I hate to say it but ...

[Grand New Flag 3,226]

It was fantastic win on the weekend that I enjoyed very much.

However, I want more wins, I want many more wins for many years........ hell I want a premiership. Our focus must be on the future. We NEED our priority pick. WE NEED SCULLY!

I want to build for the future, I believe we must get pick 1, 2 & 18 or 1, 3 & 18 to have any realistic chance of building premiership list rather than a finals list.

With easier games against other bottom teams Richmond, North Melbourne, and Fremantle to come, plus a chance of delivering an upset along the way, we simply can't afford a win this weekend if we are to stay under 5 wins and collect our deserved dues.

I will be happy to lose both Sylvia and Davey for one week suspended.

Also lucky Port won on the weekend and their finals hopes are still alive.

[Kat 0]

Are you suggesting they tank?

[Grand New Flag 3,226]

Of course not. They must play hard, they must play to win.

Its called "list management".

Plenty of young players to try out. Plenty of positions to try them in. Plenty of set plays to experiment with. Plenty of game plans to experiment with.

[pantaloons 2,019]

I will be happy to lose both Sylvia and Davey for one week suspended.

This is the key for me. I haven't seen the Sylvia hit, but if Davey gets suspended for his little slap it would be an absolute disgrace. Having said that, I'll be applauding, as the AFL can perform some 'list management' beautifully for us tonight and we can cry bloody murder on Sunday as we go down by a kick without Davey and Sylvia, keeping Scully well within reach.

[H_T 2,941]

Also lucky Port won on the weekend and their finals hopes are still alive.

Port Adel looked good against Brisbane. They will be desperate, now they've got back in the eight. They will not want to drop this one.

[Strawbsodwyer 0]

we have plenty of winnable games coming home which I hate to say is a concern, it is crucial we get pick 1, scully is that far ahead of the others it would be great to have with pick one 1 & and trengrove with pick 3 (west coast won't win other game). port will have plenty of incentive to win which is not the same as north, freo and tigers who we play on the home stretch.

[jumbo returns 6,545]

Port Adel looked good against Brisbane. They will be desperate, now they've got back in the eight. They will not want to drop this one.

Go Port Power!!!

[mauriesy 6,859]

Don't get too carried away with Saturday's win. The only match where we start favourite will be Fremantle.

[H_T 2,941]

Don't get too carried away with Saturday's win. The only match where we start favourite will be Fremantle.

When the hell is Pavlich back for Fremantle.......Crikey!

[AzzKikA 2,371]

It's Ricky thats up, not Sylvia, i think.

[Jaded No More 59,123]

Port can still make the 8, we can still get Scully.

I know which team I'm backing to win.

Hopefully Sylvia and Davey get suspended (never thought I'd say that!), Watts is back in the side for some much needed experience, and we go down by 2-3 goals.

Just as long as we keep up the tackling and intensity, because that was brilliant to watch.

[H_T 2,941]

Port can still make the 8, we can still get Scully.

I know which team I'm backing to win.

Hopefully Sylvia and Davey get suspended (never thought I'd say that!), Watts is back in the side for some much needed experience, and we go down by 2-3 goals.

Just as long as we keep up the tackling and intensity, because that was brilliant to watch.

If we have near the same amount of tackles against Port in the first half, that we had against West Coast, we'll go along way to another win. Port are as soft as butter (the game against Brisbane an exception).

[Grand New Flag 3,226]

We should play Newton.

[ucanchoose 1,804]

I am dead set sick of people hoping that we lose. That's all I have to say about that

[Dannyz 2,345]

We must play to win, each and every game. I dont care who is available in the draft, the Melbourne Football Club must play to win.

[Real Demon 232]

It will have more to do with which Port Adelaide team turns up this week.

We busted our hump on the weekend, and scratched out a 20 point win against a pretty ordinary Eagles team without Kerr.

If Port turn up to play, they are a better team than us at present, and should win the game regardless.

I hate to say it, but and honourable loss is in the clubs best long term interests, even though I desperately want another win!

[45HG 1,539]

What's this talk of Sylvia getting suspended?

[mikeod 21]

I want Melbourne to lose this week.

I hate it, but its true.

That said, on the day, I'll be cheering louder than most for the boys to get up. I can just see the benefits of losing far outweigh any benefits of winning.

[Toot182 7]

It's Ricky thats up, not Sylvia, i think.

Commentators on the weekend seemed to think Sylvia will come under scrutiny from the match review panel. Wasn't reported on the day - but there was some scratchy footage of an off the ball incident of Sylvia hitting one of the Selwoods. Looks like a high-shoulder/elbow, not really close to the play.

Ricky is up for verbal abuse - probably shouldn't get more than a fine.

Davey is up for a b!tch slap... should be right, depends what sort of mood the panel are in I figure.

[rpfc 27,637]

If Port don't turn up on Sunday, we can say goodbye to pick 2.

It's not up to the Dees, it's up to PA to show up...

[deeflog 679]

What's this talk of Sylvia getting suspended?

its Petterd, hes up for abusive language towards an umpire, will just get a fine

[Longsufferingnomore 1,489]

Did anyone hear Terry Wallace on Sunday after he was asked if he coached to lose the last game last year, he said, that he did nothing. When asked to elaborate he said he did just that he did nothing and just let the boys follow their instincts and they lost. The team didnt tank but the Club did. Good option for Bailey. Personally I don't mind if they lose every game from now on but lose them with honour - honourable losses played with passion. We may lose the battle but we will win the WAR - Drafts 1 and 2.

[drdrake 3,052]

Since the draft was introduced how many no 1 picks have won flags? Although I appreciate that pick 1 and 2 will be good for the development of our list, I also think winning games will be good for the development of out list. On our list we still haven't seen Strauss and Blease, we have seen little of Watts and Maric, thats four top 25 pick players that need to be introduced next year. We will finish bottom 3 regardless so we will get a top 3 pick Scully from all reports is the standout but you will still get a good player at pick 3.

For me it is a win win situation, we win 5 games we are winning games great and we win less then 5 we win by getting pick 1/2. Enjoy the next 8 weeks don't focus on losing and draft picks we will be in a better position next year regardless of how many games we win.

[RalphiusMaximus 5,993]

There is a difference between a better position and the Best Possible position. While landing Trengrove or Morabito would be nice, having Scully AND one of the other two or Butcher is better. I know which scenario I'd like to see.

[praha 10,360]

Let's just have a look at who we can beat in the following weeks.

Port

Fremantle

North

Richmond

That's four of our remaining 7 games that are all very winable. So yes, if we want good picks, we cannot afford to win this week.

I want to beat Fremantle if any of those teams. I have WC and Freo more than any other teams and absolutely love when we beat them.