Round 7 AFL teams: All the ins and outs as they're announced live

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Leuenberger had a shocker. I remember the two incidents you mentioned very vividly. My partner and I both looked at each other and burst out laughing.

Macca -- I should add that Leuenberger had been virtually carrying the ruck on his own. On another note, perhaps The Roar should approach Robert Shaw to write an article for them, this piece deserves wider coverage than just on the Essendon web site: http://www.essendonfc.com.au/news/2016-05-04/the-games-key-area

Not sure either side got a "victory" last week. ;) I was quite concerned when you blokes hit the front in the third, I thought it was going to be one of those games where the blues dominated every stat but still found a way to lose. It was another positive step forward for the blues though - there structures held up well and some of the less experienced players took another step forward.

Oh yeah there's a chance. Overall I'd actually say we've played better footy than Port so far this year. But we're yet to do anything particularly impressive on the road, so I won't be tipping us just yet.

Macca -- Leuenberger has been doing well with his tap work and that has been something missing for a couple of years at Essendon. I think he is down on confidence around the ground but he is worth persevering with in the hope that he will come good. He was a bit late starting his preseason and I think he should be cut some slack. Essendon originally dropped Gleeson last week but he was a late addition to the side. I am optimistic that he will develop into a good player but sometimes players need to be given a go in the reserves for their development, it is rather hard learning while competing at the highest level when under great pressure. Congratulations on your victory last week.

Really looking for Beams getting some continuity. Any chance of an upset Tom? We really need to get past the honourable loss for some relevance. I don't think we are any worse of than St Kilda but we just don't yet have the performances to back that up. I understand the draw a big part of that, but it's time we made a stand.

I agree, DG. News is that Dawson is out, so I suspect ultimately the changes will be Beams and Schache in for Dawson and Taylor. McStay will shift back to accommodate Schache returning to the forwardline.

Aransan - I agree with you on Parish - he will need a few rests during the year. I thought Leuenberger was terrible last week - he missed his foot when trying to kick and missed the ball when trying to handball - he took just 4 marks for the game - none contested (compared to Phiilips 6 marks - 2 contested). I was surprised to see Gleeson dropped - I thought he did pretty well last week.

Essendon lost to Carlton when Leuenberger was off the ground during the last quarter, McKernan is an able replacement for Grimley on the forward line and will be competitive helping in the ruck. Parish probably should have been rested the previous week, it must be very hard for a first year player being the third midfielder with consecutive 6 day backups. As Robert Shaw commented, Parish is going to be a 200 game player, not 20. Well done Essendon.

Be interested in thoughts on who will make way in the Brisbane Squad? I have feeling Lewy Taylor's continual games is about to come to an end.

Darren - When Graham plays VFL he is constantly in the best players last year in 5 games he polled 56 votes out of a possible 75, to finish second behind Brad Walsh in the Northern Blues' best and fairest - he is too good for that level he needs to play at the higher level to develop. And I don't doubt what you say about Armfield (although "he tackled hard" might be a bit of an overstatement given he only laid 2) - I really like what he does for us in that role - but he remains 29 and in reality is unlikely to be at the club next year - we get more benefit out of getting games into and developing Graham than we do playing Armfield. On Jones he has defienitely worked on his defensive game and n the pre-season comp and in the VFL he has laid a number of impressive tackles - but he has taken 5 marks in 2 weeks only 3 inside 50 - that is what he is there to do and if he can't improve that they can't continue to play him.

I don't put so much weight in raw stats. I can only recall Graham being involved in a couple of pieces of play of any value. He gets tackled too often and doesn't try hard enough to release the ball. Rarely do his tackles result in a turnover just a stoppage. I haven't written him off he has talent and showed that more last year but if you are playing AFL you need to bring more desire than he does - and yes you can learn that in the VFL. Armfield brought so much more energy to the forward line, he harassed, filled in space to make life difficult for Essendon to move the ball out, tackled hard and yes was dangerous around goal. On a separate but related matter, I actually liked what I saw from Liam Jones (contrary to most Blues supporter opinion) I thought he worked really hard to present and put a loaf defensive pressure on Essendon which resulted in a few turnovers. He does need to get more possessions and hit the scoreboard more but it was particularly hard for the big forwards as the wind was very swirly. I'm happy they gave him another go.

Darren - Armfield is 29, Graham is 21 - I see much more value in playing Graham. Also on Sunday Armfield had 14 touches, 2 tackles and 1 goal, Graham had 22 touches & 8 tackles. Graham is a role player who adds depth to the midfield - not going to be a star but he is a hard worker - I just think he will develop more playing AFL than he will VFL and he has a bigger future with us than Armfield, Walker or White. That said with Kerridge adn Wright playing a simliar role to Graham and with similar speed I can see why they want to play the likes of Lamb, Sumner & Armfield ahead of him to get some real pace in the side.

Dear God, what are Essendon doing?! Dropping Grimley when they already have minimal scoring options. And Parish? One of their better on-ballers?

Yeo for Butler tells me that Simmo wants Yeo as a defensive option which may indicate that Gov isn't 100%. As good as Yeo is in defense I would much rather see him in the middle of the ground, roaming around and kicking goals. If Ellis was match fit he would have been a good swap for Butler seeing that they both rarely make mistakes and are cool, experienced heads. Yeo for Duggan (or Jetta) would have been my choice but I don't have all of the intel that Simmo has. Interestingl, this week on WC TV a few players said that Jetta is performing his structural duties at WC to aplomb and that now he just needs to build confidence and get his attacking game going. Simmo said that Jets will deliver and that he just needs time. Jetta was interviewed this week and he said that he loves playing for the club that he supported as a child. I think it's just a matter of time before he breaks out. This week would be a great time to do it.

Yeo for Butler indicates that Yeo will be spending time in defense and while he's a very good defender I prefer to see him in the middle and roaming.the ground kicking goals. Gov was under a cloud which may explain the swap but if Gov was 100% I would have swapped Yeo for Duggan (or Jetta) and brought in Ellis (assuming he was match fit) to replace Butler. In saying that a few players came out this week and said that Jetta is performing his structural role within the side very well. A few days later Simmo said that he's confident that Jetta will deliver with a little patience. Jetta was interviewed on WC TV this week and he said that's he very happy to be home and that he was a WC fan growing up. I think he's going to come good, hopefully this week.

I went on Sunday Macca. I think you overrate Graham. He is a bit player and doesn't do anything of any real note. He needs to impact games at the moment he's a bit of a non-event. As I stated last week Armfield is currently a long way ahead of him.

I thought 22 touches and 8 tackles might have been enough to keep Nick Graham in the side but Everitt and Walker both make the blues more dangerous up forward. Still wouldn't be surprised to see Walker as a late withdrawal after so long out.

youve got to hand to lachie hunter. what a gutsy and brave player putting his hand to take the field after his delayed concussion. in fact, come to think of it, his delay concussion pretty much ran from the time-frame after the match until just after the suspension to lindsay thomas was handed down. amazing stuff. its great it didnt impact on his ability to play out the match last friday, and its great he is able to take the park the following week.