Jaded No More

Honestly who cares. Goodes is a champion of the game. I don't particularly warm to him, but he is a star and I have no issues how he celebrates his goals or how outspoken he is about indigenous issues. The way white Australia treats indigenous Australia is, on the whole, a disgraceful joke. What Adam Goodes does or doesn't do on the footy field is such a minor non-issue in the scheme of things.

Wines isn't exactly at peak fitness either He's just come back from an injury last week and was ginger.

True, and we've done better having a defensive forward set up this year. We are one of the best teams at scoring from Inside 50 entries. Given these aren't in abundance when we play, this is a very very critical stat. We played best with Kent and JHK, and while Jones and Bail are not up to that quality, having those defensively minded roles off half back is extremely important for us. We don't allow rebounding defenders to, well, rebound, therefore enabling us to keep the ball in our forward 50 for longer and convert a score.

The only thing that has been getting me through the 12 hour days I've been doing this week. Can't wait for the game tomorrow and many many wines. Don't let me down Melbourne!

And I still continue to ask how the hell did Carlton get virtually every Friday night game this year. Thanks for ruining my viewing pleasure AFL & Channel 7.

And all it took was Jesse Hogan. You don't ask for much do you!

Poor ol' Riley SO happy to have Jetta and Viney back. Fresh legs will be key here, so glad Tyson is getting another week. He'll be ripe to rip it up against Collingwood hopefully. Hard to complain about the team changes. Realistically everyone played well last week and don't deserve to be dropped, but you don't leave quality on the table. I'm scarily optimistic, which is a bad sign. Might go stand outside before the game and hope a bird pees on me again. Was great luck last week.

If you weigh up how many goals Jones costs us and how many he gets us, I am pretty sure it won't be an even number each way. He kicked a good one too, and his last quarter was inspirational. Absolutely deserves votes.

Coaches give Hogan votes. Rising Star committee don't nominate him. Absolutely laughable.

I watched most games this weekend Hogan may not have been the absolute standout, but he has been consistently excellent in one of the toughest roles in one of the poorest midfield teams. How he hasn't earnt a nomination thus far is beyond a joke. He's in better form than some veterans going around.

Absolutely no room for Dawes next week I don't think. With the humidity up in Darwin, good ol' butter hands will have no chance of taking a mark. I appreciate what Dawes brings to our club, I appreciate more Pederson kicking 3 goals and taking half a dozen marks.

Can confirm that selectors are idiots

If he wants to go again next year, and I hope he does, he will get another contract and probably 20 games next year (injury pending). He is invaluable. If he wants to call it quits I hope we sign him up as a development coach.

He's good as a sub. He's slow but when you come on in the last when players are tired and the game is slowing, and you get your tackling and contested possessions on song, that's all we can ask for. I think in general he has some good attributes but we know his limitations. I definitely prefer him to Matt Jones and Bail, but again they are in for leg speed so it's not like comparing apples with apples.

His hair is terrible. Does that help reduce the love? Get a haircut Jesse, sick of your shenanigans I'm sorry Jesse, I don't mean it, I love you so much. Your hair is fine.

Ugh. I spit at that image.

Hogan has arguably been more consistent too.

No. He is coming off a good base. If the leg is good he's in. We can hardly afford to let him waste time at Casey.

I bet Vanders can't wait for the bye either. Looked spent whenever he came to the bench. He might be mature, but he's still a first year player. Viney, Jetta and Tyson are automatic ins if fit. Bail, M Jones definite outs and maybe Brayshaw gets a week off from the travel and humidity and gets fresh to take on Collingwood. Would rather keep him protected from stress injuries. Grimes, Fitzy and Spencer earned their keep.

Tom McDonald- unsure what to do when doesn't have 87 balls coming his way a quarter.

I just love Daniel Cross. Embodies everything I want our young players to be. Courageous, hard working, dedicated, team oriented. He is a wonderful role model and I bet will be a great coach one day. Loved seeing him stick it to his old side.

I want him to kick 10 against Carlton. Otherwise he's dead to me. Just kidding. I love you Jesse. Don't ever leave me.

Carries team every week and watches teammates butcher the footy. No credit. Makes a mistake and supporters go on about it like its the worst thing ever done by a Melbourne player. I guess today I knew that Jones was human. Until today I was sure he was a machine.

What a difference not having to play Hawks, Sydney or Freo makes. Great game. Great 4 quarter effort. Watching the replay and they keep calling Fitzy Fitzgerald. Cringeworthy.

Brayshaw's last quarter is the sort of performance that you get from a star. Immense. Hogan. No words necessary. I actually thought it was the lesser lights like Fitzy and Grimes and Spencer and Pedo that helped us win Vanders is a gem. That's more tackles than some of our players have had their entire career.