After a spirited first quarter from Melbourne, we completely controlled the game and got our scoreboard reward in the last quarter.
Got home and watched the replay and that confirmed that this was a much better TEAM performance than some are saying, our team defence from Tom Lynch down is bloody impressive. We did not let Melbourne breathe for three quarters and they should have been goalless.
Toast: Nick Vlaustin, what a rock, contested marks, right position every time and makes good decisions. BOG and would have been by a long way if it wasn't for this next bloke.
Toast: Bachar Houli, what a gun, not only ran and used the pill better than most Bachar was so hard at it. Come a long way from the flaky HFF we stole from the Bombers.
Toast: Dylan Grimes, stepped into Rance's shoes as the general down back and is getting better and better. Any forward would die a little inside when Grimesy comes to pick him up. Must be AA this year.
Toast: Kane Lambert, smart and unsung. Work ethic second to none.
Toast: Dion Prestia, the little engine that could. At the coalface all the time and just wills us forward.
These five got my votes but there were quite a few that were stiff.
Toast: The much maligned Brandon Ellis, working so very hard which is a credit to him and the coaches. Hitting the scoreboard and hitting the ball hard.
Toast: The much maligned George Castagna, got the reward last night for all his manic pressure, nice little goal assist to Jack as well.
Toast: Kamdyn McIntosh, the epitomy of our team defence, so many pressure acts that don't get a stat and kills the opposition momentum. WILL NOT BE DROPPED!!!!
Toast: Sydney Stack, that mark.
Toast: Sydney Stack, that bump.
Toast: Sydney Stack, that torp. Seriously, what a composed, hard and skilful steal we have here. LOL.
Toast: Toby Nankervis, such a big effort and stopped Gawn having a huge influence.
Toast: Jack Ross, surely he's played 100 games.
Toast: Liam Baker, he is a far better footballer than people thought, great user and hard worker. Good on him.
Observation: While we left at least half a dozen goals behind during the second and third quarters our forward line pressure was a huge reason Melbourne never looked like scoring.
Observation: This pressure meant that even though Brayshaw got 30 odd, he was nowhere near as effective as Ellis and Macca who didn't get as much. He just received chip kicks on the wing.
Observation: Even though he didn't get as much as he should have, Lynch never stopped trying and prevented Melbourne from getting the easy intercept mark.
Observation: Daniel Rioli looked sore to me, in hindsight perhaps Bolton should have played. I have no long term worries with Daniel, though.
Observation: Dustin Martin took a back seat tonight offensively and worked very hard for the team. That we still controlled the game was a very good sign.
Observation: Melbourne are SLOW. Oliver, Viney, Jones, Petracca all are one paced.
ROAST: Manchester ****Ing United, weak as piss you useless flogs!!