Young Blood

This. We looked spent after slogging it out in the wet against a top four side. Not sticking tackles, couldn't create space, all kicks and handballs were short/at team mates feet. Yes its an excuse but shouldn't be this early in the season which is the concern. Did they muck up recovery during the week? Perhaps I'm expecting a very different Melbourne this weekend in terms of intensity and ability to compete. Against North we had no hope.

I thought Spargo went alright in his first game back. He'd played a Casey practice game where he looked a cut above and clearly he's in our best 22 with his decision making and foot skills badly needed. I expect him to keep impacting more after his first AFL run in a long time. I don't understand why people keep bringing up Laurie. He's been the most underwhelming player at AFL level we've had for the last few seasons. We have many players that should get picked ahead of him as a hybrid type player. A promising late first rounder (pick #22) After four years in the system he should be starting to really push the selection committee. Maybe its because he's only good as a midfielder where we have the most depth but I would have liked to see him start to carve out a role by now and build on his game.

How very Trumpesque of you...

Wouldn't have made a difference. They played a spare back, Charlie Comben who marked everything with a match high 12 Intercept possessions. He would have had more if we played Fritta deep square for as many 2v1's as he liked. But in general, that tactic rarely works these days unless the game opens up and you win clearance to get the ball in quickly like the rare occasion in the GF. They tried to play Trac out of the square in the third quarter and North's zone type set up meant they could come help on every entry that went his way.

I know I'll be unpopular but I really think fitness played a big part in todays game. I think North outplayed us most definitely. But pretty much all game and especially in the third quarter just about every one of our kicks was short, every handball was to a team mates feet. We're not the most skilled side but we're certainly not THAT bad. I saw half our side completely gassed each quarter with only Chandler and Oliver who seemed fit enough to impact consistently and run the game out. Again I know I'll be ridiculed but I felt like the loss was compounded by the fact we weren't fit enough for this game resulting in poor disposal, lack of spread, unforced turnovers, not working hard for each other in space (especially forward of the ball). Shouldn't ever be an excuse but was obvious to me today that North were much more match fit for this one after we slogged away last week in the wet. Hoping they get recovery and conditioning right this week. God help us.

Its OK guys. We were just tired.

Agreed thats a coach doing the opposite of protecting one of is best players. Instead he's now opened up Gawn and everyone around him for media hassling. Not to mention the pundits will be all over his comments. Was such an easy one to diminish and move on. I'm sure he didn't mean this and was probably frustrated but not a good look.

The kid clearly knows how to kick goals, has good instincts, reads the ball well and competes in the air. They've clearly selected him believing these attributes that he's been building upon will translate to more scoring from our forwards. Also think the idea and we saw it on the weekend was he was able to free up Fritta to play other roles including swinging him back late in quarters as a loose man but also to work up the ground more to play the modern day CHF role as a link-up player and push into space to be utilised for his excellent foot skills for forward entries. I think on a wet day it didn't work too well as we weren't able to rebound quick enough with GWS filling space across the ground, but I expect to see a lot more of Bayley working into space further up the ground against North on a dry deck.

Watched it live right in front of me at the ground and thought straight away that it was a textbook dangerous tackle and predicted the one week. No need to drive his head down like that. I thought most of the game that Brown was bullying AJ by being just too physical for him in the ruck contests especially, was able to move AJ quite easily. Wonder if AJ just wanted to give the tackle a little extra in frustration/payback. A silly mistake I hope he learns from.

From club talk/reports it sounds like Turner was due to play last week after being ruled out 48 hrs out to due illness. So he'll play. Only changes I see barring injury. Fingers crossed for Windsor. In: Turner Out: AJ If Windsor misses as others have mentioned I think Billings comes in and Riv plays more off HB. I don't like that JVR will have to compete with the monster Xerri. Hopefully its limited and Max can take on more Ruck contests this week (he was at 75% on Centre Ruck contests last week with AJ in).

Thats ok you're forgiven 😇

You forgot May! I gather you're likely referring to the most common straight line precision kicks in which yes I'd say Tmac is definitely in there. But in terms of overall kicking including under pressure/around the body/creativity I would have to have him out and Fritta in. Other than that I agree. Edit: Probably Rivers too, he just often kicks longer and more daring kicks but his shorter precision stuff is great as is Windsor and Langford looks a great kick too.

I wouldn't be surprised if he gets a week. Brown got up and was fine by the looks of it. But being first game they might set the precedence unfortunately. Shouldn't be more then a free kick but they really come down hard on these careless tackles especially early in season to try to deter players (never seems to work much anyway).

We're just old and fragile lol

6. Gawn 5. Bowey 4. Trac 3. Salem 2. Lever 1. Viney

I was expecting 20k with the grand prix and the weather so wasn't surprised. It was pretty miserable out there today. But if they boys put in efforts like they deserve people to show up and cheer them on. Like others have said against the lowest supported team in the comp on a day like today thats not too bad but against especially suns in two weeks I want to see more. Its those who are able to come but prefer to watch from the comfort of their own homes the annoy me the most. I remember Mike Sheahan saying that in an interview a few years back and it really [censored] me off. If its medical, financial, being abroad etc. all of those things of course are understandable. But if you're in Melbourne and have the ability and resources to come to games at least try to make it along to a few. Thought we were pretty loud for a small crowd today but come along and help us lift the boys up more!!!

I thought Tom Green was another week away. God dammit :(

Seeing the Judd 4-6 weeks 😔 Gotta be grateful compared to other teams' injuries though. We're looking pretty good (touch wood)

Some serious outs and concerns for GWS Out for round 2 - Tom Green, Riccardi Questionable - Hogan, Brown A few decent depth players also out due to suspension (including McMullin who is decent and due for more midfield time) I hope their game this weekend is a bruising affair to add to it all.

Childish humour here but repeating Xavier Lindsays nickname quickly and consecutively as players do calling for the ball must sound a tad funny. @Ghostwriter have you heard it out loud?

What are you seeing from Johnson that makes you think he deserves the starting CHF spot?

I went along to every game at the G last year and in all but one or two games I spotted Clayton throwing up on the field. He quite literally tried his guts out last season when his body wasn't ready for it. I think last year might go down in some sort of folklore in terms of a player managing to play 21 AFL games as a full time midfielder after having such a well documented, problematic off season with very little preseason training/conditioning. He's looking in prime condition already this off season. I think he'll have a monster 2025 and return to a top 10 mid of the comp.

Smart pick by Richmond. Future star

We avoided the possible go home factor.

Missed out on a Sicily meets Lever type Bummer