Demonised

Such a two-sided player, kicking off both right and left, gave him so many options.

I have a feeling that he's one of a number of our players who's overthinking it during the game - going through all the game plan details, required positioning, set play sequences and so on, and he gets a bit of of paralysis through trying to do the right thing, the thing others are expecting of him.

In 1964, as a very young footy fan, I saw Melbourne triumph (on the TV). I hadn't chosen a team, thought I'd get with the strength, kick back and enjoy flag after flag. 55 years later ...

I have an awful feeling that we actually had a very small premiership window in 2018. A couple of close losses meant we ended up in Perth for a Preliminary Final instead of the MCG and our window shut.

And how's 666 gone? Remedied the low scoring?

And Drew Morphett doing a lot of the commentary.

These days I watch our games hoping for a miraculous resurrection and once again I'll see the exciting, free flowing team of last year. Alas, it's not to be. That team has gone like the snows of yesteryear, like the hopes of decent umpiring, like the idea of not handballing at a team mate's feet. Gone, all gone, all lost. Adieu.

An answer will be given that justifies the decision and pointing out that Max was lucky not to have 50 awarded against him.

That was torture to watch.

When Hunt took that mark on the wing all by himself... In the old days he would have just taken off and headed for goal. Now, he stood and waited. I miss the old days.

I want Angus in the engine room, not out on the wing. It's where he played his best football toward the end of last year.

For decades, I've seen teams like Hawthorn and the Swans play like rubbish in games like this and then snatch a win, often from us. Now , we're doing it. Good.

Peralta!

Peralta!

Likewise the two handed scoop where the fist is somewhere limply behind the ball but the motive power comes from the other hand.

Confidence is a bubble, easily burst - and then you're left with nothing.

It's the weather I tell you! The games we've lost, it's been unseasonably warm, and we're a cold weather team. Winter is coming; watch us turn things around! Makes about as much sense as any other theory for our woes ...

Why do I get the awful feeling that JKH will be ready before Vanders or Joel Smith?

We're south of their border? Bizarre.

My plane trip home was almost a perfect blackout - left Cairns at 7 pm, arrived in Melbourne at 10.10 to find that Demons were up by 30 with four minutes to play. Still wasn't confident.

Nice point, but note that most style guides insist on a space before an ellipsis ...

He's become one of our most important players.

One problem with playing young players is that they can't play their natural game, the one that got them to where they are. They're trying their hardest to follow team rules, to play the role spelled out to them by the coaching staff, to position themselves where they're told ... I think they're second guessing themselves all the time and consequently don't play with confidence. The ones that do are rare beasts indeed.

Extra points if you pronounced it 'looxury' in your head.

Luxury.