Maldonboy38

Petty out, JVR in. We should beat them at the stoppages, and pressure their ball carriers. Cover their half back line who run and carry (so our half forwards must run hard both ways for 4 quarters) . Turner plays on Sicily to keep him accountable.

Reflecting on the drive-by-shooting words from Bailey Smith. He is a terrific footballer in great form, but that was appalling. No reason, no excuse, and when he needed his post-millennial psycho hug, the bulldogs helped him get to the club of his choice. Kudos to the Bulldogs - really poor form from Smith. I loved the response from Bontempelli. And although I despise football thuggery in any form, I hope Libba tears him apart in a legal tackle next week and he gets subbed out. And as he walks off I hope he flips the bird (again) and gets suspended.

Gawn Chandler Turner Petracca Rivers Viney

The game of two distinct halves is an ongoing concern, but part of Goodwin's mantra for his whole time at the Dees is "reset from anywhere". In a moment, a play, a quarter, a game - whatever. And we are doing this really well even if it is against rubbish opposition. Please leave Turner in the forward line. I maintain that he is actually the best mark in our team next to Max and his kicking is a coaching manual. A forward line of JVR, Turner, Fritsch, Spargo, Kolt and Melksham, with Trac and Kozzie rotating through looks balanced and skillful enough to cause problems. I have a soft spot for Jeffo but he will have to earn his place back. Viney as a tagger/defensive mid is a coaching stroke of pure genius. This single change is a bigger part of our winning that we realise. Kolt is frustrating but he is getting to the right spots at the right time, along with real defensive pressure. The list of players we have encouraged to grow while playing AFL is very long (Chandler, ANB, Sparrow, Rivers, JVR etc...) so I reckon the plan is to apply this same rule to Kolt. Langford, Lindsay and Windsor - we will be saying these names for a while. Great recruiting. May looking shaky. I hope it is fitness and injury recovery or we will need to start blooding Adams to give him some AFL game time, so he can develop. Winning is fun.

I thought about this 3-4 weeks ago. He is BOG every week.

And all of a sudden we look cleaner forward of centre. Melksham showing his class, and we are finishing our transition work. Both Melbournes have turned up tonight - first half and second half look like different teams.

I've got family over tonight so watching when I can. My brother-in-law said to me "percentage booster?". I replied, "well, it depends which Melbourne turns up". So far, it is the rounds 1-5 Melbourne who can't hit the side of a barn with a bulldozer. Sub standard tonight.

Fix the brain fades and forwards getting in each others way, we win easily.

Just like I used to bang on about us being a better side structurally when BBB was playing, I have a similar opinion about Spargo. I agree he needs to get more of the ball, but I love the role he plays and he can deliver a ball to our forwards. Unconvinced about Sharp, haven't seen a Casey game this year so know nothing about Culley. As much as I am a Spargo fan, it wouldn't surprise me if someone overtakes him and takes his spot. Chandler is way ahead of him and the Kolt has some skill but neither of them play a role similar to Spargo.

Tomorrow night's game looks rubbish so I thought I would watch tonight's game instead. At the least I thought two evenly matched teams who might have a real crack at each other. Essendon are showing some intensity but North look like us rounds 2-5. Their method and skills coming off half back are simply sub standard. Everything Bummers is to be despised and there is nothing appealing about North's game style. Waste of a Thursday night really.

Actually, in his early career he was a turnover king, and many Dees supporters wanted him dropped, de-listed etc... He was always liked as a person and a good club man, but his skills detracted from all the good stuff he did. It all turned in and after 2018. I thought he was gone in 2022 but he keeps on improving himself and finding a place. He is a marverl and I hope he gets another year with triggers for a 2nd.

Really interesting season. Apart from Pies and Lions, anyone can win or lose on any given day. More than any other season, pressure is playing an even bigger part on scoring. Blues looking very good, which I hate. Their pressure, defence, and 1%ers are top grade against the Cats today.

If North fix up their forward 50 conversion, they could steal the game. Well, if they can get at least one person to help Larkey, that is. Across the field they are playing as well as Port, but are making some horrendous F50 errors (like we were doing rounds 1-5 this year).

