Straight Sets Simon

Yes, but too often with Melbourne there isn't a right option to choose because the players refuse to run to create space and an option for their teammates.

Not sure about that, whilst some of their young talent is very good much of their spine (Pavlich, Sandilands, Mundy and McPharlin) are around that 30 year age range.EDIT: BBO beat me to it.

It has cost just about every losing Grand Final team in the past decade. Luke Breust must thankful he didn't have any set shots today.

No surprise, the team most accurate in front of goal won. A common trend in recent Grand Finals. Ballantyne easily worst on.

That's a fair summary.

I hate this argument, if you get good players they help you get to a flag quicker. It's the philosophy that has been used for the past seven years and failed miserably. Besides, I doubt any of us will be around for the next flag tilt the way Melbourne have been going.

Thought this was a Daniel Cross thread.

I was seduced by his highlights package, shame on me.

I heard him say he is likely to go into media and is now an accredited player agent.

I stopped watching when Adam Scott came on, and I love golf.

People here realise Miller is coaching, not playing?

Again, terrible goal kicking by the winning team. 2008: Geelong lose because of poor goal kicking. 2009: St Kilda lose because of poor goal kicking. 2010: Collingwood initially drew with St Kilda because of poor goal kicking. 2012: Hawthon lose because of poor goal kicking. 2014: ? I'm not surprised Lyon didn't seem all that happy after he game, Freo really took the foot off the accelerator in the second half, albeit after a phenomenal second quarter.

The main issue is they finished fifth but got a second chance after being thrashed by Melbourne.

I remember hearing him mentioned pre-game before his debut (and cringing) but not those words exactly.

The current finals system is fine, the old system was a disgrace, you just need to look at 1998 as an example of why it didn't work.

The amazing part is even though they chose well with Franklin, Roughead and Hodge they had big busts with Thorp, Dowler and Ellis.

Not inconsistent, just poor. How many Grand Finals in recent years have been decided by poor goal kicking? Still such an important part of the game.

No, early on they were paying holding the ball for players simply being tackled, irrespective of if there was prior opportunity or the player was attempting to dispose of the ball.

Toumpas is coming from a long way back. We all hope he makes it, but it will take a lot of Roos magic.

Insipid umpiring (for both teams, mainly against Hawthorn with pathetic holding the ball decisions) and insipid goal kicking.

If only Morton was still on the list (never thought I'd write that).

Laidler was rated highly by a lot of Carlton fans but couldn't get a game under Malthouse for some reason.

Agreed.

Desperately seeking a small crumbing forward.

I'm being facetious, it's what Neeld described when they were all hired.