I hate to say it but ...

[RalphiusMaximus 6,102]

I don't really think Port and North are beatable. Port could give a shocking performance, but I don't expect it and we never even looked like beating North last time. Freo and Richmond are issues, but in both cases I would consider then 50-50 prospects. 1 more win for the season will do s nicely I think.

[stranga 328]

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...

If we win you can say goodbye to pick 1 as well....Freo will only win 1 more game at best they are a rabble. Imagine after all this hype about Scully looks like we may have ot settle for pick 2 only.

[jacey 333]

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...

Agreed if Port show up, we'll flat out lose but they are just as likely not not turn up mentally.

So we must give them a helping hand.

Don't tag Pearce, Salepok n Peter Burgoyne. Go with a few head to heads. Let Rodan run. I've got a copy of Carlton's '07 style guide and Weagles '08 style guide if MFC wants a look.

We need to manage the games well in the next 8 games.

[Its Miller time 6]

Port are a team of flat track bullies. They enjoy playing the bottom side and will win comfortably.

[H_T 3,049]

What's this talk of Sylvia getting suspended?

Talk of him coming under scrutiny from the Match Review Panel for contact with Selwood of West Coast (the younger version). He hasn't been cited, yet.

[45HG 1,559]

Isn't that Selwood the elder one?

Probably deserved it.

[w00dy 146]

to be honest, I don't think you have a whole lot to be concerned about...

we came out, tackled ferociously, were the hardest we've been at the footy we've been all season, and we beat the worst travelling side in the comp, and one of the worst teams in the comp, without 2 of their best players, by 20 points... not exactly a convincing victory... we really should've won by 60 IMO... not really expecting a whole lot on sunday... but alas, I'll be there...

[H_T 3,049]

Isn't that Selwood the elder one?

Probably deserved it.

Scott Selwood is the younger one. I thought it was him.

Adam Selwood the elder one.

[Dee tention 618]

Melbourne needs Picks 1 and 2. Or at the very worst 1 and 3!

I hope we are very competitve throughout but notch only two more wins. BUT THAT IS IT! We will do more harm than good if we miss the priority pick. We have Barry Prendergast to pick us the best young talent. Lets give ourselves the opportuntiy! Let him do his job and pick the best!

[pantaloons 2,019]

Looks like Port are taking this one rather seriously, with the Chad set to make his return:

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tab...97/default.aspx

[Jack7 528]

We've tanked so well this year,i'd hate to see us drop off now and have a few wins and lose priority!!!

[Je Roos Salem 661]

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

Same. I want another win this week, and hopefully the same team is out on the field. Worry about draft picks when we are on 4 wins, or at the end of the year.

[G'borough Demon 0]

Same. I want another win this week, and hopefully the same team is out on the field. Worry about draft picks when we are on 4 wins, or at the end of the year.

Agreed, win all the way. Since when has the AFL been about winning draft picks?

[H_T 3,049]

Agreed, win all the way. Since when has the AFL been about winning draft picks?

Do some research on Tom Scully, then get back to us.

[Kat 0]

I have to say reading this thread has annoyed me no end. I hate the thought of supporters hoping we lose. I know it's symtomatic of a crap system which rewards bad performance, but sheesh, a team that's good enough to be in the AFL should always play to win.

And that comment of Terry Wallace pretty much epitomises everything I dislike about the man. I've always thought of him as a goose. Rather than saying that that's an example to follow, we should instead make the comment "little wonder he's no longer coaching."

I hate the idea of tanking and I hate the thought there are Melbourne supporters who wish their team would tank.

[Ryan Dee 140]

We have NOT tanked this year, we are not good enough to tank and with Sylvia out we are sure to get Scully AND hopefully pick 2.

[G'borough Demon 0]

Do some research on Tom Scully, then get back to us.

Yep, seen him and rate him. But not pinning any Grand Final hopes on yet another young kid. People put too much emphasis on PP's, especially when it comes to winning (or 'tanking' in some posters views) games.

[Jerry Lundergard 420]

In: Bell, Dunn, PJ, Newton and Bartram

Out: Sylvia, Bate, Jamar, Jurrah and Grimes

There is list management and a loss all in one.

I was all for winning as many as possible earlier in the season, but at this stage when we have no chance of finals, it would p*ss me off if we were to win 5 games.

