Pates

Wow the only think more powerful for me than the look of Roos' face is the look of Howe almost saying "what are you picking on us for?" Watts' game was so incredibly frustrating, he never took responsibility on himself to do anything. He'd handball it off as if to say, "your turn you sort this out." At least one of them needs to be dropped this week, not as punishment but for the simple fact they are not contributing to the team. Both are dining out on one good performance each but time is up. We're unlikely to win this week against Adelaide, drop them to show the rest of the group if you aren't going to contribute then you are useless to us. Players like Cross must just shake their heads at these guys, someone who's had to kick scratch and bite for everything in his career.

We needed a few positives out of the game and he was definitely one of them. Looks an absolute natural at AFL level. No doubt he should be starting next week.

I really enjoy seeing Dawes in the media because he is really well spoken and a great representative for the club. His perspective on Jesse was quite good, he said the club is taking the approach that this is a young footballer that we intend to have with us for 10+ years so we're getting him right for the long term not the short term. Still bloody frustrating though.

As soon as Barrett mentioned "concerns with a young Melbourne player" I looked up and just said, seriously what have we done to deserve this!? Genuine talent that could be important to our future, and he's struggling with stress fractures! I'm seriously getting sick of our crappy luck.

Ok so there has been one disaster game, the rest we have at least been in with a shot at 3 quarter time and we've knocked off our first win a lot earlier than in previous years. I think most would be able to say we've improved, we still lack that cut throat ability to take the game by the scruff when it's there for the taking. We had opportunities against the Saints and GC, even v GWS we kicked the first goal of the last term and that should've given us momentum but instead GWS showed they wanted it more. We were unlucky against the Saints, we basically beat them everywhere except where it counts, on the scoreboard. Losing Fitzy to concussion early and having a our best FB playing on now one of the form forwards in the comp conspired to hurt us, not to mention our poor kicking. GC let us back in the game but no one was able to take the game into our own hands, in some ways it's the loss that hurts the most because it was a great opportunity to build momentum. Ultimately I think we should have at least one more win on the board, but if people can't see the improvement than they aren't watching the game. It's still only baby steps.

My gut says that he'll play, Roos wouldn't have put his name up there if he wasn't a very strong chance. That said I wouldn't mind the idea of waiting a little longer to make sure he's earned his stripes, it's something we have failed at way to many times and I'm glad Roos isn't rushing the kids in.

Love the idea, and it doesn't feel ridiculously forced unlike other attempts at taking advantage of public holidays. Two heritage clubs, both clubs with war ties (especially Melbourne) and guaranteed to play at the G. Also really like the part that they've got the blessing of the RSL as it shows the clubs did they're due diligence to make sure they weren't going to upset the people this day is all about.

6. Jones 5. Viney 4. Cross 3. Dawes (but missed some crucial shots) 2. Frawley 1. Grimes

Game was there to be won, but GC (with a little help from the umpires) did enough to take the wind out of our sales. There were some frustrations and there were positives. No doubt there is improvement but we went into our shell way too much and at times there was not enough hard running. Watts had a bad game today but I can understand why at times he doesn't do hard leads, because even when he does they don't honour it enough. Too many players drifted in and out of the game, and unfortunately we collectively switched off in the 2nd quarter. That was the difference in the end. 8 points flatters us but probably more a sign that we weren't going to pack it in and that alone is a good positive to take away.

Yeah I can picture it being 16-17,000. As you said coming off a win makes a difference, also the fact that we haven't lost our first 3 games by a combined total of 300pts. It's a shocking timeslot that we ALWAYS seem to get and ALWAYS against a low drawing interstate team which will result in a loss in revenue. As for the game, it's tough to say definitively what could happen. The suns still have plenty of class in their side starting with Ablett, but there's no doubt that we've added to our midfield in a positive way. Tom Tyson was tagged out of the game last week and Vince was quiet but we still managed to get the win. Jones is showing to the comp that he's not just a gritty workman, he is an A-grader. What it comes down to today is desire, we need to make them wish they'd never set foot on the G today with heavy hits and good effective tackling.

All the best to him, he's definitely on his last chance I think he has certainly earned this opportunity at restarting his career. If he hadn't been on the Melbourne list previously based on his form you wouldn't bat an eyelid at his elevation.

Neeld and Co didn't rate him, and apparently neither did anyone else in the competition.

Re: the Jetta talk. I feel we've never really had a chance to see what he's capable of and that's why I'd be keen for him to be promoted to the senior list and given another chance. Remember clubs take mature age rookies every year and that's what Jetta is, it's just he's been at our club all this time and not a VFL club. A second chance would be massive motivation for someone in his position. I see no rush on bring Toumpas back and giving Salem a debut, both their times will come buts what's important is they be allowed to grow and develop without the spotlight and demands of long suffering fans on them.