Goodwin rarely makes lots of changes after a win, but with about 28 players who could easily get a game, and WCE's tall forwards, some changes will be made this week. Windsor's kicking has been terrible, Kolt not getting too much of the balll, Fritta lacking energy, McVee underdone, May looking sore, slow and proppy (yet playing his role), Sharp unconvincing most of the time. Howes, Adams, Sestan, JVR, have all shown something at times in the VFL Turner and Melksham offer a lot - can we squeeze them in? The forgotten man Jefferson (not sure where his hand injury sits?) 2nd ruck questions around AJ, Campbell and Fullarton (who looks nowhere near it at the moment) For me, our main consideration revolves around 1) our forward setup, and 2) our 2nd ruck. And for the life of me I can't see a viable option: JVR gets cooked playing ruck and loses energy for his forward role, which was poor anyway AJ and Fullarton don't look AFL standard Campbell offers nothing as a forward. In short - I have no idea!

Gawn. I will be able to tell my grandkids I saw this legend play live. Bowey. Maybe 1/3 of his disposals were those easy ones across half back, but apart from those, this bloke is now our chief distributer. He looks for the 45 degree angled kick, he changes lines and angles, and on the run is a reliable kick finding targets (except for his first kick this game which was a shocking howler). Petracca. He's not back to his peak, but he is back. Langdon. The everywhere man. Gets to the next contest, then the next... Salem. Reads the play so well and distributes well. However, I feel his disposal doesn't often hurt the opposition. Sparrow. Good to get one of our forwards into the votes. His grunt work and foot skills were great tonight. Couldn't get Oliver, Chandler and Rivers in.

Great to be there last night but getting home at 1pm after a night game always sucks. Great to get a win. Possibly the most boring game of AFL footy I have seen live in a long time. So few high moments, riddled with errors from both teams and umpires, little crowd excitement. And it was badly over-umpired. May, Kolt and McVee are really underdone. May's experience showed out and he was able to contribute well. The 2 defences were on top all night. Gawn, Bowey, Salem & Trac were outstanding. Loved the grunt work from Viney, Oliver, Sparrow and Chandler. Having Tom Lynch miss so many was very satisfying. We look good and clean when we get on handball chains. So, not a great game but WE WON!! So feeling good this morning.

I am heading down to this game - one of my 5 annual games I attend seeing that I live 2 hours away. Our family group will have 3 Dees supporters and 4 Tigers supporters. Tigers are no easy beats because they are playing with intensity, system and skill. Midfield battle will probably break even, our backline should be far too good and experienced to be truly troubled, but their backline is really, really strong. Whoever Vlastuin takes he will probably beat, so one of Petty or Fritsch is looking at a average evening. I can't see Fullarton on him unless he is given a negating role. Our game plan has changed/is changing too much for Yze to have to much inside knowledge, but he will know how our stars play. For mine, accurate foot skills, and intensity when in transition are the keys for a Dees win. Dees by 20

Windsor - would love for him to remain on the wing. His two way running, and his pace are perfectly suited to this role. Lindsay - Salem role at half back. His kicking and decision making are excellent. It is just his light frame holding him back at the moment. Langford - Inside mid with license to spread forward. Potential star this fella. Kolt - half forward/midfield like Petracca. Loves a goal, looks natural inside F50, but can have impact with strength and power at stoppages. McVee - classy inside and outside midfielder.

Wow I can't stand these 2 teams but the Hawks getting the rough end of umpiring. Very fast footy, but if and when it becomes in tight and pressured, I can't see the Hawks matching the Cats.

I am a real fan of Buku Khamis, love the way he plays. If the Dogs have to find a way to keep Naughton, Darcy and JUH I would make a play for this kid. Could be anything.

Sydney looking bog ordinary in skills and structure.

I feel he has gone backwards this year, but he was steady today. I agree, lots of players start on shaky ground and grow into AFL players, and Howes looks to be on the same path. With Lever & May out, Turner on the rise and Adams playing OK at Casey, Howes is among the pack and needs consistent games and consistent form.

I can't wait until his match fitness catches up, because his physical presence and goal smarts will add further dimensions to our forward line. Huge fan of this bloke.

May and McVee are certainties. Difficult to drop players after today's win, but Turner is a definite out and Sharp and Melksham were probably our worst.

I have been really concerned about his lack of pace, which remains an issue, but his last half and in particular last quarter was really, really good. His strength allowed him to stand up in the thick of things, and he was still able to run and kick in the last quarter which is rare for a 1st year player. Very impressed. And he can kick - a skill we so desperately need.