P-man

On another topic, as Matt Jones' most staunch defender on this site, I'd have hoped you would be a bit more vocal over his recent form. Where's the "I told you so"? Kudos to you and to him.

All thoroughly deserved. I didn't think it was one of Jonesy's better games by any stretch. Didn't use the ball as well as he usually does.

Agreed. If his last two weeks are any indication he is slowly building towards some form. His game against North was his best to date where he drifted forward at times and was damaging. Reliable kicks coming out of the back half are crucial so I'm happy for him to stay where he is for now. He may be a slow burn but the quality is obvious.

I think his last two games have been a lot better than his first two. But on the whole I agree. We need the ball in his hands more often.

I have little doubt a man of Jim's calibre would've gotten over that a long time ago. The fact it is such a sticking point with some supporters is a little weird to me. The kid could've handled a situation he was totally unprepared for a little better, with smarter people advising him, but ultimately the Scully hate is fine in a theatrical sense but is generally out of whack. I'm so over him leaving, especially considering what we got in return. Howe's gushing over all things Collingwood since his decision to go there has been embarrassing, and his efforts towards the end of his career at Melbourne even moreoso. Although having watched him in black and white, maybe laziness on the field is just in his DNA. Anyhow, you have your villain, I have mine. Everybody wins.

I decided screw it, I'll run this again. Below is an alternate vote count that uses a wider sample of votes given. Demonland Player of the Year Unofficial Tally (random sample of 10 voters each week) Name - votes (number of games polling votes /number of games played) 1. Viney - 158 (3/4) 2. Watts - 96 (3/4) 3. Kennedy - 91 (2/4) 4. Gawn - 86 (3/4) 5. Vince - 66 (3/3) 6. N Jones - 65 (3/4) 7. T McDonald - 39 (2/4) 8. Tyson - 39 (2/4) 9. Garlett - 36 (1/3) 10. Jetta - 35 (4/4) 11. Oliver - 29 (2/4) 12. Lumumba - 24 (2/4) 13. Hogan - 20 (3/4) 14. Wagner - 16 (1/1) 15. M Jones - 13 (2/4) 16. Kent - 11 (1/4) 17. Pedersen - 5 (2/3) 18. Frost - 3 (1/3) 19. Harmes - 3 (1/4) 20. Salem - 3 (1/4) 21. Bugg - 2 (1/4) Best per round (in order of votes): Rd 1 (GWS): Viney, Watts, T McDonald, Kennedy, N Jones, Oliver, Gawn, Vince, Jetta, M Jones, Hogan Rd 2 (Ess): Kennedy, Garlett, N Jones, Vince, Tyson, M Jones, Jetta, Harmes, Pedersen Rd 3 (Nth): Viney, Gawn, Vince, Lumumba, Jetta, Oliver, Hogan, Kent, Salem Rd 4 (Coll): Watts, Viney, Gawn, Wagner, Tyson, N Jones, T McDonald, Lumumba, Kennedy, Pedersen, Frost, Bugg, Hogan, Jetta

I'm now even more convinced on Howe being more worthy of my scorn.

I made a tasty little profit on the game. The odds were too ridiculous not to have a flutter.

So you'd rather knock the 20 year old who gave his all and left when offered an unprecedented multi-million dollar contract, over a player who put in half hearted efforts and left to fulfill a dream of playing for his beloved Pies under the coach whose signature he had stashed in his wallet. I'd rather knock the latter, personally.

Hopefully he's better than Clarke, Pettard and Lamumba.

Watching a replay now, Yep, we can't drop Oliver. He is just silk personified in close.

14 of his possessions were contested. He's going nowhere.

Hunt for Vince is the only one that seems a formality. Oliver maybe rested for Garlett, although I'm nervous about tinkering too much with the midfield now that it's clicking and Clarry has class you can't replace. Matt Jones perhaps. Whoever it is will be unlucky.

Can't believe how poor he was today. He wouldn't be getting a game if he was still here.

Highlight of the day was arguably Howe coughing up that goal. Oh how I enjoyed watching him spud it up all day long.

Clinical today. Pies are a bottom four side on current evidence. Backline held together. Forward line functioned well. Midfield carried on from last week with slick hands, good decisons (generally) and ferocious defence. Frost easily his best game in the jumper. He and Pedo can play in the same team apparently Now to tick off two in a row. I'll be making the trip down to watch it happen. Hopefully.

Extremely tough. 6. Viney 5. Watts 4. Gawn Throw a blanket over about 10 players from here. 3. Tyson 2. Frost 1. Lumumba

Meh. Not the least bit worried. But if something does come of it, we take our medicine the Cronulla way. Not rioting. The other one.

Way ahead of ya

Okay, well we disagree on that front. I rate Hibberd higher than Melksham and certainly less of a gamble. He has retained some degree of form over the past two years. Melksham has not. I'd part company with a second round pick if it came down to it, given we know what we'd be getting.

The Saints killed them with speed, both running and ball movement. No doubt hopeful of doing the same. Good luck to him.

Last week's performance was noticed. It's why the likes of McGuire have said that we're playing good football. Hell, Treloar described Melbourne as a "quality side" that "should be 3-0". Platitudes aside, there's no way anyone would dare have used the term "quality" to describe Melbourne directly after the Essendon loss. Getting so close to North and beating them in every component bar the final score surprised many and repaired a fair bit of damage from the Essendon game. But there's a lot still to come. Beating Collingwood will help a little bit further. Just be professional and get the job done. 2-2 looks a lot better than 1-3.

Were you happy with giving up Pick 25 for Melksham? No intention on bagging Melksham just curious as to how you comparatively assess the two.

...brings all the boys to the yard?

I didn't think he phrased it that categorically. Could be wrong. Only a fool would consider this a foregone conclusion for the Pies. They are playing horribly. I'm not getting my hopes up, but seeing the look of disappointment on Howe's face would go some way to making up for the Essendon debacle.