The heart beats true

I wonder how Bailey Humphrey is feeling today? Signed on until the end of ‘28 just 5 weeks ago. That was a strange decision.

He’s a great player.

I like the look of Verrall. He’s going to take time but he moves and thinks like a footballer, which is rare for young rucks.

I thought the Saints were really honest on Saturday night. Ross has got their effort and accountability working, that’s for sure, and I reckon that’s been a problem for them since he left. The big thing I noticed on Saturday night was our defensive positioning was elite. May (obviously), Petty, McVee and Bowey were able to get intercept marks while still guarding an opponent. It was a very workmanlike performance from our midfield to maintain enough pressure on the ball carrier to create inefficient kicks - especially considering no Oliver, and Tracc 80% forward. St Kilda kept trying to maintain a pure balance all over the field, so they had a player accountable for each of our defenders. They clearly thought that if Tracc was forward they could get us for talent and speed at the contest, but our guys worked at it and broke even. It was a really good battle. I hope we can take some confidence out of it, as that’s what we need more than anything right now.

I watched the replay and early in the game in the forward half he was in great crumbing position a couple of times and the ball was marked in the air instead. I reckon we go old school on it early this week and just encourage him to run as far up the ground as he needs to get early touches, and get involved. It’s a really lonely place as a small forward. Free him up to get involved early and he’ll feel better and get his timing right.

I thought he missed from concussion? Was he dropped prior A F? I must have forgotten that. Anyways I agree. He’s a gun.

Having watched Fox’s replay I understand some of the negativity post game. Darcy openly barracking for St Kilda during play, and then the half time team talking about what a monumental victory it will be for St Kilda. It felt like we struggled. The sad reality for most footy fans was that was a VERY Melbourne win. We won by taking a lot of intercept marks in defence, absorbing pressure, and then being calculated moving the ball.

Why is anybody talking about Bowser being dropped? He’s well on his way to a 200 game career. Weird.

I was just watching the replay and trying to imagine you as the runner. ’Ok Harmesy, Goodie wants….oh wow, you’ve got really muscly arms up close. Actually, you know what, just run around and stay sweaty. Looks amazing.’

Jake Stringer plays like that full forward in junior footy who went through puberty when he was 9 and just wants to run through everyone and snap at goals from anywhere.

I completely agree. BUT if posters come on here and openly criticise players, and question their intent, the least we can do is understand the context of that criticism.

Crows have gotten completely sucked in by the speed of the game. They have no ability to change tempo.

This is pathetic from them.

Look, I know this literally isn’t the right forum for me to say this but watching this I get why our defence first plan isn’t loved by the media.

I’d love Fogarty, Rachele and Rankin at the Dees.

14 goals 10 points in 32 minutes of football.

Both teams at Marvel know you’re allowed to defend right?

The banner was so great last night. It’s the one upside to Marvel. We get a really good look at it.

From Davy Byrne’s.

I really like the look of Howes. The only thing working against him is we have a balanced defence and an over abundance of running skilful half backs. It’s a good problem to have. I reckon at 90% of other teams Howes would have had a crack at AFL level by now.

I simply asked a question. I never stated anything about interstate supporters. I also never stated in my question if I was at the game or not. It was a question for context. That context was that you wouldn’t know that the saints pressure was evident on TV from some of the opinions spouted in the early post game thread. That’s why I asked. For folks to say it ‘felt like a loss’ and was ‘putrid’ is doing a disservice to both teams.

I don’t reckon Goodwin got enough credit for the win last night. He backed in Viney, Brayshaw, Sparrow and Jordan, and kept Tracc forward for 80% of that game. With Oliver out that’s our 2 best midfielders down. Simon held his nerve, and in the end Tracc was the difference in the game.

Sadly we both know the answer.

I accept mediocrity all the time. Right now I could be reading Ulysses by James Joyce. Instead I’m reading various opinions about Angus Brayshaw.

I would love nothing more than this. I wish Kayo had that as an option. Even if just to flick back and forth to the commentary if you need the insight of what you’re seeing.