It's a happier day than in comparison to last week. It was a good victory against a side that have beaten us for the past few games.

Whilst I'm a great believer in history, it's important not to get too caught up in it and cause distraction from playing a natural game.

We were very nervous at the beginning of the first quarter, fortunately though, we were able to overcome this, take control and win the game.

Whilst we had some notable performers, generally it was a team effort that limited St Kilda's scoring opportunities.

With Mitch Robinson withdrawing late from the game, Matthew Watson was given the opportunity to play his first match of the year and he didn't disappoint. He played a strong game - a game that we needed and relied upon.

We continue to play different players each week. This I believe is important in trying to find the right balance and reward players who have played very good football.

Our VFL side had a bye, allowing some of our players to rest. This also allows us to freshen up the side and make necessary changes for Friday night's game against North Melbourne.

North Melbourne are only two spots beneath us on the ladder. If we are able to beat them, it will lead us well into the last part of the season.

However we can't just talk about it, we must do it.

We are looking forward to meeting North Melbourne who have a lot of good footballers, a lot of pride and a lot to play for.

So we must make sure that our efforts are rewarded by being strong and working for one another.

Enjoy your week.

Kind regards

Mick Malthouse

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"You are being watched. The government has a secret system. A machine that spies on you every hour of every day. I know because I built it." - Finch

MM said in the presser that Watson's form in the VFL had been very enouraging.

Not by reports in this forum.

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THEY LIKE TO SEND UP!!!!!!!!

Until each team plays each other the same number of times, the AFL, as a fair dinkum competition, cannot be taken seriously.

He (Mr Swann) said the honour and pride associated with the club's traditional navy blue jumper was priceless.

Depends whose reports you read. I gathered that he was close.

Coaches' Votes
Carlton vs St. Kilda
10 Simpson (Carl)
8 Henderson (Carl)
6 Judd (Carl)
3 Armitage (St K)
3 Hayes (St K)

..hendo took 7 contested marks, wowee..

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..if you can't be good, be good at it..

Simpson was easily the best. Courage personified... would have been my choice as captain.

Simmon has had a great last month

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Go Blues

Getting sick of the Hayes "w@nkfest" on Channel "wowee" 7 (and also 3AW) these days.

If you look at the last quarter again he was comprehensively dismantled by Judd when the game was on the line yet it was Hayes still being talked about as being in the votes. Joke.

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In WADA we trust

Hayes has been a great AFL player and the engine room of the Saints when he was fit. He got his shorts dirty when others (Dal Santo) didn't want to.

It's no accident that the decline of Hayes has coincided with that of St Kilda. They have more soft c---s on their list than us.

+1

Totally agree

I reckon it's an absolute no-brainer to try him forward.

As a defender he's to reactive and has the turning circle of the Queen Mary.

As a forward he could play to his strentghs. His body size and kicking ability.
He'd be dangerous anywhere within 60 of goal. Just get the ball to him and let him roost it.

I liken him to Tom Hawkins. Imagine him as a defender, he'd be hopelss, but as a forward he's a gun.

Not saying Watto is in his league, but it took Hawkins a long time to develop and look at him now.
Love to see him given a go, nothing to lose.

Hendo the mobile option, Watto the beast

Rowe is more mobile and could well cover Watson down back

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I see you watching me watching you.

I just watched a recording of the game last night. My main observation I took out of it is how we were much more physical. We didn't shy away from the 'niggle', and didn't play 'nice' football and allow ourselves to be pushed around. We hurt a fair few of their players. Garlett giving Geary a mouthful was a prime example, or Touhy's sling tackle of Milne. There was intent. Hendo really stood up for his team mates and, if you had to be honest, would probably have the makings of a great full-forward captain which we haven't really had since Sticks (or maybe, Whitnall). Liked the way he gave the shitstains a gobfull too after kicking goals and also gave Yarran and rub of the head after giving it to Gwilt 'cos he couldn't catch him.

For too long we've been pushed around and I hope that we are starting to give teams second thoughts about initiating the rough stuff.

..so, let me get this straight.. ..as a defender you believe he's too reactive, and too slow.. ..isn't nimble enough nor agile enough either to cut it as a defender..

..but, you think he might make a fwd..?.. ..he has no fwd craft, so not sure how he's gonna be proactive, beyond junior type straight line leading.. ..and with his speed, how's he gonna get separation from his opponent, who will be playing in their natural position unlike him.. ..if he's slow and cumbersome, how's he gonna be dangerous with the ground ball?, how's he gonna provide defensive pressure..?..

