P-man

He's looked off all year. Pure speculation but it seems something is not right with him mentally. He's never been consistent but he just looks a mile off his best atm. Hopefully his heart is still in it.

I agree with this. Goodwin continually talks about building a brand "from the comtest out". While every team aspires to some extent be hard around the ball, Goodwin (and Roos) have backed it up with the cattle brought into the midfield and the style they play. There are clearly still flaws but one thing that can't be questioned is that we are now a hardened midfield that will match or better any other team in the league as far as winning the hard ball. This, coupled with the umps putting the whistle away, bodes well for how we should fare once we make it to September.

Listening to Maxy on the Land podcast, so is he. Was asked to name the best young talent at the club with usual names of Oliver, Petracca, Hogan and Hunt thrown at him. He singled out ANB as being underrated. I found it to be an interesting comment. As you say, it's hard to tell how good he will end up being but at this point I'm glad we have him.

Using DE stats for defenders especially is a useless exercise. However using the eye test, O Mac is (or at least will be) a better kick than his brother. I think we're seeing as good as it's ever going to get with T Mac. I see more upside with O Mac in that facet of his game.

Weirdly timed thread given Dom has actually been better in recent weeks. Still looks slower in the legs but he's tidied up his disposal. He won't be the leader of the midfield going forward but we no longer need him to be.

Fair enough. I can understand why. Geelong and Richmond were the toughest to swallow for me because we were clearly the better side on both occasions. Geelong we just refused to kick straight in front of goal and Richmond we got run over with a depleted side. I think what separates this season so far is being able to pinpoint why we lost on each occasion for reasons outside of "we played like [censored]" which is a welcome change. My faith is growing but it will take a big hit if we can't put away North and Gold Coast.

Would have Harmes over Melksham in a heartbeat. And I'm not even much of a Harmes fan.

That loss was the easiest one to stomach for me. We were still trying to gel without a recognised ruckman and Hoges was hardly in a great place. Hawthorn to their credit played well. We played okay, we just caught them on a good day and it was a narrow loss. It happens. The other three losses shouldn't have happened and likely wouldn't have happened if it weren't for injuries and silly suspensions. All in all there's not a lot to be disappointed about in terms of how we've played. Scrappy at times but always in the contest. This week is a little different in terms of expectation. Largely on the back of what happened last week. The midfield has adapted to life without Gawn or Spencer and has proven it can still win the clearance battle while the opposition ruckman breaks the world record for hitouts. Forwards are applying elite pressure, mids are working their arses off running both ways and the backline is functioning well especially with Frost in career best form. They've proven last week what is possible when everyone in the team we are fielding plays their role. Barring a repeat of Richmond where we play out more than half the game with two on the bench and Watts playing a majority role in the ruck, a win this week is non negotiable if last week was a true turning point.

The conjecture around whether it hit the post or not will work against him. Flogs like KB made sure there was plenty of doubt placed in people's heads.

Great thread. The small forward position seems a bit of a thankless one at times. I've been a Jeffy fan pretty much from the day he walked in. He had swagger, the likes of which we had rarely seen at the club at that point in time. He still has the swagger, but he's bringing work rate every week and most importantly converting his opportunities. There are 17 other clubs who would love Jeff Garlett on their list right now. He's a ripper.

This win was an interesting one. Yes it was a great win and the defensive side especially was exceptional. But Adelaide's loss agaist North the week before, who are definitely not a good side, took a little bit of the gloss off. In the developmeant of the group there's no doubting it was noteworthy. But I wouldn't necessarily place it ahead of the Geelong win in 2015 or Hawthorn last year. All three have been equally important steps. On top of that, if we lose to North this week, it will be one of a string of examples of Melbourne picking and choosing when to get themselves up for a game. In this case it was for Jesse. It's great they wanted to lift for a teammate going through hard times, but it shouldn't require such inspiration to bring elite effort. In short, no, not yet. The next three weeks will determine how safe it is to start believing.

They had a topic on 360 discussing how "unlikely" it was at the start of the season that Yeo would be leading the Coaches award. Yeo is playing in his sixth season with 92 games. Oliver is 7 votes behind Yeo in third place. He's playing in his second season with 21 games. I couldn't help but think Gerard and Robbo were overlooking the more unlikely event. Yeo might be unlikely. Oliver is defying all logic.

Thanks LH. Much appreciated.

Stunned. Best wishes to him on his treatment and recovery.

I hope stu is enjoying Pedo's run of form. Been extremely reliable so far, as he often is #PedoFacts

Hannan played one of if not his best pressure games for the season. Bugg chipped in at important stages and kicked a couple of goals. Hogan for Weed the only change, although Stretch in for Wagner wouldn't upset me greatly.

Those who have seen the game on tv will note the sound of the lone Melbourne supporter near the comm box shouting "woo hoo hoo" at different stages during the last quarter. Gave me a chuckle hearing a lone voice in a sea of silent Crows fans.

I watched a different Wagner to you. I lost count of the number of mistakes he made with ball in hand. Offensively he was very poor.

I'm loving it. So used to getting the other end of the stick. Opposition supporters especially hate it. It's great.

If North hadn't humbled them I'd give us a real shot. The Crows will now be breathing fire. <sarcasm>So for once we are unlucky and face a team at the worst possible time...</sarcasm> I'm reluctant to have Kent in when he seemingly refuses to pull his finger out at VFL level but we badly need some added run. Out: JKH, Bugg, Wagner in: Kent, ANB, Stretch Hannan gets one more week. Looked out of place on the weekend but can't really fault his effort.

It's all about the start. If we get the jump on them early and can carry it through to halftime, the evidence says they won't be coming back. Clarkson reportedly gave them the hairdryer treatment at halftime against the Saints and they responded with an even more insipid performance. For all their experience, they are currently a side that needs an early sniff to be in the game. If that happens, they are capable of doing what they did to West Coast.

The evidence supporting it was what we gave up to get him (which I maintain was massive overs), the pre-existing relationship (which on the surface is close for a coach and player). and the string of very ordinary games with Melksham remaining on the teamsheet the following week. That said, It was mainly tongue in cheek discussion from what I saw. I didn't genuinely think Goodwin was playing him due to favouritism. I was however starting to suspect he rated him a lot higher than what I believe his actual worth is. His omission is several weeks late imo but better late than never.

A trend being actively encouraged by a certain orange world leader.

If Dunny puts in a consistent block of performances and Pies fans start claiming credit for turning his career around, I will have a decision to make: laugh or vomit.

Win this weekend and we're there.