Je Roos Salem

The crowd was around what I expected, but I still think it's disappointing that barely a fifth of people who paid for memberships (even though membership numbers aren't very reliable indicators these days) end up coming for the final home game, for whatever reason it may be. That's a lot who've dropped off and I think those who are buying memberships should do so with attending every game in mind. Given our recent history no one should be appalled at how the season has panned out.

That's the only thing I love about playing the expansion sides. The small crowd is amplified because everyone's on the same side

Won't be devastated if we don't make the finals next year in this 18 team orgy of rebuilds and premiership windows but it'd be nice if we're at least a threat at some stage. Even if our fixture is quite easy we've shown that there's no guarantees whoever we play. Of course it goes without saying that we're aiming for finals, and that should be the mantra (which is a word Roos should know given the meditation) but first and foremost let the players enjoy their footy. Roos' 2016 is the equivalent to Bailey's 2010. We were a little shaky in the last, but in comparison to what we've seen previously I don't think negativity is warranted

I love Salem. I'm not sure how conservative we were on taking so long to play him again but since he's been back I've seriously wished we played him earlier. He plays like a guy who can pave his own way in the side. He's only just turned 20 but you can almost rely on him like a guy 5 years older (I hope I don't jinx him) When you think of our draft screwups it's so reassuring that we now have a seemingly stable core of Hogan, Viney, Salem and Brayshaw at <21 years old (and others who've shown glimpses but may take a bit longer to come on and get regular gametime)

But it's still a ton of people who paid for a membership and didn't attend our final home (winnable) game. I get how emotional our fans are but you should be used to disappointment enough (if you are a multiple year member) that you're prepared for a dead rubber in the final round.

Hogan's juggled mark. Hogan's mark and play on into goal Hogan's perfect mark in the midst of 3 defenders I can't wait for 2016 because of Hogan

I've always stuck up for Watts but what I didn't miss from him today was him back-tracking with ball in hand or him hovering around contests and not asserting himself physically. Looking at how we ran and how hard we tackled today I didn't miss him

I feel we had a good side out there today. Our forward line looks a lot more exciting with Hogan as the main target and several medium targets. Newton, though he has flaws, could be a very important player in our team. Harmes shows a real asset of physicality which we need, now Salem looks like he can lay a crunching tackle too. JKH was pretty good too. We saw some good footy from our youngsters to bring hope into next season. Those 3 goals in a few minutes at the end of the third were the difference and very abnormal for us Anyway, a shame that 1/4 of our members couldn't turn up. I'll miss our all too brief stint of Cross. Not many players get a reception like that after just 2 seasons.

Wasn't that upset when we got rid of him. I think the change of scenery really helped him, as well as a shot as no.1 ruck (he was usually forward/2nd ruck for us). 25+ possessions regularly for a ruckman is outstanding, like Stynes in his heyday

The only knock on Watts could be his tackling yet he laid 7 last week and is dropped. Could be great inside 50 as we don't have a 2nd ruck there too

I agree that teams should be allowed to pick whoever. However I'd argue it hasn't proved to be an effective strategy for teams who've dropped so many

Always liked him. Was the harshest treated under Neeld at the selection table, was building his career nicely beforehand but was kept out when we needed some heart in the team. Went on to play some decent games with the Tigers too. Should've had a better career

Fantastic news. This rule has always meant one less player gets a proper chance to prove themselves. I don't expect the game to get more attractive with less rotations though. It may open up eventually, but there's likely to be a lot of conservatism. Not sure what the end game is when it comes to AFL putting down rotations

Team looks pretty good providing Spencer won't be picked. Credit to Jones for getting up (at this stage) Shame Tyson and Kent couldn't get a shot

It sounds contradictory that guy a who can't even make the emergencies in a group of about 30 (barely) fit players would be given a new contract. That said I'm on Toump's side moreso than the selectors. The only reasoning for him not getting a game is that he doesn't really have a position, and we already have one more talented guy (Watts) who is that player.

He'll be tough to replace. Yes, he's deteriorated a bit over the year but we don't have other guys who can put their head over the ball and take overhead intercept marks. I'm pretty upset that he wouldn't be offered a new contract given how he's been the clear leader of all the 'experience' we've hunted from other clubs and I think he should've been able to see out Roos' time in charge.

I don't think Pavlich ever was. He said he was overweight as a junior

Thought Jones was incapable of injury. Maybe today was the tipping point. Happy 200th Spencer should never have played (Gawn worked his way into the game after he came off the ground) Matt Jones has the skillset of an 8 year old girl. For all his ferocity, Viney is hopeless at disposing of the ball at the moment, even handpassing Stretch shouldn't be playing Credit to Grimes, he's pretty divisive on this forum but to me he looks like he wants to be out there more than others. Just a bland game. It's hard to say the response to the opening 1.5 quarters was indicative of us playing well as it was probably Freo taking their foot off the pedal.

31-20. 4.5-0.0 in less than 1/2 a quarter

I know Spencer and Gawn worked well for one game but I don't get why Roos is always obsessed with being loaded with talls. Also interesting that Jamar was emergency for several weeks on the trot and then Spencer finally gets selected before him..

Melbourne team: round 22 B: Colin Garland, Lynden Dunn, Jeremy Howe HB: Neville Jetta, Tom McDonald, Christian Salem C: Matt Jones, Bernie Vince, Daniel Cross HF: Viv Michie, Jesse Hogan, Alex Neal-Bullen F: Jeff Garlett, Jake Spencer, Oscar McDonald Foll: Max Gawn, Nathan Jones, Jack Viney I/C (from): Jack Watts, Billy Stretch, Ben Newton, Aidan Riley, Jack Grimes, James Harmes, Rohan Bail In: Rohan Bail, Jake Spencer, Neville Jetta, Aidan Riley, Matt Jones, Oscar McDonald Out: Heritier Lumumba (ankle), Chris Dawes (ankle), Angus Brayshaw (rested) New: Oscar McDonald Milestone: Nathan Jones (200 games) Sceptical about Matt Jones on the wing, Spencer at FF and Bail back in the squad.

Hope he's ready to make an impact! We need some size in defence

Last 5 matches v Dockers: 118-50 97-34 133-38 130-40 101-40 Let's aim for half their score

Hey Roos. Lay off the fans. Remember, you have implied the players are scarred by the past. Don't the fans have a bigger right to be so? Or would you like the fans to shut up or urine* off? Just take your money and accept the fallout from games. "If supporters are telling you they are expecting to lose driving to the game, there's no doubt there's a vibe that must rub off on at least a small group of players. That's just something they [the players] have got to get over. I'm sick of talking about it." Ok the fans can stay at home then Paul. So there's a problem with the players then? Or are the players looking at these emails too? I'd love to see how the players would perform after a week of reading Demonland, let alone the coach, which of course seem to be separate entities when you open your mouth.

Need a reshuffle. Drop Dawes. I don't wanna see him labouring around in Perth. Bring in Fitzy to play on their resting ruck, and to free up McDonald around the ground. Play Watts as second tall. Hopefully Tyson and Jetta come in, don't care if Lumumba gets up or not Is Kent any chance? Haven't heard anything about him.