Demon Jack

I'd actually look to start McDonald in the ruck and move Gawn to full forward at the beginning of the game, particularly if Watts misses. As good as our groundwork has been over the last couple of weeks, we're crying out for someone who can take a contested mark. If we find ourselves down by a couple of goals, then we can move Gawn into the ruck who can try and assert some dominance over Vardy/Petrie.

First off, thank you to my friend for rescheduling our catch up today to next weekend. I ended up making the decision to head over to Etihad instead. Secondly, YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!! Thirdly, here are some notes about the game - Our pressure was immense. Like seriously unstoppable. Easily the best I've seen from a Melbourne side. The Bulldogs just could not find any room to move the ball, and when they could they butchered it because of our desire to tackle and apply pressure. I'm looking forward to watching the replay so I can count how many of our free kicks resulted from holding the ball decisions. Seriously impressive tackling throughout - Oscar McDonald has now officially had a breakout game. I actually felt at ease later in the game when he had the ball later in the game. He could seriously be an asset when he puts on some weight over the next 2-3 years - Jeff Garlett and Mitch Hannan are phenomenal in their pressure acts in the forward 50. - Aside from some bad kicks (that were late in the game), Tom McDonald nearly had a career best game. I'd almost consider playing him as starting ruck next week and leave Gawn in the goalsquare so we have someone to kick to who can take a contested mark. - Jack Watt's goal at halftime oozed of class, confidence and calmness. When he kicked truly, I started to officially believe that we could pull off something special. - Loved Salem's game. Easily in my top 3-4 players for the day Also, I love Tom Bugg. What a little [censored]

6. Hibberd 5. T.McDonald 4. O.McDonald 3. Salem 2. Jetta 1. Watts Apologies to just about everyone else in the team. No passengers today.

Jones played all of 2015 with a bad neck injury. He'll play next week.

Also can we just acknowledge Jetta's effort on Boyd in that second quarter?

Oscar seriously coming of age at the moment. I think something has clicked.

So does this make three or four season defining games in a row? While the implications of losing this game aren't as drastic as losing to a Collingwood or Gold Coast, a win today will be a monumental step forward and make finals a far more likely equation. I didn't have us playing in September this year. Demons, prove me wrong.

Great to see that Joel Smith is only a couple of weeks away. He was incredibly unlucky to be injured in the opening quarter of his debut and deserves another shot provided a spot opens up.

Can we just talk about Hannan in that final quarter? He collided solidly with Dunn (who came up second best) and was up three seconds later tackling Jack Crisp? We've found one here.

6. Jones 5. Petracca 4. Watts 3. Hibberd 2. Tyson 1. Oliver

Aside that one in 2015, he kicked seven against the Saints early last season. I thought he had a couple more bags to his name but I was mistaken.

Looks a natural footballer. He's had a very good month of footy. Nine goals in his last four games.

I just watched the third quarter (figured I could skip the first half. I'll watch the final quarter tonight). Here are some things I noticed. - Jack Watts was very important in turning the side. I counted him taking two or three very good contested marks and just being involved around the ground. As mentioned earlier, he's been really pushing himself hard this season as he's been forced to play as a part-time ruckman for the majority of the year. No wonder he looks sore and out of puff. If anyone is going to benefit from the return of Gawn (or even Spencer), It'll be Watts. - While Watts was important in our comeback, its impossible to not mention Nathan Jones who possibly played one of the best quarters of football of his career. I figured that it was worth mentioning that Jones currently has 10 goals for the season which is equal to what he kicked during the whole of 2016. He's having another good season and could very well be a smokey for his fourth B&F, provided he can get past Oliver and maybe Hibberd. - I really like James Harmes as a forward. He doesn't have the height to play as a key forward but he can provide a contest. He kicked the ball very well yesterday as well. How about the bullet pass to Nathan Jones for his first goal? Definitely something to work with there. - ANB was a very good inclusion. Looked very comfortable as more of a full time midfielder. His disposal was good as well. - Much prefer Melksham as a midfielder. Could very well have played one of the best games of his career. He was key in shutting down Aaron Hall as well who absolutely tore us apart in the first half. - I like Wagner. I think he can become a Hibberd type player after a another couple of pre-seasons. There were a couple of moments where he really put his body on the line in a marking contest. He may not get much love around here, but he'll get another game against Collingwood in a couple of weeks. - Whenever we would bomb the ball long into the 50, it would be cut off by either May or Leslie. As soon as we started to lower our eyes and began to hit up targets into our forward 50, the game started to turn our way. Looking forward to watching the final quarter tonight!

Best game so far: The Adelaide win is certainly the stand out so far this season. The only other win that has come close to a 'four quarter performance' is the round one win against St Kilda. Worst game so far: Definitely a tie between the Freo and Hawthorn games. Two games against bottom six teams that we lost by less than a goal Most improved player: Hard to not give Clayton Oliver a mention here, but Jeff Garlett gets the nod here considering many (including me) thought he was done at the end of last year. A player who needs to lift: Definitely Dean Kent. After a breakout year last year, he hasn't been able to bring the same amount of pressure and toughness into his game this year. Who is currently leading the Bluey?: Clayton Oliver certainly has a fair lead over the rest of the pack, but I don't Hibberd and Jones would be too far behind Best recruit: Hibberd. Holy crap, I've forgotten what its like to have a reliable kick in the team. What a pick up. An honorable mention goes to Mitch Hannan who has proven to be a lively player in our forward 50. Will we make the finals?: No. I had us placing 9th at the start of the year and I don't think that will change. I think we have a very talented list, but they still need another season or two playing together to fully gel before we have a legitimate crack at a flag.

If you told me before the game that Lynch and Wright would be kept to four goals between them, I would've taken that in a heartbeat. Disposal aside, OMac is doing a reasonable job down there. Frost's efforts are terrific as well. Why he didn't get a game earlier in the season is beyond me.

I don't care if he missed the first four games in the season, he must be in All-Australian discussions if he keeps this form up over the second half of the season. He'll easily give the Bluey a shake as well.

Fun fact. Jeffy is the first Demon (aside from Jesse Hogan who's kicked a few bags) to kick five goals in a game since Sam Blease in 2012. Actually...that wasn't so fun...

6. Jones 5. Jeffy 4. Hibberd 3. Oliver 2. Melksham 1. Hannan/Harmes (Give them both 0.5 votes each. Both deserve a mention) Tyson, Viney and ANB unlucky

Big win leading into the bye and the midpoint of the season. Looking forward to our next season defining game against Collingwood in a couple of weeks!

Potentially looking at spot in the AA squad if he keeps this form up. He's been stunning this year.

What a game by Jeffy! Best on ground and a five goal haul for Indigenous Round

Jones has three!!!

Oliver with another lazy 34 touches. Only 70% efficiency this week but that is still very impressive for a player of his youth.

Did....did we just manage to score 100+ points after that dreadful first half?

Mitch!