DEE fence

I enjoyed that, loathe Carlton, and looking forward to us vs Crows, just quietly I still think our deefence remains the best and Crows won't get as many freebies. Also happy for Nicks to enjoy some 'limited' success, 13 losses to start your career was pretty grim. But anyway, knew Carlton are pretenders their defence isn't whole team, we will cream them as well.

The conversation around Cripps being better than Oliver just needs to end. You can count the games Clarry hasn't impacted on one hand. Cripps has half a dozen every season. That Brownlow last year was a total fraud. He can do special things when he wants, emphasis on 'He wants'.

I’m prepared to give it a go, we play better interstate, regardless of the Brisbane match, and I think it’s a nice sop to the crow eaters considering they are never going to see a Grand Final in their state.

Very pro Petty as a forward, but not silly, with Lever out he is required back, not sure Tomlinson is the right match up for Stringer, Hibbo would have been better. I guess Rivers can have a crack. I’d actually start JJ before Tommo, I think the team is too tall for the conditions as well.

Was stressed when I saw him standing the mark testing it, but we were 10 games up and they let him play on, so assume he rolled it only and they let him run it out to stop it swelling.

Nah not wrong, recency bias, he is a defender, he is learning to be a forward and I’m sorry but let me check, oh that’s right, we are 10 goals ahead of anyone else on the ladder, damn it’s been a total failure. He is not getting in the way of the other forwards, he contests and he provides great forward defensive pressure. Wasn’t his best day but give him a go, has truly earnt it.

Credit to WCE for not turning their toes up, that was a par win for us, even if there were many excellent performers. Yeo and Kelly had a red hot go. I don’t mean to whine but I think we left another 6 goals on the table, that said I’d rather we did that, than going back to bombing it, was clear they were trying to think their way through the fwd 50 entries and stuffed it up a few times. Also Kozzie didn’t get a great return score wise, but played well, he is from the JV school of strong. ANB is having a brilliant season, actually gets award for most underrated player, an immense game today. The tackles and contest made it clear what a professional unit we are, no hubris or disrespect on display, made for a relaxing game even if we didn’t smash them, everyone very accountable. Am hoping the AFL puts the Viney tackle on a video so we can add it to the JV made me cry thread. He was a great captain today, led from the front and monstered WCE packs. Grundy was very smooth, the only time I thought we looked a tad unsettled was with Petty in the ruck, I hope he can do this against some of the better ruck teams to come, but this was a great game for him to find touch. Also am ready for people to forget about him playing for Collingwood, much like May and Lever and Hibbered, he needs to be just spoken of and to as a Melbourne player. Bowey is starting to float his kicks a little, he needs to stop that fast, against another team we will get opened up on turnover, floating kicks defensive side is death. I thought this last week and more so today, it’s like with less pressure his kicks float more, he did have the time to execute (by his standards). McVee on the other hand has that same amazing mojo that Bowey started with, looks so classy with the ball, love that with hard work he has changed his destiny and where and what people thought he could be. Tmac did his stuff, am super happy for him, but again it’s par as he didn’t have Mc Govern on him, but did his job. What I did like was his timing, much better, and not taken under the ball. That said JVR is the future, did the future start today or a week ago or in 2 months time, tough to be a selector, but I think JVR over Tmac as he looks more dangerous in a pack. Chandler is growing each week, really loved that he got a classy goal, was reward for all his work. Hibbered is still best 22, great use of sub with Jordan as well, this arrangement with optional sub makes us stronger with all the depth we have now, more licks of the ice cream for everyone. Loved that Jordan came on bursting with energy and no sooking, just showed he has a big heart. BF 31 with 32 consecutive games scoring a goal is another that will be AA squad at least, leading, snaps and set shots is just special, probably the best pick of JT’s career apart from Oliver. Petty didn’t score but I like this experiment, one more week up front is my wish, I feel like he was a tad off in timing but not heart, and these games are a great time to learn forward craft. Hunter and Langdon are under done for praise so far but both played their role. Spargo some crafty goals, Sparrow played better than last two weeks, maybe a fire under him?. Brayshaw had good touches, with others all playing better he is perhaps lost in noise, but played his role and consistent. Lastly, Trac, I know he started slowly but he kicked the goals he needed, I didn’t think he linked with team mates as well as he normally does, but I love that he got a couple of goals. His link to team mates will come back, however getting the goal kicking monkey off the back is very bad news for the competition.

