nothing less than a flag is acceptable for this coming premiership

2-4 with wins against the Crows and the Tigers.

North will beat us at Etihad, they always do. We should be a good chance in the other games, especially Brisbane. A massive upset against the pies or hawks would do us a world of good.

I expect at least 1-5 (Richmond).

I predict 2-4 (Richmond/North or Richmond/Lions), but would be quite happy with a 50% winning ratio with 3 wins. If we've got half of our wins from last year or more in the first month and a half of footy, I'll be pretty happy.

Here's to thumping the Crows, then Whoever down at Casey.

You are all out of your minds. Brisbane are going to be a top 4 side this year. The Crows, Hawthorn and Collingwood will be contenders. North have a fantastic record against us at Etihad and Richmond score too heavily for us to match easily. My prediction is 0 - 6.

1-6. Only win Tiges. Small potential for 2-4, North might be the only other win but the pressure tactis they have been playing (even though it is preseason) will cause us into turn over city. Could be a thrashing.

Will be very very happy for my negativety to be sorely tested!!

Edited March 2, 201015 yr by Cards13

We could well get belted by Adelaide.

Not sure about belting from Crows, only reason being they have no fwd line of note. They struggle to kick goals.

0-6 If Miller plays.

3-3 If he doesn't.

I`d be absolutely stoked if we are 2-4.

For me, where we are, any wins will be great/a bonus, while I can live with any losses as long as there's a feeling of moving forward, and we don't completely drop our bundle.

I feel that any real evidence of any advance is going to come later in the season (injuries permitting), where not only will we have more games into young bodies, but some interesting players coming back from injury (Garland, Morton, Tapscott, Blease etc.).

It would seem utterly realistic to me to believe that we'll do better than last year. We basically haven't lost anyone, but everyone else is a year older and wiser, and we've added a few useful pickups.

But ...

B

Not sure about belting from Crows, only reason being they have no fwd line of note. They struggle to kick goals.

I don't agree with this.

From round 9 onwards last year (16 games) the Crows scored over 100 9 times. In some of these games they kicked 27, 26, 21 and 18 goals.

They're certainly not the most attacking team, but when they're on they're certainly on. 5 of their wins last year were by 70 points or more. They know how to strangle teams out of a game and they know how to beat them in a shoot out - this Adelaide team have just never figured out how to win the hard finals.

Having said that, many of those thrashings occur at AAMI stadium.

Funnily enough, after doing a bit of research I've uncovered this.

From round 9 Adelaide scored 100 or more 9 times.

The Dogs achieved this 13 times (from 15 matches)

Carlton 9 times (including their last 4 games which they lost 2 of)

Essendon 7 times.

Brisbane 7 times.

Collingwood 6 times.

St Kilda 6 times.

Geelong 5 times (once in their last 9).

After Round 9 Adelaide scored over 100 more than 13 other teams in the comp. Trailing only the Dogs and tying with Carlton.

Edited March 2, 201015 yr by 45HG16

0-6 If Miller plays.

3-3 If he doesn't.

A bit harsh on Miller don't you think?

You might think you're being funny, but you aren't.

............. and unfortunately I am not getting any younger

After supporting the Melbourne Football club for 49 years my window of opportunity is getting smaller every year that passes.

I know the feeling Stalwart, I'm guessing that I've been around a bit longer than you, and ipso facto, my window is probably even shorter ......... but don't despair, I have never been more confident that a return to the glory days is just around the corner!

......... and as for 2010, I'll be disappointed if we can't beat the Tiges, but a second win from the first 6 rounds wouldn't surprise me. However, I think the last 8 rounds is when we will start to show some real signs that will have the general football public sitting up and taking notice of the Demons for the first time in a long time. Notwithstanding the comments of those who have written us off on the basis of two pre-season losses, I reckon we can win 8 games in 2010, and head into 2011 brim full of confidence.

2 from 6

A bit harsh on Miller don't you think?

You might think you're being funny, but you aren't.

Exactly ... just plain bloody boring! No more, no less!

8 wins must be the target. Anything less must be considered a failure.

