My 3 word player analysis V The Tilers

[joeboy 3,165]

Bartram - nothing to commend

Bell - pretended to try

Bruce - showed little interest

Buckley - took opposition on

Carroll - tried but failed

Frawley - little to enthuse

Garland - stood up manfully

Green - needs the holiday

Grimes - a forgettable debut

Holland - a forgettable farewell

Jones - slow to act

McDonald - a miserable game

Maric - little boy lost

Miller - big boy lost

Morton - failed to impress

Petterd - needn't have played

Sylvia - terrific until injured

Warnock - continued to try

Wheatley - lacked any resolve

Whelan - had no influence

White - a lazy game

Yze - prolific but ineffective

[deeflog 679]

A bit harsh on Whelan. Thought he was a best today. Hard to have an influence on a game when you get flogged by 80 points

[Beamer 1]

Bartram - Had no impact

Bell - Tried but lost

Bruce - Worked hard

Buckley - Was shut down

Carroll - Wasnt to bad

Frawley - Learn to kick

Garland - Did the job

Green - A courageous performance

Grimes - Some nice touches

Holland - Never gave up

Jones - Never had impact

McDonald - Not his best

Maric - Beaten by opponent

Miller - Tried but failed

Morton - Had no poise

Petterd - Good first half

Sylvia - Reliable all day

Warnock - Played very well

Wheatley - No work ethic

Whelan - Battled hard

White - Good farewell effort

Yze - Prolific but ineffective

[re draft molan 1]

Bartram - Had no impact

Bell - Tried but lost

Bruce - Worked hard

Buckley - Was shut down

Carroll - Wasnt to bad

Frawley - Learn to kick

Garland - Did the job

Green - A courageous performance

Grimes - Some nice touches

Holland - Never gave up

Jones - Never had impact

McDonald - Not his best

Maric - Beaten by opponent

Miller - Tried but failed

Morton - Had no poise

Petterd - Good first half

Sylvia - Reliable all day

Warnock - Played very well

Wheatley - No work ethic

Whelan - Battled hard

White - Good farewell effort

Yze - Prolific but ineffective

Carroll- Was too bad. Could not believe how easy he was pushed, out muscled by a 2nd. year player(Reiwoldt). Good bye chop!

Bell- Was summed up perfectly by Schwarz.

Bartram- Lucky he is under 21 years old. Gone otherwise.

Sylvia- Our best with Bruce!

[the fork 357]

a few words about a few players today. I love this club...

Bartram - has had a tough year but deserves a proper lead into a full season before he can be properly assessed.

Bell - I'll leave his place on the list up to the experts.

Bruce - Has tried so hard for the red and blue all year, but where will he be at in 2010?

Buckley - I tell you what, he is leaps and bounds above half the list with his endevour

Carroll - All over red rover, looked so far off the pace today.

Garland - Without doubt solidly sitting in our top 22, what a turn around, highlight of 2008

Green - I have loved his effort all year. Here is a senior player who realises how much hard work we have ahead of us, and is willing to do it.

Grimes - Enough this season (on and off the field) to suggest I will wear his number on my back in years to come.

Jones - Seemed to be very intent of disposing of the pill in an effective way today, good signs.

Miller - What a difference a new coach has made, I have no doubt he will be a much improved contributor next year.

Morton - Anyone who has played the game can see in Morton; a player who in a few years will be hard to contain. Willing to take those extra few steps today. Building toward something special.

Warnock - he was the highlight of a very lowly game. Seemed hungry.

Whelan - Vital to our developing backline.

Thanks to White, Yze and Holland.

The boy from Shepp has always meant alot to the boy from Wang, cheers Oze.

[Beamer 1]

Good post Fork. Many good opinions.

Dean Bailey said today Bell was our 2nd best, and was our best last week. DB's a fan, so he will be kept. I think Bell's performances are very mediocre myself.

[mo64 5,853]

Good post Fork. Many good opinions.

Dean Bailey said today Bell was our 2nd best, and was our best last week. DB's a fan, so he will be kept. I think Bell's performances are very mediocre myself.

We're officially screwed. Obviously Bailey doesn't give a rats about what it actually takes to win a game of football.

