Petterd & Davey, It's great to see these two step up further.

Frawls has taken his first step @ this level.

Meesen has retrieved the lost ground last season & is encouraging so far.

Moloney, welcome back, with better use.

This years team, would beat last years team by 40 odd points.

Petterd would be doing a lot better if he wasn't being wasted in the forward line. I think he should be playing midfield. He doesn't get enough of it up forward, and that's a waste of his talent.

Petterd's use of the ball lets him down and hence not being used in the midfield.

no-one can fault his endeavour or application but he needs to improve on his skills.

again though, he will be a 10 year player for this club.

"Meesen has retrieved the lost ground last season & is encouraging so far." - dee-luded OP

For those interested in the rucks last night: -

PJohnson - 14 possessions - 7 Kicks, 7 Handballs, 3 Marks (none contested), 4 Inside 50's, 3 Tackles, 2 Spoils, 7 Critical Errors, 1 FF, 3 FA

2 Clangers, 15 Hitouts - 7% to advantage.

JMeesen - 9 possessions - 3 Kicks, 6 Handballs, 3 Marks (2 contested), 1 Inside 50, 0 Tackles, 1 Spoil, 1 Critical Error, 2 FF, 1 FA

2 Clangers, 9 Hit Outs - 0% to advantage.

The Big STATS: -

P.Johnson - 7 Critical Errors

J.Meesen - 9 Hit Outs - 0% to advantage

Ref: Stats - The Age.

Davey has gone way up the step ladder

Have any fallen down the "snake" PJ maybe Bate

Petterd would be doing a lot better if he wasn't being wasted in the forward line. I think he should be playing midfield. He doesn't get enough of it up forward, and that's a waste of his talent.

I like him there, ATM.

He's attack on the contest is fantastic, his presenting for the contest & courage backing into the oncoming contest is an inspiration for teamates to aspire toward.

His shots at goal are robust & mostly does the right things, soon enough they'll come off.

He's learning a lot of forward skills that will help him & us into the future.

No doubt he will play other roles in due course.

I like him there, ATM.

He's attack on the contest is fantastic, his presenting for the contest & courage backing into the oncoming contest is an inspiration for teamates to aspire toward.

His shots at goal are robust & mostly does the right things, soon enough they'll come off.

He's learning a lot of forward skills that will help him & us into the future.

No doubt he will play other roles in due course.

I like him as a forward too. But he doesn't get much of the ball at the moment, so I'd prefer to see him further up the ground.

The Big STATS: -

J.Meesen - 9 Hit Outs - 0% to advantage

Ref: Stats - The Age.

Rubbish, I saw a few great hit outs of his go right down a Melbournes players throat

Rubbish, I saw a few great hit outs of his go right down a Melbournes players throat

Absolutely! Those stats are crap.

Absolutely! Those stats are crap.

Cause the age make up there stats these days do they? lol

Absolutely! Those stats are crap.

Black and white. 0% to advantage.

Petterd & Davey, It's great to see these two step up further.

Frawls has taken his first step @ this level.

Meesen has retrieved the lost ground last season & is encouraging so far.

Moloney, welcome back, with better use.

This years team, would beat last years team by 40 odd points.

I said 10 goals better at the start of the season and right now I still hold to that. Although this sunday v geelong should be a good indicator.

Spot on re the players that have taken a step forward. Add to that Bennell and Jetta that had their best games in the last 2 weeks. Maric, Grimes, Strauss, Watts and maybe blease all to get thier go as well this year. Plenty to still look forward to.

High Tower you are exmphasising that Meesen had no hit-outs to advantage. Ok. But if you look at Johnson's stats, 7% of 15 is one. So Johnson had 1 HO to advantage. So we had one HO to advantage all day.

Give me Meesen any day. I can see plenty of room for improvement in Meesen. Johnson, I can't see any. He has improved from 2007 marginally but there is no improvement left and there is no room for someone with his level of ability in our 22. That's what I think anyway. I don't really rate Jamar at all because his skills are atrocious but he wins his fair share of taps. When the Russian comes back, he and Meesen should play until Spencer is ready to develop in the seniors. Our ruck department is as weak as our forward line.

Anyone else seeing Frawley as the next Sam Fisher? I can see it. His runs off half-back were superb on Sunday, broke the lines and showed great strength.

I agree I think chipper frawley was sensational on the weekend playing on a good player, a real shining light

Anyone else seeing Frawley as the next Sam Fisher? I can see it. His runs off half-back were superb on Sunday, broke the lines and showed great strength.

Yes. My candidate for Most Improved 2009.

For those interested in the rucks last night: -

PJohnson - 14 possessions - 7 Kicks, 7 Handballs, 3 Marks (none contested), 4 Inside 50's, 3 Tackles, 2 Spoils, 7 Critical Errors, 1 FF, 3 FA

2 Clangers, 15 Hitouts - 7% to advantage.

JMeesen - 9 possessions - 3 Kicks, 6 Handballs, 3 Marks (2 contested), 1 Inside 50, 0 Tackles, 1 Spoil, 1 Critical Error, 2 FF, 1 FA

2 Clangers, 9 Hit Outs - 0% to advantage.

The Big STATS: -

P.Johnson - 7 Critical Errors

J.Meesen - 9 Hit Outs - 0% to advantage

Ref: Stats - The Age.

Ouch

Frawley had a good pre-season and has been very good in this years 5 games. Somthing to get excited about.

Lets hope Martin starts to 'break through' with a bit more attacking play and we will build an extremely good backline.

My guess is that when Meesen puts it down the throat of a Melbourne player

who is immediately tackled, leading to another ball up, (which happens alot) then that is registered as

ineffective. It also doesn't mean that he's putting down the throat of an opposition

player.