I think its time that Newton gets a real crack, let him play for 5 weeks in a row no matter how bad he plays. Give him set goals such as marks inside 50, tackles in the 50 and of course a goal target. I know a lot of people on the messageboard are big haters of Juice but lets face it, atm we really have nothing else in tall forwards. Miller is good at CHF leads great up the ground, however he needs to get a football brain. He's done it a few times this year, when he marks the ball on the 50 and rather than slowing it down and letting the team get forward he blazes away to Bate or Petterd who are 4 on 1, which results in a turnover and usually costs us a goal. With Newton in the goal-square it will give midfielders a bigger option to kick to. If he doesnt meet the targets the coaching staff gives him, back to the 2's and serioulsy looking at delisting him!!

Why finalise a side earlier than you have to? Final 22 named 5pm Friday.

So youre saying to me that after getting our arses handed to us by collingwood there were no automatic omissions? Ridiculous. Bailey is acting very "Daniherish" here.

Easily the worst Melbourne team I have seen named in 30 years.

Really, what is the second worst?

So youre saying to me that after getting our arses handed to us by collingwood there were no automatic omissions? Ridiculous. Bailey is acting very "Daniherish" here.

What just to satisfy the baying masses that want blood?

This will still happen when it has to. How do you know there are not players with injury clouds that need to be considered tomorrow at final fitness test.

Your post is very "amateurish" here.

Really, what is the second worst?

Considering some of the sides we had to field in the 70's and 80's, I think you'll find he exaggerated just a touch...

What just to satisfy the baying masses that want blood?

This will still happen when it has to. How do you know there are not players with injury clouds that need to be considered tomorrow at final fitness test.

Your post is very "amateurish" here.

Agree with Rhino here. Why not use up every last second to make sure you go in with a side you are happy with? Every other side in the competition does this on a regular basis anyway so I have no idea why you're whinging about it JJJ.

Really, what is the second worst?

Last weeks!

Considering some of the sides we had to field in the 70's and 80's, I think you'll find he exaggerated just a touch...

I think you'll find I'm not. Seriously, there are a few in that team who are just not up to scratch, and others who just aren't ready. Unfortunately we've got what we've got.

Agree with Rhino here. Why not use up every last second to make sure you go in with a side you are happy with? Every other side in the competition does this on a regular basis anyway so I have no idea why you're whinging about it JJJ.

I am happy for the coaching staff to wait until 5pm. How could you possibly contort what I said to mean that I want the final team now? I am disappointed that players such as Johnson and Jetta are even in the 25 man squad. Wise indeed.

Maric's definitely not quite fit enough. Next week he should be a lock. Then the happy times begin...

This has to be the only reason. It's a no-brainer. Unlike so many positions where we have a bunch of mediocre players who come in and out of the side, we're screaming out for forward options who can be inventive. The temptation is to rush him back and have him end up doing a hammy. So kudos to the coaching staff there. No huge rush. I would think by next week, or the week after he will be launching his campaign for the Rookie of the year awards...

Easily the worst Melbourne team I have seen named in 30 years.

And this is why I don't bother posting team-sheets anymore. We don't have players that occupy real positions (McLean HBF???). We have little structure, and barely any of the names on the list fill me with enthusiasm for the following round. Yes, yes, the future is encouraging, but the IMMEDIATE future is dire.

What just to satisfy the baying masses that want blood?

This will still happen when it has to. How do you know there are not players with injury clouds that need to be considered tomorrow at final fitness test.

Your post is very "amateurish" here.

The baying masses? That is more amateurish than anything I posted. I haven't seen or heard for mass player omissions. Still, I quite enjoy how you judge posters on this site so vigorously, what would this site be without you?

You're correct. I have no idea if any players are under injury clouds going into the game. It doesn't change my view that some players should not be in the 25. You cannot reward such a mediocre performance from some of the players.

Easily the worst Melbourne team I have seen named in 30 years.

Maybe you should go as far back as 1997 and have a look at some of the names from that particular season. Or maybe the rd 1 team from 96 when we got smashed by Geelong by 127 pts. Worst Melbourne team in the last 30 years...you sound like Pollyanna.

http://stats.rleague.com/afl/stats/1997.html#11

I think Spencer needs to go back to Casey and consolidate what he's learnt in the first two rounds in a less intense environment. Jetta too. I wonder about Meesen and whether promoting him on the back of the only two decent games he's ever played might be premature, but I guess that's the way it is when you're thin on the ground for ruckmen.

Maybe you should go as far back as 1997 and have a look at some of the names from that particular season. Or maybe the rd 1 team from 96 when we got smashed by Geelong by 127 pts. Worst Melbourne team in the last 30 years...you sound like Pollyanna.

http://stats.rleague.com/afl/stats/1997.html#11

I think Spencer needs to go back to Casey and consolidate what he's learnt in the first two rounds in a less intense environment. Jetta too. I wonder about Meesen and whether promoting him on the back of the only two decent games he's ever played might be premature, but I guess that's the way it is when you're thin on the ground for ruckmen.

I think you mean 'henny penny,' pollyanna is a reference of positivity and optimism.

Guys, we wanted kids, we got the kids.

