively and productive Lindsay - really bad luck Viney - poor distribution again Gawn - on the decline? Langford - skills are promising Billings - selection a mystery Langdon - wasted on inside Oliver - too many errors Sparrow - just lumbered along Petracca - seldom in game Sharp - lacks necessary skills Henderson - just a plodder Chandler - good work rate Fritsch - useless at everything Johnson - VFL standard strongman. Van Rooyen - never troubled defenders Melksham - had little influence

6 Bowey - classy all-round performance. 5 Langford - looks the real deal. 4 Chandler - busy all day. 3-2-1 Take your pick from the rabble.

Must be Fritsch's worst performance ever.

This is no longer embarrassing. It's totally humiliating.

When players continually fumble simple passes, kick aimlessly and miss tackles, it's not the coach's fault. Whatever tactics are employed, multiple players who can't get the basics right will lose matches. And that's where we are right now.

May in, a big plus. Wiped out by...... Howes for Lever I hope Melksham has a blinder tomorrow. He has fought so hard to get his body back into shape for one final crack at the big time.

Point 1: We are badly missing the powerful presence of May, the positional awareness of McVee and the X-factor of Pickett. Point 2: Howes has now had enough chances for the call to be made that he is not an AFL-standard defender. Maybe Rivers needs to provide cover there until the injury situation eases. Point 3: Shifting Langdon from his specialist position on the wing seemed daft before the North game and would be even dafter if persisted with. Point 4: Spargo looks as if he needs at least a couple of runs in the VFL after such a long layoff. Point 5: Are we going to run Gawn into the ground again this season without providing a proper backup ruck? Hard to swallow as it is, he was outplayed by Xerri. Point 6: Yes, it was a terrible day at the office, but wholesale changes are a non-starter, given the injuries we have. However, Langford surely deserves a chance in the starting lineup this week. Point 7: With the honourable exception of Oliver, some of last week's flops need to take a long, hard look at themselves.

My pre-season optimism is evaporating like mist in the desert sun.

Sad at seeing the Cats somehow keeping their claws sharp yet again. Delight at the Dockers' implosion. Can you be happy and sad at the same time?

Fritsch is a reliable goal-kicker when he can find space but he has about as much appetite for the contest as a mouse would against an elephant.

So far we have been a distant second best in basic skills, ball movement, marking contests, pace and kicking accuracy. Apart from that, Goody will tell you everything is going to plan.

Goodwin said at quarter-time that JVR had a back spasm early on and would not be back today.

If we serve up this kind of rubbish for the rest of the season Goody is doomed.