[Bobby McKenzie 2,383]

Bartram - nothing to commend

Bell - pretended to try

Bruce - showed little interest

Buckley - took opposition on

Carroll - tried but failed

Frawley - little to enthuse

Garland - stood up manfully

Green - needs the holiday

Grimes - a forgettable debut

Holland - a forgettable farewell

Jones - slow to act

McDonald - a miserable game

Maric - little boy lost

Miller - big boy lost

Morton - failed to impress

Petterd - needn't have played

Sylvia - terrific until injured

Warnock - continued to try

Wheatley - lacked any resolve

Whelan - had no influence

White - a lazy game

Yze - prolific but ineffective

Very negative today. Very harsh on Whelan, Green and Bruce. Bruce had 29 possessions (10 of these contested), 3 tackles and you reckon he wasn't interested. Also your comments on Grimes were a bit severe. He wasn't that poor. Over the season I have respected your views but today you were very critical indeed. Take a well earned break mate!

[Mono 455]

Just got home from the game. So my turn:

Bartram - missed targets, missed tackles

Carroll - excellent 1st half; started 2nd half with stupid muscle stuff; beaten 2nd half, but generally lace out delivery to opponent. I'd keep him.

Frawley - slow to make decisions, poor kicking, out of his depth

Green - a few classy things in back-half

Grimes - my, does he look at home; said to be slow, but glides over the ground. The only positive out of making the effort to get to the game.

Miller - tried so hard, played angry at times

Morton - poor decision making, poor kicking. Gets it a lot, but. Don't see what others do.

Petterd - poor skills early; didn't notice him much. Why play him?

Warnock - good, solid; started 2nd half with stupid muscle stuff

Particular comments:

Jones: so hard to assess. Brave, physically imposing, runs hard. BUT, seems to have one speed, poor acceleration, indifferent disposal and just doesn't have impact on the ground. He needs to lose weight/muscle and speed up. I don't think there is room for a Greg Williams type in today's game

Sylvia: thought he was our best, he has such good hands. Good disposal today, and chased hard. Went missing a little in 2nd & 3rd quarters. I did want to trade him; not now.

Maric - very poor. A taller, quick defender showed him up badly. I was very disappointed in his game.

And a general comment: our senior players, Green excepted, had (very) poor games.

Finally, Yze, Holland & White.

Yze got a bit of it, but had no impact, and couldn't kick a 40m goal on his preferred left foot. Surely no-one will draft him.

White got a bit of it, had no impact on game. Poor skills on a number of occasions. Draft him if desperate.

Holland. Kicked a goal. Did (ie retired) what Yze and White should have done.

[Jaded No More 68,867]

We're officially screwed. Obviously Bailey doesn't give a rats about what it actually takes to win a game of football.

I would love it if you could give me SPECIFIC examples of Bell being terrible today.

For one, he beat his opponent, so he fulfilled his main role for the day. Secondly, he provided some good run when playing on the half back line and the wing, and most of his disposals by hand and foot were spot on.

He is not a world beater, he is not an A-grade player, but he works so hard, he tackles well, he has excellent pace and his disposal is certainly reasonable. IMO Bartram is having a worse season, and Jones' disposal is miles behind Bell's.

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

Very negative today.

I wonder why...

[deanox 9,902]

Good post Fork. Many good opinions.

Dean Bailey said today Bell was our 2nd best, and was our best last week. DB's a fan, so he will be kept. I think Bell's performances are very mediocre myself.

i'm with jaded, i mean Bell attacked the contest today, spoiled well. i thought his disposal was good and his run out of defence was positive. i am not sure what you could say he did wrong? 17 disposal, 3 inside 50's, i thought he was pretty solid, and i really think he has worked hard to turn his season around.

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

Grimes - Composed and poised

[mo64 5,853]

I would love it if you could give me SPECIFIC examples of Bell being terrible today.

For one, he beat his opponent, so he fulfilled his main role for the day. Secondly, he provided some good run when playing on the half back line and the wing, and most of his disposals by hand and foot were spot on.

He is not a world beater, he is not an A-grade player, but he works so hard, he tackles well, he has excellent pace and his disposal is certainly reasonable. IMO Bartram is having a worse season, and Jones' disposal is miles behind Bell's.

My comments weren't meant to be a reflection of Bell's game yesterday. They were directed at Bailey's mindset. Maybe if he gave plaudits out to players who show creativity and flair, we'd be seeing better results.