The need time, we need patience and some here need to cool their jets.

And 're draft molan,' who isn't going to make it, or who isn't worth playing from that team that makes it the worst team since 1979?

This is advice for all out there: You don't have to post all your thoughts, you can pick and choose.

Easily the worst Melbourne team I have seen named in 30 years.

Considering it may be the same team that ran out last week, that is a ridiculous statement

Considering it may be the same team that ran out last week, that is a ridiculous statement

For starters champ, last time I checked, opinions were like a***holes. Everyones got one! And heres mine. In the 30 years I have followed the Melbourne Football Club, it is the worst team I have seen named. Now thats not to say i'm writing off any kids. I'm glad there playing them. But we have too many list cloggers, under achieving, promise so much deliver so little, players atm, those kids have little or no support out in the middle. At least around 1997, we had Schwarz, Neitz, Viney, Stynes, Lyon etc. Is there anyone like that playing for us at the moment?

For starters champ, last time I checked, opinions were like a***holes. Everyones got one! And heres mine. In the 30 years I have followed the Melbourne Football Club, it is the worst team I have seen named. Now thats not to say i'm writing off any kids. I'm glad there playing them. But we have too many list cloggers, under achieving, promise so much deliver so little, players atm, those kids have little or no support out in the middle. At least around 1997, we had Schwarz, Neitz, Viney, Stynes, Lyon etc. Is there anyone like that playing for us at the moment?

I don't know.

I guess that's why Bailey is playing them...

All those players you mentioned at one time had fledgling careers that required patience.

BTW, this time last year we had a percentage of 37 so we less crap than 12 months ago...

I think you mean 'henny penny,' pollyanna is a reference of positivity and optimism.

Guys, we wanted kids, we got the kids.

The need time, we need patience and some here need to cool their jets.

And 're draft molan,' who isn't going to make it, or who isn't worth playing from that team that makes it the worst team since 1979?

This is advice for all out there: You don't have to post all your thoughts, you can pick and choose.

At the risk of being howled down. I will name a few who I don't think will make it. Newton, Bartram, Dunn, Sylvia (I think he has an enormous amount of ability, but [censored], I'm sick of the glimpses, excuses, misdemenors and FIGJAM attitude). Now call me a pessimist, realist or whatever name you can think of, I don't care. This is just my opinion, and it pains me to write this about the club I loved for 30 years. I think after the mid season break we are really going to cop some bad floggings, due to the amount of kids we've got to play, the lack of support from our middle rung players, and obviously our f***ing huge injuy list. Unfotunately thats the way it's got to be, but after the first 1 1/2 quarters last week, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

I don't know.

I guess that's why Bailey is playing them...

All those players you mentioned at one time had fledgling careers that required patience.

BTW, this time last year we had a percentage of 37 so we less crap than 12 months ago...

Mate, your missing my point. Have a look at our best players at the moment, and look at our best players from around 97. Three of them in the team of the century. I'm not knocking Bailey or our kids. They must to be played.

Bailey would find the lack of application of some senior players frustrating as he cannot realistically bring in 10 kids to play against men

He at least has given 4 kids an oppurtunity to show what they can do so far

Apart from Watts , Blease and Jurrah there are several kids that are either injured or unfit to play at senior level just yet

I expect that to change as the season progresses

Like everyone else here i want to see the whole list get a go during this season

I do agree with most in that if they cannot perform at VFL level then why have we still got them on our list

What i dont want to see is what has happened in the past in re signing players who are NOT the future

Just getting back to the thread for a second, I can't see Bail named in any team this week. Have I missed him or is he injured as well?

Regarding the next month, the following players can all hope to make an appearance adding a touch of class and or experience to a fairly classless team:

Grimes,

Aussie,

Maric,

Strauss,

Whelan,

Wheatley,

Bail

and maybe:

Jurrah,

And even at a push:

Watts???

Certainly it will be interesting to see how the lineup has changed by the end of May. B)

Mate, your missing my point. Have a look at our best players at the moment, and look at our best players from around 97. Three of them in the team of the century. I'm not knocking Bailey or our kids. They must to be played.

Its the 30 year bit that lost you credibility, perhaps 10-15 might have been a little more accurate. I saw the teams of the early 80's. We are better than they were.

Its the 30 year bit that lost you credibility, perhaps 10-15 might have been a little more accurate. I saw the teams of the early 80's. We are better than they were.

Credibility? I don't care if you think I lack credibility or not. I'm just stating an observation. Take it or leave it matey.

He is the best user of the footy on the whole list.

Absolute joke he isnt in.

Maric is not fit enough yet still did not play a full game last week spent time on bench each quater last week still 2 away i feel yet may play next week

Maric is not fit enough yet still did not play a full game last week spent time on bench each quater last week still 2 away i feel yet may play next week

Don't know why every one's such in a rush with our players. Play X,Y, Z now. With Maric's lack of preseason and our position, I don't see the need to rush him.

Spencer would be extremely unlucky to get dropped, considering PJ's poor work so far. I'm disappointed to see PJ keep his spot.

Clearly Maric is not fit. Hopefully he'll be back next week.

Bennell can consider himself a beneficiary of a stack of injuries.