I get the feeling that sometimes it's more instincts of when to turn the burners on and when not. Watts as well was highly rated over 20m for his speed but it's fair to say we rarely see it, that said we are now seeing his agility tests coming true. I think JKH's instincts are what set him apart, he backs himself and has confidence in his decisions. The goal that combined him, Dawes, and Bail was all about that for all of them, they acted on their first instinct; Jay picked up the ball knowing he was going to get tackled so got himself into a position to give the handball off, Dawes acknowledged he was going to get tackled immediately so tapped it to Bail who backed himself to nail the goal. It was the sort of play that happens when players believe in themselves and each other.

Nah that's a fair question. He has a long accurate kick, which if he played of HBF would allow us to kick over the opposition zone. He is in general an accurate kick, and he possess the ability to throw his weight around with a bit of mongrel (though it's something he doesn't use enough). I'm not naming him as a star in the making that we stuffed up but we didn't recruit him based on nothing. As I said though, he is very slow and has always struggled to find the pill at AFL level.

Tappy is most certainly on the chopping block at years end. Definitely one of our failures to develop, shame to because he does possess some decent weapons but he is yet another lumbering slow player. Who knows the year is young, he has it all to do though.

You would imagine after a win we'd have minimal changes, especially given there have been minimal changes even after losses. From what I've read of Casey there wasn't anyone who put in a "pick me" sort of game, just a few very good games from the likes of Clisby, Jetta, Salem, and Toumpas. The latter two I am very comfortable with being given more time at Casey to develop under no pressure until they do put in one of those "pick me" games. Jamar sounds as though he still needs time in the VFL and Garland played for the Casey 2nds so it sounds as though he will be given a week at Casey seniors to get him match fit. Jetta has been very consistent and with Trenners out for the season I'd like to see him upgraded and given a crack at restarting his career.

I think Gary's point was well made, NikNat is a great athletic talent but has failed to continue his progression since his AA year, and it should be pointed out that that AA selection was IMO a total crock. People point to his ability to impact contests without statistical influence, I take that as presence and occasional ability to win his own ball, but for someone with such high aerobic ability he doesn't do the basics enough. Part of me still wishes we'd selected him instead of Watts but output suggests that it wasn't such a blunder as many in the media made it out to be. He can be a dominant ruckman, but I don't think he has once been a dominant player for a game, and fair play I don't think Watts has done that either. He has always been one of the most over-rated players for me, Gary has finally pointed it out and surprise surprise people leap to NikNats defense.

Bugger, shocking news for him. It's been said many times but he really is a good person and has strong character. I wish him all the best in recovery, and I look forward to seeing him back on track in 2015.

http://afl.com.au/news/2014-04-14/sylvia-on-wafl-charge Ok I'm not usually one to bring up our departed players and take joy in their downs, but we have done so incredibly well out of Col leaving under FA and essentially trading in for Vince. Col has always had discipline problems and now it's got him into trouble while playing WAFL where he's been given a 3 match suspension, which he's defending and could be increased to 4 weeks. I will add I take no joy in Colin's situation but I more want to point out that the club was quite highly criticised for losing another to FA but it's fair to say that in this instance we have actually done very well out of it.

Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought we'd be a genuine shot the the premier league title this late into the season. God it was EPL theatre at its best, home team races out of the blocks only to be reeled in, and just when you thought the hope of the locals were going to be dashed up pops a hero (along with a very poor mistake). One of the worst games I've seen from Suarez, incredible given the stakes as well, I would've thought the chance at a title would lift him, instead all he did was appeal for frees/penalties. What a game!

Jeez Trenners is a bit of a concern, can't dominate at Casey or at least get in the bests. I hope he isn't gifted a game until he shows he doesn't belong at that level. Toumpas I reckon Roos will almost look at as a new draftee, he won't be asked to come in and play a role he's not ready for, same goes for Salem. I'm looking forward to the second half of the year being the emergence of Salem, Toumpas, and Riley.

So all those people saying we wouldn't win a game this year will be feelin like muppets right now (and rightfully so). Dawes was so important today, but it's funny it's not totally reflected in the stats. The two goals he kicked were absolute team lifters and he played a part in several other goals. But the big thing was all of a sudden the players moved it quickly to a target and although he didn't take the grab every time he made sure it came to ground almost every time and in fact his mere presence caused the blues players concerns. A good team effort today well rewarded.

I am so happy we've beaten the Blues! Obviously a win against anyone is awesome but I hate them so much and to beat them is sooooo satisfying! Sad I couldn't be there to witness it live but this is a feeling I haven't felt in what feels like forever!