Pates

Really hoping that the win at this ground will fuel some confidence that no doubt got reduced after last weeks terrible second half. Dawes in particular, this game last year was probably his best performance for the club, not only played well but showed leadership at the right times. We need him to be that guy again if we are to have any chance.

Get him on to the Bone Broth Crossy! Helped you out! Gutted for him, he was just showing consistent form and I was looking forward to returning to bulldoze some more Crows this year. Michie comes in for me, sounds like he's had pretty consistent form with Casey and he's a tough body replacement. Toumpas is another chance but different players, plus I'd like to see him dominate a couple of weeks before takes the step up again.

I did add the word "potential". Being challenged when the momentum shifts against ANY team is a step in the right direction, it's not going to happen every week, it certainly didn't happen last week, but it's something we can go forward with. Last year we would be 0-2 right now, this year we're 1-1.

Interesting that this week was the first time I actually felt almost glad that he's gone. No one but his doctors can honestly say if he's got depression but there's no doubt that he's a headcase. Not meaning to be disrespectful to those with mental issues, but there is clearly something in Mitch that is NQR because the way he reacted when things were going pear shaped for the cats is a clear indicator that his mental strength is pretty poor. How will he act if the cats are in the finals and the pressure is truly on? On a slightly unrelated topic how the the umpire didn't call a free kick against Clark during the one and half minutes that he was clocking his opponent in the jaw while his opponent was holding out his arms or pushing him away is beyond me. It was gutless and pathetic from Clark, he acted like a 12 year old bully trying to act tough. Interesting that there was no MRP fine handed down to him.

I would hold Ricky as one of the best examples of a player the club failed with development. Had so many great attributes and seemed to be on the right path but could the club couldn't take him to the next level (one of so many). Was the right call at the time to move him on as he was one being suffocated by the Neeld era, was kinda hoping the Tigers could get his game up but it's sad to hear about this latest injury set back. Wish him well in recovery.

I would actually rate quarters where we're challenged but are able to hold sway as excellent quarters. It's a sign of potential developed resilience, unfortunately I have to add the work potential because when we were challenged v GWS we folded like a pack of cards. From what I saw of the first quarter v GC we were actually in control for most of it but just couldn't put it on the board.

I have very little ill feelings towards Chip. I actually think it's a rare case where FA has done right by all parties. Chip did his time at Melbourne, played some very good football with us at times and experienced some disgracefully bad times with the club. His final year was pretty average due to him being out the door already in his mind, but I can't complain about his wanting to leave. We got a good deal out of it, what more can you say. I hope this pec injury isn't as bad as last time, really screwed him up. He was never the same afterwards.

Honestly Jesse keeps doing what he's doing right now for the rest of the year I couldn't give a stuff if he wins this/gets a nomination. 2 games from two he's played his role and snagged a couple, not much more you can ask for from a second year power forward.

This looms as a massive game for us, I reckon the crows are still smarting from us getting the 4pts on them last year so I'm expecting them to come out very hard against us. We may have to revert to a bit more defence to stay in the game and hope that our improved ball movers can get their hands on it for Hoges and Dawes. I don't see many changes to last week but I'm sure there are a couple on notice. We need Dawes to be what we was the last we were there.

Reminds me of the old dees silver clash jumper which has been recognised as one of the worst jumpers in history.

I'm still pretty annoyed about what happened with Mitch, but I have to admit now that the season is underway I'm less concerned about him. We got Lumumba, and he's already showing he's a good pick up for us. Not saying I wish him well, but I just don't want to waste any time thinking about him. But I also don't think there should be any sledging from the players about what he's gone through, genuine or not. There are people going through depression and it comes back to them as well. Usually if something has been said though, if it's in bad taste, the offending party has put their hand up if called on it. That Lake has flatly denied it makes Clark (and Selwood) seem pretty foolish and weak.

We've got a bad record everywhere and against everyone, because for the last 9 years we've been pathetic. I never saw anything as a hoodoo (ok maybe round 1) but the rest are just a product of us being so bad. Having said that I'd love to taste victory at Etihad and against North.