Viney - gets six because where our class was on display was contested ball, he loves Perth. Another tackle for the JV made me cry thread. Oliver - Contest king, if he’d had a few outside possessions we would be losing our minds, is sometimes hard to appreciate how good he is. ANB - great effort, 111 tackles, huge pressure and km all day, having a killer season. Grundy - a great display, but not against a recognized ruckman, so am paying those who won contests more, he did also crack in at ground level Rivers - In everything down back. Will be a sneaky for AA squad this year. Tmac - 4 goals, would have been higher if he’d snagged the 5th, also normally he’d have McGovern, did like the mark he took though, clean hands at the top of the balls’ arc. Stiff : Fritsch - just silk, pokes holes in the defense. McVee - very stiff, when does he get his rising star. The team all good, the tackle sheet demonstrates they are drinking Shiraz and not bath water..

GREAT BUMP

https://www.titusoreily.com/afl/the-monday-knee-jerk-reaction-afl-round-three2023 Titus going missing again with the 'Really Unhelpful', been wondering if his talent was fuelled by his MFCSS, and now that we seem like a legitimately good and consistent team, that has wavered. That or maybe he got a girlfriend, who knows? Anyway if he ever lurks (which I doubt because Demonland would make for some pretty decent source material) he should know that he's missed. And that I am not going to brain him if he tips Melbourne... he was a fair kiss of death some years.

Gold!

I actually think Adam Simpson is not a bad bloke, WCE supporters not so much, don't agree that we are not ruthless, there have been a couple of games in the last two years we have put the foot down, different to pre 2021 era. I just don't see anyway we cannot win this handsomely, with a system that should be good for 25 goals. Sadly I felt this way before the Brisbane game...

I thank Jason Taylor at least once a week, with what he has created at Melbourne he has painted his Sistine Chapel (props to Tim Lamb as well, (Borromini minus the angst)).

Poor goal kicking efficiency has proven to be the highest contributor to early mortality in all supporter groups, including driving increased alcoholism, anti-social behaviour, compulsive eating and property destruction. Conversely efficient conversion has shown to be one of the best drivers of domestic happiness and well adjusted children. Therefore Choco Williams for 2023 Australian of the Year, and a gig on Dancing with the Stars.

Interested in this observation - the McCartins were diminished from the Semi Final when they cut us up, I was really feeling calmer with this game as they were not rebounding with ease. If that was Melksham's influence Kudos to him. I do think I like him more as a decoy forward, because a team role is emphasized, and IMHO plays better.

Not fair and I thought he had a better game than the last two. but I'd swap Sparrow for Kozzie, If BBB is fit. I like Sparrow, loved his snap but he does not do what Viney does as well as the VC. Also the VC had a solid game, is running well and only had a couple of boo boos, that at the coal face were entirely justifiable, we play on and we play hard and fast, not perfect skill but perfect effort and process, he does that, some other posters need to take a bex and a lie down before criticising Viney. Anyway rant over, Sparrow's hardenss is equalled by Kozzie, and Kozzie will increase the number of clearances we wine with the speed he hits the pack in the middle. I would like to see Sparrow work on his timing when he hits a pack, he is not malingering or anything but of the mids I see him out of the contest more often than not and think some magoos could work for him. Chandler cannot be dropped was in the votes, worked his [censored] off. Likewise Jordan was an upgrade on Harmes and I particularly liked the way he connected with team mates, fitted in as part of a unit. ANB is having a great season unsung hero from the Swans game, but every touch was a winner on the replay, and even his snaps were legitimate, didn't see a better alternative than having a ping. Hibbo is a keeper, so smart with his touches, and he reminds me of Sean Wight, so there is a soft spot factor. Without Salem he is the guy with smarts that steadies the ship. McVee and Bowey are both a joy to watch. Football brains both of them, we are a very merit based team ATM. Would prefer a tall as sub, either Tommo or Tom.

on the telecast, came across really well for his 2nd and 3rd goals.

