Roger Mellie

The bit where you said 'I made it up' - 'my opinion' would have sufficed

Didn't Newton come to the Dees as an inside mid who was never going to get a gig at Port with their line-up (Boak, Wines, Ebert etc)? Wasn't the plan to turn him into an outside mid and reep the rewards of that kick? I think he was putting in a huge preseason prior to the ankle injury, knowing the writing was on the wall for him. I hope he gets fit enough to get on the park and show his wares.

I've changed my mind and agree. Given the lower minutes played by Frost last week and no ruck time, I think he'll come out. I'd have this team minus Grimes and plus Prince, and Garlett with just the two t's.

So, anyone notice Jake Lovett? How did he go?

I think we'd all be happy if he gave it off more. It's quite a common sight to have TMac taking off with the ball and a runner alongside him ready to receive it. But, he doesn't give it off, even when the player is a better kick and is in a clearly better position. Please Tommy, just give it to Bernie or Salem (or pretty much anyone). Pretty please.

I had the same problem. Missed most of the first quarter trying to get the stinkin app to work. In the end, even though I was logged in, I had to do it again for some reason. There's also a fairly useless FAQ section where it instructs you to go to the menu to 'restore purchase.' Didn't work for me but who knows. Good luck!

IMO the dog's disposal is or was worse than ours (well, last year anyway). Their zone defending and better ground coverage disguised this quite well. There was always a player in the vicinity to pounce on the loose (or wayward) ball.

All in brawl was my preference

I think we've slowly changed our recruiting focus to 'competitive' players as a non-negotiable. If we cast our minds back to the rock bottom era end of Bailey then Neeld, we couldn't get anyone to play for us so took anyone, whether it be soon to retire players (Rodan), any cast-off we were hoping to turn around (that ex-Geelong player whose name I refuse to remember), vfl, sanfl players (Terlich, M Jones) etc etc. We then had a bunch of very average players alongside the mentally scarred and/or towel throwers. Now with the team heading in the right direction, we still aren't quite the destination club, but we can at least attract competitors and bring them in through the draft. Trade, DFA - Bugg, Frost, Kennedy, Cross. Draft: All of them. None of our recent draftees or acquisitions will give up, none of them! We've also allowed the ones who do give up, or don't buy in to leave, or traded them - Howe, Frawley, Sylvia. We're at a stage where we have to fight our way off the bottom of the ladder and we need fighters, not the skilled cruisers. When we become the destination club we can also add in the established cream of the competition.

I was pondering the same. It's difficult to take 3 out, but there will also be the promise of playing in NAB 2 and or 3. I thought the most likely: Terlich - if ankle isn't 100% right Hogan - if they don't want to risk his tight calves. So maybe one or both of the above plus O Mac then Oliver

I think that was Jones first full training session since his knock on the knee. Has been in the rehab group the last 2? weeks. They probably want to get more sessions into him before he plays.

The night grand final is purely media driven. The TV ratings are higher at night. That's all there is too it. The rest of it is absolute rubbish. What a surprise that Ch 7 and Foxtel (also AFL Media and SEN) generate 'public' demand for a night grand final where there is none.

The squad should be announced tomorrow

Until he had a shot at goal.

So those that to go and see the one super goal per game can say...'Well golly gee, that was worth the ticket price alone!"

A big part of Ablett leaving was his falling out with Bomber.

He's becoming versatile depth. I think he could do the defensive forward role quite well, as required.

You're dead wrong! I was there too and I saw it. He definitely said 50 years...... So we're in the clear!

On our long list of streaks to be broken, is winning two games in a row. We need to get our confidence up and get on a roll and for me that could be the key.

I saw that shot by Frost. He missed the behind post by 15m. The sooner he nails a set shot routine, the better. Agree about Viv.

I went along today as well and left after the match sim. Most of it's been covered but I'll toss in a few observations. Really liked the look of the Weed. When he puts on some size he'll waltz straight into the team. Mitch King played a little in the match sim but was on and off a bit. Good kick for a big (skinny) lad and moves well. Like the Weed, he'll be an asset down the track. IMO Max King has put on more kgs (whoever was asking). I thought Salem was very quiet and was going to say he looked underdone but it sounds like a (hopefully minor) knee issue. Smith has a few tricks but looked pretty lost out there. He was getting plenty of coaching throughout, mostly telling him where he should be. Played on the half backline. Grimes was in the midfield (it looked like he was last week to). Seemed to be lead to the ball to me. Makes me think a tagging role might be on the cards. I though Van Demon was outstanding. Perhaps not as prolific as some, but every move, kick etc was spot on. Always took the right option, was creative and executed well. Ben Ken used his speed well. Was a little Kent-like on the end of a slingshot - slotted a couple. Viv was OK with sharp disposal and Wagner looked the goods too with his disposal but lost his opponent once or twice. Viney and Tyson great too. I watched one of the drills where the backs and forwards were jostling for position with the ball coming in from the 50m. Dunn murdered Garlett. Mind you Dunn would've been pinged for holding more than once. Hogan murdered everyone. It was interesting to watch as most players were pretty intense and on the whole, impressive.

I think it's because the players get no weekends off during the season (apart from the bye) - a bit of a trade off.

That crimson dial is reminiscent of Lingy.