DeeSpencer

We played an Adelaide team without Walker, O’Brien, Milera, B Smith, Brown, Crouch, Talia and down a tall early and we started awfully then didn’t finish them off until very late. I know these type of games are tricky with everyone in self preservation mode but it was still far from the perfect rehearsal. There were large patches of the first 3/4’s were we couldn’t stop their transition game and we couldn’t hold on to the ball either. We haven’t played a proper side for 3 weeks now and only done a real number on 1 of 3. I think we need a true rehearsal against the Cats to sharpen us back up.

JJ's been far cleaner by hand, his quick hands have been the best part of his game. I agree that he's slow to use the ball from kick/mark situations, but that's only a few times a game. But the biggest difference between them is JJ has now proven himself to be useful enough of a wing but I don't think Sparrow has. Unless the coaches want to rotate Harmes through the wing I think JJ remains the more likely option to stay in the side.

The pros: Tough, hard at it, improving tackler and really runs hard. But the cons are his kicking leaves a lot to be desired and he just doesn't have a whole lot of game sense. Plus he fumbles. You just can't fumble at AFL level. He's going to be a really nice combination of size, power and endurance when he's at his physical peak over the next few years, whether he can improve his skills and game sense to be more than depth I'm not so sure.

I've always been a Smith fan and I still think if he got continuity he'd be a player, it's just the longer he goes without any continuity the less likely it is he'll A) stay healthy and B) have it all click. He's also now in the position of either playing full back or as a lock down back pocket, neither of which really suit him, when the best role for him is probably the spot that Hunt has played this year using his pace and aerial ability to fill in gaps between the lines. He doesn't read the play as well as Lever and doesn't hold enough marks, but I maintain he does read the player better than people give him credit for and he has the great athletic traits. As always he made a few mistakes today - every player does. Luckily not too many of them were fatal. He also had 7 intercept possessions, only one off our team high. Given how inexperienced our defensive depth players will likely be next year I'm fine with giving Smith one more chance when he knows the system.

Out: Smith, Melksham, Sparrow In: May, McDonald, Viney Gus had a stinker, as he’s tended to do against quick sides that take the game on. But if they didn’t drop him weeks ago - eg post the Giants game - I doubt they will now. What they should do is look at Gus to half back or half forward at various times if he just isn’t getting the job done against quick wingers. Can use JJ, Harmes or Bowey on the wing instead.

Had that one beautiful kick inside 50 that was probably for Sparrow and sharked by Jackson but otherwise a lot of his kicks were more in to space and safe rather than pulling the trigger. I'm not complaining about that, it's absolutely the right thing to do in your second game but I reckon he's just getting warmed up when it comes to kicking. The quick hands jump off the screen and he's looked very willing in the contest for a small bloke, it's great to see.

I like that the club has suggested something proactive and possible rather than the campaign parts of the AFL have pushed for attempting to remove anonymity from the internet. That's attempting to put the toothpaste back in the tube. I know they shouldn't have to but all players need to have turned off the ability to receive messages or notifications from anyone apart from those they follow. Anyone wishing to contact them can do so via the club or their managers.

Maybe he was more than solid. I thought he was about 7/10. Did some very nice things but they were just the examples of some of his lesser moments. He played on a kid in his first real season too. My expectations on what a player does is different if they played on May or if they played on Petty for instance. Even without Tommy Mc they kept his game time relatively low for a key forward and kept him fresh. If he keep playing at the 7/10 standard I’ll be happy enough, I just think those suggesting he’s been better than that or has another great are missing the reality of the situation. He looks a fair way off the mark physically and is battling his hardest to play his role. I doubt that changes until he gets a good preseason in.

We go too defensive with flooding numbers back and bombing long. We have to learn how to take more short kicks to kill time, then if there’s nothing on go long. Even in the wet it’s possible to hit a few short chips. Then when we’ve got the ball forward we have to defend as we normally do which is getting pressure on and either locking it in or forcing the opposition to bomb and backing our defenders. The ball goes to where the numbers are. That’s a truism for any ball sport. We flood back, the ball gets locked in our backline, we invite pressure and scores. More short kicks, more run and carry, slightly more aggressive numbers set up = better control of the game.

One of the coaches! One of the coaches also couldn’t find a vote for Nibbler so I’m not sure how much we should worry about that

Find the footage of him stuck in first gear when Jordon laced it out to him and tell me that’s still true. He had a number of very good moments. Including one lovely goal and one solid mark and goal. Got a gift for his other goal, and should’ve probably got more from the umps but he hasn’t bought his umps with him from North. Missed 2 chances entirely. Took an important contested mark late. Then turned it over by not making the distance down the line. Overall he was solid and he’s putting in the effort to adapt to the game plan and play his role. But he’s still just fighting to stay up to the pace of the game. And has moments where he’s just completely off it. My criticism is with anyone suggesting he played really well or is on the verge of breaking out. There’s nothing to suggest that so far.

Depends on the role: Wing/on ball - Vanders Half forward/touch of wing - Jones Sub - Jones (just). Vanders had some rough moments in the 2nd quarter adjusting to the tempo of the game but he was ok in the second half. His size and straight line speed are still assets, both in defending and attacking in straight lines. Unfortunately the wheels have copped horrendous damage over the years and the steering is a struggle. Also at least one of those free kicks were rubbish. Can't be rewarding guys for sliding in to opponents and getting high free kicks with no contact initiated by the defending player. That's play on.

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.