DeeSpencer

Leppa was weird tho. Praised Melksham as 'the ultimate competitor'. Seemed to think Ben Brown was playing an absolute blinder - had good moments interspersed with being unable to break out of a jog. He clearly has more of an idea of what's going on than most of them, which is hardly a surprise. But overall I wouldn't be racing out to sign him as an assistant from his commentary. And I could kind of understand why he's a good assistant but didn't work out as a head coach.

Jones didn’t make the trip over did he? After a couple of back to back injuries and with a busy family life I assume they left him at home. I think he’ll come back in to selection possibilities now, and I’m warming to him as a sub option. Vanders had a dreadful 2nd quarter but I thought he was better after half time. He just has such limited change of direction that gets caught out especially trying to snap the ball. I’m glad he’s had a few chances to push his case even if he’s dropped now.

His best 2 marking nights have now been in the wet, against the Tigers and tonight. He still has so much to learn as a forward with leading patterns and one on one body work, hasn't quite nailed centre bounce rucking either and there's certainly more work to be done in getting him to run with the ball and kick it to targets. Like all Melbourne midfielders he does love a handball! But he's does his role, competes and seems to be growing his game. Even his quieter games are full of solid efforts and that alone for a player of his age is really commendable.

Honestly think they should start again with his left foot. He strikes them pure on the left. His right is a bunch of nonsense, spinning the ball around, arcing out and then praying he gets the big draw on it.

Did his job against fatso in the middle quarters but had only 1 moment to set up the Kossie goal where he looked anything like AFL intensity apart from in marking contests. Was down right abysmal after the break in play too. If we need a small ball full forward to mind an interceptor he's an option, but if McDonald is right to go we can't have him, Fritsch, BBB, Jackson and Melksham. One of them has to go. Last in, first out.

There's plenty of minutes for Harmes even with Viney. With the amount that Petracca goes forward and signals another mid in there's no issue. We had plenty of Sparrow and Vanders on ball. I reckon Viney causes more damage to Oliver hunting the pill when Clarry has it covered, and just general poor disposal problems and gets the ball more than we wish he would. But the defensive side of his game still makes him a net positive more often than the alternatives, even if it is frustrating. They started to get the balance of Viney to half forward and Harmes doing short stints on the wing over the last few weeks. Then we were a mile up on the Suns and they rested Harmes forward because we had Sparrow in the team and JJ subbed on, so why the heck not. As long as Goody isn't mad he won't bother with Harmes forward for more than a quick switching rotation, he's surely seen enough of that.

Hibberd for Hunt McDonald for Melksham JJ stays in Vanders back to sub Would have to think about if Salem needs a rest but they didn't do it this week and it's now getting really close to worrying about continuity and game time if he plays once in 3 weeks.

Call me a negative nelly all you like but we're top of the table, we should at least act like we know how to close out games and are disappointed with mental errors and poor preparation. Petracca could've iced it straight after the restart. Spargo should've. Jackson too. But out real issues were defensively were we still can't work out that 1 short kick takes 10 seconds, which can then be followed by the long bomb down the line that hopefully takes 30+ off the clock. We could even do 3 or 4 short kicks, then the long bomb! Imagine that. And the senior players who came out flat as a tack in the restart isn't acceptable. I'm looking at one Jake Lever. Seriously, get your head in the game mate and get some balance on those legs. Nice enough first quarter and a good 3rd term. But the Eagles are absolutely making up the numbers this year and we gave them a genuine sniff whilst also letting the rest of the league know we're still not a mature outfit.

Hawthorn tanked for a flag Collingwood tanked for a flag West coast tanked for a flag Carlton tanked to push us down the draft order and outside the priority zone, got Chris Judd. Then Melbourne tanked and it helped tear the club to pieces. But as much as I feel we got a raw deal I mostly feel for the players who's careers we really hurt and for us fans, so now is absolutely not the time to care about what the teams currently down the bottom are doing. Let them all tank forever. I will say this - North have mixed in a huge period of sheer ineptitude with the ability to draft some really good young players. They now are right on track to be a very good team within 3 years. There's every chance they bounce right passed a whole bunch of the big clubs.

