Generation dee

I'll put 10g on it. Third man up may just be Jeremy Howe who's confidence would be sky high after 2 good games in a row, something he previously couldn't do in 99 games with the dees. Wherever jack returns, bank on him being 100% fit and ready to go. Roos does not bring in players who aren't ready physically or mentally. He doesn't have to with adequate depth this year.

I was at the game, sitting next to the family of one of our brightest young players. He made mention to me various times during the game how well he thought oscar had been playing. I've since watched the replay as well. I don't argue with you on our lack of depth down back, especially in regards to dunn and until recently garland being overlooked. Do you think the "diamond defence" has had an impact on this? Perhaps the game plan doesn't revolve around the 4 members of the DD to be winning big numbers of the ball. Is the role of these 4 purely to defend, and kill the contest until the midfield get back to support? Perhaps that's why we have 2 aggressive half backs who run/zone off. We clearly haven't got that aspect perfect yet, be it about personnel, positioning or structure as we have leaked goals out the back in every game this far. Do i personally think oscar played the perfect game? Absolutely not. But watching the game live and since watching the replay, I think he showed a lot of promise in his position. Certainly enough to work with longer term, and highlighting the fact he has been selected twice this year either side of his injury/concussion, clearly the coaches do as well. If you watch the replay again looking at what oscar got right and what he showed he can contribute, as opposed to highlighting his defensive errors, even you might be able to see why he is in the team. It's not about defending players or any of the other irrelevant stuff you have questioned me on, it's about me seeing the game analyzing what is working and what isn't. 2 weeks ago I would have hoped never to see garland play again however on Sunday I thought he was one of our more solid defenders. Again, a player who has had 3 games to readjust to what is expected of him and the role he is to play.

Yeah, in his first game back in the seniors since round one, and his fourth game overall... you're one of many that can't see the selectors are giving players an extended run to come up to speed with the game. Clearly they are wearing the odd mistake as long as they are seeing players understand the role and continue to improve. If oscar had such a shocker, he still managed 18 disposals, 3 rebound 50s and a few intercepts playing on the last line of defence....

Absolutely! The other positive is the ability to rest some of these players if need be, knowing that suitable replacements are available. The three I highlighted just typify where our improvement has come from this year. Midfielders who get forward of the ball and not only kick goals, kick bags of 3 or 4.

Harmes, Kennedy and Kent have combined for 31 goals so far this season, as well as all averaging high goal assists and inside 50s. Doubt they lose their spots.

On a day where other players fumbled and overused the handball, stretch appeared to be playing to a different game plan on Sunday. Not only was his kicking effective, but it was attacking and set up a lot of play. I'd love to see his "meters gained, rebound 50 and inside 50" totals. The best thing about his rapid improvement will mean little external pressure, with Oliver, petracca, harmes and hogan likely to wear that hype. So Billy can keep playing his role and evolving into a damaging layer for us, low key.

Yeah melksham has been really poor this season. Averaging career lows in disposals and marks.

Ideally we wouldn't have to play him yet, but with dunn appearing on the outer, jetta suspended and the club still not sure which way frost is heading, it was the only realistic choice. Still happy for him to get experience, he will learn a lot faster playing in the seniors than with casey- both positively and from his mistakes.

Bingo! Could be oscar, Steve silvagni or the great Nathan Carroll back there, anyone is going to struggle defending when an opposition midfielder is on the counter and the forward has space. I must have missed a lot yesterday, of course he had some nervous moments, but I thought at times he linked up well, and killed a few contests as well. Fair bit to work with longer term.

Was at the game yesterday, Oscar was no where near as bad as some posters are making out. For a bloke playing his 4th game at 19, as a kpd, looks to have a solid future. No surprise to see some of the posters potting him here. The very same ones who just 14 quarters of football ago were saying petracca is a wasted draft pick. The very same posters who will look like even bigger fools when oscar has a consistent run of games and gets to 50-70 games experience. It just defies belief how there are still some wankpuffin posters on here who expect our young players to walk in and instantly be the finished product.

