Russell Robertson

[Dappa Dan 2,188]

Geez people make a lot of fuss...

I love the whole "The game has changed" malarkey. About a year ago Robbo contributed to the biggest comeback in the club's history, and without the injury would have doubled the goal-scoring of our next best KP forward. So the game has "changed" in a year? That's a load...

Robbo's mistake was just that. It's up to Bailey whether or not it deserved a big drop to the twos. IMO he wasn't setting the world on fire, and it was a GREAT opportunity to show once and for all that if you do something like that you'll pay the consequences. And not just if you're young and learning. It applies if you're a 10 year veteran and champion of the club.

The axing is more relevant to the rest of the side than it is to Robbo himself.

Now, back to the "not setting the world on fire" bit. Robbo was enduring. He was still kicking a couple a game, and apart from his awesomely stupid blunder, he had an ok if inaccurate game. Without the brain fade, or had the plan worked, we would have been patting him on the back and he'd be playing next week with a bit of confidence. While there may be many good points made, this one is still pertinent.

I reckon any more than a week or two would be a mistake. You wouldn't want the kids to think "make an error in judgement and you can expect to play at Casey for a month."

Robbo's a finished product as a player, and is a very VERY good one. He's lost none of his potency and is playing the game the same as he did when he was our leading forward in the first half of 2008. The mark showed he's still capable of the incredible leaps. Talk of moving him on is WAY too premature. The dropping is as far as it should go.

I would love to see him running around next year, and depending on results, maybe the year after. He's more than earned it after all.

[Deeoldfart 8,016]

.................. He's been dropped on form, that form isn't so much about kicking goals, but failing to do the team oriented things - well that's my take on it anyway.

And mine.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

Geez people make a lot of fuss...

I love the whole "The game has changed" malarkey. About a year ago Robbo contributed to the biggest comeback in the club's history, and without the injury would have doubled the goal-scoring of our next best KP forward. So the game has "changed" in a year? That's a load...

Your example does not refute the fact that the game has changed over the last couple of years. Robbo did contribute when he did focus on his strengths in leading and kicking goals.

But for other aspects of the game Robbo remains a player who absolutely has no reason to liarise, brain fade or be selfish.

Robbo's mistake was just that. It's up to Bailey whether or not it deserved a big drop to the twos. IMO he wasn't setting the world on fire, and it was a GREAT opportunity to show once and for all that if you do something like that you'll pay the consequences. And not just if you're young and learning. It applies if you're a 10 year veteran and champion of the club.

The axing is more relevant to the rest of the side than it is to Robbo himself.

I would have thought the axing was equally relevant to both parties. And for the record Robbo is a past champion of the Club who has struggled significantly over the past couple of seasons. No free meal tickets there.

Now, back to the "not setting the world on fire" bit. Robbo was enduring. He was still kicking a couple a game, and apart from his awesomely stupid blunder, he had an ok if inaccurate game. Without the brain fade, or had the plan worked, we would have been patting him on the back and he'd be playing next week with a bit of confidence. While there may be many good points made, this one is still pertinent.

I reckon any more than a week or two would be a mistake. You wouldn't want the kids to think "make an error in judgement and you can expect to play at Casey for a month."

No. Robbo like any player should earn his recall like any other player. I agree with your assessment that he was not setting the world on fire and the blunder was the worst of a couple of decision making errors. The kids can work out quite clearly there are no free rides and that you earn promotion and you play to justify selection each week.

Robbo's a finished product as a player, and is a very VERY good one. He's lost none of his potency and is playing the game the same as he did when he was our leading forward in the first half of 2008. The mark showed he's still capable of the incredible leaps. Talk of moving him on is WAY too premature. The dropping is as far as it should go.

I would love to see him running around next year, and depending on results, maybe the year after. He's more than earned it after all.

Robbo is not the same player today he was in 2005. And the game demands more of forwards than try out for highlights reels. He finished 2006 under an injury cloud with a persistent knee injury which affected his output. In 2007, his season was marked by half his goals coming in three games. Two lots against a tanking Carlton and one lot against an backman depleted Pies line up. The rest of the season was mediocre.

In 2008, his reluctance to do the 1% and the defensive pressure saw him dragged to the bench on numerous occassions. And its hardly a trophy being our best forward in 2008.

His chances of survival are not going to be measured in the high leaps or goals kicked off his backside but what he contributes to the team and his preparedness to play to the team requirements. He just did himself no favours personally and his perception of leadership of younger players no credibility.

[mo64 5,874]

I would have thought the axing was equally relevant to both parties. And for the record Robbo is a past champion of the Club who has struggled significantly over the past couple of seasons. No free meal tickets there.

Geez Einstein, I would have thought missing a full season due to injury would be a factor.

Robbo's still our best forward, and for people to say that the modern game is beyond him, is a joke. Opposition coaches obviously don't share this view because they still assign their best backman to him.

