Maldonboy38

Just watched the highlights etc... of the Port v Crows game Showdowns are great to watch, and this one looked like a great game of footy. Some of the Crows young players really stepped up which might see them emerge from the bottom of the ladder. Might. At least they have a new benchmark. Power played some good footy but don't seem to have a match winner or big moment player. But they seem to lack passion and intent which are usually two of their strengths under Hinkley. That was a brutal incident, even though the contact was not head high. So unnecessary and could only end badly. I hope the young fella from the crows is OK. That was his first game back from neck surgery and he went off holding his neck.

If Ben Brown not available, both TMac and and Weid stay in. TMac has had a really poor year so far and needs time at Casey, but he stays in until Ben Brown available. Mitch Brown will get seriously exposed at AFl level - he is injury cover now. AS I am typing, just now in the media conference, Goody just said both Brown and Lever are likely available for next week. I actually think one of Spargo or Kozzie need a break - both have been ineffective for most of this year, but unlikely to happen. OUT: TMac, Smith IN: B Brown, Lever

No I haven't, and never will. I have been following the Dees since the 70's. Trust me, I know what losing feels like! Our basic skills were so bad at times, I felt we deserved to lose. We are too good a team now to turnover the ball, and miss goals like tonight. Makes me squirm watching it.

He did some important things tonight, but boy his mistakes are howlers.

So often, players like Harmes, ANB, Hunt, Sparrow, Rivers etc... don't get enough acclaim. Harmes was very good tonight, and Hunt had some moments, but the other three were poor. Twice, ANB did not commit when he should have and that is so unlike him. And Rivers' kicking has been a liability in the past 2 games. The team is winning but our basic skills over the first 3 games have been absolute junk.

A clear example of a win feeling like a loss. Our handball skills were atrocious. We made Essendon look OK and they are junk. Weid was great tonight which was a total surprise from me. His Casey game was very ordinary. I am a fan of him and therefore so glad for him. Brayshaw, Clarry, and Langdon - epic game (except for kicking skills) We have some players on notice now - TMac, Kozzie, Spargo, Fritsch, and Neal-Bullen were horrendous tonight.

6. Brayshaw 5. Oliver 4. Langdon 3. Harmes 2. Weideman 1. Viney

Joel Smith. wow.

Spargo's decision making - horrendous.

Our 2nd quarters have been an issue through all of Goodwin's era. We are repeatedly lazy, sloppy, don't give first option, make simple handling errors, and do those frustrating little hollywood things that give away goals. Essendon are really, really poor and we are keeping them in it. I FEEL like we are losing, but we are not. Can't we just annihilate these flogs?

Is it super greasy, or have we forgotten how to mark a ball, or both? This is horrible to watch.

We are so unclean tonight. Missing targets and missing goals. Clumsy, yet still in front.

I love a bit of sarcasm.

So far, Essendon are very, very ordinary. If we get our set shots right, this could be ugly. We are a class above so far.

Does Jobe Watson know there are 2 teams on the ground? Hardly mentions Sydney. And if McCrae goes low to intentionally look for a head high free kick one more time, I'm turning the tv off. O stuff me, he just did it again1

Don't understand all the Tim English hate. He has been good tonight in both attack and defence.

I love this from Goodwin and the selection panel. Following the Dees for such a long time, it is really refreshing to see stability, and no big reactions to 1 or 2 bad games by individuals.

Swans v Dogs is a horrible game of footy. Kick to kick from one backline to the next, no real highlights, horrendous field kicking and goal kicking, Dogs getting free kicks just for being on the ground.

Swans Dees Port Suns Cats Lions Blues Saints but only if Ryder plays. Dockers

I have such confidence when the ball is in his hands (although he was strangely erratic versus the Suns). He has become so steady and reliable. He knows he isn't a booming kick so concentrates on using it well within his limits. Very important part of our forward 50 setup. A couple of times watching replays I have re-watched patches of games, and focused on what players like Spargo, Neal-Bullen and Brayshaw do off the ball. They work so hard to ensure team mates get the ball. My guess is that Goody and the coaches love Spargo for this quality. I also reckon Brown and Fritsch must love seeing him with the ball - his first instinct is to look for a leading player.

No way Weed or Dunstan get considered from the Casey game. The only players who were noticeably bad versus the Suns were Hunt, Spargo and Fritsch. But Goodwin continues to affirm the success of the defensive unit. I would rest Rivers - he improved during the game after a horror start but he looks unfit for 4 quarters and was proppy to say the least. OUT: Rivers IN: Hibberd

Interesting watching Saints v Freo. Some horrible skills and link-ups followed by breath taking contested marks, tackles and goal kicking. The defensive spread of both midfields is highly questionable at times. I really like Ratten as a coach, but even he has been unable to push through the glass ceiling of "meh, beige, pedestrian" that haunts this team from the Alan Richardson era. If Paddy Rider and Zak Jones can get back, perhaps something else can emerge. Freo surely are better than this. Or am I seeing something that isn't there?

Casey 71 Sandy 33 at half time

I am loving having access to VFL live. I finally get a chance to see the AFL listed players building form. Sandringham looking bog ordinary all over the ground. I am fan of the Weid but he is looking below par today. Constantly out of position or dropping marks that only he gets to. Bedford not getting heaps of it but looks AFL ready. Still working out numbers, personnel etc...

Very tough on Brayshaw. He was very solid tonight.