dee-tox

To be fair even the best players in the comp are flawed. If you look at last year's Brownlow Medal the top handful (Neale, Boak, Petracca and Dangerfield) are as likely to kick a point as a goal. StKilda's Steele and Dusty are the exceptions. Good players have more clangers because they have the confidence to try more. With that said, I wouldn't mind Gawn kicking goals from 20 metres out and Oliver kicking a goal! The set shots against the GWS were deflating and could be costly.

If our forwards continue to work hard to put pressure on the opposition's defence then we're a chance to break down Geelong's short/possession game. In theory, it could be a battle of the gameplans. We could run Geelong off their feet with quick ball movement but it depends on the quality of our disposal, especially coming out of defence. Geelong are also good at getting first use with Guthrie and O'Çonnor the kings of clearances. Mitch Duncan seems to be back in form while Tom Stewart provides plenty of rebound. We'll need a defensive tag on him. I'd also like someone to put the clamps on Myers but not sure Nev is quick enough. I think we'll be too quick and too fit for them but Geelong have an annoying way of winning ugly.

Interesting insight. Thought Young was excellent against us.

Montagna was the one that called Neal Bullen 'Neale' like Lachie Neale at the end of the third quarter! But generally provides decent insights into the game.

One thing I have noticed with Sparrow is his willingness to shepherd, block, tackle and do the one percenters. Any replacement in the midfield needs to do the same.

Looks three times fitter and three times more confident than last year. Then again we threw him in the deep end last year. Jordan Lewis was right in his assessment pre season.

Winning ugly is a good characteristic. GWS played pretty decently at times and have some talent. The positives were the second year players Jackson, Kozzie and Rivers. Brayshaw was more involved. Langdon over 900 metres gained. Fritta kicking 3 did his job. Hunt was lively but his kicking could improve TMac was double teamed and given little room to move because of GWS flood. Nev struggled as did Jones.

6. Gawn 5. Pickett 4. Jackson 3. Langdon 2. Hunt 1. Salem

Couple of observations. That blonde umpire has ruined the game. Gus and Jacko playing well. Forward line is not looking flash. GWS are excellent defensively.

These pieces by Russel Jackson are top notch and prove there is a place in the world for a long read, not just shallow, sensationalism that we're too often served up nowadays ... Reading Owen's story it is hard not to feel empathy for his victims. As much as he has now turned his life around, the trail of damage he left was extraordinary. I saw that first hand at a suburban club where, as a spectator, he started an all in brawl in the crowd that ended in multiple ambulances arriving.

Suns are still a bit too reliant on their older/reject players like Greenwood, Ellis, Witts, Harbrow, etc. Their midfield still needs work and depth and they need to wait two or three years for King and Lukosius to come on. Dew is doing a good job with them though.

McCluggage and Lyons aside, Bears are ordinary. Not top four.

Will be interesting to see what the next month brings with BBB starting to train again. Injuries and form will no doubt play a part. At the moment TMac is doing the job. Someone needs to outperform him or they play twos. As for the small and medium forwards they are going great guns at the moment bar Fritta's set shot kicking.

To me a better indicator of a premiership is the bottom six of each team. What I liked on Saturday are the performances of Jordon, Spargo, Kozzie, Rivers, Tomlinson, Nev and Jones. Aside from manic forward pressure, this is where we have improved and need to continue to improve. It's easier to play in a winning team but last year we had around 12 guys only that could do it.

Thought Max played a real team-first role on Saturday. Was worried about his first game, but this week took marks in the backline, did much better 'connecting' with the midfield and had Saints supporters lamenting 'we only kicked it to Gawn'! Would be good if he could contribute a goal or two but like I am with all players I'm happy if he just plays his role.

I thought Rivers' second half was better than his first! Harsh on Jordon and Spargo. Playing their roles superbly at the moment.

Might be a big statement, but is Spargo the best kick in the team? Salem, May, Fritsch (field kicking only), Melksham, TMac (set shots) are generally excellent but I reckon we have a new clubhouse leader!

Brayshaw should be the only one under scrutiny. Nev helped control their small forwards who we were all worried about coming into the game. Jones was useful. You have to persist with LJ even though he isn't starring.

Plenty to like. Dominated the Saints for two thirds of the game. Only reason they came back in the third was because of dropped marks in front of goal. Could have been a 10 goal win. Salem and Rivers were so important off half back. Surprised Rivers has been mentioned more. They are are our outside mids but also don't mind mixing it. The chasing and harassment in the forward line was first class. Kudos to ANB, Fritta, Spargo and TMac, etc. One of the best individual games I've seen from Oliver. Brilliant. Petracca while prolific was a bit too selfish and wasteful for my liking. He is a fair way off last year's form. Max played a great team role. Kozzy is getting there. Spargo was solid. Langdon needs to kick flatter while Brayshaw in my eyes didn't do enough. Jordon in the midfield is a point of difference which is encouraging. Does everything neatly and the one percenters.

Missing getable shots which is frustrating but have noticed his tackling and harassment this season is first rate. He'll click in the next couple of weeks and then lookout!

6. Oliver 5. Salem 4. ANB 3. Rivers 2. Kozzie 1. Max

Spargo, Kozzie, Jackson can't touch it. Tracca a liability.

Welcome back Jack too!

Guess good teams make the most of their opportunities. Fritsch, Brayshaw, etc. Oliver amazing. ANB great. Petracca is 40 percent down on last year. Langdon's kicking too loopy Salem good

Port are an impressive football club these days. Their recruiting is top notch. They look very well drilled and hardly a weak link.