Nasher

I think it’s okay not to rate Brown or think he’s going any good. I think it’s pretty clear to everyone he’s not moving as well as he used to. I have him as an out in the pregame thread. It’s when you start being all keyboard warrior about it that people will rightfully start jumping down your throat. As a career AFL full forward, Ben Brown would have been scragged, scruffed, punched in the guts, arms and head (half the time on purpose) more than most of the rest of us put together. Soft. Please. Anyway I would have hoped our premiership full forward would have earned a bit more respect from Melbourne fans than that.

How much has Goodwin contributed to the strength of the list? Many key members of our side, such as May and Lever, are imports. How many of them would say, if asked, I was convinced after I got Goody’s presentation? I recall May saying something like that. On top of that, in the last few years in particular we’ve hardly lost a player we’d prefer to have kept other than Jackson, and all our best players have signed long term deals. It’s hard to know what’s cause and what’s effect, but the coach surely gets some slice of the credit for the fact that we’ve been able to attract and retain a talented list.

Isn’t it? Given how harshly you’ve just judged him. I don’t think it’s true that he can’t defend 1:1, although hopefully with a solid team defence there should be little need to do that, and for someone who is constantly run down, zero occasions of that happening stick out in my mind. Everyone thinks they’re objective and unbiased, but we all make up our minds on a player and confirmation bias does the rest.

Easily, hands down the most successful coach we’ve had since the golden era of the 60s. One injury decimated year of being non-competitive in 7 is outstanding. I’ve seen posters that still prefer Northey or Daniher and it makes my head spin. It really amazes me how little recognition he gets.

In: Hibberd, Smith Out: Bowey, Brown

Looks like North going to go down. So disappointed for them. To be honest I was mostly in it for the lols at the Saints, but I feel bad now.

Trying to look through the stress a bit, I actually thought that was a high standard game. Would have been really good to watch as a neutral. Most heart warming moment for me was Woey Jr kicking it down ANB’s throat in the third.

How much does it warm your heart to see young Woey kicking it down the throat of his teammate ANB?

I want that composure to stay in the backline. He’s a natural defender I think. Happy with this nom, it’s a great bit of acknowledgment of his efforts this year.

That’s it! The bench seats 23-30 are about the worst viewing at a supposedly AFL standard ground you’ll ever see. I miss North Hobart oval! Bring on the new stadium.

Is that in the stand, or in those crapola seats by the hill? Ponting Stand or bust for me personally.

The footy industry is brutal, so many entitled people out there all too happy to ignore the fact that AFL footballers are human too. There are a lot of examples of players coming out of the system quite damaged as a result of constant criticism with no way of escaping it. I like Weideman and I hope things turn for him.

Surely what Dunstan offers is known. I can’t see any scenario where Dunstan plays that doesn’t involve Viney being injured at the very least.

True, although Melky celebrated his previous one similarly - and I’d say with 33s on the clock after the last goal, the game was far from sealed.

How about the contrast in celebration between Viney and Melksham for their respective goals. Viney gives a couple of low fives, nods to his teammates and strides back to the middle. Already focused on the next play. Melksham goes straight to the Dees fans with fist in the air. Wants the adrenaline shot and buzz from the roar and interaction with the crowd. No less focused on the play by the time it resumes, but needs that kick of energy first. I love both. Neither are right or wrong, just indicative of different player personalities.

I was out and missed the game. Checked scores with 15 minutes to go and 👎. Found out what happened when my phone started blowing up! I watched the replay of the last quarter when I got home, and even knowing the result I was still in shock! Huge.

Love the touch of having Yze announce it. Special. Loved his old man back in the day - preaching to the choir here obviously. Can’t wait to see how Taj goes. I love the way we build our young players in the VFL and let them loose when the time is right. It’s common in this team now for players to be well im to their second or even third year before they get picked. Great development.

They didn’t record who kicked behinds early on.

Ironic thing in that Cox footage is seeing him get told to cool it by Brayden Maynard, who when it’s game on is one of the toughest buggers out there. There’s a time and a place.

Exactly. I legit lol’d, love it, but don’t want to see it all the time. Have a laugh, pay the fine, move on.

Well put WJ. While the club obviously isn’t responsible for what happened to Daniel prior to his coming to the club, there is definitely a question of if we did enough while he was here and, while acknowledging it was a long time ago, what can we do better to support our players that might have this type of issue in the future?

It’s a terrible headline but a legitimate issue that deserves some focus. I recommend reading the ABC article as linked above that goes in to the specifics. I hope Daniel is able to get the help he needs.

In: Petty, Spargo Out: Schache, Jordon, Harmes Sub: Jordon

Steven May is a tough bastard with absolutely no sense of humour when across the white line. I wasn’t particularly bothered about the last few minutes but he was absolutely filthy with it and I loved it. He’s fast becoming one of my favourite Demons ever.

I only just saw Sunday’s game this morning, and I was thinking he’s really coming on as a midfielder, and it would be great to see him re-sign. Then I saw this news. JvR mentioned in a previous interview that Rivers had led the WA boys in their training programme over the break too - leadership potential. The fact that he and Jackson were best mates when they arrived is just a sweet cherry on top. Really happy with this signing!