Nasher

I agree old dee - but the Saints fans would be salivating over this one given our recent record both against them and at their ground. I'm confident we can beat them, but they're not going to do us any favours.

Their good side will turn up, have no doubt about it. They're at home, and will see this game as very winnable.

Just watched the "all the goals" segment on the MFC website. It's pretty telling when it's only 5 minute video, but at the 2:45 mark you're still in the first quarter. I remember thinking at half time that with slippery conditions and stuffed players, the game was over at half time - in reflection it was probably over at quarter time. The way we started was so important.

Sorry to those who wasted time writing pretty reasonable posts on the Nathan Jones argument, but this clearly is not the right thread for that discussion, and all (ir)relevant posts have been deleted.

This thread isn't going anywhere good.

I think of a rest as having a week off, ala Oliver, Weideman, Hulett during the year. Even ignoring the slight on Casey (and I do ignore it - that is what seconds teams are for, like it or not), I'm not sure playing a VFL game is going to be that much more refreshing for the player anyway.

There were a couple of moments when he looked like he was going to pull a rabbit out of a hat in contested situations. And how about the rocket to Jesse (which was spilt)? He may need a rest, though. I would think all of the changes will come from the pool of younger players whose bodies would have been slammed by the hot conditions. Petracca is obviously one of those along with Stretch, Hunt, Kennedy, Harmes and possibly vandenBerg.

I dunno. Surely supporting the players in your team, and silently thinking "yep, that was due" when they get the flick aren't mutually exclusive. They're not for me, anyway.

Interesting in that Robert Shaw interview, Shaw said that Hunt did a lot of the kicking in as a junior. You could've put a bit more work in to it I reckon Shawry.

Nah. Familiar with the term "sunk cost"?

He was there through 2011.

Same. I find it very difficult to imagine him leaving for another Melbourne club.

You've talked me in to it.

6. McDonald T - complete game. Was a Colussus in defence and very effective on the offence. I think concerns over his disposal are generally exaggerated anyway, but last night there were no errors at all that I noticed. Makes you wonder why he can't do it all the time, but I'll definitely take it. 5. Watts - got right on top early when it counted. Making a late season charge at the B&F now I reckon. 4. Hogan - going from strength to strength. Took a lot of marks, got a lot of the ball, and kicked goals. Gee you'd love to see him iron out some of those bad set shot misses, but it's a small criticism in an otherwise dominant game. Gave me a great LOL moment when he pushed the feeble Dawson out of the way for that mark. The empathizer in me felt a slight stab of pain on behalf of all Freo supporters because I'd have hit the roof if that was us, but I shrugged that off quickly. 3. Jones N/Viney/Tyson - I know this makes my vote illegal but I felt these three truly belonged in a block. A dominant contested possession performance that was the major driver to us getting so far ahead in the first half. 2. Gawn - because Gawn. His roving the ball is as exciting as his tap work. A 208 centimetre footballer/athlete. Highlight of the season for me. 1. Grimes - Excellent game back and didn't fade as it went out. Contested reliably and used it well mostly. Pleased for him. Thought my block vote would make room for Hunt but it didn't. If he'd used the ball as he did last week I'd have been forced to find room for him in there somewhere, but a few poor kicks dropped him to seventh. He's just so exciting to watch though.

Made another couple of awful mistakes though. Again highlighted that he isn't the future, but he probably is the present. He'll play next week. Any rotating of players will come from the young group who will be stuffed after that.

Probably one of the more fortunate side-effects of Casey seemingly having a bye every second week. Actual fresh players in a week we'll truly need it.

Booooooooo.

Freo and Ross Lyon records to go thanks!

It was predictable that the quality would fall away late; it was clear this was going to happen with how hard all the players were blowing even at quarter time. I know it's frustrating that we couldn't bury them, but we're the youngest team playing in summer like conditions, and we're ranked 10th. People need to lower their expectations a bit. Grimes was fantastic and was one who didn't drop off - in fact I'd say he lifted in the second half. Looking forward to his 100th next week.

There were people in SA who honestly, truly thought they'd successfully lured Jack Viney to Port. People will believe literally anything if they want it to be true.

Spot on.

It won't get any closer than it is now. Players are screwed. Melbourne by 45.

Still another whole quarter to go for a burial, all. Keep your pants on.

aaaaaand then, Zac Dawson in the ruck against Gawn.

How's Tom "composure" McDonald's ball use been tonight?