Bailey has obviously started tanking.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

Geez Einstein, I would have thought missing a full season due to injury would be a factor.

Robbo's still our best forward, and for people to say that the modern game is beyond him, is a joke. Opposition coaches obviously don't share this view because they still assign their best backman to him.

Bailey has obviously started tanking.

He has struggled with both form and fitness as I pointed out.

And once again, no poster has made the statement that it is beyond him. (Fairies down in the back garden again Mo ). So the joke is on you isn't.

In a forward line bereft of options, its hardly a trophy on the mantlepiece is it to e the "best forward" and the margin is small?

Thanks again for another wonderful and uninformed insight into the coaching. True to form

[Guest sticksmorton]

Well done to Melbourne for dropping Robbo, no ones spot is safe, heading in the right direction

[pantaloons 2,019]

I love Robbo, but I support Bailey's dropping of him. Robbo's efforts last week, particularly the unthinkable stupidity on the goalline, were woeful. Just the sort of stuff you can't have a senior player showing the rest of the young group. You can't have a player of any age for that matter playing by their own rules.

As for Robbo's omission costing us the game against St. Kilda, I'd say all it does is take us from a 1% chance of victory to a 0.2% chance. I'm just thankful it'll give the coach a look at Stef at full-forward for a full game and that they didn't recall Newton. It's a tough game for Martin to show his wares in though. St. Kilda have routinely strangled the life out of teams this season. It wouldn't surprise me to see us score under 50 points this week.

[Nasher 33,613]

Bailey has obviously started tanking.

He's dropped a player who is woefully out of form and not adhering to the team message. It's not tanking, it's doing what any good coach / team manager should do.

[e25 5]

The very epitome of a LIST CLOGGER.

No better example in the AFL today.

[H_T 3,043]

The very epitome of a LIST CLOGGER.

No better example in the AFL today.

I don't think Robbo is a 'list clogger', just yet. One who has kicked over 400 goals within the AFL, even though he has been a little out of form of late, and still is able to produce goals and 'contest' for marks is not a list clogger. Despite his career starting to wind down.

There are other candidates that come under "List Clogger". It's been mooted in other threads that Lynden Dunn falls under this category. You won't get an argument from me, here.

[Deeoldfart 8,016]

Geez Einstein, ..................................... Bailey has obviously started tanking.

Geez Einstein, you are a dope!

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

Geez Einstein, you are a dope!

The very epitome of a LIST CLOGGER.

No better example in the AFL today.

Unduly harsh and completely wrong.

[Adam The God 30,221]

Yeah but has robbo ever been that good a chaser? we've known that for years! he's not quick out of the forward-line and his pressure could be improved. That's not a secret.

Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. I believe he more than makes up for it with all the other efforts his made for the MFC!

It doesn't make it acceptable, just because 'he's always been like that'. We have to stamp out that sort of attitude. It's one of the reasons we never won a premiership under Daniher. He had his favourites (as all coaches do, admittedly) and let them get away with murder. Robbo has always been one that has got away with everything. I knew we needed a strong coach, who could make the tough decisions and I think we have one in Bailey. Granted, it is a lot easier to come into a club and clear out players, than be there already and know the players well. I'm glad he's been dropped though. I'm not saying I wouldn't play him next year, but that would be his last. He really needs to demonstrate he's worth the 1 year contract.

[Adam The God 30,221]

Agree with all of that Rhino .......... and the real positive to come out of this whole saga, is the strong indication (at the selection table) that the culture is changing ie. play for the team or you won't play. Fantastic to see! In my view its every bit as important as player talent, as we strive for the ultimate success.

Well said and I agree whole-heartedly.

[e25 5]

Unduly harsh and completely wrong.

My opinion Rhino.

I know you don't like people having opinions unless they mirror your own.

He is an out and out list clogger and doesn't deserve another game for MFC until he shows a consistent team effort over the next 4 weeks at Casey.

If that happens, I may change my mind.

[Adam The God 30,221]

He's dropped a player who is woefully out of form and not adhering to the team message. It's not tanking, it's doing what any good coach / team manager should do.

Agreed.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

My opinion Rhino.

I know you don't like people having opinions unless they mirror your own.

So is mine about your attention seeking slap at a player who when fit has been actively competing for spot each week in the team. Amazing.

He is an out and out list clogger and doesn't deserve another game for MFC until he shows a consistent team effort over the next 4 weeks at Casey.

If that happens, I may change my mind.

You shouldn't change on that basis. He may not get 4 weeks at Casey. And besides who is he keeping out of the MFC team? Dunn Newton and Watts are not selected.

Some list clogging!

[e25 5]

So is mine about your attention seeking slap at a player who when fit has been actively competing for spot each week in the team. Amazing.

You shouldn't change on that basis. He may not get 4 weeks at Casey. And besides who is he keeping out of the MFC team? Dunn Newton and Watts are not selected.

Some list clogging!

i concede defeat.

Once again you are completely right.