Dee-tonator

I have always been a Petracca fan but am getting slightly cheesed off with him. Nowadays he seems content to let rumours of his dissatisfaction swirl on and on at the end of every season, which is hardly calculated to endear him to the club or his teammates. It is high time he commits himself firmly to Melbourne or asks in a respectful way for a trade. Either way, he needs to remember that the club is bigger than any individual, no matter how talented.

If he were doing anything of the kind, which I very much doubt, he is not the sort of person I would want at my club.

Pointless to speculate on how King's reign will work out. Only time will tell. But am I alone in a slight feeling of relief that we didn't get Buckley? Somehow I find it hard to imagine a man with Magpie DNA being converted into a heart-and-soul Demon.

Not sure if I'd include Tholstrup in this group. I'd say the jury is still out.

It's sad to admit this, but if a combined Cats-Demons team was picked at the moment, we'd be lucky to get more than three or four players in the side. The intensity of Geelong's work rate, along with slick ball movement, completely tamed the Lions. In fact, their so-called "oldies" seem much fitter and faster than some of our youngsters. Perhaps we could spike the drinks of their list management team and, while they are under the influence, persuade them to trade Jeremy Cameron for Jefferson.

I am swimming against the tide on our two troubled stars. Oliver: KEEP. We would probably not get equal value in return for him, for reasons we all know about. And in the closing stages of the season he really lifted his game and showed he still has plenty in the tank. Petracca: KEEP. With one proviso. He really has to spend the entire pre-season working full-time on his erratic kicking skills. There's still a matchwinner lurking in there if he can get it right.

You nailed it, Joeboy. Sadly, that summary would make a depressing read for our incoming coach. We must live in hope.

6 Gawn - our everywhere man. 5 Salem - immaculate disposals. 4 Oliver - gave his all. 3 Petracca - but oh, that kicking! 2 Langford - constantly improving. 1 Bowey - tidy as usual.

Salem's disposals were accurate and well-judged, and far better than those of some of his teammates.

Howes must be shattered at the way a 33-year-old veteran ran rings round him. Great coaching to leave a youngster exposed in that way.

6 ----------- 5 ----------- 4 ----------- 3 ----------- 2 ----------- 1 Gawn 0 The rest (including Chaplin, who apparently thinks Sharp is best 22)

Judged solely on kicking accuracy, would Petracca, Viney and Oliver make the average VFL team?

May now looks like an old man trying to play a young man 's game. Sad to see.

Several thousand members are no doubt looking at this shambles and deciding they won't be silly enough to sign up again next year.

On this performance we may not get a single applicant for the coaching job. Perhaps we will then become known as the Melbourne Diabolicals.

Lack of talent is forgivable. Lack of effort is not.

Brendon Gale speaking. Oh, hi Nathan.

The spectre of the Neeld era looms large.

Gunston vs May has been like Usain Bolt vs a one-legged pensioner.

Our last two games could have a significant effect on the final ladder. It would show a lack of respect for the code if we selected anything less than our best available team. Suggestions that TMac be dropped just so a youngster can get a game are bizarre. He has been the kingpin in our defence for a good part of the season and has probably earned at least one more year. For a player who was written off by many two years ago, that's a remarkable performance. Fitness and form, not age, are the criteria for selection. If we win both games we might even help push Collingwood out of the top four. That is a worthwhile objective in itself.

May for Adams would normally make sense. But with only two games to go, you could make a case for giving the youngster some more AFL experience and letting May's battered body have a good rest before the next pre-season . Brown or Woewodin for Windsor? Either change will probably weaken the team. Not much use promoting Billings, who does not seem to feature in any long-term plans. As for the rest, everyone in today's team (with the possible exception of Sparrow) did enough to keep their place.

To the entire team: Restored some pride.

Form is temporary, class is permanent. And today showed why Judd McVee needs to be part of the Dees' future.

6 Langford - our next superstar. 5 Rivers - huge lift in form. 4 McDonald - sturdy and reliable. 3 Petracca - strong second half. 2 Oliver - worked his socks off. 1 Fritsch - he even chased and tackled! Merit award to Chaplin and the entire team for showing the kind of spirit that has been sadly lacking for too long.

Magnificent game of football. So proud of the tremendous fighting spirit our players showed for the first time in ages. Langford will be our next superstar. And Oliver looked hungrier for the contest than I have seen him for at least two seasons.