dee-tox

One thing to draft them. Another to develop them. Chandler and ANB have hardly been overnight successes.

Port are a better team with Horny Francis. He is a Nathan Buckley like.

As bad as Taylor is, (he is unbelievably bad) I was pleasantly surprised with Daisy Thomas and Selwood as special comments. Certainly an improvement on the likes of Ling and Hodge.

Thought Chandler was fantastic. His contested stuff brilliant. 7 tackles. Great goal from boundary. Gave him votes Hugely improved player. Glad he was out there

Not on TV. Was on screen on multiple occasions.

Bit unlucky I thought. In real time it is just a glancing blow. He was off balance a bit....

Or he missed three very gettable goals which puts the pressure back on us. A 3-4 goal buffer instead of a 6-7 goal buffer. What stood out most though is Melbourne pride themselves on contest and defence. Billings provides none of that. His kicking and ball use against Hawthorn was good. They gave him space. In tight contested games like Port and this one, he doesn't want to know about it which is very un-Melbourne like.

6. Tracc 5. Max 4. Chandler 3. McVee 2. May 1. Fritta Apologies to Lever, Sparrow and the Duke.

Two not so positive aspects. What's happened to JvR's marking? Hard hands tonight. Had the chance to mark four or five times 20 to 30 out. Bounced off his hands. And Billings. Not convinced he likes the heat of battle and kicking was abysmal.

Good to win in different ways. Kicking for goal was very ordinary tonight. Good team effort. Loved Howes in the last. Petracca best on ground. Fritta three goals in third. McVee in first half.

Plenty to like. Chandler's goalkicking. Petracca's game. Petty competitive. McVee is such a gun. TMac playing his role. Kozzie making an impact. Dislikes: Billings seems to hear footsteps. Howes seems overawed. Three talls with Petty, JvR and BBB seems one too many.

Started well but intensity dropped off mid way. Terrible kick from Rivers at that stage of the quarter. McVee has been great despite one Rankine goal. May some great marks. Can we play BBB out of the square? Looks unnatural him chasing down defenders.

Started brilliantly last season with multiple three goal hauls but by the end of the season wasn't contributing on the scoreboard or doing as much defensively. Has had a good to start to 2024. Makes you wonder what duress he is under with his knee. Is a tough little buggar and he and he ANB have showed the way to date. But would rather he be firing at the business end of the season so if Spargo, Kolt and others can keep the seat warm then we shouldnt hesitate doing that...

Generally speaking, Aussie Rules fans are far too parochial and critical of umpiring decisions. All you hear on Monday's after the weekend are so called fans whinging about umpires costing them the game. So much so that there is some conspiracy attached to it . Mistakes are made and there will be inconsistencies like most sports. But Aussie Rules is so difficult to adjudicate. There is so much happening at one time. So much grey area. 36 players often in a confined space. There has been a trend of late in deliberately burrowing your head into an opponent, rugby league style. But how can you police it? Players duck their head all the time. We were taught as kids to burrow into packs to get the ball. I worry it just adds another layer of complication to an already difficult game to adjudicate.

Fair enough. Thanks for the info.

If Chandler is in doubt would they consider AMW? Has been consistent in the VFL and seems a like for like? McAdam still seems a week or two away.

This Jagga Smith bloke plays well every week! Averaged 30 as an underager last season.

Might look at Hore and the suggestion of swapping Billings is a good one. Four day break is tough after such a gruelling game.

Maybe he is what they call a late maturer? Set shot kicking, work in close, gut running, tackling... he's doing it all now!

The form of Pickett, Billings and JvR were the worries...

Thought his free kicks against were bit naive. But positions himself well.

6. ANB 5. Max 4. Viney 3. Langdon 2. BBB 1. Lever Apologies to Clarry who was massive in last.

Immense win. Oliver's last quarter was incredible. BBB incredibly effective. ANB best third quarter I've seen from him. Viney a warrior. Soldo was competitive but Max stood up.

ANB has been fantastic

Jefferson 7 marks sounds ok