PaulRB

I think people underestimate the value of good onfield leadership and it’s critical role in enabling the team to implement the coaches plan under game pressure. We are thin in this area and need more leadership from our emerging midfield guns in Petracca, Oliver and Brayshaw. Too often with Maxy out it appeared left to Jack Viney to lift the intensity of the team alone. The lack will be massively addressed with Maxy back in, fit and firing. looking forward to a rejuvenated and dominant display from our midfield. Win there and we do the Saints.

Tom Lynch, Richmond, has been charged with Striking Michael Hurley, Essendon, during the fourth quarter of the Round 13 match between Essendon and Richmond, played at TIO Stadium on Saturday August 22.The incident was classified as a direct referral to the Tribunal and the player cannot be offered an early plea.

Hey KLV, given what you know (and I don’t need to know), do you think Jesse’s capable of top level footy again?

Don’t agree with your assumption that Jesse “was traded away with no hesitation” in 2018. A description of his 2018 season from Wikipedia ”In 2018, Hogan was key to Melbourne's push for its first finals campaign in 12 years.[103] However, following a loss to Sydney in round 21, Hogan was ruled out for the rest of the season with a partial stress fracture in the navicular bone in his foot.[103] At the time of his injury, Hogan was sixth on the Coleman Medal table with 47 goals.[104]”

Bah humbug Nev, Bah humbug. #bringbackjesse

Exactly. He’s a 25* year old natural forward who averages 2 goals a game and could/should be entering his prime. And he’s our Jesse, a Melbourne son. *was 25

Worst game of season. yawn

I always thought Jesse underestimated the stability and support that he got (and needed to get) from his Melbourne teammates, coach and the club. if he wants to come back, I’d love the club to welcome him with open arms.

You're probably right. But the idea of Watts chasing Vance to settle up one smack to the head, makes me laugh...

I think the AFL could stamp it out by saying if a player is punched behind play, then they are are given a "free punch back" where they can retaliate with an equivalent hit, and avoid suspension on the basis that the other player punched them first. Simple.

Reckon Vanders set the hard edged tone early and throughout...

Ok. Despite the appalling images this thread is throwing up for me. I’m pretty excited about today’s game and our chances of making a statement to the competition about where we’re at and how far we’ll go this year. Has breakout game written all over it. Go Demons

As an unapologetic VDB fan I’m loving the Vanders critics rolling out their diminishing opinions on him. Feel no need to defend him as I trust Vanders will do it himself, on the field, this week or next... capable of far more the just “bash and crash”, but you can’t tell some people some things they’ll just have see it for themselves... Go Demons.

So much that can go wrong from here... ...and yet so much could go right.

If the Giants had supporters they would be under so much more scrutiny.

Plus percentage bonus...

Really!?! I do not understand why you'd think we're a better team without Maxy playing... is it because we beat North?

Those teams mean the Dons are cooked and will likely finish around 10th... they’re really not that good.

Suns!!!!! Bummer

I was happy to hear that Hunt was delivering the ball well into the F50 (to Brown), as I've always imagined his spot to be high Forward Flank or wing if he can learn to use his pace an deliver to lead up forwards on the burst. Sounds like they are developing him to play that role, and he's coming along.

Wallace is an anushole! The evidence suggests we're developing Sam very well...

One of the best signs from the last couple of games has been our mids at ball ups being in motion when they take the ball, rather than flat footed as they seemed to have been playing previously. This is probably an evolution that comes with growing confidence in teammates, structures and coaching, but its been evident against Crows and Kangas. If we can bring that into games with the top teams (who've managed to stymie our midfield movement and connection) we're a chance to play finals.

I think this is a "problem" (i.e. too many similar mids) for 2018 only, due to the 16 min quarters of this years games. Next year, I assume it goes back to 20 min quarters and our stable of Mids works more seamlessly. Also given the contested nature of the game and our game style in particular, may be that when we have we have fewer young players needing rest time, our mids rotate off the pine, rather than another position on the ground. That said, I think all the mids should have preferred second position on the ground, and it make sense that Viney's second position is up forward (same as Petracca). A side questions is where are Oliver's and Brayshaw's secondary positions..? Also, there appears to be an undue amount of "long term" thinking being derived from our efforts against the two worst teams in the comp, especially re- Viney Vs Brayshaw, which I don't believe to be a large enough and reliable enough dataset to make such long term decisions from. As always, in Goody I trust.

Great analysis and acknowledgement of Goodwin working to shape the game to our advantage.

If our mids can continue to collect the ball at speed as Clarry, and Trac have been doing, it makes Max’s dominance more impactful...