If anyone is feeling nervous, I'd just like to add that I have seen 8 consecutive losses and I will be in attendance today.

Could have had Freeman and apeness. You're arguments really poor here.

Either selection committee have a cunning plan or have made another genuinely horrible mistake. Or there is to be another late change.

Redpath destroyed him early. Colin has little confidence at the best of times, when redpath got on top, garland was always going to be reactive the longer the game went on. Some of his bodywork and positioning was worse than schoolboy footy. I'm taking that roos and Co are using the "sustained" run in the team to give him a fair shot, but if you're in the team as a key defender and offer nothing defensively, or offensively for that matter, his stay will be very limited.

Salem and jetta out. Omac, anb, Newton, grimes and Kent in

You're kidding right? He has been down in 2 losses we have had, and was sorely missed on Sunday. Frontal pressure and his ability to find space make him very much an automatic inclusion.

Heard it a while back, obviously things change. Was going to post earlier but a lot of things I hear sound quite "boring" or obvious.

Take with a grain of salt, but word I've heard is we should expect an announcement around the bye with both Tom and Oscar signing longer term.

Spoke to someone close to jack, he put his hand up to play 2 weeks ago. Selection committee were cautious bringing him in against gcs at metricon (wanted him to play another vfl game) and against the quicker bulldogs. Initially thought it would mean we had this game in mind. Look to see him in the squad of 25.

Absolutely! On top of that is contract speculation, be it hogan or watts. I see it includes jetta this week. Absolutely does my head in.

Was at the game, and have just finished watching the replay. If anyone saw my post on Sunday morning, I mentioned that I had not seen a Melbourne victory since round 4 2014. It's now at 9 successive defeats. My take on the game. We weren't actually that bad, just outplayed in key moments of the game. Hogan hits the post in the first quarter, gawn misses a snap from 20 out etc. Where as the bulldogs had luck in the same instances. Gawn had a shocker, but he's still young and learning consistency. Harmes, bugg, Wagner and watts were all poor in the first half. Obviously the umpiring had been spoken about but I didn't find it as poor watching the replay. Garland in our team just destroys our rebound, we need to get either frost or oscar in and give them an extended run of games when fit. Viney is currently in the best dozen midfielders in the game. His ability to work both ways should be an inspiration to his younger team mates. Tyson has had a good month and stretch played his best game. It must be frustrating for hogan. One week he is praised for his swagger and confidence, the next when he has a bad game he is thrown under the bus. 20 years old and played less than 30 games. It's just pathetic. He isn't going to kick 7 every week. He didn't have a great game, yet still managed 1 goal and 3 assists, on top of 17 disposals. It's beyond a joke. Be it clowns on here or in the media. I wish we would just let him play footy and sit back and enjoy the ride. Lastly, nev jetta is an absolute star. We got a lesson from a team that will go a long way into September, and with a bit more composure and cleanliness, that 5 goal margin will be a lot closer in times to come.

Making a day trip from country sa. looking at 10 hour return drive. Last time I get to see them play before Queens birthday. Very nervous as I've only seen 2 games this year- essendon and St. Kilda. In fact, you have to go back to the carlton game, round 4 of Paul Roos' first season in charge to recall my last win. Yes ladies and gentleman I have witnessed us lose at adelaide oval, Alice Springs, Darwin, etihad stadium and of course the mcg. Whilst I look like a bad omen, I'm fairly certain that I am not responsible for errant kicks and missed tackles and will head along today anyway to watch the boys win by 27 points.

I know lachie neales family, speak to his step dad and mother frequently. He isn't leaving freo. Freo have looked after him terrific and he has no intentions to leave.

Could be anything. Sharp skills, quick thinker, hard, tough and loves the contest. Hits the scoreboard and backs himself taking marks. As long as he keeps his front half pressure, along with Kent and Kennedy, we really are building a dangerous half forward line. Congrats chomp!

Rounds 3-8 2012. Took 6 weeks though.