Norm Smith's Curse

I think Dean Kent and Terlich have done enough. Id like to see them in the side.

yeah pretty close to what I'm thinking.

So I reckon Gillies and Terlich might be a chance for the back half: Jones, Barry, Rodan, Toump and Viney are a chance in the middle And Byrnes, Kent and perhaps Pederson could be a chance for the forwards. I really rate Dean kent. I liked everything he did in the first game.

Well Ive watched with care our performances in the NAB cup and practise games. I have been satisfied that we have approached the NAB cup purely in terms of ascertaining who can perform and who cant basically - who is match fit, who gell together and just isnt there yet. My feeling is that firstly the players that have performed quite well during the pre season are: Jesse Hogan - (I know, irrelevant). Dean Kent - just a real ball magnet who can kick a goal. He gets his own ball and he can use it Rodan - I like the bloke because he has spirit, but more because he is a big strong man who can physically go with any midfielders in other sides. With him there with Nathan Jones it makes a massive difference for mine. Jack Watts - Again playing the same role, but clocking up posessions and using them smartly. He looks much more poised this year. Toumpas - for a kid he can play! Gillies - a few passages of play have impressed me. I can see him adding a bit Viney - give him some game time Matt Jones - looks ok Terlich - will certianly have a crack Some im not sure about yet: Garland - come on mate, no more clangers Cam Pederson - I have faith in this bloke but I didnt see as much as I would have expected - looked ok in the first game. Nicho - kicking still an issue Some have underwhelmed to be honest: Davey - no chance round 1, sorry mate Sylvia - i love ya mate and I believe in you but I just dont see any spark again...

You can take the players out of melbourne, but you cant take the melbourne out of the players - give it time...

impossible to tell because it relies purely on the unrealised talent of our youngster because the older brigade wont get close.

Rodan is way ahead of most of the others. You wait and see. he will add a bit more size and strength to the midfield so that Jonesy doesnt have to do it singlehandedly to complement Viney and the other youngsters. Dean Kent could haev a crack and Trenners has the potential. I liked Grimes in the midfield as well but Rodan will have the most impact in just giving the midfield some clought.

Arms like twigs - what could possibly go wrong...

yeah but most of the players that played well in the first game other than watts and Hogan didn't play in the second game. Rodan added heaps to the midfield and pedo got dragged into ruck so lost impact up forward.

Pederson and Kent in the first game looked better and our midfield had more structure with Rodan in it in the first game.

at the end of the day this was about seeing which players look the goods and which dont. It was pretty clear tonight who was on their game and who was making the same old mistakes.

Gawn's injuries just keep on coming...

Our side in the first game looked awesome.

yeah that is what I thought as well. I couldnt see any of those guys second game. Clearly we can tell whose going to be in the side for round 1 and it will be most of the above.

For his debute he looked tidy.

Jesse loves the Dees and is super impressed with Nathan Jones's work ethic. Dont let that lack of smile fool you. An exciting prospect no doubt after tonights efforts - youd have to think top 4 in next year's draft based on that result against AFL players!

Hogan, Viney, Toumpas, Pederson and Kent all looked tidy.

he was already better than the last two seasons for mine even though he was beaten

Hogan rocks. Ill say it again - all the players Iiked tonight were new players other than Watts. Our defense is seriously missing Rivers and too many clangers!

We are fielding different players in this game to the first arent we? In the first game I liked Cam Pederson's marking, Rodan's strength in the midfield and ofcourse Jesse Hogan who has done more than any other forward so far. This game Watts looks ok but Im seeing too many turnovers and our defense looks crap underpressure. Same old same old from two or three players I wont mention yet. Most of the players that look impressive have started playing for the demons tonight!

Gees we looked alright against north but ordinary against the tiges... clangers/poor disposal, etc

Are we playing two different lists for these games?

hahaha

Hogan looks great. I thought Cam Pederson looked alright - most of the better stuff I saw was from new recruits - Kent got plenty of it and having Rodan in the Midfield was a smart move - he backs up Jones well. Had some concerns about our defense without Rivers. Who kicked that turnover with about 7 minutes to go?

Bummer - could have wont that. Liked Cam Pederson. All the new recruits look good - Hogan, Kent, Pederson, etc.