We botched that hearing. But after all the nonsense the league has let go this year they were looking for a scalp. Players wrestle all the time at training. Except at Hawthorn where they stuffed up by boxing.

Collins flipped Viney off him and got up as soon as he wanted. He was attempting to get Jack to do something (more) stupid.

Think the whistle had gone for Buddy being over the boundary before he threw his arm back, that's a mystifying tribunal decision. Or would've been if it wasn't Sydney. It's hard to defend Viney but as much as anything because it's the worst of the lot it just looks worse than it is and that goes a long way with tribunal decisions sadly. There's always an incident or two each year were the 'looks bad' factor multiplies because it's the worst of the lot. I'd say a minimum of 30 players a week dig an elbow, forearm or shoulder in after a tackle. 1 or 2 get picked up on tv. 1 or 2 every month get some tribunal time. Viney just made sure his was right at the pointy end. Silly.

You've forgot the most important part - the offence. It's not striking. It could be deemed rough conduct but that's there catch all they usually use for bumps. Incidents like this are usually deemed misconduct and given fines, but they've deemed this too serious for misconduct. Hence sent to the tribunal.

If anyone needs a laugh.

Only if his trachea is in the side of his neck. Nothing more than a bit of free chiropractic work. Collins could’ve moved at any stage

Silly from Jack but there’s nothing much in this. Players do this at training all the time Collins doesn’t breathe from his ear hole.

That's a failure of the AFL/State Governments/FIFA/Football Aus to negotiate better outcomes, particularly with nonsense around stadium shutdowns/signage etc. Those kind of decisions should be re-evaluated now it's Covid times and everyone has had to cooperate better. I guess it could be handy for the occasional big final or concert but it's also going to hurt the atmosphere at home and away storm/victory/other games played there too. The stadium is a success because it's so appropriate for the teams. Anyway, hopefully it works for us and I guess it won't be the dodgiest economic stimulus going around.

Seems a horrendous waste of money to upgrade AAMI for a couple of games on women's soccer that easily could be played at Marvel or the MCG, but if we get a cut of it then sounds ok. My main concern would be making sure our facilities are (somewhat) standalone and controlled by the club. And potentially finding a way to run side businesses out of them to generate revenue. Bigger oval is nice. MCG size would've been optimal, maybe someone can sneak down and add a few metres when they stake it out.

The weird thing is Viney’s kicking when he’s balanced up in space has been better in the last few weeks than it has in years. He’s laced out targets! All because he’s not rushing and just bombing it. At other times he’s evading too many and getting caught. So first option in tight. Keep going with not rushing and finding targets when in time and space. As bad as he’s been there’s been some signs of growth in recent weeks.

No, we just played Gold Coast and limited them to about 20 inside 50’s for the game.

It is their role if Hibbo‘a not in the side. That’s the point. We aren’t putting Bowey or Salem in dangerous forwards.

Woeful up forward particularly in the 3rd quarter and last, cost us 5 goals.. 2 bad set shots in the second I think. But we’ve seen all year he’s not a forward but is a pretty handy midfielder even if he makes mistakes. The question with dropping him is who is better? I love JJ’s clean hands and team style but he can’t really kick nor is he a strong contested ball winner. He doesn’t compliment Viney and Sparrow any better than Harmes does. Vanders - meh, he’s pretty much the same as Harmes with worse movement. Melksham - no. Jones - no, for now. Chandler - no. Kye Declase - one to watch, but I doubt it.

Hibberd’s also shut down Dusty, put the brakes on Stringer, held Papley quiet, held Toby Greene to very few touches and not a huge impact. He’s still our best shut down medium defender and until I see more I don’t trust Rivers or Hunt on dangerous forwards. It’s up to Salem, May, Rivers and Hunt to handle the bulk of the distribution. And more Petty involvement ideally too.

Salem with ice on the groins. Bowey’s promising debut could give them the incentive to rest Salem for a week now rather than keeping on managing him.

Likely no changes, unless we’ve got injuries or the Eagles go so tall we decide we need another bigger defender - but I’m guessing we trust Rivers and Hunt to be the 4th talls. I still think Hibberd and JJ get their way back in to the side over Bowey and Sparrow come finals but for now we go with the same group.