leucopogon

Agree on the first bit, but cowardly might be a tad harsh

Newton gets a reprieve this week, better show something. I agree with h_h's changes

Grimes in for Garland (inj) Tyson for Vanders (inj) ANB for Newton/M Jones (omit)

Wonder if its worth enquiring about the availability of Hannath at Freo, noticed Griffen just signed a contract extension as did Sandi for another year. Hannath would have to be behind Sandi, Zac Clarke, and Griffen in the pecking order. Also, Lycett at the Eagles seems to have slipped down the order behind Nic Nat, and Sinclair, probably don't have much hope there now that Cox has retired. They need him as backup.

Heard an interview on SEN this morning with his manager Paul Connors who said, in regards to Judd's choice of club on his return to Victoria, that Melbourne were never seriously in the hunt, mainly because of our crap facilities at the Junction Oval. Good to know that we've moved on from those days, hopefully we won't miss out on being in the running for any other prized recruits because our facilities don't stack up to the competition.

Not excusing that dud kick, but in Viney's defense, Vince's handball was behind him and resulted in him losing his forward momentum and getting tackled.

I watched the replay again last night. It staggers me to this day, what a difference I get in my perception of how the team and individuals played watching it live on tv versus watching a replay. I'm guilty of getting extremely emotional watching the game live and it clouds my judgement. Here are some observations on the points that have been discussed a bit on this thread. Watts - The dropped mark was a terrible mistake, no two ways about it, keep your feet! However, Jack battled back really well when he could have easily gone into his shell after that stuff up. Seeing him taking on tacklers was heart in mouth stuff and he really surprised me with some of his efforts. The clutch goal after the dropping the ball decision was hopefully a turning point in his season. Lamumba - I was quite critical of him watching the game live, but on 2nd viewing, he wasn't really that bad, besides his first possession where he played on and ran straight into trouble and letting Elliot play on and goal. Still waiting for him to have a breakout game in Dees colours though. TMac & Dunn - both had pretty ordinary, error riddled games. Dunn not quite so bad. Lets hope Tommy uses the toweling up he got from Cloke as motivation to really lift for the rest of the year. Just wanted to note a few times I think we broke down in our defense because of Fitzy's bad awareness and positioning. The Jamie Elliot mark in the goal square was a good example of this. TMac left Elliot to go to White because it was obvious that Fitzy had completely lost body contact and wasn't even in the contest, and that high ball in was more likely to going to be taken by the tall forward White. Tommy was unlucky that the ball flukily drifted over the top of the pack. There were a couple of other examples of this that I can't remember right now. Fitzy - Was ok but also made some absolute howlers. I called for him to be dropped but on 2nd viewing I'm not so sure. Lets see if he can bounce back (pending matchups with StK). Newton - I don't think he's as weak as people here are alluding to, he sticks his tackles most times. His problems are his one-pace, limited awareness (resulting in him getting caught in possession often) and I definitely agree that his tank isn't quite up to scratch. Gawn - Promising game, made some clangers like the attempted goal line mark and the cough up kick off half back but I liked what he brought more than Spencer or Jamar this season. Jetta - Looked a bit lost early but did some good things as well. Hogan - Was completely outplayed by Jack Frost (who I think will be one of the best AFL defenders in a few years). I hope this game is Hogan's low point for the season and he bounces back all guns blazing next week. Dropped heaps of marks he should have clunked and didn't split enough packs. M Jones - I was highly critical straight after the game, but realise now that I was unfair. He actually didn't do that badly, there was one incident late in the game where he went to ground too easily in a contest near the boundary and collingwood ran it away, but mostly he was okay, just didn't provide enough line-breaking run that he's shown to be capable of in the past. As the sub I was expecting more of that. I'd like to see some other blokes given a run ahead of Jones. The bloke's contracted for next season, so in a way we're stuck with him and we know what he offers. I'd much rather have Grimes in than M Jones or I'd like to see Harmes or ANB given a run in the seniors to see what they're capable of. Pedersen - Not too bad a game, a shame he didn't score that goal in the last 1/4. Howe - pretty decent game but could have made much more of an impact if he'd held some more marks that went his way. The missed set shot in the last was a real deflator. This guy should be kicking multiples every game with his marking and kicking ability. Now let's see him do it! Viney - Some excellent stuff but some very ordinary play as well. i hope he's just blowing out some of the cobwebs from his injury lay off. Wasn't very clean and fumbled it a lot. Riley - I like his aggression and he seemed to be tagging Pendlebury for a fair bit (is that right?). Didn't do too badly, I'd leave him in for now and demand at least 6 tackles a game, perhaps play him as the sub again, he did that role pretty well against the Dogs. Vince, N Jones, Cross, Brayshaw, Garlett were all terrific Vanders - gonna miss him while he's out. Hope he's back soon. Edit: forgot Toumpas - I'm a pretty big critic, but I thought he did play ok. The handball to Gawn that everyone's crticising was actually the right play to make. Watch it again, he's surrounded by three Magpies and the handball was delivered perfectly to Gawn who was at least 20 m in the clear with two unmanned targets to kick to. Toumpas absolutely did the right thing. As for the rest of his game, he was pretty efficient with his disposal by foot, missed a few handballs but he's definitely beginning to cement a spot in the team. Wish he'd provide just a little more attacking flair to his game and hit the scoreboard, his footskills do appear to be his strength. Looking forward to seeing Tyson back in and would love to see a surprise inclusion as well (e.g. ANB, Harmes or Stretch in for M. Jones or B. Newton)