[TonyMelb 7]

Grimes - Composed and poised

As Bailey stated in the press only 3 players yesterday got a pass mark - Warnock, Whelan & Bell and Yze did not discrace himself either. (in the Age). So coach has publically blasted the effort!.

Dutchie also tried hard & was not the worst.

BD said at the aftermatch that they played Grimes to give him a taste of AFL so he can use to focus over the preseason.

The major issues from the last few weeks are that the performances have gone backwards and no sign of any cohesion or any meaningful game plan. Brings intoquestion the coaching panels ability to get the players into what ever the plan is.

Most disturbing feature of yesterdays "effort" was that the so called senior players were the main offenders. Bruce mis handballed at least 5 or 6 times in the first half and Junior MacD played probably his worst game for MFC. Greenie ran out of defence once and kicked long to CHF where not a Demons within 100 yards of where kicking to! Turnovers were embarrassing.

Carroll has not looked interested in past 2 weeks at all!

A lot to fix in the offseason both with the players and the game plan. DB and CC to be credible have to apply the same ruthlessness to support team as they have to the older players - time to go Leigh Newton ( not a ruck coach!), Paul Williams (had 2 year contract - no evidence of any reason to extend), & serious question over B Bobajeck (???). Since 2006 when MFC lead tackles in the past 2 years MFC has been woeful in that area. yesterday hardly laid any!

[Jaded No More 68,867]

My comments weren't meant to be a reflection of Bell's game yesterday. They were directed at Bailey's mindset. Maybe if he gave plaudits out to players who show creativity and flair, we'd be seeing better results.

And not give credit to players who stick to their task and help out the team?

There is no creativity and flair when you're losing by 80 points. There are those who try, and those who don't. Belly certainly fell into the trier category and he deserves recognition for that.

[Gouga 566]

I would love it if you could give me SPECIFIC examples of Bell being terrible today.

A specific example is when he kicked out and the ball rolled out of bounds for a Richmond free kick.

More generally he constantly gives away free kicks, gets beaten in the air because he is too focused on maintaing touch with his opponent instead of watching the ball, he makes terrible decsions. He is not a good spoiler (just look at how Warnock goes about it), sloppy tackler. He has good skills but terrible execution.

Bell has gone backwards this year, I'm not sure why Bailey is talking him up. His endeavour is good, everything else is not up to AFL standard. Make or break year for Bell next year.

[Brocky 4]

We're officially screwed. Obviously Bailey doesn't give a rats about what it actually takes to win a game of football.

Does rubbish spew naturally from your keyboard or is it you? You are obviously very wrong in your assessment of Dean Bailey.

[deanox 9,902]

A specific example is when he kicked out and the ball rolled out of bounds for a Richmond free kick.

More generally he constantly gives away free kicks, gets beaten in the air because he is too focused on maintaing touch with his opponent instead of watching the ball, he makes terrible decsions. He is not a good spoiler (just look at how Warnock goes about it), sloppy tackler. He has good skills but terrible execution.

Bell has gone backwards this year, I'm not sure why Bailey is talking him up. His endeavour is good, everything else is not up to AFL standard. Make or break year for Bell next year.

i'll cop the example about his kick in. but out of interest, when do we ever kick in well?

but once i read the next paragraph it is clear you have written him off and dont even watch any more. he is a great spoiler from behind. he actually tackles quite well. you are right about good skills and terrible execution. but then again, tell me which melbourne player has consistently executed his skills well this year? at least we know he can kick once he finds some form. bruce and jones are two perfect examples of players whose skills are worse than bells, and they are prolific.

he is focused about maintaining touch with opponents, and i think this is specifically because a few times in his career he has lost players around packs during marking contests. he is playing on players who will slidea around and collect the loose ball, he needs to know where his man is.

he started the year terribly, but has been playing reasonably well the past few weeks. he beats his man, and he provides some run out of defence. in a year when no one at the club could be satisfied with their seasons, especially a player who, when everyone is fit, is probably between 16-25 on our list maximum, i think he has done pretty well. he will never be a superstar, but will be serviceable for the next 5-10 years, and probably play most weeks (unless someone wants him and we trade him).

[mo64 5,853]

Does rubbish spew naturally from your keyboard or is it you? You are obviously very wrong in your assessment of Dean Bailey.

What a compelling argument!!! So what do you base that on, oh bright one?

