RalphiusMaximus

Made a massive chasedown to stop three Richmond players breaking on the wing, did his hammy lunging for the tackle. Ball came free, I think Richmond would up with it but didn't get the fast break.

Frees 16-8 in the Tigers' favour. Disgusting umpiring. I think our poor disposal is the only thing keeping Richmond in the game. Especially handballing behind the running man, a throwback to a few ears ago. Loved Brayshaw keeping the ball under control and taking the hit, but I would have preferred him to duck his head into the tackler. It works for the tiggers every time.

So one of our players dropped an uncontested mark at CHB and cost us a goal. Anyone want blood?

First win to Melbourne!

I won't be happy if we throw that much at Howe. We have to stop overpaying B-graders and use the money to get genuine quality A-grade players (or keep them). As for him wanting to leave, I have absolutely no respect for people who want finals gifted to them. Players who jump ship to go to a top side rather than work to get the team they're in to the top are weak as p!ss. Of course, if a player does have that attitude then I really don't want them anyway. At least leaving for more money is a more or less honest move, especially since the clubs willing and able to pay significantly more are generally not top sides so there is still work to do. In all, I'd be happier if he were to turn his back on bigger contracts, sign for what he's worth with us and give a press conference declaring that he's up for the fight and determined to be there when the Dees get to the top rather than have it gifted to him by jumping ship to the Cats or Hawks (and he can make that line as pointed as he likes).

Thrilled for White being named on the bench for the first team. Great reward for the effort he's putting in. I really hope he gets a run.

I think just outside is more likely. It would be amazing if we did though.

I honestly think it's up to Melbourne who wins. Richmond are a mediocre team with a skillful but not overly quick midfield and one good defender. If we show the intensity we did against Adelaide we're every chance of beating them, but if the round 2 team shows up then we'll get smashed.

I hear that the Bulldogs are very much into Hoskin-Elliot. For us I've been a big fan of Treloar and Shiel for a while now. I'd love to be able to get either one over the line, but to do that we'd need to have a very good year and show that they'll be playing finals with us. Otherwise it's off to one of the power clubs for them.

How are the MFC-listed players doing?

Hogan has already had the chance to go home and he extended his contract. By all reports he loves being in Melbourne.

Was that the one in the second quarter where the kick went behind him to two opponents and he brought it to ground on his side and dished to Hogan for a goal?

I rather liked the free against TMac for running too far when he actually bounced it just before the ump called.

6 - TMac. He's a beast. Thrashed the form forward of the competition. Walker's three goals make him look better than he was. 5 - Vince. Took on Dangermouse in the middle and didn't just beat him, he bullied him. 4 - Garland. Was solid all day. Took Dangermouse when they moved him forward and kept him from doing any harm. 3 - Jetta. Kept Betts under control. Could easily be ahead of Garland. 2 - Lamumba. Won heaps of the ball, chipped in in defence, kept going all game. 1 - Jones. The usual for Jones. He was hard at it, always involved, won his own ball and probably should have had a bunch more frees given how often they hit him in the head.

I kind of agree with all of that Joeboy. Nice summation.

OK, for once I agree with the Watts comments. We were well ahead in the first quarter and then he dropped two uncontested marks to concede a goal followed by a centre clearance goal and suddenly we're level at the break. That's just not acceptable, especially the second one where he was in a paddock and had nothing resembling pressure around him. He made some effort to redeem himself in the second when he won the ball against two opponents off a poor kick and set up a goal to Hogan, but that still left him owing us one and he really did stuff-all for the rest of the game. The other killer was of course our goal-kicking. Both Garlett and Hogan missed shots they should be able to nail with their eyes closed. Garlett had six scoring shots for 2 goals four. Hogan had 2 goals 2. Both of Hogan's goals were from general play while he stuffed the easiest set shot. If both of them had kicked the goals they should have then the margin is all but erased. Others also could have done better on the scoreboard, but those two stand out due to the number of shots they had. Positives of course are that if you discount the poor conversion rate we basically broke even in horrible conditions against one of the current top sides. We won the contested possessions, big tick. Only barely lost clearances. Jamar and Jacobs had a pretty epic battle in the ruck, sadly I think Jacobs took it on points. Overall I found it kind of heartbreaking to watch them battling to a draw all over the ground and watching goal after goal go through for the opposition while we kept scoring points. Most of the side did their job brilliantly but it was just a little composure and polish in front of goal that really hurt us. Also, TMac is just awesome.

Either last year or the year before.

White finally gets a run! Think I might drop in to watch this weekend.

Manson named in the Dev league for Frankston, so get there early if you want to see him.

Where do we find the Frankston sides?

Let's just be clear. The guy broke his leg and kept playing. If opposition midfielders aren't scared by now, they're idiots.

This is a very good point. I keep expecting them to slow down as their stars age, but it hasn't happened yet.

That's horrible. Just look at what it did to Mitch Clark. It turned him into a Right [censored]. Hope Ricky has a better recovery than that.

Frawley has had a pec injury before and it kept him out for a long time. This could be a bad thing for him and the Hawks this time as well.

Roos' job is to improve the talent and discipline of the list to the point where they look and act like AFL footballers. Goodwin's job will be to take the work Roos has done and mold it into a winning game. In theory once Roos has done his job the team will be at the point where they are able to implement Goodwin's plans with minimal disruption and then if we have the right man we'll start to see some wins in September.