Je Roos Salem

Our improvement has seemed linear under Roos, I'll give you that. Let's hope Goodwin knows what he's doing and it continues

Adelaide- 45% chance- Winnable, but this side is dangerous. Must be switched on. Freo- 50% chance- Who knows? This side have won 3 on the trot, could be 4, they'll have the bye behind them. And it's in the sweaty abyss of our contractually beloved NT St.Kilda- 50% chance- I think we could catch the Saints with their pants down this time, but their ceiling is very high at Etihad and it still has potential to be another ugly one West Coast- 20% chance- More likely to be competitive than previous years, but surely no. No Naitanui (pretty sure) helps GC- 95% chance- Let's just say: easier than Essendon. Hawthorn- 35% chance- Could be mentally closing up shop a bit pre-finals, surely our last competitive effort will fill us with some hope. Port- 32.5% chance- We got really close last time there, and we're pretty good at Adelaide oval. Doable. Carlton- 45% chance- We just aren't good enough against Carlton. If they keep their form up I can see them winning in more situations. Geelong- 25% chance- Depends what the Cats are playing for. Or what we're playing for! (probably not). But we did it last year, that means something.

I understand the youth issue, it's good to see young guys get games, Hunt and Wagner have mostly deserved their spots, Dunn and Grimes have been the unlucky seniors. I guess O.Mac is the one guy who seems to stay in for seasoning, regardless of form. I'm not convinced by that logic, maybe in the past I was, but I am convinced that if we don't have that improvement people will make excuses that 2018 is meant to be the year. Let's call it "Next year syndrome", a side effect of prolonged mediocrity.

I actually watched it delayed and avoided the result, but jeez those last few minutes were tense. So many shots missing short and you couldn't pick a winner. It was fitting for Cleveland due to Lebron's efforts, he had to step up his game to that level in order to win. That and Kyrie solidly beating Curry over most of the series.

Yeah I was tossing up with Dawes, he's missed the mark for a while but I just considered the fact he got back in the team and looked alright for at least his first 2 back. Wouldn't have had Tyson in at the start of the year, and probably would've had Garlett and Dunn. TMac has been the most scrutinised out of that core group this year, but I still think he's a reliable player and a mature head for 23

The core: Viney, Gawn, Jones, Vince, Hogan, Watts, TMac, Tyson, Jetta The not quite core or "the crust" (young): Kent, Petracca, Brayshaw, Oliver, Salem, Hunt, Wagner, Harmes, Bugg, Kennedy, Frost, Stretch, Kennedy, AVB Mature depth: Garlett, Dunn, Lumumba, Pedersen, Spencer. Need more time to make calls: OMac, Trengove, Dawes The expendable young group: ANB, JKH, Newton, Michie, The horse has bolted (somewhat harsh): Grimes, Garland, M.Jones, Terlich. Just tried to categorise our list..well at least those who've played games. I factored in both my perspective and the club's

Just because we're not quite in finals contention after 2.5 years doesn't mean there's some sort of bigger 5 year plan. It just means we aren't good enough. I acknowledge that there's been a youth focus this year in selection, and that could mean more waiting, and we're still working out a usable game plan and our best 22. One such plan was making finals in 2016 and we very likely will not. All I know is that most 3-5 year plans clubs talk about are BS. You can put all the right work in but then still shirk a contest, handball at a player's foot, and just not be good enough, or of course have other teams be better than you

It's interesting to see that blokey, bantery triple M footy shell cracked into. What's amazing is that the comments nearly slipped by and the world would've continued without hesitation. Because it didn't sound out of character and that sort of talk is the norm. Hearing the various people involved apologise sadly seems ungenuine. When you think about it two presidents of clubs jesting about drowning a female journalist doesn't read well. Unfortunately (for most) the majority of football media (generally just ex-players bantering, male-dominated) doesn't always think with others' in mind as they've created their own bubble of entertainment where Caro will always be a villain and Ray Chamberlain will be a circus midget and Garry can't go 5 seconds without shaving. When stuff like this snowballs I tend to not side with the outraged but I understand the perspective because the conversation sounded like it lacked any respect. I enjoy listening to MMM at times and I don't have the some intolerance for Caro that many do

Matt Jones got a few games, Garland got a few games, surely it's Grimes' turn! The guy can run and mark, and he built up some nice form at the back end of last season.

Congratulations to the Cavs. That's the first championship for a Cleveland team since 1964- good omen perhaps?

