Maldonboy38

At work until 4 today. Will try a sneak peak at the score but have to focus on my work (I wish!). Rarely missed the QB game in the past and we have had some good wins in the past 2 years. I just can't see their forward line kicking enough goals, or their defence being able to hold back Garlett, Petracca, Watts and Co. And I hope they totally ignore Gav Brown's son, let him be highlighted by his ineffectiveness and obscurity.

Ash, you're killing me. Loving this stuff. Gary Hardeman - close to my favourite Dees player ever, only eclipsed by Robbie and maybe the Ox. Class, skill, courage. And the long years sometimes make me forget some of his great moments. Robbie Flower, mark of the day, so often. But I love the one where big Wacko Jacko gives Billy Picken a smack in the head during the mark. Yze's kicking. Some people think Robbo was selfish, I just thought he loved the game and had great timing.

Dont misunderstand me, Cards, I continue to loathe the Bummers and have a similar view to you of Worsfold, but when a team picks up their coach's vision and plays well it is usually good footy to watch. Carlton's list is still 2-3 years away but the players are playing a definite type of tough footy with a sysytem to it, even if they are inconsistent game-by-game.

Although I come from a generational hatred of all things Collingwood, I reserve my deepest loathings for Essendon and Carlton. This season I have had to alter my position slightlythis year is because I really admire the coaching of Worsfold and Bolton. There just seems to be a synergy and game plan understood by all and they play to it. You can almost see the coaches in the brand of footy played. Northey and the Dees of the 80's were in sync. Daniher and the Dees of the late 90's > were connected. But I have a slowly emerging distaste for all things North Melbourne and GWS that will not go away. GWS annoy the carp out of me, and knowing they are built on AFL revenue, lifted high as an example, polished up as "nationalisong the game", and brimming with talent denied other clubs, riles me deep. So I find myself barracking for Carlton! Me barracking for Carlton is like Bruce being silent when Cyril gets the ball. Footy is changing.

Some writers are able to convey fact, truth (yes, they are different), grace, challenge, defiance, passion, and a whole lot more with a lyrical metre that makes other writers appear as articulate as Pauline Hanson. And it is difficult to do it in journalism. Flanagan was able to - he was a writer, and made reading pleasure. Of all the people to go under, they get rid of an actual writer. Very sad. I can't wait to see where he appears next. This line: "In the Australia I grew up in, people didn't say much about what really mattered to them." This is the Australia I remember as a kid. Not perfect, far from it, but days when most people spoke less and the pop culture was not the main communication stream of the day. Flanagan writes for a different era - I wonder if that is why he is being moved on.

Can't agree more, Jaded. The onfield team looks ok, but that bench is not exactly ground zero for talent. Wagner is improving as is Harmes, but our need for class is evident looking at our interchange bench. Bring in Hogan and Gawn, remove Melksham and Bugg and the class goes up dramatically. But I just don't get the current lack of love for Stretch. He has some run and class. He must not be reaching certain benchmarks for some internal team performance markers to be left in the 3 VFL.

On the thread about Connolly and journalism a lot of us have been complaining about the poor standard of questions and writing from modern AFL journos. Daisy is a very good interviewer, asks intelligent questions, demonstrates she knows and loves the game, and doesnt seem to pander to the possibility of becoming famous. I just hope the culture of personality thriving in at channel 7 doesn't draw her in.

SCG often produces rubbish games because its small size makes modern footy more compressed. But you have to love the way the Swannies targeted certain Doggies and mentally threw them off. Buddy is a freak, and I loved the way he intentionally led his player away when Reid was marking everything. Team goals are always the best. Every few years or so I end up a fan of an opposition player. Kennedy is a star. Tough, effective and inspiring. Doggies looked poor because of the Swannies pressure. Any team can beat anycteam by applying that manic pressure, like we did to Adelaide.