[H_T 3,049]

I have to say reading this thread has annoyed me no end. I hate the thought of supporters hoping we lose. I know it's symtomatic of a crap system which rewards bad performance, but sheesh, a team that's good enough to be in the AFL should always play to win.

And that comment of Terry Wallace pretty much epitomises everything I dislike about the man. I've always thought of him as a goose. Rather than saying that that's an example to follow, we should instead make the comment "little wonder he's no longer coaching."

I hate the idea of tanking and I hate the thought there are Melbourne supporters who wish their team would tank.

What would you prefer to see in 4-5 years time?

Look at our midfield at present this year and how it has performed. Look at our forward line.

Sometimes you have to look at the personnel and analyse what results we are getting. Since the beginning of 2007 our team has been regarded as an absolute joke. An absolute laughing stock by the media and our peers within the AFL. In order for the club to not only survive, but thrive, we need to be more than competitive.

To do that, we need talent, quality talent. How do we do this?

Ask yourself Kat. How do we do this.

How soon do you want to see us play finals and/or play in a premiership?

Are you familiar with the Gold Coast's monopoly on draft picks in next years 2010 National Draft and beyond?

Are you familiar with the AFL introducing West Sydney as the 18th license, and their picks they will obtain in the draft?

If you are unfamiliar at all, please read through the hundreds of threads created discussing these very issues.

We all understand about the wins, we also understand that it's been 45 years since the last premiership, nothing comes easy. If an opportunity presents itself where we are in the position to get the best 2 picks or 2 of the best 3 picks of the U18 players available in the country (outside of the Gold Coasts 12 x 17yo picks), we should take that opportunity.

[dee-luded 2,959]

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.

Just like winning games under Daniher with his NQR's.

Even making the Finals with a mature team of NQR's, only to break every Dees supporters hearts, again.

[Kat 0]

Of course I'm aware of these things, please don't patronise me.

It is more than anything symptomatic of a crap system that in order to get the top picks a team has to finish poorly. And I agree, the team has gone poorly, extremely poorly, for the last couple of seasons. We have only two wins for the year, and I don't expect that that tally will improve much before the end of the season.

BUT that is not to say they should actively seek out to lose games. That's negative, that loses memberships and sponsorhip, and bottom line, affects club revenue.

We're still in debt, and we were bloody lucky to get the sponsorship deals with Kasperski and Hankook when they did. I guess you'd forgotten that we nearly started the season without a major sponsorship on the guernsey, which when you think about it, is pretty embarrassing. Not to mention Andrew Demetriou's comment last year that Melbourne had no brand. How do you expect the club to develop a brand with the team performing as it is?

I agree that we have to look long term, but the short term solution is equally as damaging. Poor performing sides don't get the memberships and don't get the sponsorship deals. Jim was extremely successful in campaigning for these for this year, but how long is that going to last if we deliberately lose games? We also still have a massive debt, which won't be fixed if the club loses the support of its members through poor performance.

Also, further to the pathetic tactic of Terry Wallace, one consequence of that was that he had obviously lost support of his players. That cannot be a good result.

[dee-luded 2,959]

I don't really think Port and North are beatable. Port could give a shocking performance, but I don't expect it and we never even looked like beating North last time. Freo and Richmond are issues, but in both cases I would consider then 50-50 prospects. 1 more win for the season will do s nicely I think.

Many teams will soon put up the shutters for the remainder of the Winter.

Lets Not cook our GEESE.

[Kat 0]

Further, I do agree with Mr Morton, Melbourne aren't good enough to tank! If Melbourne lose, they should lose trying, not deliberately giving it away. I personally don't think Melbourne are good enough to win too many games for the rest of the year, and chances are will still finish on the bottom. But I don't think it's good enough to tank.

Plus, given your comments on the midfield and defense, they are a very young, developing side. They can only improve.

[davey_magik 1]

I hope those calling for tanking never celebrate a win this year again.

You're a disgrace and have no idea about culture and football if you think we should lose.

[Kat 0]

Well said, Davey Magik

And can I add that I hope the ones calling for tanking aren't the same ones criticizing supporters for not going to the footy each week, coz really, who could blame supporters for thinking "why should I go barracking for them if they're deliberately going to lose?"