Maldonboy38

How could those 2 Essendon players allow Elliot to mark that? Have a look at Heppell - absolutely furious.

If Essendon lose this my loathing of them will reach new depths. This weekend is killing me.

Apart from our default defensive strategy operating at 70% efficiency or less and some players making uncharacteristic howlers, we are in the same position as last year. We lost a close game to the Doggies and had a few of our weaknesses exposed. As frustrating as this is I just don't get the ranting about this player or that. With 4 rounds to go, all finals aspirants should be shuffling and sifting towards their best 25 players to shape their finals campaign. For me we need to begin locking in our starting structural set up: 2 talls as our F50 spine Make the call between Bowey, Rivers or Hunt as our preferred 6th starting defender. Move Brayshaw back to the wing so that our starting midfield is Gawn, Oliver, Petracca, Viney, Langdon and Brayshaw. In almost every game this year, one (or more) of ANB, Spargo or Kozzie have played really badly. IF one of them is to be dropped, Chandler comes in and he stays in like Bowey did last year. So for Dees v Freo OUT: Tomlinson, Rivers IN: Lever, Hunt But apart from the structure and personnel I would like to see the burning angry defensive grunt we saw last year possess every player so no more scores against us over 65 points.

Great game of footy, great finish. But in reality, I feel both teams lost it. It is sad to see modern defensive strategy now totally dominates, while forward play and in particular kicking, is losing its vitality.

Hahaha, my bad! It's so long ago now it's all becoming blended. I remember listening to the footy on those tiny trannies with the single ear piece. Still rather the simplicity of that rather than all the loud music, pop culture waffle and gambling advertising that surrounds the game now.

Wow, where did you pull that from!! Now I can't get Harry Beitzel's unique voice out of my head.

A cracking game of footy being totally ruined by atrocious F50 field kicking and goal kicking.

Richmond fans screaming "ball" and "50" every 2 seconds. Entitled, dumb [censored], microwaving nuff nuffs.

That mark by Fyffe - breath taking. That's why I admire him - a one touch player.

Cracking game of footy. A lot of sprinting inside 50 which neither team will be able to maintain for 4 quarters.

Probably best for us if the Tiges win, but I can't barrack for them. I really like the way Freo play and Fyffe is one of my all time favourite players to watch.

We might not be able to afford much, but I would be going after Bruhn. He gets so little attention and media but is a very good footballer. Taranto and Hopper will ask too many $, and Bobby Hill is too inconsistent.

I would prefer to keep Bedford, but he is too good not be getting a regular game. If a trade to the Bombers is his preferred option, I would definitely be looking for a package deal involving picks, and going all out for Harrison Jones. Yes, still dreaming. I fair dinkum puked when I saw Nev Jetta put on a Pies polo shirt. If I see Brayshaw in a Bombers top it's going to need 20 Minnesota police officers to restrain my rage and nausea.

Swap him for Harrison Jones. Yeah, I know, no chance... but it is nice to dream.

Daisy is so good to listen to. Articulate, accurate and insightful. My brother-in-law can't stand her voice which I just don't get. She is the best thing to happen at the Dees for 20 years (apart from the Premiership of course), the best person to emerge out of the AFLW, and the best thing the channel 7 commentary team have done since Bruce & Dennis were together. I also actually like the input of W Carey. It's people like Ling, Ricciuto et al whose special comments are simply to repeat the bleeding obvious we can see on the screen ourselves.

The head must be protected. Glad it still is. I hate ducking, dropping and milking head-high free kicks. It's a total blight on the game. I am so glad the "powers that be" are making an effort to eradicate it. I have major issues with both Kozzie and Spargo doing it, and although they rarely do it now, it was on display from them both against Port. But the new rule emphasis is nearly impossible to properly administer. It is a nightmare for umpires, having to rule on intent in the blinking of an eye.

Yes, and he fixed them, winning 2 B&F's while doing so. I hope Sparrow also fixes his shortcomings. Currently, he is yet to do so.

6. Kozzie 5. Viney 4. Petracca 3. Tomlinson 2. Jordon 1. Hibberd

Sparrow was my big pre season bolter. I reckon he has massive amount of potential and could be a real beast. He can be a great kick but often isn't. His handballing to a player/situation that brings pressure or causes a turnover is becoming a habit, and his decision making is simply off. For all his effort and possessions, he is a momentum killer at the moment which is ruining the hard work of himself and team mates. I don't think he can be dropped, but he has a fair bit of work to do to in terms of polish and impact.

Yes, Sparrow got a lot of the ball. But no, his decision making, momentum killing handballs and kicks, and getting in the way of his team mates was really, really bad. And he has done this for many weeks in a row.

I hope not. Can we pleeeaaassseee keep him while Gawn era premiership window is open!!!! Clarkson to GWS Cameron to North (if he wants to get back into it so quickly)

With the possibility of Naughton and Bruce both being available, I hope all of May, Petty and lever are available. I though Tomlinson was wonderful today, but his lack of height will be highlighted against the dogs, especially with English now learning how to float forward. The only option is to perhaps play Petty forward and leave Tomlinson down back. risky though. OUT: Bedford, Melksham IN: Oliver, Chandler. Fritsch needs an old fashioned spray from the coach for his moments of utter selfishness. Sparrow is really frustrating me but probably shouldn't be dropped. Can you teach decision making?

I am actually really happy with the win. Port were very, very good through the middle of the ground but we came out on top. A lot of frustrations, but we won. And we have Oliver, Petty and maybe TMac to come back. Our best was very very good but only about 15%of the game time. Our defensive unit was epic today, covering a multitude of up-the-ground errors. Kozzie. Our midfield was well beaten. Stoppage work, defensive spread, poise with ball in hand, decision making, decision making. Biggest issue is the gap between our best and worst - far too bug and we can swing from one to the other within a single play.

Apart from continually letting Port move it from full back to half forward with a series of uncontested small kicks (which is making me yell at the TV screen) our contested ball play is killing Port. And funny how good BBB looks when a kick goes to his advantage!

We are butchering the ball, and I think the harder ground is making then ball bounce with higher variation because of it. So many fumbles from both clubs, from players who usually have clean hands. I don't understand the poor kicking though. So many unpressured kicks missing targets by a long way. Our forward pressure is back on which is good, and our forward system is at last showing early signs of organisation, but it would be good to have someone actually taking a contested mark for a shot on goal. Sparrow has such a huge upside, but he is quickly becoming a momentum killer. Some of his decision making is outright poor. I thought Harmes, Trac, Langdon & Kozzie lifted well that quarter.