P-man

FB: Jetta | Dunn | Garland HB: Salem | T McDonald | Vince C: Stretch | Tyson | Kennedy HF: Watts | Dawes | Petracca FF: Garlett | Hogan | Kent R: Gawn | N Jones | Viney I: Brayshaw | Trengove | Oliver | vandenBerg E: Lumumba | Bugg | M Jones | Pedersen I'll back Dawesy to find some consistent form when he returns from injury but it's more hopeful than anything. Can't expect the Weed to cement best 22 by mid year. This is a development year for him. I'm not seeing an overtly weak link in that team. Even behind those emergencies there is the likes of Harmes and Frost. Solid depth.

I'm pretty sure I would've drunk myself into a coma if they had marked and goaled from that last play.

This was a standout moment for me as well. You can't help but feel his passionate reaction after that goal was a one percenter that contributed to the continuation of momentum afterward. Whatever mine or anyone else's thoughts on Watts, he's one that the other players look up to inside club walls. We've heard that countless times. It hasn't translated into official leadership duties because frankly his performance onfield hasn't warranted it. If however he is able to produce performances like the one yesterday on a consistent basis, that could change. And the OP is right. We all love Wattsy. I reckon even PD loves the bloke. Deep down. Very deep down.

Out: OMac (inj), Harmes In: Dunn, Brayshaw

Deep breath. He's still a core midfielder and would need to play poorly for a few more weeks at least before coming under pressure at the selection table. This thread probably ensures he plays a blinder next week.

6. Viney 5. T.McDonald 4. Kennedy 3. Watts 2. N Jones 1. Oliver

Once we managed to get some isolation in the forward line the floodgates opened. Amazing to think that we completely ran over the top of them considering how Round 2 panned out last year. Kennedy has been a terrific pick up. Viney was heroic. Watts and AVB a mixed bag but some crucial score involvements. Fantastic win.

I'm spent. What a ride.

Why do we look so utterly hapless going forward? Consistently outnumbered. Hogan still being in mare mode doesn't help. Can't mark it. Can barely kick it.

Viney has been phenomenal so far.

Brereton almost sounds shocked at what he's seeing.

We all know and love his competitiveness. The stigma with JV is his poor kicking. It's unfair in that he's not the terrible kick he's often made out to be, but it does need to improve for him to take that next step. Thats what I'll be hoping to see this season is him finding a bit more polish and maybe even adding to the goal tally a little more frequently.

Amazing player. Won't win the Bronwlow this year but you'd be a brave man to bet against him winning at least one in his career. Hopefully he stays in Vic. The WA clubs would be salivating at the thought of Cripps and Hogan in the same side.

Pep will be shopping for the best players in the world. There are City players better than Mooy that will be having their papers signed - Navas, Fernando etc. Baby steps for Mooy. Making it into the squad of any Prem side would be a great achievement. Hopefully Rogic can stay fit and get plenty of gametime over the next 12 months. He's one of the better prospects heading towards the next WC.

If any club desperately needs a reality check this year it's Richmond. They are in deadset lala land talking premierships and "age of supremacy". Until they and the well-wishing media stop kidding themselves about the quality of their list, they're going nowhere. Hardwick can say he believes in the players all he likes. It doesn't magically make them any better. Carlton should've won that game. They seemingly won't be walk overs this season.

I don't like Oscar over Dunn but some of the reactions....lol Proof will be in the pudding on Saturday.

His speech at the BnF last year was outstanding. Got me right in the feels. Both he and Daniel Cross have been game changers for this club. Together they have signficantly accelerated the progression.

The commentary is beautifully timed. "Did he throw that?", referring to the ball but it's timed just after Pedo throws Scully to the ground. Scully therefore being "that". Not even worthy of being named. Just an object.

I would love this so much.

The main thing highlighted was the change in some league rankings. Defensive transition: 14th in 2015 to 2nd in NAB Challenge Creating turnovers in forward half: 15th in 2015 to 3rd in NAB Challenge Gone from one on one to a more modern zone defence, with willingness to leave the man and take intercept marks. More aggressive in regaining possession and moving the ball quickly.

The vision from behind the goal showing the spacial defending was also interesting. As a collective the team no longer look scared to take the game on. The real test is of course still to come in the proper stuff, particularly against the very good sides.

To not provide Hunter with a list of what they injected him with, and then pursue him for the legal costs when he takes them to court in an attempt to source such information...words fail me. It goes far beyond any residual dislike for the EFC. This conduct is contemptible on an objective level. If there was a case for a clean out of the MFC at board and admin level on a competitive basis, what about doing the same at the EFC on an ethical basis?

Trac at full forward is an interesting call. Surely in an ideal world he'd be used further up the ground to take full advantage of his physical attributes. I'd be switching him and Hogan around at least. For the purposes of 2016 alone, I have no issue with Pedersen being a fixture of the front 6. He's become quite reliable. If it's a choice between Frost and Pedo, I choose Pedo. Ideally, Stretch will be best 22 by season's end. I'd like to see him nudging ahead of Harmes.

We need another outside runner and to me it is a three way contest between Lumumba, M Jones and Stretch. Using yesterday's game as a form guide, surely Stretch is stating a case for selection. Lumumba reportedly had little impact and needs to earn back his spot in the side. M Jones has looked decent during the NAB but we know what his ceiling is. I'd have no issue with him being selected but I'd be seriously looking at Billy the kid for Round 1. I'm quite disappointed he didn't get more of a run during the NAB.

That list is laugh out loud funny Montagna at 17 and Goddard still playing for St Kilda. Someone needs to tell Karl what year it is.