Nasher

Hogan has 94 in 45 games. This year, when he's been ordinary and distracted, he's kicked 3, 0, 3 and 3. I think we still underestimate what a weapon he is.

Hogan?!

Goodwin will be smacking his forehead and wondering why he didn't think of that. Goodwin and all the players would be well aware that you need to be switched on from the start. They don't get off to poor starts on purpose. I agree that it's a problem that needs to be addressed, but I doubt the answer is as simple as Goodwin thumping the desk and demanding stuff.

I'm the same. I used to seethe about it for hours, but found with kids about, it was doing the family environment no good at all. Now I spend my post matches trying to rationalise it, and occasionally wind up agitated supporters who post irrational garbage. It's therapeutic! But when the match is on, it's all game face. Thought I was going to have a coronary today.

Round 1 and 2, Wayno? As usual, we can't remember anything other than the last thing that happened.

Lol. Either a troll or a worryingly short memory. I shudder to think of what would have happened to a Neeld era team if we'd been 5 goals down at quarter time. Sadly, I don't even need to use my imagination.

It's frustrating to see, but I try not to be too critical of individual plays like that when the players stress level would be through the roof. You have about half a second to decide what to do and the pressure is immense. The limp arsed performance in the first quarter is what I'd be closely examining. It was team wide, and we only seem to be able to play 3 quarters of switched on footy at the moment. I'm tearing my hair out.

The same Adelaide that was down 64 points to 0 at quarter time? Righto. This competition is ridiculously even, more even than I've ever seen it. The only club I fear at the moment is the Melbourne Football Club.

That stings.

Not like you to set the bar so low WYL. According to Maxy in the video with the kids, the 2018 target is infinity!

This game is a ripper.

How do you know Roos' tactics wouldn't have worked better if Dunn hadn't correctly followed instructions? This is the old "I know better than the coach" thing again. It's getting tedious.

Hogan and Wagner for ANB and Melksham feels about right, based on that bench. Forward for forward (even if not direct like for like) and defender for defender. Liking the look of this side. Bring on Sunday.

JKH won't be one of the outs. It surprises me that some of the forum regulars still aren't aware that the outs always come from the extended bench.

?

Respected assistant coach prior to getting the gig, and is still a professional in the game. Obviously he was a dismal failure as a senior coach (so was Brendan McCartney), but he must be doing something right.

Goodwin is the third MFC coach in a row not to back Pedersen as a first choice tall. If I'm wrong, so be it - I'm in good company and it means he's playing good, consistent footy and keeping another good player out of the side.

Pedersen's game was fantastic, I hope he continues this form and he gets the job done. It still doesn't change my view that he's a battler, and that he'll struggle to find a place in the side once all the injured talls return. We will see though. The crowing going on in this thread is pretty ridiculous.

It just demonstrates that Pedersen is probably a player who needs a prod now and then. That's fine, some people are. I did like the quotes though. He had clear goals and consequences of failure, but also the support and tools to get there, and the promise that he would have a role to play if he did. I agree that it's good management.

Weid is in his second year and already playing AFL footy. Cook was delisted after 2 years. Weid is clearly a vastly superior player. I take your point, but if you want people to take you seriously, probably best you lay off the hyperbole a bit. Casey watchers last year said he attacks the ball in the air. We've seen first hand that he is also capable of moving the ball very quickly and involving himself in general play - see Hawks game last year. He's only 19 - you have gone way too early I reckon.

That average height for Essendon can't be right. We've only got 2 players on our list shorter than 177cm (Kennedy and JKH), so it seems ridiculous if that was their average. I'm 177cm exactly and I always feel like a complete dwarf in the presence of AFL footballers. To be honest it's such an outrageous error that it makes me doubt the veracity of any of it.

I came to terms with the fact that I don't know jack about footy years ago. Makes reading old threads much more bearable - and every now and again I surprise myself!

Makes for interesting reading. I had sympathy for the "not a priority" camp at the time, but in hindsight ProDee nailed it with his "he's better than all of them" argument. There's no doubt we are better off with him in the side. He's also a much better player than I realised.

On that note, Salem has been excellent this year. "Get more of the ball please" was my request last year, so far he's only had one sub-20 possession game. He's very trustworthy with ball in hand. Coming along very nicely now.

Does Watts have any haters left amongst the MFC faithful?