Straight Sets Simon

Dawes is a massive out. Melbourne have struggled to score goals as is, not sure where they will come from on the weekend.

I used to think that as well, but after having seen it I would think that starting from scratch somewhere else would be more cost-efficient.

Frawley needs to learn how to take a contested mark if he is to be a permanent forward.

I was there about two years ago and those bones are looking extremely brittle.

Excluding all the names Sandy Roberts got wrong, as a whole it was great to hear him calling games again. Why? Because he was just calling the game and not getting caught up in all the other rubbish that other commentators get involved in.

Adelaide didn't, Carlton technically finished ninth and Richmond lost to said ninth team in the finals.

Good to see Russell Robinson make a comeback.

My guess would be commintments to playing for Peninsula.

On AFL 360 tonight they crossed to Dawes who is at the MCG for the Sleep at the 'G and Robbo asked him who he will be sleeping next to tonight. Dawes' response (or words to the effect): "Alex Rance as he is still laying down somewhere on the half-forward flank". Whack! Classic response.

Now that's a surprise, I just assumed he stil had a photo of "Joey" Kennedy in his wallet.

No team made up mostly of full-time AFL footballers should lose to a team made up entirely of part-time footballers. That's what makes the recent success of Port Melbourne so great. No wonder the reviews are scathing.

I'm just thankful that Melbourne got rid of Brent Maloney and Ricky Pettard.

Fyfe for Hogan? Just putting it out there.

Hit. Nail. Head.

You would have said the same thing about Port Adelaide 18 months ago. Having said that, I don't think Brisbane are in any position to turn around so quickly like Port did.

The worst thing about that day was Nick McCallum mentioning Watts in he tedious pre-game announcements he used to do. I remember hearing at the time and being embarrassed. Still, I think people hold on to that day as if it the cause of all his problems.

What I don't understand is why all the other number one draft picks don't get this pressure? You never hear David Swallow, Tom Scully or Lachie Whitfield referred to as "number one draft pick". It's as if there has only been one draft in the past decade, bizarre.

Agreed. He was putrid, embarrassing and just plain rubbish at times, no one can deny that. He has improved a lot and is doing a lot of the things we were crying our for him to do.

Viney's brace was also considered "medium" impact which resulted in a broken jaw.

Snowflake's chance in hell Matt Jones will be dropped. I'd love to see Kent back in the team, possibly for Salem to let him get some touches in the VFL.

Good quality ball users off the half-back.

It's interesting watching the game having already known the result and already seen highlights. Overall, I was happy but I felt that Melbourne were the Western Bulldogs of last week. Good goal kicking is good football and Melbourne's pressure certainly contributed to Richmond missing so many but there was a period in the third quarter where Richmond had all the run of play and Melbourne really struggled and were kept in it by Richmond's misses. Grimes and McDonald continue to cause heart attacks with ball in hand and kicks into the forward line are still a worry, especially to Dawes who seems to take everything above his head making him easy to spoil. I hope JKH is never the sub again and whilst Toumpas did some neat things (including that great pass to Watts) overall he doesn't have a huge impact on the game. I felt that Salem had more of an impact than Toumpas despite having less of the ball. He'll be better for the run but I'd bring Jetta straight back in and give Toumpas more time to develop in the VFL. I didn't really notice Riley but it's just nice to know there is growing depth that will continue to put pressure on for starting 22 positions. As I predicted Gawn's ability to take an overhead mark was an upgrade over Frawley in the forward line and his ruck work was also good. Nathan Jones is a star. Jack Viney has become the player now that I thought would take four or five seasons to become, he is scary good. The tackling from everyone has improved out of sight, as is often said it's all about mindset and Melbourne have the right one now. Pedersen is growing with confidence each week. Howe learned his lesson from last week and went the mark instead of the spoil, this was probably the most consistent performance I've seen from him in a long time.

I lost out marginally with McCartney but it was Melbourne's game to lose last week so overall I'm happy with my decisions.

Fill me in as I'm yet to see a replay, was this a good call?

Can we make Toumpas the sub and put JKH on the ground now?