Young Blood

I thought he was great. Stood up well in the contest for a second gamer. Liked his patience and ball use. Its the small things you look for in these early games for the younger guys. Saw similar things from Brayshaw in the first few games from tackling to battling hard in a contest and eventually breaking out with good ball use and decision making. Harmes is on the right track. I also think Stretch does a lot of the small things really well. Runs well and positions himself well. The defensive side of his game is great. Layed some terrific tackles. Look forward to seeing him develop.

I think players are realizing both their own ability and the ability of those around them. Dunn's a perfect example. Has taken his game to another level especially with his disposal and decision making. My favorite moment was shortly after Billy's goal in the last quarter with Geelong were attacking. Billy cuts off a handball and puts an excellent pressured tackle on. Another geelong player picks up the ball only to be spoiled by a stretched out diving Brayshaw. Wonderful stuff from out teens.

Agreed. Both have a bit of leg speed and did well to keep the pressure on Geelong's damaging young small forwards. I believe Bail is and will be an important fringe player to come in for injuries to different positions. Has the potential to be a versatile role player. Mature body and a good engine with a bit of pace. Just needs to steady his disposal and keep his intensity and concentration.

Only good outcome is it forces a bit of Pressure on Gawn to go forward and make an impact. Might have been a little better to add Jamar instead of Spence? If ones not doing well down forward the other goes down there? Puts more pressure on the midfield to kick goals now. Oh boy

I think they would be reluctant to bring back Dawes this week. They shouldn't play him if he's not at a really good fitness level. It has been the issue with him all year, playing with an injury. I don't know if we will swap for another tall with Howe starting to make a decent contest. I do think Jamar might be the other inclusion but then again we haven't played two rucks much if at all this year. Fatigue was an issue again last week and while I thought the young guys stood up really well when it kicked in I do think ANB or Billy might get a break or a sub purely based on fitness levels and the increased running at seniors level that they need to get used to. I agree with others that Michie deserves a few full games just as Toump and Riley have been getting. Will be interesting who comes in.

Grimes and Terlich are both in to replace Garland who I think has been very solid this year. Will be missed. You would think Grimes has that spot. Hopefully they are trying to build confidence in Terlich again as it would be good to have him and grimes battling for the backline reserve role. I would actually really like to see ANB play the whole game. He is a player that strives on getting his hands on the ball as much as possible. With Vandenberg out its a good opportunity to get some AFL level match time into ANB. Because of his lack of preseason and injury etc. they won't be able to play him as much as Brayshaw. But bringing him in for stints like they might be doing with Stretch is a good idea. Hope Billly Stretch wears the yellow vest.

God I would take either in a heart beat

H has been a valuable leader on and off feild. Been playing OK but would like to see some better decision making. I know he likes to play on but he very often takes on too much, which mostly results in holding the ball or a turnover. He also rushes his kicking. However I don't want his intensity to drop off. He is still providing that bit of punch off the backline. Anyone else noticed that he runs up to just about every dees player who kicks a goal? says something right in their ear. Good to see this level of encouragement. I noticed it a lot in the dogs game. Then he runs all the way to the backline for the bounce.

Here here. Not worth talking about him so much. It's not like we're going to trade him mid season. We've got the rest of the season. After that I think its worth talking about more.

balls

oath

That sucks. Guess he won't be "trending up" this week. Glad he gets a rest. Continuing to play injured isn't ideal for a young player. I think this puts pressure on guys like Viv and Newton to step up. We know when healthy Dom can play solid football. We are yet to see this from Viv and others.

I think Fitzy, Watts and maybe even Gawn are in to combat some of the versatile talls the dogs have. Bontempelli (I think Vince will have first shot at), Talia, Macrae. They've got some great players

good to hear jimcor and good to hear Roosy being vocal. I'm glad Newton is looking fresh, eager to see more of him on the weekend. Want him to add to the shortlist of consistant Dees this season.

exactly!

then beat me to a pulp

he'd have a laugh

He could give casey a marking option (if he takes them) down forward

he and viney could be 'the little guys' running through the midfield. cute.

We just need to keep doing what the players do. Feel down for a few days perhaps but get ready for the next game. Keep looking for improvements. If you don't put these horrible games behind us you can't move on.

exactly right. I see him as being as honest and open as he chooses to be.

I agree with everyone. He has been more than average down back. He has been exposed this year and does'nt have the intensity to play this role. It looks like if he continues this way he won't be at Melbourne this year so I agree that he probably should go. But we can't do anything about that until the end of the year. I think play him at HF or even CHF. Chris Dawes should be dropped or given a break (as Roos said in the last press conference, Dawes isn't moving well and clearly not playing well enough). Howe can mark and get into space on the wings. Melbourne were'nt able to get any deep forward entries at all on the weekend (Dawes and others marking outside 50 and out wide). Having a good mark in this area is really important to get the ball into Jesse and [Pedersen]. With him and Watt's at HF they should have a strict focus on creating more inside 50's for Melbourne and keeping it in there as well.

All Melbourne supporters should love Black Sabbath

yes I agree leads from the back. One of our more intelligent players also. Yeah alongside Rivers, Frawley, Grimes and Tapscott I think he is perfect. He uses his long frame well and has a good long kick. Usually a good decision maker. If he can get consistency I think he is in Melbournes top 5 most important players. Reminds me a lot of Fletcher.

He was effective in the mid at VFL level but its a different pace. He needs to get more grunt in my opinion. Really throw his weight around and take the opposition on more. Maybe he could be used in the midfield to try and out muscle a swan or something. Perhaps if he can really work on his pace and movement he can be a good wing or flank player to spread and mark with those sticky hands..