..this is what i don't understand.. ..if he's gonna make the cut, it will be as a defender.. ..it won't be as a fwd.. ..but to answer your questions, yes.. ..he's played up fwd in ressies and had a few cameo's up fwd in the seniors as well.. ..he's a defender, pure and simple.. ....but he can still be very dangerous.. ..the HB line needs to switch the play across the ground to him in space, cos he can play as the rebounding defender.. ..leg speed isnt too good, but that boot will make him very fast as a playmaker.. ..he'll be an 80m player when used in this way.. ..and leading fwds will love the switch, running into the open 'fat side' with watto downfield kicking to them.. ..think what Rich does for the lions off HB..

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..if you can't be good, be good at it..

Obviously didn't read past the first 3 lines of my post

Some people can't see the forrest for the trees

The comparison with Rich

Let's get serious

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I see you watching me watching you.

..i did read past your 1st 3 lines, it's why i mentioned the flaws you agreed with, and how those flaws would be even worse when he's tried up fwd, since he doesnt have the craft/smarts of fwd play to counter-balance his flaws.. ..at least in defense he's in his natural position.. ..i also said that he has been tried fwd.. ..and it was obvious he doesnt understand that position..

..how have i missed your point?.. ..can't see how i have since i've rebutted your points..

..and i compared his ability to kick long and accurately, and how he can set up fwd plays off the HB line, as Rich is capable of doing.. ..both have a very long, accurate left boot.. ..are you disputing this?, or did you think i somehow meant something other than what i specifically compared..??.. ..Watto is a rebounding CHB type, that's how he played as a kid, and when he can that's what he's done in the seniors over the last few years when he's gotten the call up..

..he has been tried fwd.. ..the very fact that you think it's a no-brainer, and wonder why it has never been tried before.. ..shows me, that you're either suffering from memory loss, or don't watch every game..

..as for likening him to hawkins, the only similarity is they were both big lumps of a lad, and had it easier in the juniors and it may take him the same number of years to mature the body and intensity.. ..that's it.. ..Hawkins is a natural fwd, and i dont think he'd make a good defender.. ..Watto is a natural defender, and wont make a good fwd.. ..also, Hawkins thrives on the body on body contest, Watto prefers to read the play and attack the ball [will take confidence to do this at senior level], he doesnt like to engage in a wrestling match of strength.. ..i dont understand how ppl can recognise his flaws as a defender, and then ignore those flaws when they think to play him fwd..

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..if you can't be good, be good at it..

When he had the ball in his hands last week we were in a good position - just have to work out how he can be more accountable when it's going the other way.

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Between our dreams and actions lies this world

What I find frustrating with Watson, is that he gives up when he has to chase. Also when his opponent has the ball, he does not look like he knows what to do. There was one incident near the boundary line where he threw his hands up like gumby and his opponent ran off him so easily.

If that intensity gets drummed into him, we would have a player. His kicking skills are exactly what we need.

Surely Malthouse would point these things out to him, while they rewatch the tapes. Surely........

Does he know he is playing AFL, and needs to put his body on the line ? A big guy like that....

I don't think it would hurt to experiment with that idea, you never know.

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We are the maybe blues

Saw it in a pre season games. Wasn't good.

..it's been tried with Watto up fwd.. ..he has things he needs to improve upon to be a regular AFL player.. ..why make it twice as difficult for the kid..?.. ..for what it's worth, he's played half a season's worth [give or take] of senior games, it's just his 3rd season, and he's only very recently turned 21.. ..still quite young in terms of a kpp, ppl need some perspective and patience.. .... ..he can definitely work on his intensity, no doubt about it.. ..as could Yazz, as could Gibbs.. ..both smaller types with more games and years on the clock.. .... ..not making excuses for the kid, but everything that's wrong with our club filters down from the top, both on and off field.. ..he's also never been disgraced, and he's been matched up on the likes of Cloke [in losing games] and co., and not been totally dominated all game.. ..he just takes a bit of time to 'warm up', like an old jag.... ..i still believe he could make a good CHB, would benefit hugely off an ex-player like Jakovich that could put in some focused training into him.. .... ..he's on our list and quite frankly we need to put as much as we can into developing him..

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..if you can't be good, be good at it..

You do make some valid points BKB, but i don't agree with all of them.

Being tried forward in a pre season game means diddly squat.
Try him forward for an extended period.
As mentioned elsewhere; he gives up on the chase as soon as he's turned around
Hawkins never originally thrived on the body contest; i distinctly remember him copping it over his lack of physical pressence in his early games.

Surely reading the play and attacking the ball is a positive attribute for a forward??? Rather than being reactive, which i think he is now.
Forwards and defenders are different beasts; i agree, its just that i don't him making it as a defender.

I'd rather him have 4 shots at goal than rely on him to save 4.

I think he could well get reamed by Petrie or whoever he plays on tonight.

If i'm wrong, i'll gladly eat my words.

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I see you watching me watching you.