A Thought (or 10) for the day…

[Sir Alan of Didak]

Some things that crossed my mind on this glorious Winter day in Melbourne:

1. Darren Millane…the VFL and AFL Magpies both winning by 42 points.
2. Jordan De Goey’s tackle and goal…welcome to the big time with this big play. Bit of Nathan Buckley about his kid.
3. Jesse White in his 100th game…moved around and did some Buddy-like things today. Ability to go into the ruck means we can pick an extra midfielder rather than playing both Grundy and Witts…kicks more goals than Leeroy Brown too.
4. Broomhead…did he go past Seedsman today? With Grundy, Blair, Greenwood and Reid to come back in, it’s going to be interesting to see (assuming Ben Kennedy and Jarryd Witts are dropped) which one of Seedsman, Broomhead or De Goey retains his spot. Seedsman - an obvious Nathan Buckley favourite and footballer I really like + rate - is in trouble.
5. Fitness…are we the Port Adelaide of 2014, in terms of our ability to run out games? Some big second halves of late will give the team enormous confidence to know they are never really out of any semi-close game.

- INTERMISSION -

6. Jarryd Witts…beaten by Mumford in terms of overall effectiveness around the ground, however I like the fact that he had more hit outs than Mummy, many of which were to advantage. Will be a very, very good ruckman once he gets to the peak of his powers in the next year or two.
7. Sidebottom building…watch this guy explode from about mid-July onwards.
8. Jack Frost beaten today…but been amazing all year. Almost been too easy a gig for him in 2015. Cam McCarthy took the points today, so let’s hope this reality check holds Jack in good stead for the second half of the year. Dustin Fletcher-like and shows all the signs of being just as good.
9. Our forward line…as a unit, working wonderfully. The re-integration of Alexander Fasolo - after the worst game I have ever seen an individual play in black + white (v Adelaide in Round 2) – has quite possibly been the catalyst. He came in of course after the Richmond loss. I remember watching him in the two’s that day at Punt Road…to his credit, he really hunted the ball and has been doing so ever since. Amazing how half a game in the two’s can redefine a player’s worth to the senior side.
10. Hawthorn…make no mistake, this mob will come good in the second half of the year. Still the team to beat. Not 100% convinced of Freo's forward line and as we speak, their backline is decimated. We have been Hawthorn's bitches ever since the 2011 Preliminary Final…almost like Hodgey, Roughy, Lewis, Rioli etc have a pact between them to lift 2-3 extra notches whenever they play us. Round 13 will be bloody tough, but Round 14 is our litmus test. If we get within 2 goals of the Dawks (or better still beat them) then ladies and gentlemen, as Eddie McGuire proclaimed at the Season’s Launch, we are as good a chance as anyone - in a very open field and with a sprinkle of luck on the injury/umpiring front - of taking home an unlikely 16th flag!

[John Wren]

edit.

[Sir Alan of Didak]

No they didn't mate.
#42

[John Wren]

[RudeBoy]

[think positive]

Not frost, no way. He, brown and Marley are out defence! With troves running through for good measure

[piedys]

[inxs88]

good summary and enjoyed my popcorn and choc top ice cream during intermission!
Not sure Jack shall ever be in the same postcode, state or planet as Dustin (Saverio's bitch) Fletcher whose kicking, decision making and longevity shall exceed Jack.
Am worried about Seedsman. He really has "poor hands"!