To be honest, seeing him crash that pack and get up quicker than the GC players brought me as much joy as his goals. Reminded me of Neitz and Schwartz in their day. I'm just so happy that his first official game in dees colours was a win and he snagged a couple of goals. He will put in a game this year that will have the rest of the competition shaking in their boots.

That's a massive difference to what we've had for so long, and it's why the best clubs seem to continue to get good draftees. Fact is if you're getting picked in the top 20-30 chances are you've got a fair amount of talent, but lower clubs such as ourselves, bulldogs, Saints, GWS, Suns etc have had no choice but to send these young players into the lions den and they get mauled. Whereas the Cats, Swans, Hawks etc are able to get these players and if they play a game in the first year they are doing well and they aren't expected to make an immediate impact. It's what Roos has been trying to create with us, no expectations on young players. They play when they earn their stripes, they aren't expected to get 25+ possies and dominate. They develop at their own pace.

Just in case any of the players think this week will "just happen" (to use Rockets words) the coaches should make them watch the drubbing from last year on our own turf. The betting will be very interesting to see for it, I can see it being 50/50.

That's it in a nutshell. They need to face some victorian clubs down there, they can't be high drawing. That's unfortunately us. It would be nice if we got some more home games against them but it'd also be nice if we had the home games at the G against the likes of Richmond, Hawthorn, Essendon, and Carlton (the latter two especially since the G isn't their bloody home!). There are plenty of things for people to get frustrated with when it comes to the fixture, it's what happens when you don't play each team home and away.

Toumpas is the logical one to come out for Vince. Mid for mid. The difficulty is who goes to being the sub. My thoughts are it will be one of Salem or Brayshaw, JKH is a possibility as well. Dawes is the tough one, all our talls performed well over the weekend. Even though Frost wasn't massively prominent he did what Roos asked of him, he competed, worked hard, and was very good at the two way running. He also provides the option of second ruck, I would prefer Dawes not be used in that way.

Interesting to hear that after losing to us Eade has said that GC are two years "at least" from finals. After McKenna had them on the upward path and pushing for finals last year I wonder how the AFL (and Blight for that matter) feel about hearing that. I thought the idea was the McKenna had built the list but they didn't feel he could take them onwards and upwards, now all of a sudden the don't play finals for two years? This is probably the product of being a Melbourne fan but I still don't look at next week as a win, I see it as winnable but we must back up our very pleasing performance from this week. When was the last time we did that? I continue to go into this season with no more expectations than to see improvement. It's a good start but there is a long way to go in this season.

I reckon Roos would be more than happy to take the blame for yesterday!

Vince and Dawes, two people you'd have in there in a micro-second, and I'm struggling to get them in there. I think Vince will come in for Toumpas, he's just that millimetre off so many times. Handballs, kicks, pace. Just slightly off, unfortunately that's all it takes. I think patience will have us rewarded with him, but it does mean he will have to fight to get in and retain a spot in the side. Maybe Frost comes out for Dawes, that is the only person I can think of! This is a good problem to have!

Different situations, but he should've played Danny Boy. They did an absolutely brilliant job of it at the G.

As much as I love the guy I'm glad that the club has taken a stance against gifting games to people in the old gang. He's had a pretty average pre-season so it's now on him to earn his spot in the side.

This might sound ridiculously obvious but belief is key to us for this match. I honestly think we have got the players to win this match but we need early goals (or at the very least an even contest) otherwise if GC get the first few on the board quickly I can see a blow out similar to what's happened previous round 1 years. We get on a run early I think we will win, down by 2-3 goals at quarter time it'll be more history repeating.

As one that felt peeved and frustrated by the labour day stuff up it's really good to see the club making a big effort to apologise. I think it's great to see that they acknowledge how many people it put out and have done what they can to make amends. I also emailed the club with my frustration of it and they responded with some free tickets to try to bring people along to games. Especially good to see they recognise they need to lock in these kids for a life sentence!

How has everyone rated Toumpas's pre-season? At training it sounds like he's been one of the big movers and shakers, but on game day there wasn't a whole lot that was brilliant from him. Will he be there round one or will he be given a game in the VFL to get some confidence? Sounds as though Howe and Vince a really pushing to be available for GC, would be massive to have them both but especially Bernard.