Saying that our first 6 rounds are very tough. In my opinion we are playing 4 of the top 6 teams for 2010 (Hawthorn, Collingwood, Brisbane, Adelaide) plus our bogie team (North). It could be a disaster!

I am particularly concerned with Round 1 v Hawthorn. Maybe it is bad memories from 2 years ago. But I really rate Hawthorn (even without Buddy), I would not be surprised if they won the premiership this year. Add Burgone and Gibson to an already awesome line up...... its very impressive. I think its between them and the Dogs with the Saints in the mix for this years flag.

I think Hawthorn will want to make a statement in round 1 just as they did in 2008 (their premiership year) with a thumping win in round 1. In 2008 this win went a long way to setting up their premiership season and I have no doubt they will be looking at our inexperienced team as an opportunity to repeat history.

Honestly, I will be happy with a competitive loss. A 100+ point destruction followed by a likely thrashing by the pies could set the tone for a terrible season (like 2008), our kids confidence could be destroyed, it may not be repaired until 2011 and in so set our rebuild back years.

This is what I fear most!

0-6 If Miller plays.

3-3 If he doesn't.

It's past your bedtime

0-6

How the hell are we going to win a game of footy with our current forward line?

We may beat Richmond in round 4 if we catch them on a really awful day.

I'm tipping a 3-19 season overall.

0-6 If Miller plays.

3-3 If he doesn't.

Your personal obsession in talking down Miller is becoming a bore. We're all aware of your feelings towards Miller. There's really no need to keep promoting it on pretty much every second thread, Little Stinga. Do yourself and everyone else a favour and move on, please !

I don't agree with this.

From round 9 onwards last year (16 games) the Crows scored over 100 9 times. In some of these games they kicked 27, 26, 21 and 18 goals.

They're certainly not the most attacking team, but when they're on they're certainly on. 5 of their wins last year were by 70 points or more. They know how to strangle teams out of a game and they know how to beat them in a shoot out - this Adelaide team have just never figured out how to win the hard finals.

Having said that, many of those thrashings occur at AAMI stadium.

Funnily enough, after doing a bit of research I've uncovered this.

From round 9 Adelaide scored 100 or more 9 times.

The Dogs achieved this 13 times (from 15 matches)

Carlton 9 times (including their last 4 games which they lost 2 of)

Essendon 7 times.

Brisbane 7 times.

Collingwood 6 times.

St Kilda 6 times.

Geelong 5 times (once in their last 9).

After Round 9 Adelaide scored over 100 more than 13 other teams in the comp. Trailing only the Dogs and tying with Carlton.

http://www.afc.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/4417/newsid/89939/default.aspx

Adelaide's once formidable forward line has been the hardest hit.

The Crows have included second-round draft pick Jack Gunston in the team to take on Collingwood in Alice Springs on Friday night and Craig said he would continue to experiment with forward line options over the next three weeks.

"We know Patrick Dangerfield can play up forward. He did that last year, so that always remains an option and we know Scott Thompson can go forward," he said.

We are almost too the start of the season proper and I would like the opinions of all who post here as to how they believe Melbourne will perform for the first six games of the season

Because I believe these first six games will basically determine how the Melbourne Faithfull will respond for the rest of the year

You will see the first 5 out of 6 games will be at the MCG; supposedly this should give us a home ground advantage. But that will depend on how the players respond

Below is the fixture for the first six games

ROUND ONE:

Saturday, Mar 27

Melbourne v Hawthorn MCG 2:10 pm

ROUND TWO:

Saturday, Apr 3

Collingwood v Melbourne MCG 2:10 pm

ROUND THREE

Sunday, Apr 11

Melbourne v Adelaide MCG 1:10 pm

ROUND FOUR:

Sunday, Apr 18

Richmond v Melbourne MCG 1:10 pm

ROUND FIVE:

Melbourne v Brisbane Lions MCG 7:10 pm

ROUND SIX:

Saturday, May 1

North Melbourne v Melbourne Etihad 2:10 pm

So what’s your take?

My opinion, (based on current indicators)

Round 1 probable loss

Round 2 probable loss

Round 3 probable loss

Round 4 possible win

Round 5 probable loss

Round 6 probable loss

So I see maybe 1 out of 6 wins

I honestly hope I’m wrong and I hope that the Melbourne players can truly shake me to the core

and drag me out of this lethargy that I am in.

