Maldonboy38

Really difficult to watch this. Our kicking and physical intensity have been horrid. Even when we do begin winning contests etc... our kicking for goal (4 of them from within 30 metres) is like country reserves footy.

I am starting to fear the same thing. Our worst is as bad as any, and our stock standard footy appears below Sydney etc... Our best is still as good as any but we are lucky to produce it for half a game. And our field kicking remains our Achilles heel.

Our lack of composure off half back is frightening. If we fix this, our forwards look a class above their backs.

If I do this, I will be legless motherless drunk by the 3rd quarter.

Our kicking off half back! Unpressured, horrible, leading straight to turnover scores against us. Getting seriously sick of it.

Did Rankine run too far - yes. But there are so many instances of players running much further without penalty. For instance, players playing on from a kick in after a behind. They now run 25 - 30 metres regularly without opposition or commentators saying a thing. Rankine has every right to feel confused. What is sad is the increasing amount of borderline umpires calls late in games that are causing or changing the outcome of games. Players now train for certain scenarios; maybe umpires need similar training.

Up there with holding the ball. Have both been removed secretly from the rule book, or the umps deciding on these as "focus rules of the week"?

Tonight's game is simply end-to-end F50 practice. Very little defensive system from either team. Whoever decides to pay some defensive structures well will probably win.

I watched the Casey game versus Carlton, and to be honest, BBB (apart from some unusual poor goal kicking) and Laurie looked too good for VFL, but no-one else stood out as ready for an AFL call up. No way did AMW, Tholstrup, Sestan or McAdam produce anything to stimulate interest, but each had moments that showed their wares at VFL level. I will give Tholstrup kudos for his 2nd efforts and intensity. Jefferson did all the right things but has trampoline hands. Hopefully this fixes with development & experience. As for the Carlton AFL game, I have been critical of Billings but he played a very very good 2nd half and finally started to hit (some) targets. Fritsch was weak and half-hearted in the first half but that is rare. Chandler looks proppy. Turner the only real one to drop. At this early stage of the week, I would be bringing BBB in for JVR on the basis of injury rumour, Woewodin into the 22, Turner into the sub role (he can play forward or back).

9 rounds in, the season is open to whichever team wants to take it. The top 6 teams have shown they can beat each other, and can be beaten by each other. No single team really standing out. Mid-ranked and low-ranked teams beating teams above them. But to have Essendon in the top 4 makes we wanna puke.

Yep, something really stinks about this. Umpire called touched so it is touched.

3 point win to Casey!

Laurie far too good for VFL. BBB has been inaccurate but is full of energy. Repeated leads, tackling, up and down the ground. Looks like Fullerton may have just done his knee.

I'm enjoying the game, but I totally agree with your statement re "slow thinking footballers". Some bad decisions by both teams when the game is flowing, causing everything to stop or go into slow motion.

To be honest, Jaded, looking at him tonight he is a very good VFL player but I can't see it transferring to AFL quite yet. Another preseason away I reckon.

Playing all over Carlton now. Jefferson and Fullerton providing options, Tholstrup & Laurie looking OK. BBB has Vaseline on his hands - dropping everything. Not a bad game of footy.

Some deep entries and F50 system finally beginning to show.

We are working hard across the middle, causing turnovers and spilled marks, to then have little system or efficiency kicking inside F50.

6. Petracca 5. ANB 4. Sparrow 3. Langdon 2. Gawn 1. Rivers

Regardless of team or result, you have to love a really young group having a red hot go. Hawks really giving it everything.

Tom Stewart had little impact - did Turner play a defensive role on him? Tom Stewart having a mediocre game is a coaching triumph in itself.

We can't change too much after such a great win. Billings is surely a definite out. So Laurie in, and Bowey into sub.

Absolutely agree. Not enough credit to Goody & co for that win. Although Geelong got heaps of flow on play through half back and wing, most of it hit our stone wall and rebounded back out. The use of Langdon & Windsor out wide made Geelong spread uncomfortably in defending, along with our repeated 15-20 metre kicks. Great method and coaching. I think they subbed Laurie in too late, but apart from that, all good.

Yes, I think so. Noticed doing well at Casey and drafted from there.

6. Lever 5. Gawn 4. May 3. Fritsch 2. Langdon 1. Oliver