DeeSpencer

Actually I think come round 1 we will have only 6 in the backline as we need the extra midfield and forward rotation more. If all 6 defenders play around 90% game time we can make up the 50 or 60% that one of them is on the bench for by filling in with midfielders. Look for McKenzie, Matt Jones, Michie or Watts to take a percentage of time as a high half back playing on an opposition midfielder who starts forward of the centre.

Ask me a few weeks ago and now way. But after the Richmond game it became pretty apparent we are playing a fantasy friendly game plan as well as giving our starting midfield a fair work out in the preseason.

The Howe's paddock game plan out of necessity has worked pretty well. But considering he's one of our fittest players and a dangerous player in space I hope we can get him up the field against the Hawks.

I reckon a lot of people don't give two flying [censored] and think anyone who still cares about what number draft pick etc. is a muppet The question to ask is will Jack Watts make an above average tall wingman with nice speed, good run and clean skills. On tonights evidence the answer is over time he probably will. If he steps up his attack at the contest and tackling he'll be even better again.

I'd play McKenzie just as a midfield/forward rotation round 1 and tag if needed. He was actually pretty good with ball in hand and getting it going the right direction. I thought it was a decent effort for Blease. I was almost impressed by him (which I rarely am). And Byrnes found a heap of footy (as far as our forward line goes) but just made so many woeful mistakes you don't expect from an experienced player. His MFC career has been a tease. He's often shown a lot of things he's good at only to stuff up the simple things

Selwood pulling out was a huge help obviously but clearances at least number wise and after a very very slow start to the game came up pretty well. Hopefully we can get Jack Viney back in there soon to support the clearance mids. Tyson, Jones and Vince still looked our best shot of winning a clearance. Cross might have lost a step in close and Michie needs more time at AFL level. Trengove....hmmm I'm still not impressed with him as a clearance mid. Showed his talent in the second half (and some speed on a nice pick up turn and kick at pace from half back) but he doesn't impress me in close.

You tipping a long winter or early spring? May as well talk Groudhogs because I'm sick of the Watts talk.

The thing about Watts is that he's going to be bad until he's good. Then he'll be really good. He went too far backwards with the ball when he should be the final man in the link up. He's still not backing his speed. Still plays for frees and doesn't hit loose balls hard enough. Or tackle with conviction. Also dropped out the back too much particularly in the first quarter instead of running forward to get the ball. But it was also his first hit out in a new role and other players were a game in front of him. If he was drafted with pick 50 in last years draft and today was his debut you'd say he has a lot to learn but showed a lot of good signs as well. We have to persist with him and he has to step up in some of the simpler areas to fix.

FB: ????? Frawley Dunn HB: Grimes McDonald ???? C: Watts Jones Trengove HF: Michie Hogan Toumpas FF: JKH ???? Howe Foll: Spencer Vince Tyson Int: ????? Cross McKenzie S:???? 2 backline spots: Georgiou, Terlich, Clisby, ?Strauss Key forward and back up ruck: Fitzy, ?Dawes, ?Gawn Midfield: Matt Jones, ?Viney Small forward/sub: Blease, Bail, Byrnes, ?Kent

He showed a lot. It's just annoying to see guys not tackle and not hit the ball hard. It's pretty simple stuff. But that's the way with Watts so we stick with him and at least now he can contribute in some ways and learn in others.

Who was minding Vince or Tyson. You do the maths.

Never kick off the ground in the backline Stevie J! Good job Viv. Gets his second of the night and was involved at half back so good work rate. Toumpas involved twice as well.

Jared Rivers at Melbourne - asleep on the mark during regular season games Jared Rivers at Geelong - pushing right over the mark cramping kicks (should've been 50 though) in preseason games.

Salem yes. Not the other two. Viney and Tyson give us some left footers through the midfield and away from clearances. If Salem and Barry come on that's a couple for half forward and outside midfield. Kent and (not that he counts Byrnes as well). We badly need at least one from half back. Grimes kicks ok on his left. Nicholson (who I must say has been good tonight doesn't count). What I'd give for a Malceski or any of the Hawthorn left footers. Xavier Ellis could've been worth a thought in hindsight (lets see if he stays fit).

[censored] the slide rule. Such a joke. One Sydney player breaks a leg and the game of footy gets changed forever. Same thing with a new ruck rule mainly for Adam Goodes because some rucks had no technique.

Dawes would help as well so we can split him and Hogan. We really need him fit for round 1. Matt Jones

By the way this game plan would work infinitely better if we had some more left footers to come on their strong side. Spencer! Turn and kick the goal man!!! But beautiful hit up. (?Fluke)

Wasn't late so no 50. 1 week. Let's not get carried away. It's a mans game.

BYRNES!!!! GTFO

FIRE UP DEMONS> LOVE IT SPENCER!!!! Good for Toump to wear one and get up and keep going (presuming he's ok).

Simple lesson. Share the ball until you are out in space. Not share the ball until you are out in 50m of space but have gone a mile backwards. The extra 2 handballs are killing us.

New contract for Jack Watts. You get 1 million per year. Every time you appeal for a free kick and don't get it you pay back 50,000. Over a course of a season he probably ends up paying to play.

The umpire calling play on when he didn't definitely didn't help his cause.

Left arm spoil there Tommy Mc! Walker is a plodder he could've got that. Frustrating. Cats really doing nothing this quarter. It's just us making mistake after mistake.

At some stage we just have to hold the ball up. Particularly if we've got in on the far open wing. Just stop, hold it, take the 10 seconds you get then move it on.