But my main concern is not the win loss ratio but rather their competitiveness I will become more positive (even if unfortunately I am right in my opinion) as long as the Melbourne football club is competitive and no loss is by more than 24 - 30 points

Any thrashings in these first 6 games will be a nightmare and even though the coaches may term such a loss as "character building"

To me it means a long, long season and an even longer wait before I can even hope to see Melbourne as a finals contender

and unfortunately I am not getting any younger

After supporting the Melbourne Football club for 49 years my window of opportunity is getting smaller every year that passes.

But even though I am being cold hearted with my opinion believe me I have never wanted to be proven so wrong as badly as I do now.

Unfortunately, having watched both games so far live, we will not win any of these games, and frankly I doubt whether we will win any games this year.

I know in my last posts I got bagged for knocking the effort, but frankly I doubt whether my critics really looked at these games dispassionately. I hope i'm wrong but i fear our much hyped new breed will not deliver, and owing to the fact that we have got rid of our experienced legacy, we will wilt under pressure.

Time will tell. If I am right, it will be a disaster for the MFC.

I know the feeling Stalwart, I'm guessing that I've been around a bit longer than you, and ipso facto, my window is probably even shorter ......... but don't despair, I have never been more confident that a return to the glory days is just around the corner!

......... and as for 2010, I'll be disappointed if we can't beat the Tiges, but a second win from the first 6 rounds wouldn't surprise me. However, I think the last 8 rounds is when we will start to show some real signs that will have the general football public sitting up and taking notice of the Demons for the first time in a long time. Notwithstanding the comments of those who have written us off on the basis of two pre-season losses, I reckon we can win 8 games in 2010, and head into 2011 brim full of confidence.

I hope you where able to be a part of the 1987 finals series as I was, I attended every game and followed Melbourne to the bitter end

Robbies last game was such a sad way to end such a great carreer

I went to all the finals games that season it was such a great rollercoaster ride of emmotions right through to the Bitter end

Im sure Jimmy will never forget it and I know as he has said previously he wants to help Melbourne win a Premiership

I hope for Jimmys sake as well as the rest of us that this new side will eventually deliver that wish

Unfortunately, having watched both games so far live, we will not win any of these games, and frankly I doubt whether we will win any games this year.

I know in my last posts I got bagged for knocking the effort, but frankly I doubt whether my critics really looked at these games dispassionately. I hope i'm wrong but i fear our much hyped new breed will not deliver, and owing to the fact that we have got rid of our experienced legacy, we will wilt under pressure.

Time will tell. If I am right, it will be a disaster for the MFC.

Having watched the intra-club prac. match and the Essendon match live, and the Freo match on Foxtel, I can safely say you are wrong.

These games have given me a lot of hope, and I question what you think the aim of these matches is?

Some people seem to look at these NAB Cup/Challenge matches and think the sole aim is to chalk up a win as if they were a part of the home and away season.

This is a short-sighted view and you would be wrong.

Edited March 3, 201015 yr by Keyser Söze

Unfortunately, having watched both games so far live, we will not win any of these games, and frankly I doubt whether we will win any games this year.

I know in my last posts I got bagged for knocking the effort, but frankly I doubt whether my critics really looked at these games dispassionately. I hope i'm wrong but i fear our much hyped new breed will not deliver, and owing to the fact that we have got rid of our experienced legacy, we will wilt under pressure.

Time will tell. If I am right, it will be a disaster for the MFC.

I will say that things can change very quickly, especially where talent is present.

I will also say never underestimate the human spirit and the inspiration of a certain tall Irishman.

Im still keeping faith that we can beat the tigers.....thats all im hanging on to at this stage.

Presumably you are 'keeping faith' only if Brad is not playing against the Tigers

Had we been asked this question before we played Freo we would have received a much more positive response. The fact that so many put so much faith in one NAB performance makes me think that a lot of you live in a fishbowl. We'll easily beat Richmond, Roll Brisbane and most likely beat one of North or Hawthorn. Don't over rate the Hawks their backline is about as good as our current forward line. It'll be a close game.