Little Richard

Jeez, people are quick to turn on Garlett. He has been sensational for the vast majority of his time at Melbourne, and is the best small forward we've had in years. The form slump won't last and I'm confident he'll turn it on this week.

But we're still exposed without that other big, seasoned defender. Hurley would be a god send and even Nathan Brown would bolster our back line considerably.

Exactly what I saw. Being made out to be far worse than it was IMO.

He had a shocker last time, two gimmes in the goal square were about the only times he touched the ball. Fingers crossed he's just as bad this week because I can't forget him splitting packs into pieces on his way to 7.0 last season.

But lets not jinx it.

McDonald to Cloke (hopefully with a bit of run off) and Frost to Cox.

We live in a society of instant gratification where people struggle to be patient. OMac is playing rather well for a 20 year old key defender with 6 games under his belt. He'll be right.

Pretty damning statistics. Would also be interested in seeing the figures for pressure acts for each player... hope our lads were paying attention on Saturday.

Great summary. There were a heap of rush behinds and that's credit to Hawthorn's pressure inside 50, which was great. They were also able to spread better and take more marks, particularly early on. Our skills were below par which prevented us doing the same... missed targets and dropped marks a plenty.

I'm also positive that his injury history would contribute. Plenty of calf and knee issues, which would restrict his leap.

Yes, higher than Dawes. Pedo is our best option for a hybrid ruck/forward but Watts is doing a reasonable job at the moment.

I genuinely think it's because he doesn't have much of a leap. Uses his body very well no doubt, but most ruckman are a good 10cm taller than him and can jump. He wouldn't get close to winning a tap IMO.

Can't jump very high.

Dropping Garlett would be a ridiculous move. There's no other player on our list that can do what he usually does, and he's still one of the best small forwards in the competition. Kennedy in for Kent.

Are we still the worst rated side at converting once inside 50? We must be.

Would we get something for him at the trade table?

Pedersen is so important for our structure, we'll look a lot better when he is back in the side.

Amazing stuff, Trenners is clearly such a resilient and courageous bloke. Can't wait to see him run out onto the hallowed turf, and hopefully chalk up a win. Legend.

I think he gets a few more games to prove himself. Has promise and it shows in flashes, but we definitely need more from him. There does have to be an allowance for a player to adjust from VFL to the pace of AFL.

Tyson's hands are very clean, and he doesn't get enough credit for that. Unfortunately you never know if he's going to show up or not.

Oliver and potentially Trengove will keep him out of the guts I think.

I think he deserves one, but not in defence. Start him on the wing, or even give him a run in the guts (though he has some very stiff competition there).

I think that latest one doesn't really say anything that isn't true. In fact, it's fairly well balanced. Viney should consider himself lucky he only got one week.

Christian Petracca.

Yep, just needs to channel it more effectively. Trengove in could be a good call, could play a similar role.