Maldonboy38

You have to be careful when you get near to 60 yo; so many things from the past look better than they actually were. This even applies to footy, because there are a lot of small things in modern footy that simply give me the jimmy-brits. The clash jumper idea (which has some merit) has gone too far. What the .... are Fremantle wearing? How does purple with a white stripe clash with a navy blue jumper so dark it is almost black? Just wear your jumper, and if there is an obvious clash between you and an opponent, the away team wear your white clash jumper.

Yep, bottom 8 teams, at home at AO. Their big name players go missing too often against quality opponents. Dixon should be clunking marks and kicking 60+ per season and doesn't, while their other two forwards lack impact. They are murdering a very poor Essendon tonight, but this is what they keep teasing everyone with.

Rozee is a great player and looks a very good captain, but he has not played well in finals and can be found wanting when physically hassled. As much as he would be an asset, I want to see him influence a game before putting him in the same category as other gun midfielders. Butters is a good player who has had one great season, but looks like he has come right back to being simply another good footballer, and nothing more. Not really enjoying the game, but it a nice warm feeling to see Essendon 6 goals down. A pleasant start to the weekend.

Port have a strong list and good midfield but boy they play with little physical impact. A lot of outside run and good field kicking but it feels like they are trying to play a less physical game. Their games are fairly boring.

6. Petracca. 5. Gawn 4. McVee 3. May 2. Sparrow 1. Windsor Apologies to Lever and TMac who were also excellent.

Out on our feet. Lots of errors late in this quarter. Incredible effort to win 2 games on the road in Adelaide in 5 days.

Handball straight to opposition. Slip over for no reason under no pressure. No pressure on ball carrier. Come on boys.

Boy when we turn it over unpressured by foot it gets under my skin. We are a class above them and are keeping them in it.

We would be murdering them if we could kick straight. Aaaaaggghhh!

Even though the 5 day break will have a bearing, I back our last quarter fitness from this point.

I know BBB is awkward and clumsy below his knees, but his effort tonight up and down the ground has been impressive. Lots of work on the wing a couple of times there.

Our class coming to the top. Horrendous 50m penalty to Fritsch but I will take it. Followed by some sloppy stuff. Strange night, really.

Wow, what did we drink at half time?

I remained unconvinced of the merits of Billings. For a bloke recruited for his ball delivery ... If we can get clean with the ball, we are so much better than the Crows.

Serious man love for Windsor. Just wow.

Is there a heavy dew or moisture? A lot of fumbling by both teams. Our method looks excellent but our application going into F50 isn't.

Rivers first quarter kicking again. Grrr. Flat game of footy without lots of intensity. We usually play and score so well from a halfback turnovers, but we can't seem to get it past the wing.

Wasn't suggesting Stretch wasn't tough, and agree that it is an unfair descriptor of him as a footballer. I just reckon Windsor has a attitude about him that allows him to be an over-the-ball player as well as an outside runner, to a greater degree than Stretch.

I watched 5 mins of channel 7 pre-game, and 10 minutes of Fox pre-game. I have been savagely reminded why I rarely watch any AFL pre-game on TV. Mind numbing, superficial, repetitive twaddle as an excuse for insight. Mute button on, browsing through YouTube and Facebook until I see the coin toss happen in the back ground. Just start the game for (insert expletive of choice here) sake!!

I agree his output has been limited this year, but his work rate in the last quarter v Port included lots of crashing packs and 2nd efforts up the ground. This attitude and willingness to compete secures his place in the 22.

Love watching him play, and can't wait to see what he becomes. Gives me a Steven Stretch vibe, but with a lot more toughness. And for a young kid, he is still running late in games which is a huge benefit in its own right. I just hope the selectors don't give Hunter his place at any stage. He might not get the amount of ball Hunter does but his effectiveness with it is way in front of Hunter's. I don't reckon any of his games are Rising star worthy yet, but internally I get the feeling the coaches are ecstatic over what he is bringing.

Yeah, you are probably right. I was loosely thinking more of May, Bowey, Hunter, or Melksham but none of them replace Hore directly. The more I see Hore play I see him as a very good insurance policy, but not a go-to player, and ifI Rachele or Rankine get off the leash, Hore might get caught out.

Some random, disconnected ramblings about our game on Thursday. No way does May play. I thought Billings was super poor, and Hore's kicking was a total nightmare. Don't reckon we need a fire sale, but we have lots of other options above these two. Woewodin into the 22 to replace Billings, not sure just yet what to do with Hore. We need BBB fit and fresh in September, anticipating that we get there. I hope he can hold fitness and form until the bye, but if not, then Fullarton probably is the obvious replacement. Or do we run with Petty and JVR, and give one of Sestan or Kolstrup go? When the Crows are playing well, and they are not at the moment, their kicking into F50 can be brilliant. Walker is a threat, Fogarty is a bit like Stringer - full of potential which he rarely fulfils. Rachele and Rankine are mercurial, but our defenders could account for them well. Another reason I am not sold on Hore playing against the Crows.

Richmond exposing a massive weakness in the Swans. I hope their young players can keep it up for 4 quarters. Pressure the kicker (Heeney, Gulden, Papley etc... ) at the point of kicking and their elite kills disappear. And the Tiges forward spread is tearing he Swans apart.

Tiges playing Sydney very well. Suffocating their run, no free outside unpressured disposals, making them kick to a packed area.