The moment we have celebrity journalists, true journalism dies. Their reporting becomes influenced by their public persona. The only current sport journos I can think of who ask well-written, pre-prepared questions, and then write with clarity and intelligence are Gerard Whately and Mike Sheehan (who is no longer current). Connolly was inarticulate, asked obvious questions, and was full of his own biases. Newspapers were once a strong, central part of information flow. Somewhere amid the IT era they have been decimated by online media and people with mobile phones. Who wants another person's view when we can have immediate footage? Perhaps those days when we had the Age for the left, Sun for populist, and Australian for the right, we were able to strike a good balance from the journos. No longer.

Goodwin is a younger coach, not old school at all. I reckon we might see a talented player up for trade in order to get what we need. Not sure who, but maybe even someone like Tyson or Vince, even though I prefer them both to stay. But to get some outside class we might need to offer something up. White, Trengove and Kennedy look gone, and Garland shaky. I can't see a big trade period coming up in terms of numbers, but can see the possibility of a big in or out happening.

Tippett has underachieved at the Swans, but he is no spud. He has long runs of struggling with injury. At this peak he is a very impacting footballer. But his best looks behind him so it would be a no from me.

How quickly I have forgotten the brilliance and skill of Aaron Davey, Travis Johnstone, and Adem Yze. The footage of Robbie still gets me teary - still the best Dees player I have ever seen. There is something divine or ephemeral about him that makes all other players look like orange cones. The physical impact of Barrassi, Neitz and Shwartz. Ash, you have made my night - thanks for all your work.

Richmond are a lot better then many think. We have derided their supporters for so long, and laughed at so many narrow losses, that we are not seeing them for what they are - a very good TEAM. North are rubbish Collingwood are very beatable. They are poor in close at the contest where we are strong. Bring on QB. Gold coast are another MFC. They can beat anyone and lose to anyone. Hard to read where they sit. Essendon are another MFC without our talent. Once again, they can win or lose to any oppononent. GWS intrigue me. Loaded with talent and very skilled, but get challenged by lower sides. How good have they been tnis yeaer on the MCG? Freo are poor but well coached. And the Dees? I am still waitint for the its and pieces we have shown to click for one full game.

I can understand how the Hawks have won a few this year. Their gun players are amazing who from time to time this season, pop up and dominate games. This is what they did in the game v the Dees. I hate them with a passion but I also admire the club and the footy they have produced over the past 10c years. But tonight shows that it is over, and Clarkson must start again. The old warriors the commentators love with a sycophantic passion are gone, being run around like orange cones at training. They may rally for a couple of more games this year but the era is over. Loving it.

Wonnameri in the goalsquare against Freo at the MCG, putting the Dees in front after trailing by 50 points. I was at that game. Gary Lyon kicked a 70m torp in the early 90's (I think). Travis Johnstone, 2nd semi-final in Adelaide v Crows, streaming down the boundary on forwqrd flank, goaled from 50m.

If I could choose the way I want the Dees to play, it is how Port are playing in the first quarter. Aggressive, lots of run from half back, a power forward in control of the 50m arc, some seriously great decision making, and A+ skills. I love watching footy played this well, especially against the Hawks.

What a player! Everyone talks about Eddie Betts and Steven Milne as the best modern day small forwards. The Wiz was their equal and x3 for excitement. Thise 3 years 1998-2000 were incredible football and he was a big part of it. And he played well in finals, a rare gift. He is up there with Jakovich, Schwartz and Jurrah as players who made you go to games.

Best game so far: Adelaide Worst game so far: Our worst footy was against Freo, Essendon and North. The Fre game for me - it could haunt us later this season. Most improved: Garlett Needs to lift: Kent Leading the Bluey: Out of Oliver, Jones, Hibberd. I reckon Jones. Best recruit: Hibberd by a mile. Will we make the finals: Yes. Our best 22 will be more settled with return of Hogan and Gawn. We will finish 7th

Usual game day discomfort deep in my gut. Glad I have a fence to fix if I can't stand watching the game. This season is really starting to get to me.

