Buffalo

Let's not forget that our first half was way below par...so Mark Williams wasn't all that inspiring...

I am nonplussed by the medical diagnosis of Dustin Martin. He was allowed to continue playing despite being CONCUSSED. I thought that was against the rules of the game. He was injured near the start of the 3rd quarter, went off soon after, then blow me down, he continues playing!!! I thought the concussion protocols didn't allow that sort of thing... bloody cheats....

Tim Mohr must have the recuperative powers of the Wolverine if the following report from afl.com.au is true: Rookie defender Tim Mohr was taken to hospital with a dislocated knee after an incident early in the clash. While he was released on Sunday afternoon, the former Giant will head for scans on Monday to learn the full extent of any further damage.

Just to emphasize Joel Smiths level of fitness, this picture probably sums it up (it is totally unretouched - those biceps are REAL):

Attended for a while and took some pictures. Never been to training before, but from what I could tell the following were in rehab: Viney, JKH, Spargo, Lever, May, Jones, Oliver, Brayshaw and maybe Kolo. Didn't see Melksham, Hannan or Oscar. No injuries (except for JKH - minor ankle problem during full ground simulation - still ran pretty well with Rehab group later in the session). Jack Viney must be pretty fit - easily ran the oval and would not have blown out a candle. Same cannot be said for Bradtke - as unfit a player as I have ever seen. Impressed with Tom McDonald in full ground simulation IN FRONT OF GOAL. His field kicking up the ground was a bad as ever - missed quite a few targets. But marking and kicking for goal excellent. Impressed with Tracc's involvement up forward, led well and hands overhead as good as ever. Evasiveness and kicking spot on. Toby Bedford very involved up forward and will be a player - very speedy when necessary. Weed's hands and general play were very impressive - tackles well and positions himself well. Got a couple of Joe the Gooses for easy goals. ANB everywhere - very fit. Hunt still over-kicks the ball a bit, so misses a few targets. Very impressed with Fritter - his marking and positioning were spot on and his kicking faultless. Played mainly forward today. Joel Smith looks supremely fit and put himself about nicely. Can certainly mark the ball and his kicking seems to be improving. That's about it for now...

Has this HS article been referenced yet? https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/jesse-hogan-passes-medical-at-fremantle-as-melbourne-stand-firm-on-trade-demands/news-story/5149035f1f61d909f23d5cf0ba12064b If not, the relevant section reads: "Speculation that Hogan, 23, had failed medical tests held in Perth last week were on Wednesday night dismissed, with his camp adamant the spearhead will be fit to play for the Demons or the Dockers in Round 1 next year. The goal kicker is currently holidaying in Bali, but was fully assessed by Fremantle medicos during a tour of the Dockers’ headquarters last week."

Just checking Jesse's resume - he was actually named as the All Australian under 18 CHB in 2012 - as an underage 17YO! So I don't think he would have any trouble filling that role for Melbourne. Occasional stints in the midfield notwithstanding....

A quote from the HS by "One-eyed Melbourne Supporter": " By half-time Viney had laid more tackles than Jack Watts achieved in his entire career at the Dees. "

Just read an interesting stat: First time since R01 that WCE have conceded 90 points in a game - 19 games in a row without conceding 90 points was the longest streak in the AFL era...

I don't know what Tyson thinks he is doing out there, but so far he's had 4 or 5 attempts at a handball - not one of which has even come close to a team mate - unless you consider handballing to their feet effective...

Anyone would think Petty was our worst player on the ground - but have you checked out Hannan's stats? If Hannan plays next week, I give up...

I know this may sound trite, but I like the fact that he drives around in an old holden (a very clean one at that).

