P-man

Who knows when we'll get there, but who do you want to play against most of all when we do?

Pencil may well look for greener pastures now that Gawn is pretty much entrenched as first choice. Grimes, Watts and Jetta will all be looking to re-sign.

We scored almost 100 points last week with Hogan kicking just the 1 goal. No Hogan this week presents another opportunity to explore other avenues to goal, as well as further put to bed the idea that we can't kick a big score without him.

I had hopes for Tynan at one stage. I wonder how his footy is going.

MM, good post but is Frost's forward pressure really the selling point for playing him forward? I understand the argument but he still didn't manage to lay a tackle on the weekend. He just looks so unconvincing as a forward. As a defender he looks right in his comfort zone where he has to track his opponent, and those line breaking runs out of the back half could be a real weapon for us. Pedo is no star but he's a reliable mark, kick for goal and serviceable pinch hit ruck. The others you mention are equipped to provide the increased forward pressure it seems will become a feature this season. Frost seems surplus to the requirements in the forwardline.

One of the latest Fox ads has a little girl designating each kid in a lineup as a star player in the completion. The usual candidates pop up as she points at each kid - Pendlebury, Fyfe etc. Then all of a sudden..."Nathan Jones". I just about fell off my chair. It's nice to know he's as highly regarded in some circles as he is by (most) Demon supporters.

If Matt Jones plays another two like his game on Saturday, he'll be tough to leave out. Going wth Nash's starting 18 which looks all but locked in for mine, the Interchange is something of a raffle between Grimes, Harmes, Frost, Stretch, Oliver, Bugg, Kennedy and M Jones. At this stage I'd go with Harmes, Grimes, Bugg and Kennedy. Oliver looks the goods but a few games to see what he does at VFL level won't hurt him. That said, he may be too enticing to leave out after the next two games. He looks exceedingly composed at stoppages and it makes a difference.

He did some very nice things on the weekend and that tackle was one of them.

I have a birthday coming up soon Pammie. Just sayin.

We need to somehow lure Weitering here. First game and he's looked Carlton's best player. MFC fan so half the work is done

daz, bang on with those assessments. Watts still has a way to go to reach his full potential. There was an aerial contest he backed out of which almost, or at least should of, resulted in a Port goal. And as silky as he can be with his disposal, he remains prone to dumb errors ala the looping kick at the end which resulted in Port getting a cheap goal they did not deserve. That one stood out but there were others. He's getting there though. Slowly. The aggression today was an improvement on what we've become used to.

Meh. I've learned to tune it all out. Opposition fans (and media) naturally prefer the status quo of Melbourne being a basket case. It means their own team is one more spot away from the bottom. Focus us on how the team is progressing and the sounds coming out of the club. Ignore everything else. If they ain't us, they are the enemy. What they say reflects that status.

Can't ask for a lot more from a first hit out. Very scrappy when the heat was on early but a walk in the park after halftime. More interchanges, slight rub of the green with the umps, but basically just harder at it with slick ball movement. Two more performances like that and hit Round 1 with a flourish,

He's been a bit more tolerable today.

Vanders though. Boy oh boy have we plucked a gem there.

Aw yeah. Pumped as hell for this.

Those three latest interview are all terrific in their own right. i especially like listening to Nibbler talk. I know some think he has a case of verbal diarrhoea but he's just very thoughtful about his responses and as a supporter I appreciate the fact he puts some thought into what he says. Was interesting to hear him single out Tommy Bugg as a positive influence on the younger players with his hardness at the contest. Bugg is one that I'm really looking forward to seeing in the red and blue on Saturday. Fans who aren't familiar with him are going to love him I reckon. Doesn't know how to take a backward step.

Matt Jones is the only one I won't be bothered to see left out. The rest I'd like to see how they fare. Including Terls going by some of the training reports.

It's a good day on Demonland when OD is churning out the optimism I've tried to fool myself into thinking I don't care about the result, but after reading the comments on the Port BF board predicting a "100 point win if we're half serious", I'd really like to beat these muppets. Not having our two best and most seasoned midfielders will make it tough to do that. But it would be sweet if our younger brigade can pull it off. Intriguing to watch.

Trenners for sure. What a bonus it will be if he can come back at full running capacity. Trac a close second. Others I am most excited to see in terms of what level they can go to this season, in order, are Tyson, Kent, Vanders and Salem. Those four go up a gear and we become a much more damaging side.

I'm hoping we get to see Jetta v Wingard. Always an interesting mini battle. Which Nev usually wins

lol..I don't think anyone doubts that for a second, BA. The burning question is whether you will give him any credit if he plays well.

Wouldn't say Garland is likely, Ron. Barely scrapes into the possibility category. Seen a couple of team photos now with Vince standing alongside Jonesy/Roos. May possibly be a change in vice duties on the cards.

Footy is back. Kinda. Thoughts on this game? Is the result more important for us than it would be for other sides? Keep in mind this is Port's second pre-season game so a strengthened lineup from Game 1 is likely. Potential match ups? Debuts to look forward to? What do you want out of the game? Reponses that expand beyond "no injuries" welcomed.

I wonder how much say Whateley had in the decision to have Heppell on the show, if any.