Zak Jones seemed to be a really good player on another team, but not one I had any interest in apart from being related to Nathan. But this year he has produced some real dash, and his kicking is on a quick improvement path. Considering we keep rotating ANB, Harmes, Kent, Stretch, etc.... in and out on form, I reckon he is ahead of this lot so could be in our starting 22.

Disappointed Stretch did not make it in. We urgently need players who can run through lines and deliver it efficiently inside our forward 50. Salem, Watts and Stretch are the 3 who can do it consistently. I thought Lewis would also, but most of his work is in the back half delivering into the midfield, and his kicking has not been greatcat times. The 3 ins are ok, but all struggle with kicking efficiency when under pressure. Looking at the 2 teams we are going to have to lower our eyes going forward - their tall backs will slaughter us in the air. A big game from Petracca, Hannan and Garlett is essential.

We need two things: 1) height with aerial contesting 2) outside run who can kick. Bugg getting heaps of the ball but butchering it has exactly the same outcome as Watts or Weid not being able to get it - the opposition get the ball. Kent demonstrating no physical grunt has the same affect as lazy defensive running - the opposition get the ball. Do we have players to come in who can help us get the ball, keep it, and use it? Otherwise it is deckchairs on the Titanic. OUT: Bugg (gets exhausted at AFL level and his kicking suffers). Kent (I am a fan but he has been a huge disappointment this year), Weid (If Hogan is in the team, Weid stays but as a main target he lacks physical attributes to impact aerial contests as). IN: Stretch (he can kick and has some class). A smokey in Mitch King.(probably a bit too soon but Pedo, Watts and TMac are needed around the ground) Another smokey in Hulett ( yes again, too soon but we have to try another option over Weid). At least these two smokies are new deckchairs! I normallly hate bringing up players too soon from Casey but needs must. Watts has some credits but is very close to needing Casey time. If we had all of Gawn, Spencer, Smiths x2 and Hogan available Watts could be dropped.

It is another Monday morning with the same post-match-we-should-have-won grumpy deflation that I have experienced so much of over the years. I may have developed a codependent addiction to it now that has become as familiar and psychologically comforting as my Monday morning coffee. But I will also admit that I don't feel lost or without hope. One of my big hopes for this year was to be in every game with a chance of winning. That the Dees would bust their guts at the contest, be able to rally when behind, and challenge any team on any given day. And I am getting this each week. We are yet to develop outside consistent finishing class and the ability to finish off an opponent. I remain hopeful that these will emerge in the latter half of this season. Following this loss to North my fear is that we are becoming another one of those teams who are defined by missed opportunities. Richmond, Gold Coast, North Melbourne, any team under Ross Lyon - they all have this in common and we are now joining them. I look at our list and wonder if their are any/enough who can become finishers, match winners or able to totally crush opposition late in games. I cant see it in the near future, but I do remain hlpeful it will emerge soon.

Our worst 4 players in each game we lose are often the reason we lose. Watts, Kent, Weid and Garlett were our worst today, and the story once again is we couldn't convert our hard work. We are being tortured by a lack of outside class, especially trting to find a target inside 50. Bugg's misses, Jones' horrendous kciking, the embarrassing clangers from our 3 KPD players, and our ingrained habit of not lowering our eyes for close forward targets. I thought we had a fair crack at the game, were annihilated by their tall forwards and backs, but our worst 4 cost us 30+ points. Watts is beginning to concern me. He has some credits, but he and Kent lacked any phhsical presence at all today. Both very low intensity, low pressure, and ineffective. Garlett has had a great year so will allow him one shocker, but he can go missing for runs of matches so I hope that is not starting now. It feels very much like 2011 and 2016 all over again. Fairly hollow admission that.

I said during the week that the thuggery and bullying spirit that the Roos currently display comes directly from their surly coach. They think that if they bully our young guns they will intimidate us, but forget about Viney, Jones, Lewis, Bugg, Vince and co who will give it back and then some. I hope we cream them in the 2nd half.