I've been fairly happy with his return, shouldn't be dropped anytime soon- we don't count on him as much now in the midfield. He can be a team lifting player who can lay a good tackle or kick a goal off a flank rather than a guy to rely on for clearances. I agree with the criticism of him though, it's not just his lack of speed but he doesn't create much space either. I think there'll be a spot for him next year, definitely has too much potential not to keep for depth

Some people just state facts such as score updates.

It's not relevant for every post though. Not every post is a topic for debate.

6. Hunt- He tried all game, and keeps getting better. Being the house that the wolves can easily blow down didn't deter him 5. Petracca- One of few who read the ball forward of centre. So chunky but knows how to move with it. 4. Vince- Was the usual kicking machine. Not sure if he actually played well or the no.23 made him look like it 3. Gawn- Was always gonna always dominate the ruck, wasn't an amazing game but made few errors. Disappointingly little umpire banter. 2. Jones- I dunno why he's in the votes. Habit maybe? His brother won this family battle however. 1.Watts- Was shown in frame a lot. If this were a movie he'd be a main actor. That said the stream was kind of blurry so at least I think I saw him near the ball a lot. He won't be getting an Oscar though, that goes to repeat offenders on the ducking front and the only Oscar on our team isn't held in as high stead. But without a doubt it is Jack's best season to date, although we were left wanting a couple through the sticks from the man a Collingwood fan coined "Mrs Watts" from standing room last Monday.

Great to see Frost take off and have that shot on goal and Hunt keep taking the game on. We had very little run and carry from others though, a lot of stopping and second guessing when in attack and it looked like a slog for talls to try and create something in the conditions

We had enough entries, but they delivered it better, marked it better, and obviously tackled. Should've played any of Grimes, Harmes, Michie and Garlett instead of OMac and Dawes

Definitely need more tackles and clean possesssions inside 50. Watts and Hogan have just been swarmed. Could probably use Garlett in there truthfully. Lowlights were Dawes dropping an uncontested mark causing Sydney a goal and Oliver conceding that free for sliding.

What's with Casey having a bye for 2 of the next 3 rounds? very strange fixture

I feel like there's been something personal going on. Heard very little about Lumumba's progress and it didn't seem to be a big ordeal when it occurred. I really hope he's not packing up shop mentally though as he can be really valuable to the team

It's easy to say next year, BUT I'VE HAD ENOUGH NEXT YEAR'S. Given the form our midfield's in, the fact Tippett's out, Sydney are gettable. We're inconsistent, we're young but that doesn't mean finals should be out of the equation.

The MCC mob are loud when pointing out officiating injustices that happen in front of them. They're not jumping out of their seats much otherwise. The only two loud Dees supporters I heard today were reacting to a loudmouth Collingwood fan in standing room (who was funny though). I'm a bit of a lone shouter too (though not that frequent a one)

The moment I saw they were playing Witts/Cox in the same forward line I knew we could run all over them- or both would take a zillion marks (Lucky they both didn't have a clue). Second quarter was our really great quarter of footy. That was the sort of footy that was missing for about 5 years. Third we were keeping them at bay, fourth they'd given up. Kent has his up and downs but his run is important to us. Kent is our forward runner, Hunt our defensive. When others step up to help, Tom McDonald is virtually unstoppable in defence. Definitely the game where Petracca has looked the most dangerous. We made Collingwood's midfield and especially Pendlebury look ordinary again. Frost is finding his way in the backline and is moving well. Dawes isn't a good mark or kick for a key forward, but he can a really solid presence and often a decoy to help Hogan. Garlett could've been handy today, but sometimes it doesn't look like he communicates well with the midfield. Kent and Kennedy were good enough as smalls anyway Gawn and Vince did exactly as they pleased today. Amazing how dominant Gawn can be. He's not a sprinter, but he gets around and often does things midfielders do

I don't think anyone will be talk of any improvement if we win 6-7. Doesn't matter how young we are, losing that many isn't acceptable. Players should be dropped/rested accordingly if we are running out of puff, that's providing we remain(or perhaps become) healthy.

Out of those first 4 I'd only call Gold Coast the CERTAINTY. Since Round 5 we haven't strung two decent efforts together. I wouldn't rule out some upsets though. We've flirted with looking like a team near the top but we are still seen as easy beats in the mind of the opposition

Really hope Vince still plays on the ball with Viney back in the team. I think Jones should be the one on the outside when needed