I was commenting on the line in your post in bold mate: "At best M Jones is a negative run with player". I took exception to that, hence the reason why I highlighted it in bold to emphasise that it was that part of your post that I was commenting on. But oh well, I guess I better go write 100 lines on the blackboard for you.

put himself in the shop window for the end of season clearout

I thought Crossy was best afield for us

Almost choked on my cornflakes reading this. He is unaccountable, lazy, goes to ground a the drop of a hat.... made for the VFL unfortunately. Yes you are right though, Matt Jones certainly added nothing. I'd rather see a cameo from Stretch or ANB than M Jones running around in the seniors.

Out: M Jones, A Riley, Fitzpatrick In: Dawes, Tyson, ANB

Seemed as if they didn't want a close match in the end, and were happy to be held at arms length. When we had a chance to tighten the margin Howe and Pedo both squibbed their shots. Need a massive clean out.

The bombing it long into the forward line is something I've almost managed to coach out of my Year 2 auskick side, Roosy and the gang persisting with it at AFL level though I see. FMD

If we continue to let them play Oxley as a loose man in defense, we'll lose. We need Pig Dog to put a hard tag on Pendles until he can't run any more then sub him off and get Matt Jones to do the same. Pendlebury's tearing us a new one.

deer in the headlights stuff from H today, every time he gets it my heart rate goes up, and not in a good way.

I'd hate to see him traded as well, but you heard Roosy, footy is a ruthless industry and if Kent gets us something worthwhile (e.g. a Luke Shuey) in a package deal with picks we'd be pretty dumb not to do it.

Chapter 5: Blazers.

I don't mean breathtaking in terms of numbers but in terms of names, although it seems most demonlanders are prepared for what's coming. I won't be surprised to see the following names on the trade table Watts, Dunn, grimes, Pedersen, Kent, Toumpas, Howe, Trengove, Dawes, Gawn, Spencer, Fitzpatrick, heck even Nathan Jones if it means tying up a paddy Dangerfield. Delistings/free agency: Garland, Bail, Michie, Matt Jones, Jamar, Terlich, Harmes, probably some others I've forgotten. The only untouchables for mine are Hogan, TMac, Gus, Salem, vanders, Garlett, Petracca, and the other up and comers from the last two drafts. We need to prepare for a clean out of mega proportions.

I just watched the 360 from this week. That was really quite an embarrassment seeing Roosy field the tough questions. Clearly he's not letting on what the real issue is because the truth would probably be devastating for many supporters.....our experienced players are not up to it. The clean out that's coming at the end of this season will be breathtaking.

I'm not so sure about this point DZ. In my view, you're only as good as you are when you're at your worst and our worst is probably as bad as its ever been really. The fact that we can play competitively for half a quarter every now and again but then totally lose control of a game says to me that we're still just an awful footy side. Alas, we all wait for the next game and hope to see some sign of improvement.

No Dawes, interesting. Colliingwood are a pretty small lineup, surely we won't play all of Spencer, Gawn, Fitzpatrick,

Year % 2006 109.66 2007 78.16 2008 62.61 2009 74.66 2010 94.52 2011 85.27 2012 67.49 2013 54.07 2014 68.37 2015 71.54

I give us no chance at all against the Eagles, yet another team that completely has the wood over us (same as Hawthorn, Geelong, Sydney, St Kilda, North). I reckon they'll give us at least a 10 goal belting.

i want watts to go on the nat fyfe diet/weights/heart regime