[jabberwocky 2,301]

Bell has gone backwards this year, I'm not sure why Bailey is talking him up. His endeavour is good, everything else is not up to AFL standard. Make or break year for Bell next year.

This is a cynical view but an impending trade period might be the reason.

[45HG 1,539]

Can't believe people people here haven't yet realised that it wasn't an iceberg that sunk the Titanic, it was Daniel Bell. Looking at you Jaded and Deanox.

Bell had a shocking start to the season, and that momentum seems to have carried through to many supporters who can't be bothered changing their tact.

Bell gives away less than one free kick a game. Playing as a hard tackling, medium sized backman who will often have to go with players bigger or faster than him, I would've thought less than 1 free kick a game was very reasonable, certainly hardly "constantly giving them away"

13th most effective ball user at the club this year (which puts him 8 places above Bruce, 11 places above Davey, 14 places above Sylvia, and 19 ahead of Cale Morton), he'd want to improve on that because that's the type of player I think he is but it's still hardly disgraceful, 10th on the tackle count, 12 on disposal count even though he's played as a backman (only about 30 behind Buckley).

He was rarely beaten toward the end of the year, and even when he was, can people honestly not see how conceeding beyond 55 inside 50's per game leaves a backman's task essentially impossible.

He turned his game around, worked hard, and by the end had improved his ball use and his attack on the footy. (And yes, that kick out was shocking)

[Gouga 566]

i'll cop the example about his kick in. but out of interest, when do we ever kick in well?

Garland, C Johnson, Wheatley and Whelan have all kicked in better than Bell this year.

but once i read the next paragraph it is clear you have written him off and dont even watch any more. he is a great spoiler from behind. he actually tackles quite well. you are right about good skills and terrible execution.

I wouldn't comment unless I've watched the games.

Bell can spoil and tackle well but most of the time he doesn't. He has a very bad habit of getting in his opponent's back when he both spoils and tackles, very sloppy.

but then again, tell me which melbourne player has consistently executed his skills well this year? at least we know he can kick once he finds some form. bruce and jones are two perfect examples of players whose skills are worse than bells, and they are prolific.

Are you saying because others have bad skills we can excuse Bell?

he is focused about maintaining touch with opponents, and i think this is specifically because a few times in his career he has lost players around packs during marking contests. he is playing on players who will slidea around and collect the loose ball, he needs to know where his man is.

He does. Maintaining touch is important but it can't be the focus. He needs to watch the ball and anticipate the drop. Smart forwards will always be able to out position Bell.

he started the year terribly, but has been playing reasonably well the past few weeks. he beats his man, and he provides some run out of defence. in a year when no one at the club could be satisfied with their seasons, especially a player who, when everyone is fit, is probably between 16-25 on our list maximum, i think he has done pretty well. he will never be a superstar, but will be serviceable for the next 5-10 years, and probably play most weeks (unless someone wants him and we trade him).

By his own admission (melbournefc.com.au article) Bell has had a poor year. He has been dropped twice (even though the first time he got back in thanks to a late injury). He may have improved somewhat as the year has gone on but not to the standard we saw against Adelaide last year.

I'm not writing him off, but I think he has a long way to go.

Lucky for Bell it appears he is a Bailey favourite and will get plenty of opportunities next year.

[mo64 5,853]

13th most effective ball user at the club this year (which puts him 8 places above Bruce, 11 places above Davey, 14 places above Sylvia, and 19 ahead of Cale Morton), he'd want to improve on that because that's the type of player I think he is but it's still hardly disgraceful, 10th on the tackle count, 12 on disposal count even though he's played as a backman (only about 30 behind Buckley).

I gather by "effective ball user" you're talking of disposals that hit a target? This stat is irrelevant, as backmen are allowed to chip the ball around without pressure, which inflates their effective disposal percentage.

By my reckoning, Bell is not an effective ball user. He may hit a target, but he is not creative.

[H_T 3,043]

a few words about a few players today. I love this club...

Grimes - Enough this season (on and off the field) to suggest I will wear his number on my back in years to come.

Good on you. Great to see.

We're officially screwed. Obviously Bailey doesn't give a rats about what it actually takes to win a game of football.

It's the players attitude as far as I can see, not following to instruction, and not skillful enough. We were offically screwed after the results of the NAB Cup & NAB challenge. It's taken you until Round 22 to figure that out! Go figure.

Grimes - Composed and poised

Ooh yes.