Radar Detector

6. Garlett 5. Watts 4. Oliver 3. Spencer 2. Petracca 1. Salem

Should have learnt that lesson with Grimes and Trengove.

Weideman's lack of possessions would be less of an issue if he applied any sort of pressure when the opposition had the ball. He flew into a few packs which resulted in goals for us but he is a total non event once the ball is on the ground or in opposition hands.

Viney is a bigger worry for me. What the hell has happened to him?

Have really wasted what could have been a ripping start to the season. No game looks like an easy win now. Still too many poor decision makers who, when the pressure is really on, make poor choices or execute their skills poorly.

I didn't realise that was the standard for someone paid to be an elite athlete. I get that Jesse isn't the only AFL player who smokes and it's not a hanging offence. But I do think it goes to Jesse's attitude and professionalism. The best sportspeople in the world, generally speaking, are supremely talented but also supremely dedicated to their field. I can't imagine Nathan Jones or Jack Viney darting up any more than I can Roger Federer or Steve Smith. And there is a reason for it... smoking is scientifically proven to diminish your health / fitness and fitness is a significant part of their livelihood. Truly professional athletes wouldn't go near it. We as a club, and Jesse in particular, have had a bad couple of weeks with reckless suspensions and now this. If it was any other club we'd all be delighting at the wheels falling off. He owes us a big season on the back of his poor start. He should thank his lucky stars he is unlikely to get a club imposed suspension given the treatment Watts got for failing to meet standards. Goodwin and co would be fuming behind closed doors and should deal with him accordingly.

We're as guilty as any other club as being softer on our stars than fringers. I wonder what the reaction would be if it was Pedo? In all honesty, footballers don't have to do much to stay out of trouble... don't take drugs and do any other stupid sh!t behind closed doors. It is amazing how dumb some of these kids are. The act itself is nothing too serious but his stupidity to do it in public while serving suspension is mind-boggling.

Not much to learn. Just kick better in front of goal. We were better than them in every facet except goalkicking.

Seen this movie before.

Have wasted a lot of opportunities. Should be a few goals up. Dangerwood quiet but I'm nervous we haven't capitalised if they start to exert some influence.

It always astounds me when I come on here how many people begrudge players fair compensation for their efforts. Guys like Ablett, Buddy etc are the reason this game is successful and growing. Ablett, for a long time, was the single best person in the whole country at his job. He deserves a bit of coin.

Oh come on. People have lost the plot about Ablett. One of the greatest players of all time, would be top 3 in the cats side at worst.

On the match preview thread, Saty suggested it was marking and spoiling. Apparently the rucks were working with Greg Stafford and Watts wasn't involved. I wouldn't read anything into that comment yet.

Would be like Stef Martin all over again. He was best when Jamar was out injured and had a good run as top dog rucking solo. When Jamar came back we tried to play both as ruck / fwds and it patently didn't work. I think the ruck/fwd partnership works best when one is a ruck foremost and rucks 70%+ game time and the other is a capable, ~200cm tall forward (e.g. Tippett or Rory Lobb) who commands a spot in the forward line in his own right but can meaningfully relief ruck for up to 30% of game time due to size and athleticism. Playing two rucks and jawboning one of them into a forward role rarely works - you end up just losing a forward.

On actual output to date Hogan shouldn't be on that list yet. Even in a down Year last year Hawkins kicked nearly ten more goals. Roughead is a jet and deserves to be there assuming he is fit to play. Riewoldt is a former Coleman medallist who also kicked more goals than Jesse last year in a dud team. Some other seriously good forwards like Jack Gunston don't make the list either. I think Jesse will move into the top five on that list before long but I like that our players are starting to be judged on output rather than potential.

I feel very uneasy about moving Gawn out of the ruck to accomodate Spencil and moving Hogan out of the forward line to accommodate Gawn. I know this is more simplistic than what you are suggesting but we have an AA ruckman and an emerging gun forward. Spencil is a largely known commodity. Surely plan A should be Gawn rucking and Hogan forward with Spencil (if he plays) having to fit into that structure as effectively as possible?

Can't tell if serious ?

It's a shame that most of the players that are ruled out of round 1 or borderline offer the two things (pace and/or footskills) that a game against the Saints at Etihad really requires. Would be feeling much more confident about round 1 if all the above plus Frost (and maybe even Pedo) had strong pre seasons under their belts and we're ready to go. Totally agree that we have more raw talent than the Saints btw. It will be a thing of beauty when this team starts to play consistently to the level it is capable of.

If we had our pic of fit players, I would switch Melksham for Bugg and add Frost into the backline mix. But I doubt Frost will get up in time and its a risk playing three underdone players (Frost, Jetta and Hibberd) all in the same side.

Great work by Newman. Classy gather and goal!

12 frees to 6 - absolutely disgraceful umpiring. Skills not amazing either. But nice to be winning.

Score flattering to be honest. We've been way off since half time. Agree Weid and O-Mac have looked way out of their depth. Hibberd is important. We need more guys who can kick. Garlett and Kent also important, we need more forward pressure.

Tmac? That was as deliberate as it gets

Our skills are just 10% below where they need to be but gee the effort is good.

I watched Richards a fair bit towards the end of the season and he didn't look to have the ability to execute skills or made good decisions under pressure. Personally, I would give him a miss.