Straight Sets Simon

So much bloody handballing.

Oliver will be a star.

He didn't get back far enough behind the mark to give himself enough space to kick it. It's been a huge Melbourne issue over the past couple of years.

But they are training really well so you're wrong.

I'm going to repeat myself but our skills will cost us a lot of games this year. Tom McDonald needs to completely remake his kicking action, it's now embarrassing.

Watts does not understand that if he runs off his line in a mark it is play on. He's done it twice in this game, if he did understand the rule he wouldn't have done it.

Final teams named here. Not sure why ANB can't get a game.

Initially I thought that only Adelaide and Richmond would be replaced by the Geelong and Port Adelaide in the top eight this year, but the more I think about it I think this year will be one of the most even ever. Aside from Essendon, Brisbane and Carlton who probably are the bottom three (Carlton will improve a lot under Bolton), I think just about every team can make the finals this year, even Melbourne.

We will lose a number of games because of this.

Looks like cramp to me.

I really hope we re-sign Jetta soon.

One NAB Challenge win is all it takes.

Wasn't that Cam Mooney and wasn't he talking about Jake Stringer?

Yes, but you're a lot of things and we still choose to call you "old dee".

It's funny how so much emphasis is placed on being ready for round 1. It would be great if Brayshaw was fit, but if he doesn't play until round 2 and even 3 then it's hardly the end of the world. The way it is talked about it is like if a player misses round 1 then they are out for the entire season.

Thanks for sharing. We really got a lot of luck from the umpires when you see this but we are a far more competitive team than in the past. It's the skills that still need a lot of work and will cost us a number of wins this season.

Resting from what?

It's not a criticism, just an observation about how he plays which is similar to McKenzie. I love the guy and after his highlights were posted here was one of the first to get on his bandwagon.

What is he worth in a trade?

That sums it up for me too.

No, his handpass technique is very similar and like McKenzie his first option more often than not is to handpass.

His handpass technique looks similar to McKenzie's too (albeit more effective).

Our skill level still concerns me greatly, but eight years after Dean Bailey started rabbiting on about "competitiveness" it looks like we have finally got there.

Let's be honest, our skills were poor. The competitiveness was good but poor skills, especially under no pressure will kill us at times this year.

You're in the Clayton Oliver thread.