DeeSpencer

6 - Petracca 5 - Oliver 4 - Jackson 3 - Fritsch 2 - Salem 1 - ANB To beat the Dogs by 74 points with Gawn, Lever and May being quiet and Daniel and Bont playing well shows you how good our best players were and how deep our side was too. Everyone played their role for a decent chunk of the game.

The game didn’t break for Koz and it was disappointing to see him go in to his shell at times but he also never stops running. His work rate opened up room for team mates and then his defensive pressure created chances. He can positively impact a game without touching the ball. It was strange to see him tentative at the contest for the ball because he put his body right on the line defensively multiple times. His shepherd to buy Petracca room for the dribble goal was a thing of beauty

His chase on JJ to impact the kick when things weren’t going well impressed me as much as anything. A full preseason with Ben Brown teaching him leading patterns could take his forward game to another level. Early in the year when we went smaller he had a much bigger role up forward and had some great games but it was mostly when the play came to him. His forward game started to come on and hopefully just keeps getting better

Ravens, SeaHawks, Buccs

I reckon he was trying to protect it early. In the second half he said ‘stuff it’ and went all out. Still surprised we didnt have Hunt as sub given it was clear May was a risk. But all is well that ends well. I rate Naughton as high as any forward in the comp, he’s the best mark in the league. May restricted him to 4 marks.

Congrats on your son playing for the Saints in future years

Bont on Oliver. Fine at most. Good footy

Gawn went down easy looking for the free kick. Players risk their safety to draw free kicks all the time. It probably should’ve been paid but he definitely exaggerated it

Max played it up a bit but the tackle certainly went on. Not sure it really played a role. But Viney hit the next stoppage hard, forced the ball our way. Bailey Smith fumbled it to Harmes and the rest was history.

I wish Tomlinson and Hunt were in this photo too. 3 superstars in their prime. 3 young guns who just got better as the year went on. 1 veteran who timed his run back in to the side right at the right moment. May clearly wasn't 100%, Lever didn't have a great game and Petty was kept away from it too. Credit the Dogs for really working around our talls for 2.5 quarters. But Hibberd and Rivers blanketed their men. Bowey and Salem were filling the gaps to take away the Dogs dangerous runners. And once the mids got back on top this backline found their stride and didn't look like coughing up a score.

I thought Fritsch had some fantastic performances as the undersized FF early in the year without Brown or even with Weid instead. I think it took a while for Brown and Fritsch to find that chemistry that allowed one of them to be the full forward and the other to slot in to a different slot. But they really worked it out in the last 6 weeks or so. It's certainly fair to keep pushing Fritsch to be better defensively and to sometimes hit some ground ball contests with more conviction. But I think he chased harder than he's ever chased in the last month or so, and that Brown/Fritsch combination that often sees them lead to different areas certainly reached its peak tonight.

Was he directly on him a lot? Saw Bowey shake hands with Treloar at the start. Then saw him out body Bailey Smith in a marking contest too. And was sat on by JJ for that hanger obviously. But certainly was on Weightman a lot including a number of crucial contests late. 175cm. Just turned 19. Predominantly played wing and half forward as a junior. Missed the whole year last year from covid. Interrupted VFL season. What a story. His quick hands, reading of the player, ability to compete in the air for a small, so much to like. And he's still just getting a taste and hasn't really had a huge chance to do what he does best which is chop a game up with his kicking.

I love Sparrow. What a booming goal. He's the type of player that wins you flags as a role player. But Cerra is the type of star that wins you flags. Like Petracca, Oliver, Lever, May etc. And we need more skill in our midfield because as fun as it is to crash and bash at some stage hitting some easy targets is probably the way to go! With so few clubs in the race for Cerra we've wisely thrown our hat in the ring. He's a premium player being made available with only 1 suitor. But sometimes you're better off sticking with multiple team first role players than going all in for one more star.

All I wanted is 1 flag. All I really wanted was a group of players who were proud to play for the club and resilient and didn't back down. Physically or mentally. And boy did we get that. The Dogs midfield got on top. They tangled our intercept defenders and had weapons at ground level that would trouble any side. Plus a skilled ball use game to move the ball around. But a teenage ruckman and a collection of hard nosed maniacs in the midfield said not today and all of a sudden the game completely changed. Our players were proud and were incredibly resilient and gave us everything we could ever wish for and more.

We simply don't have the picks or players to offer to get Freo to agree to a deal. They'd rather force him to the PSD than accept a future first rounder and some change. Because for the first time in 57 years we have premiership players that we can't just toss aside.

Pats, Broncos, Saints

I can't believe the Ravens lost to the Raiders. Such a crazy finish. The Raiders defense does look stronger and they'll always be able to do something on offense. Interesting team. Cardinals, Eagles and Saints the big winners from week 1. Time will tell if they are quality teams or not. The Eagles jumping up in the NFC East as the Cowboys (turnover luck) and Washington continue to be lopsided teams would be very NFC East. Packers and Titans the big losers in terms of teams expected to be at the top of their (very weak) divisions.

6 - Gawn 5 - Petracca 4 - Viney 3 - Salem 2 - Oliver 1 - Pickett Apologies to Brown, Spargo, Bowey, Langdon and many others.

Vikings 49ers Ravens

I'll have another go and try to stick with it this year. AFC North: Steelers AFC East: Bills AFC South: Titans AFC West: Chiefs Wildcards: Pats, Chargers, Browns In the mix: Ravens, Dolphins, Broncos NFC North: Packers NFC East: Washington FT NFC South: Bucs NFC West: Rams Wildcards: 49ers, SeaHawks, Saints In the mix: Cowboys, Vikings, Falcons Teams in Bold are the ones I think are genuine superbowl contenders. AFC North and NFC West (both 3 genuine chances) and the AFC South (0 great teams) probably the hardest to pick. MVP: Stafford

Really sucks for Joel, but I think the hope is Hibbo’s had a good freshen up now and can do a job as required. The reality is we don’t have perfect match ups for Cameron, Esava and Rohan no matter who got the nod as the 6th and 7th defender. Especially with Duncan, Touhy and Isaac Smith rotating through the forward flanks and demanding attention. Throw in Max Holmes too who can really motor from contest to contest. Sadly Geelong have moved away from the strategy of loading up with nothing half forward flankers who could be zoned off.

The Cats had us covered until they started resting their stars at 3/4 time last time we met. It's going to be a huge test. They've definitely improved their side with their changes this week as well. Sounds like our boys had a good first week in the hub, getting some much deserved rest, but it has to be all business from here.

Surely he’s just specifying which car park it is. He could easily say ‘which is further to the west’.

He completely lost it at the umps at one stage in a fashion that really should result in a fine if we're trying to protect umpires and set a good example. Not a huge issue, players from all teams have done it, but that kind of stuff isn't on. Otherwise I thought he was fairly restrained.

Smith came in for Fritsch in the prelim