Nasher

I enjoyed Brown's commentary too. His comment on the McStay zoning mistake I thought showed terrific insight in to the modern game for a player who didn't play against those types of defences. BT would have just accused him of being too loose. It's a step in the right direction for footy commentary. The callers should be professionals who are easy on the ear and know the players names (Hudson). The special comments person should know footy backwards and be articulate enough to get the point across; being a bit rough around the edges is fine (Brown). The ex-footy player flog who just wants to banter with his colleagues should be confined to Triple M only.

Gotta say I giggle a little bit when people describe Kelly as "exactly what we need". Are there any teams out there that don't need a player of this ilk?

That's how I felt at that moment as well. It was the goal that halted their running over the top of us. He worked his a*** off for it, too. Great stuff Pedda!

All the best Fitz.

Unlucky to even get a fine really, but he would have signed the cheque as soon the verdict was in. You really couldn't possibly guess what the outcome would be and this is definitely one of the better possibilities.

Have to say though, I still haven't warmed to the nickname 'Pedo' very much. At all.

The set shot was most definitely a lot further out than 30 (went OOF). I'm assuming you're referring to the snap that went about 30 metres in the air and 10 forward.

Excruciating, for sure, but it sure beats wondering where we're going to finish between 12th and last. This must be what it feels like barracking for an actual footy team.

Sydney only have to claw back a little bit of % next week, assuming they, the Tiges and Port all win. It's very plausible that we could be playing Port in Adelaide in week 1. It just so happens that Jetstar have just started direct flights from Hobart to Adelaide. It could be fate...

He was a massive whipping boy at Essendon and was starting to head down that path here, too. In his early years there he was highly rated; I think he's starting to show why. Has definitely won me over in the last month.

Out: Wagner, Stretch In: Watts, Salem Doubt Viney is in the frame.

I know right? I've made some poor calls in my time too, but sometimes I think people have some entrenched fear of being happy. It's the only reason I can think of that a Melbourne fan would bag Hogan.

By the way, Brisbane aren't crap. You could see why they're last - they drop away for periods of the game - but I by no means consider this "getting away with it". We had a tough win against a team who brought it, and have a couple of genuine stars in their side in Beams and Zorko.

So let's recap this week's posts in the Hogan thread: 1. We are better without Hogan in the side 2. He should earn it in the VFL like everyone else 3. Our fitness and medical staff are incompetent and negligent for letting him play

Lions not crap so far. Can they sustain it?

Trying really hard to remain interested, but Gold Coast are absolute pus and Essendon are... Essendon. Could turn it over, I guess, but the remote is all the way over *there*. Might just go to bed.

It feels a little dirty for me hoping for MFC favourable results. I'd prefer to just put my trust in our team to deliver ourselves the best result; so I'm just taking the view that the rest can please themselves.

Well done Cam. He's probably a player who gets the rough end of the pineapple a bit in that he gets no leeway that others do in selection. It's how AFL footy is and he's not the only one, but I do notice it (and even apply it when considering changes). Interviews with him seem to indicate he's aware of it and uses it for motivation - that's good because he'd have perished ages ago if he sooked about it. Hopefully the new contract can be interpreted as an endorsement for this year's efforts.

Good post. I can't remember a season where one player gets floored and has to get up again so many times over. Talk about the year from hell. He hasn't had any real chance to get going, but has still been alright, and has shown glimpses of his best. Fitting that this week, he plays game 50 on his third comeback for the year. He gets so much focus that it feels like it should be 150, but it's a reminder that he's still only just getting started. It won't be long before he finally does actually get a decent run at it and will remind people how good he is.

Your post: "Viney came back too early, but I don't know if this new injury is related to the old injury."

Swans, hmm. Any team ever won the flag from 0-6?

Hah, yes, although that's an even bigger stretch as it would involve Western Bulldogs clawing back about 14% on them.

You'll all be very pleased to know that it's still mathematically possible for Hawthorn to make the 8. It does rely on them winning both games and all bar one of the other contenders losing both their games though.

It makes me cringe too, but to be fair to Burgs, he's limited by the pretty bland content our footballers and coaches give him. Our group is one of the least interesting to listen to in the game IMO.

Got a nod from Goody in the post match presser too last week. The coach is taking notice! Do you know whether the junior players get much of an opportunity to approach Goodwin or get feedback? I heard the odd anecdote in previous eras about players on the list who weren't regulars in the seniors being almost ignored the senior coach.