Damo

I didnt think it was that bad after Jack Watts got up ok. I thought it was a free and to be honest thought Viney's response while great might be judged over compensating. It seems most D'landers think it was much worse.

6 Viney 5 Gawn 4 McDonald 3 Vince 2 Watts 1 Kent

Rance hit the deck faster than Sonny Liston

I find Harmes looking to hit up Hogan more exciting.

I got it wrong. I didnt think Jack would come good. Im very happy the wait was worth it. Id be gnashing my teeth if JW had been traded and this form was being enjoyed by another team.

My hatred of umpires gifting Hawthorn with Free kicks is inflamed by Fox commentators agreeing with them.

Wagner was ok but no-one expected more than that. Petracca might very well be fit enough. Sure it is a gamble but so is Jeffy's ankle, Frost Vs Pederson. The potential upside of CP5 outweighs the doubts for me.I understand not exposing kids too early but he is fast and built like an outhouse. I also see they may have decided that Brayshaw was underdone, but that shouldnt make the coaches flinch if they do believe he is up to it. I hope he is, he hits targets.

He may be slightly uderdone but its time to give the Tracc a run in the 1sts. If Wagner got a ride of the Valkyries I reckon there is more to gain than lose by holding him back now.

I understand Hogan played a fair bit a Centre half Back as a junior. He definitely needs to get out of the goal square and be at CHF or CHB. He has to: Move the ball quickly- no hand movements to players when he has a free or a mark No playing for frees even if they are there, no talk back to umpires Get on his bike

Lumumba seems to think his role is over as soon as he kicks it. He does gain yardage but his inability to kick through the middle of the ball to the advantage of a team mate is just not there. I havent ever seen it. He kicks in not even hope, he just gets rid of it. As has been said loudly (to me, in the past) "Would you hand ball to a non existent target? Would you D!ckhead?, then dont kick to one!"

Melbourne winner of the cleanest town award

I think Jeff Garlett is a big key to this game, we need to out think the strategies teams may bring to keep him under wraps. I wouldnt be surprised if he cops quite a few jumper punches early on to upset him.

That is one tough handshake. How good is this kid? Go Clarry!

These are the different levels I think about this game: We can pick from a nearly full list. We still have Petracca and others (lesser but still) to come back. The team we pick will be full of confidence and have won a couple of Nab cup games together. Pre-season normally leaves me upbeat then broken with a taste of salt and iron in my mouth; it'll crush me this year if yet again, there is no fool like an old fool. Jack Watts will be my preferred Centre Half forward if he repeats his last couple of games and is staunch. We are up against another real up and come-er.

I dont ever trawl through other posters carp, but this is quite an exception.

GWS says he is right to go. I hope Im overestimating Mumfords fitness. I think he is a champ.

3 quarter time and the Giants have cut back the Demons lead to 8 points... Every eye is on Max Gawn bent over sucking in the big ones. Jonesy Bernie and Brayshaw all talking quietly to him. Roos is calm and smiling, Goodwin wanting to say something but looks imploringly at Roos. Roos nods and Oliver who had only played 20 minutes so far is starting in the middle. Crowd is quiet. Richmond station master is aware its 3 quarter time and wonders where the normal crowd is...

My selection headache is that the one player Id have in, instead of Frost or Pederson is Spencer. I think this is a game where we really need to help Gawn out. No point saying we fought the hard fight and poor Gawny was overwhelmed by the Mummy. The difference between Frost or Peterson and a resting Spencer in the forward line is not large. The hardness he will bring to the contest when Max takes a break is. No use crying over someone who cant play but I can imagine Mummy dominating by mid 3rd quarter.

Id see him as in the mix for a forward pocket or HFF. Maybe not 1st choice but if Garlett or Watts are unavailable, I can see Jack as a medium smart thinking leading forward, like Delidio or Bartel. He is/was good overhead.

For me its also how many players are tackling mean. My view is that its Jack Viney's influence.

Ive seen him kick across his body in play from 50 or more although I cant remember if they were accurate. I think its the set shot thats shorter.

I think we will see Jack Grimes a lot this season, as he is adaptable to a few positions. He may be not in top 22 right now but its a long season.

He seems to have regressed to where he was before the start of last season. He had cleared most of it up. It didnt look that bad at training as it did yesterday.

I would have Oliver in for Grimes. Grimes slows down after he takes possession and takes a second before he looks up to see both his options and his opposition. Always does it, I dont think its fixable. Oliver speeds up. Sees 360 degrees. Its obvious already. Any position Grimes plays Oliver will do better IMO, but doesnt have as good a tank.Yet/Maybe.

Ralphy, In my lone training report I surmised that a few players were lackadaisical in their approach to training that day. I highlighted Watts and Petracca - who wasnt in the main group, as 2 who seemed very happy and relaxed in contrast to Trengove and ANB who seemed dedicated to their task. There may have been others who had said the same thing, but I withdraw my comments. After watching the Port game on the weekend and Watts efforts around the ground and his endevours to go up in front of packs for marks, I was happy to be wrong. The glass is a lot more full for me after last Saturdays game. I expect the Tracc to thrill me soon.