praha

The team will get a pass mark when it beats Brisbane and GWS.

It could have gone either way. Great game I thought. Ultimately, Port composure at the right time got them over the line. 1. We were up for 4 points, get a free in the middle and Jones plays on while surrounded by Port players. Whyyyy? 2. Dawes has the ball on the forward flank while up by 4 points. He kicks it forward to a Melbourne player surrounded by 4 Port players. Whyyyy? 3. After Port hit the front, Melbourne had four players on along the wing. Grimes has the ball on the back flank...and kicks it out on the full. Three moments that lacked composure in the final moments and Port capitalised. Each of Melbourne's losses by less than 20 points have all been a product of just lacking composure. Errors at the worst possible moments. The first game Port and Melbourne played, Port just had that extra leg speed in the end. This is what separates the top 8 from the bottom 8.

1. Win at Etihad 2. Beat GWS 3. 1+2 = Win a home game (haven't won a home game this year) 4. Jones to go forward temporarily 5. Toumpas 6. Hogan 7. A win by 5+ goals 8. A better performance against the Roos 9. A tough outing against the Hawks 10. A few more Tyson BOG

I think what the OP meant was, "Watts plays well when we do".

It was a great game, also. One of the best of the year across the whole AFL (I remember the AFL site listing it as one of the top 10 games).

They need another 2-3 strong drafts, just like Melbourne. It wouldn't be all that surprising tbh. They could trade-on those picks for experience that they can't get via free agency.

He's the media's darling because he plays a straight arrow and treats people with respect. The opposite is Malthouse. Who would you prefer? But I agree. I can't sit through all of his press conferences, but mainly because he just says what anyone that has been watching this team over the past three years already knows.

No. Potentially for away games.

I wouldn't call Jones an elite midfielder. If he were elite, we'd win more of the ball out of the middle. Dangerfield is an elite midfielder.

We will beat Port.

He's another couldabeen. Nothing more.

We absolutely must smash GWS. They have manhandled this team the last two games. The experienced group has let this club get pushed around by the likes of Geelong for almost a decade and once again they failed to stand up. GWS and Brisbane are must-wins. If the likes of Watts, Frawley, and whoever else from the Bailey era doesn't stand up, it's time to go.

If this team finishes last, is it still a season of improvement? Or a failure? Serious question.

I don't know what to think. I can respect losses, I get that they are a reality of the game that is played. But when the game is lost, it's lost with a monuments breakdown right across the ground. Even the close games, the team has demonstrated it lacks a collective drive to win a majority of the time. I don't think these are bad players. But even Nathan Jones represents a faction within the team that doesn't quite excel and help control a game. Frawley is very much the same. Nothing against the blokes because they are great clubmen but I don't blame Chip for leaving if he does. But there needs to be a changeover. But Jones stays. Watts should be offered as tradebait for picks. Build around Viney, Tyson and Jones engine. Trade for an experienced ruckman. Mumford would be AMAZING. Look for the biggest, tallest talent in the draft ala Jesse Hogan. Do what you must to get him. Forward preferably. Build a god damn forward line! Get in another TWO Daniel Cross-esque players to control the backline. There are so many holes. That was ugly today. For 9 years the likes of Dunn, Jones, Frawley have let this team get pushed around by Geelong. How can you go into a match with what seems like a lack of desire to win? They were in awe of their opponents today. That Geelong team is truly spectacular. Melbourne is galaxies away.

What do people think about giving a Nate Jones a try up forward in the pocket as a crumber?

OP means Swans in 93, not '03, right? Ironically, their losing streak ended against Melbourne...of course.

Roos has till round 20. THERE I SAID IT.

Jones has hit a mental wall. No one's supposed to lose like this, so often. Agreed. But he is still/should be a second option. Someone that should attract the opposition and is damaging enough when they're open. Hogan will need to work a lot harder to get goals. So will Salem. These are guys that would probably get easy goals in the VFL but the gap between AFL and VFL is larger than its ever been. It's almost as if we've missed the VFL boom. There are so any holes that put this group of players 2-3 years behind a team like Freo. Probably more! Nathan Jones is a mongrel but just never seems damaging enough. Build around Dom Tyson and Viney. Throw Jones forward imo. Give up on the Frawley experiment. Give that guy a run in the middle. Make him earn that coin.

I'd say way well over 50%. Prediction, 65%.

Grimes being out marked was the start of the end. He's good when it doesn't matter, bad when we need him most.

Game over. Freo have upped a gear.

Getting ugly.

Grimes ...

Good goal! Take it on!

We won't kick a goal.