Damo

I think with Salem, Lockhart and probably Rivers and Hore coming through, we can accommodate Harmes in the mid field.

On the positive side, I saw better work by Spargo and Weid. I hadnt taken into consideration Spargo's reduced pre-season. I do really like Lockhart and Bedford and I wish I could distinguish them better! Until they turn to show their numbers Im not sure which one it is, other than if it is the back half its probably Lockhart.

I think Hibberd for all his work, just has no clue in disposing. He considers his options and always goes long to a pack. Reminds me of Brent Moloney. It always comes straight back. For all his possessions I think his days are numbered. And we dont look to give forwards many benefits, it is still coming in long to the pack. I often saw a forward waiting with 2 or 3 opponents for a long ball to arrive. G.Lyon was all over it. I have not been a big fan of his media work but gazza has turned into an interesting commentator IMV.

FT - Strong final term from the boys taking the game on with run and carry through the middle #VFL Goals C Wagner 1, Rivers 1 Casey 2.12 24 - @BoxHillHawks 11.7 73

Casey kicks its 1st goal 3 minutes into last qtr. 16-49 Box Hill.

Well neither of the twitters seem to have anything more than every 10 minutes or so. Maybe Its me, im not big on Twitter. Radio 3SER is a no go as well. Do we have any correspondents at the game?

I think Jackson brings something unique. While raw he can ruck, rove and play forward tall and small. He probably lacks defensive wiles but his disposal is generally smart. His ability to just always have a crack is so pure that Id play him straight up.

Tomlinson missing targets but Langdon kicking over his shoulder. Thats [censored]. May trying to drill passes too low and intercepted.

I shouldnt be this excited.

In one of the Insta vids you can see HB lead at a ball and then have to speed up to take it out in front. He seemed to suddenly go so much quicker. Id love to see him up against a decent Half back when he is leading to a long kick. We wont know how he is going until we see Hib or Harmesy speeding up with him to spoil.

Most photos of Gaz Snr marking show him either looking at the ground or eyes shut. I noticed this years ago and someone said he already knew he marked it before it actually was in his hands. Hmmm. Then I heard someone say that he can watch the kick off the boot and run to where the ball will land without watching the arc which helped his run. Nothing would surprise me, I envied cat supporters and the only matches Id go to without Demons playing would be to see him. Edit: Please start AFL! in this summer of our discontent.

We also have to beat the crowd, probable local umpires and the trip. Admittedly WC have to do the same at the G but the G isnt a coliseum of hate and booing. Id be happy if Darling, Yeo or Gaff werent up to scratch.

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I guess Sauce is Oscar Baker. I thought the aviation Alphabet for B was Baker but it is in fact Bravo. I was toying with Pilot or Foxtrot...

Is his one dimension; toughness, ability to break open packs and get the ball, set tackling standards, have opposition watch out for him when he is needed to show captaincy in last quarters or to make other teammates around him walk taller? They are the dimensions I see.

Its like we all know each other yet we are bashing trolleys to get to the dunny paper.

It gets up my frock when the players we love to watch go through a bad patch and get slagged off here. Tmac Gus and Viney in particular. I wish more posters would hold their bottle and see a couple of real games before looking for problems. Every other team would love these players to be available.

Sounds like he has gotten through the 9/10 weeks of no running after surgery in a good way, and now can start running and light training. This is what we were told. All on track for the Harley.

You are not watching the caring and community Hell and Back, obviously.

Essendon or Sydney for wooden spoon Id say. But I hope Carlton.

G.Lyon is right. It was overly aggressive. If he doesnt get a week, it should be used as defense (which is unallowed apparently) for someone else. If I were to pick the outcome, Id say it deserves a week but because it is west coast, they will get off.

Im definitely in the "No Injuries to top 12 players" camp. (is there one?) This survey by professional writes/tipsters is very sobering compared to our discussions on DL. If we get our best new players playing to their potential, they will probably surprise a few journos as they havent as yet really associated them with Melbourne. Langdon, May, Tomlinson, Bennell, Lever. Then if TMac Gus AVB and Viney are back to their best form, Im tipping them even in round one. All that being so we would have to crack the top 4 at least. Unfortunately you can make a case that if many other sides are injury free as well it makes it very difficult. We bat deep but at least 5 others do as well. As opposed to say North and Carlton who rely solely on their 5/6 best players. Bulldogs is a potential big thing IMV.

I was impressed with Courtney. I think he could well challenge Preuss and Bradtke for a ruck spot.

Dont write him off yet. he had a bad game, he only needs to turn on a few moves and everyone will love him again. He has too many very good assets to let him slide away for lack of disposal at times.

Brown lacks the ability to ruck. But without wanting a philosophical debate about rucking and roving to the other ruckman, I think his ability to provide a target inside 50 moves him into 2nd place for me with TomMac in 1st.