praha

45k is a target this year should we start 4-0 or 5-0. Suspect maybe 100 sign-ups on Saturday, and if we win, expect an additional few hundred against Freo and then Richmond, perhaps 1000. Throw in bandwagoners jumping on board at that point. If we start 5-0, we will hit 45k.

We played Etihad extremely well in Round 1 and the space and width of the MCG appeared to negate Goodwin's plan. It could be that having played pre-season and then Round 1 on smaller, narrowing grounds, we thrived at Etihad. We will win.

They won't let him into Victoria with it.

How is going into bat for your teammates not being a leader?

His turnovers at Hawthorn didn't look as bad because, well, he was at Hawthorn. But his performance on Sunday is similar to games that have been creeping through over the past 2 seasons. He's past his prime but still a very good player. His lack of pace hurts him though and his age is catching up. I think that was widely accepted by Demonland when we got him. Still a great pickup but his mistakes tend to stand out more in the back half, as they do for any player that stuffs it up in front of the opposition's goal. With a better team around him those mistakes aren't as glaring and I trust that as the seasons progresses he'll become more accustomed to playing with his new teammates. I think a lot of his errors (and there aren't many, let's get real) are just him being in a comfort zone and expecting similar space and spread that he got at Hawthorn. He's not getting that (yet).

I actually believe the club's struggles over the past decade have made me more passionate.

Because it cheapens the brand and spot. It's a monetized aspect of our brand and it should be left empty until the price is met. Reach is great and it's fantastic we give it exposure but you can't just give a spot for sale to free "just to have something there". You devalue the spot and so suddenly offers come in below market value.

He has played two of his best games for the club to start the year.

Our backline ultimately won the game for us today I thought. They got the job done, and more often than not it was the mids and roamers that let us down going forward. The McDonald's were both great. Jetta was great. Salem. I think people underestimate our defense. There was a Carlton onslaught in the third and we're lucky we weren't 5-6 goals down the way we and they played. Our backline really held firm and our structure down back was superb I thought. That's a positive to take out from today. A year ago, we fold and lose that game.

Jones - Great captain's game. Viney - Bad captain's game. Hogan - Found ways to influence Salem - Game saving performance Watts - Inconsistent yet driving Petracca - Typical learning game Lewis - Bettered by Youth Brayshaw - Might Lack Confidence Gawn - Standard Ruck Performance Tyson - Grossly Understated Influence Oliver - Brownlow Medal Leader Stretch - Becoming Increasingly Reliable Melksham - Great In Air Hannan - Worked To Influence T.McDonald - Good Defensive Game O.McDonald - Solid Physical Performance Weideman - Powerful Last Quarter Hunt - Disposal Hurt Influence Neal- Bullen - Some Handy Touches Garlett - Game's Best Forward Jetta - Rock Solid Defender Harmes - Satisfactory Game Back

He was okay. Had a good last quarter.

Tyson with most AFL Fantasy points. 145.

Although, he was saying it to prepare the defense.

This is why you need good small forwards. When your talls struggle, they bop up. Garlett best forward on the ground.

Time left from those watching at home?

Wow.

50/50 contest at this stage, Blues have the momentum. Was there's to lose from halfway through the second. Defensive transition has been far superior to Melbourne's, putting more pressure on our backs than we do theirs. We saw in that quarter that when you're on top in that way and being effective in transition, eventually you'll score. We've dominated possession but it's overuse and inefficient disposal.

Called it. This is Carlton's to lose now.

We won't win.

They are running harder. Their transition is very good. We are being kept in it by the imps.

Granted but this game is up for grabs. No doubt about it. They will have the belief now and it's all you need. Melbourne has been in Carlton's position many times the past few years and we've rolled over the top. Vs Carlton in 2014 comes to mind. If we play the second half as we did the first, Carlton will win.

This won't improve for the game. It's going to be a slog. If we win we need to start respecting the Blues more. This has Round 2 vs Essendon written all over it.

We look lost. Blues playing with a lot of confidence. They have the wood over us and know it.

Joking?

Reminds me of the Gold Coast game last year. Had all the possession but disposal kept them in it. We are handing them the ball across half back.