How many teams go into a game with only six players with over 100 games of AFL footy, 5 first gsmers and the rest with less than 50 games of AFL?

We started the game with a rookie ruck, two midfielders in their first game and our KPFs were a 2nd year with 9 games and another in his first game.

Now how does that compare with the Swannies?

Any chance being phyisically monstered in the first quarter shook the confidence of such a young side?

Great response. I knew we fielded a young and inexperienced team, but the numbers bring it into stark perspective. Bailey has talked repeatedly about the need to get games into the kids. Games will bring confidence. Confidence, combined with the talent we know we have, will bring success.

Great response. I knew we fielded a young and inexperienced team, but the numbers bring it into stark perspective. Bailey has talked repeatedly about the need to get games into the kids. Games will bring confidence. Confidence, combined with the talent we know we have, will bring success.

They played as if it was the first time they'd ever played together.

Great response. I knew we fielded a young and inexperienced team, but the numbers bring it into stark perspective. Bailey has talked repeatedly about the need to get games into the kids. Games will bring confidence. Confidence, combined with the talent we know we have, will bring success.

It was the tackling pressure early which killed us . Can only hope that we've steered away from the physical stuff in our program to date to guard against injuries to our young players - and that it was always our intention to work this into our program between now and the first game.

All over the field - starting with Sandilands -we were battling bigger bodies. Unfortunately we can't talk too much about our relative youth - because Freo had 15 players with less than 50 games!

In that instance though there was barely 30 seconds left of that quarter. Everyone had been instructed to fill holes to minimise the chance of Freo scoring again before the siren. It just so happens that one of our players intercepted/spoiled the ball whilst freo were kicking it around their back half.

McDonald quite rightly held the ball up for a few seconds for someone to overlap, which was Rivers. Rivers got boot to ball for a point.

Poor example.

its not like thats the only time that has happend

it has happend through out the whole game

he needs to keep players in position

its a different story if we were winning but we were losing

if your team is down you cant defend defend defend or there is no way back into the game!

Junior trys his heart out but i am beginning to believe that he may not be in our best 22 later in the year.

We can't have McDonald, Moloney and Jones all in the midfield, at least 1 of them must go. They are all goers but we have to get some class into the midfield ASAP. With these 3 being our best midfielders it gonna be hard to see us win a game.

its not like thats the only time that has happend

it has happend through out the whole game

he needs to keep players in position

its a different story if we were winning but we were losing

if your team is down you cant defend defend defend or there is no way back into the game!

I think the Dee's need to stick with Strauss, Gysbert, Scully, Trengove, Watts and Jurrah, Bennel, Tapscott and spencer when available week in. There is only one way to develop a team is to get them playing football.

The one thing the MFC has done badly is pander to the media. There is no way any coach should be speculating on whether players are ready or not. I don't think I have seen any otherside discuss the readiness of any young players.

Overall there is much room for improvement, including the execution of the gameplan.

How could there not be after last week's performance?

Wonder what the result would have been if freo had have flown to Victoria.

The WA trip is always difficult - especially when your team is inexperienced.

We can't have McDonald, Moloney and Jones all in the midfield, at least 1 of them must go. They are all goers but we have to get some class into the midfield ASAP. With these 3 being our best midfielders it gonna be hard to see us win a game.

Agree, though I'd put it slightly differently: It's only when Grimes, Scully & Trengove are ready to take over the midfield that we'll start to get a reasonable amount of inside-50s and the whole team will do better. I still think the other 3 are in our best 22, but with only one of them in our starting midfield.

Last Weeks squad -

B/.Kyle Cheney James Frawley Matthew Warnock

HB/.Jamie Bennell Jared Rivers Joel Macdonald

C/.Cale Morton Jack Grimes James McDonald

HF/.Colin Sylvia Brad Miller Aaron Davey

FF/.Liam Jurrah Brad Green Ricky Petterd

R/.Stefan Martin R/R.Brent Moloney R/.Nathan Jones

Int/. Jake Spencer, Tom Scully, Jack Trengove, Neville Jetta, Jordie McKenzie, James Strauss,

Improvements to come -

Ins/. (soon) Bate Bruce Jamar Garland Wonaeamirri Dunn

Outs/. Clint Bartram Addam Maric Daniel Bell Rohan Bail Jack Fitzpatrick