Western Demon

I don't know the specific circumstances of the sacking, I doubt if it's still directly related to the 'gay' comment - probably massive continuing personality clashes. Aker is just too much his own man. Personally, I think he has not only been a brilliant player, but if you listened to his commentary on games and strategy, he is very thoughtful: I imagine he's a very intelligent bloke, but just not suited to team mentality or -more obviously- club culture. So ultimately a negative even destructive element, especially in a game like ours. I doubt if we'll see him outside of media now, and unfortunately made into a clown, rather than a thinker. I can't see him in any administrative role. Perhaps he'd enjoy captain/coach in a decent country side ? Farewell Aker, we've enjoyed the ride. Give us one last handstand

If Jack Watts wasn't Jack Watts, not much would be said about him at all. As Master Demon observes - some good, bad and ugly: this is true with most players, most of the time. We praise or attack performances by the team or by individuals on the basis of how much was 'good' or 'bad' or 'ugly'. So far, Jack isn't much of anything - he had two chances, at the end of quarters, to make a hero of himself, but couldn't; there were a few blunders and fumbles elsewhere, but he got some valuable possessions and disposed the ball fairly efficiently. As I said, if we didn't have such a high expectation, we wouldn't bother having this thread. I can only hope that optimists are right.

Consider this objectively: if Jack Watts wasn't a #1 pick, and wasn't accompanied by countless media pages of hype, would you have noticed him ? I will assume football analysts know what they're talking about, and he's a potential key position star. For the time-being, he is slow by foot and slow by mind and lacks skills in and around stoppages; he lacks confidence in contested marks and his kicking (long or short) is "ordinary". A commentator today called him a "schoolboy", which is right - so therefore I'd let him run with the big boys as much as possible: dropping him will only give him a false sense of confidence: he need to find a yard, and needs to contest the ball against harder, more skilled players. But in truth I cannot see his "potential". Then again - I had despaired of Jamar just a year or two ago, but have been proven wrong. I'd love to be wrong again.

I think it was the last 6 of 7 ... could have been, should have been, a 10 goal win. Very lax, and very disappointing. I'm not sure exactly how bad Essendon are - nor do I know how good we are. Given normal inconsistencies, our next four games may be indicative: Fremantle (in WA); Sydney (MCG; Brisbane (Gabba) and Richmond (MCG).

Carlton will be in the final 8, but I doubt top 4. But you're right - all supporters, regardless of team, tend to see the "best" games as our benchmark, and that's unfair. The smooth, confident, accuracy vs Brisbane (say) may not be seen again this year. In a sense, finishing the year with 6 to 8 wins will already be an over-achievement. Next year, however, we should be salivating for a top 8, and in 2012...well...who knows ?

FINAL: CARLTON 15-11 MELB 9-6 In effect, a percentage booster for Blues. As disappointing as the losses against West Coast and North Melbourne. Scum, bye, Crows (AAMI) and St Kilda to come...we won't win any of those.

CARLTON 15-11 MELB 9-6 (Maloney)

CARLTON 15-10 (Betts x 2) MELB 8-6 46 points diff. Melbourne has not scored this quarter. 5 minutes remaining.

CARLTON 13-10 MELB 8-6

If not...Houlihan's goal...seals it. CARLTON 13-8 MELB 8-6

CARLTON 12-8 (Judd) MELB 8-6 Commentators call it 'the sealer'.

Dreamin': I'm not: listening to ABC via internet.

Nathan Jones - may only be a corked thigh.

Three Quarter time CARLTON 11-7 MELB 8-6 Gysberts praised; Cale Morton 11 possessions this term. Carlton players giving each other sprays.

Nathan Jones "hobbles" to the bench: hamstring ?