Really good changes by Goodwin, Hibbo does so many little things well, refuses to go quietly into the night, May was a reincarnation of Glen Jakovich, McVee playing like he's a timelord (reminds me a little of Pendlebury but he doesn't have a basketball background). JVR epic debut, Chandler will have so much confidence. Jordan looked good. Petracca warmed up nicely, was a bit off timing wise early, but never stopped working and eventually things went his way, loved that he didn't drop his head. Truly in love with the set shot kicking - take a bow Williams. As a side note JVR thanked Stafford for his work, sounded very genuine, coaching is not a zero sum game. How much fun is it watching the team celebrate goal kickers. Horse didn't respect our wingers and they paid for it. Grundy is adapting really quickly to the team, looks like he belongs, and the coverage for Max is epic, Collingwood will rue his departure. Also a shout out to Viney did some epic work in close, great wingman to Oliver, will probably have more to say after the replay. Other sneaky good was Spargo, got some reward for hard work. Goodwin won tactically over Horse, I think I might like this more than anything, Goodwin continually proves that he can adapt, so excited for the coach, this really was an 8pt game. 150 GAMES OLIVER - a billion contested possessions, in the 3rd there was one passage of play where they were smashing into each other and the DEES DID NOT GIVE UP, I knew we had the game they, that run of play broke the swans and Oliver was at the heart of it. Goodwin said we would be a contest based team and this passage in the third was the best hammer and tongs footy of the year so far. after that Swans rolled over. Oliver > Flower/Barassi/LaFontaine, never thought I would say this but we are looking at the Michelangelo of contested footy. Just a beautiful game to win, huge team performance, wanted this over the Swans so bad, massive flex on the comp, bring on Kings Birthday.

...and?

Back into 4th on the Ladder, Kudos to Goodwin for his team changes, really managed the game well, good use of sub, oh yeah, I think Petty forward is it.

I AM EXTREMLEY HAPPY

Meant to be concise, anyway, this was written pre 22 draft. I still think Petty is a very strong contested mark, timing the apex well to pluck it, compared to others on our list. I still think it's worth a few games.

His media career is assured. If it wasn't for the dishonesty implications I would happily share some points, being away from Australia for so long I finally got back to 12.

Would prefer May cherry ripe for the Swans.

So after the hubabbaloo and preseason excitement and clueless prognostications, to me there are two games of interest this year. Us vs the Swans and Us vs the Pies. Both looked like silk ready to go. Now I will admit to being a little caught up in David King's analysis on Wed AFL360, but what he had to say was already in line with my own thinking about the Pies. Personally not scared of Buddy, as I feel his defensive pressure is not the weapon it was, a bit like CR7 back at MU v2.0. For me what to savour about us versus the Pies, is their use of corridor versus ours, we hit a few more diagonals, where as their rebound and what Nic Bl00dy Daicos brings, is pretty special as well. Going to be an epic match. And as a warm up there is us versus the Swans, How well have they got over the GF, pretty bloody well, I see a team that is humming with synergy and am by no means confident, compared to say the Brisbane match which should be us by 40+, (I also think Horse is tactically astute and will have a number for us as well) I wish we had Pickett for this game. I also only want a really fit Salem back for either game, feel speed out of the backline will be key for both games. What game are you looking forward to this season? While we may drop games for various reasons, in terms of peers, I think it is clearly Pies and Swans, is also funny, I really enjoy watching Collingwood, heathen words I know, and my family have a biological hatred of Collingwood going back more than a 100 years. Now my vitriol is reserved for Essendon and Carlton, with the Hawks, Adelaide and WCE mediocre in the extreme. The Swans to me are a bit like the All Blacks, you have to respect that they have been a serious outfit for a long time even if you want to beat the tar out of them.