Just had a look on Wikipedia, which had the following info on the East Melbourne Cricket Ground: East Melbourne Football Club, used the ground until it disbanded in mid 1882. Essendon Football Club. Despite the ground being 6 miles (10 km) away from the suburb of Essendon, the club moved to the ground in 1882 after East Melbourne vacated it, and used it in both the VFA and the VFL until its closure in 1921. North Melbourne Football Club, which used the ground during the 1897 VFA season due to upgrading works on its usual home ground, the Arden Street Oval. West Melbourne Football Club, which moved to the ground for the 1907 VFA season, and disbanded the following year. Melbourne University Football Club, which used it from 1908 to 1910 in the VFL; the club left the ground in 1911 following a dispute with Essendon over rent. The VFL held a final in the 1897 finals series and the 1900 Grand Final at the ground. The VFA also played the 1896 premiership playoff at East Melbourne. Melbourne City Football Club, which used it during its two years in the VFA, 1912 and 1913; Melbourne City lost all 36 matches it played in those two seasons. 30 VFA finals were played at the East Melbourne ground between 1903 and 1921. So really, it deserves to be rebuilt....

I think Collingwood took their cue from the Bulldogs efforts the previous week. In both games, the Dees were woeful with clearances, getting absolutely smashed...perhaps Goody, and our strategist extraordinaire Craig Jennings should have picked up on this....

For those of you using Firefox, just add the extension "anti-paywall" to your browser. Works for me...

Radio program began at 1:00 pm. covering our game...www.3ser.org.au.

Did anyone notice that Charlie Spargo ran straight into the umpire after receiving a free kick in front of goal (3rd Quarter, about 2:45 mins to go)? He was exiting the congestion and clocked him fairly vigorously...I know he didn't mean it, but it was a lot more substantial than Hawkins, May and the Curnow Bros...

And it's not as if his kicking is below average either. From draft scouting report Nov 9, 2015: "He booted 20 goals this season from 16 games with the Bushrangers, including a six-goal haul in the final round of the home and away season. He's also a nice user of the ball, evidenced by his perfect score in the goalkicking test at the combine." Goalkicking test procedure: the test assesses a player's ability to kick accurately from set shots, tight angles and on the run. Players have five shots at goals - two set shots from 35m out in either pocket, two snaps from 20m in front off each foot and a running shot from 40m out directly in front. Players will have to kick with left and right feet, and need to complete the test in 70 seconds.

Is there any danger that Casey will receive a free kick sometime?

I think you're getting Corey mixed up with Josh...

For what it's worth, these are Wagner's stats compared to Neville Jetta's for last year: (Not a whole lot of difference, to be honest - I thought he was a lot worse...) Stats for Season 2017 Wagner Jetta 9 Games 22 7.0 Kicks Per Game 6.9 8.9 Handballs Per Game 7.5 15.9 Disposals Per Game 14.3 2.3 Marks Per Game 4.3 2.8 Tackles Per Game 3.1 1.1 Inside 50s Per Game 0.3 0.4 Frees For Per Game 0.9 0.3 Frees Against Per Game 0.5 5.7 Contested Poss's Per Game 5.0 10.3 Uncontested Poss's Per Game 9.2 11.8 Effective Disposals Per Game 12.6 74.2% Disposal Efficiency% Per Game 88.1% 2.0 Clangers Per Game 1.4 0.3 Contested Marks Per Game 0.4 0.9 Rebound 50s Per Game 1.7 2.2 One Percenters Per Game 4.0 144.4 Metres Gained Per Game 121.6 2.7 Turnovers Per Game 1.2 3.8 Intercepts Per Game 5.9 0.6 Tackles Inside 50 Per Game 0.1 57.8 AFL Fantasy Score Per Game 60.9 57.3 Supercoach Score Per Game 67.7

From Ben Guthrie's report on Monday's training session: "Viney, who is targeting a return in round three – most likely via the VFL – still appears restricted in his movements and received treatment from the doctor at one stage. Viney did what he needed to do but left the track early, and the Demons will be cautious with his recovery after an interrupted pre-season." Still receiving treatment from the doctor - definitely not a good sign...

Duckwood managed to con his way to 8 free kicks today. I just went through the stats for all JLT games this round and the closest anyone got to Duckwood's free kick count was 5. Are the umpires really that naive? You'd think they would have woken up to his antics by now....By the way, Geelong had 45 frees today to Essendon's 26. It must be a cultural thing with the Cats...

Youtube has a few replays...

What!!! Is Clarrie injured...?