I was really disappointed with Rivers today. WEll beaten by Mitch Clark and made a couple of terrible turnovers in defence. Don't worry, at our strongest I think we are a top 8 team. Forget our nab challenge game. The amount of experience sitting in the stands around me was great

He's a bit small, limited on the big blokes,,, for a True Key position player. He's an in between, sort of between 2nd & 3rd tall, but doesn't really play small either. Thats why, IMO, We Must not let Garland get too big. Because Garland can already play both, Mobile type talls, and smalls, well. If he gets too big, he won't be as agile for the smaller players, losing some effectiveness as a backman.

IMO, our answer is too bring through one of our young Key Defenders, over the next 18 month period.

He's a bit small, limited on the big blokes,,, for a True Key position player. He's an in between, sort of between 2nd & 3rd tall, but doesn't really play small either. Thats why, IMO, We Must not let Garland get too big. Because Garland can already play both, Mobile type talls, and smalls, well. If he gets too big, he won't be as agile for the smaller players, losing some effectiveness as a backman.

IMO, our answer is too bring through one of our young Key Defenders, over the next 18 month period.

Hi Everyone .... My first post!

I was at the game yesterday and the thing that struck me was the lack of leadership. It seemed to me that this is where the game was one and lost. I watched Sylvia being very judicious in deciding when he would compete, backing away from the contest on a number of times. I saw other experienced players pull out or just jog if they thought that the contest was too far away. I reckon a lot of the experienced players were doing "just enough" to keep the game ticking along whilsty the youngsters tried for the few spots available. IMO this contributed as much the the overall display as the lack of experience.

Hi Everyone .... My first post!

I was at the game yesterday and the thing that struck me was the lack of leadership. It seemed to me that this is where the game was one and lost. I watched Sylvia being very judicious in deciding when he would compete, backing away from the contest on a number of times. I saw other experienced players pull out or just jog if they thought that the contest was too far away. I reckon a lot of the experienced players were doing "just enough" to keep the game ticking along whilsty the youngsters tried for the few spots available. IMO this contributed as much the the overall display as the lack of experience.

Welcome aboard Deefor. That is pretty much as you would expect from what is just a glorified practice match. There is no need to go like a bull at a red rag and risk injury, whilst the kids and those on the fringe do need to give 110% to try to put up their hand for a regular season gig.

I don't think there was any doubt we have a long way to go, but we have to remember it is only pre season. Teams very rarely play in the regular season as they do in the pre season.

If it's already been said in one thread - start another!

Well done.

We're turning into Demonology.

If it's already been said in one thread - start another!

Well done.

We're turning into Demonology.

Which thread are you referring too Barry?

This thread is about the fact that we are not anywhere near as good as we thought we were and we have a long way to go to reach the finals let alone win a flag.

Anyone that watched that game yesterday would/should have been disappointed, we were terrible and were just not competitive for a large part of the game. I had visions of finals this year but after that effort yesterday I would say we will be closer to the bottom than the top. We were seriously bad.

Which thread are you referring too Barry?

This thread is about the fact that we are not anywhere near as good as we thought we were and we have a long way to go to reach the finals let alone win a flag.

Anyone that watched that game yesterday would/should have been disappointed, we were terrible and were just not competitive for a large part of the game. I had visions of finals this year but after that effort yesterday I would say we will be closer to the bottom than the top. We were seriously bad.

Geelong went down by 14 goals to a team almost as bad as Brissy this weekend. Geelong won't make the top 8. No way. They've been poor. They lost 2 games in the pre-season, heaven forbid!! I guess we'll be seeing them down in the doldrums soon.

Geelong went down by 14 goals to a team almost as bad as Brissy this weekend. Geelong won't make the top 8. No way. They've been poor. They lost 2 games in the pre-season, heaven forbid!! I guess we'll be seeing them down in the doldrums soon.

My concern was the poor form and skills shown by the senior players and lack of any system shown by the group.

The same mistakes shown in the Essendon game were there again last yesterday. It's a worry when you see senior players unable to hold a mark and unable to find a target.

I can understand players like Nicholson and Howe stuffing it up but when I see senior players like Bate unable to hold their position in a marking contest and our midfielders unable to win a clearance it concerns me. There is talk of having Martin in the side well I wouldn't mind that but only after he learns how to take a mark or develops his ground skills. Jack is starting to worry me, he was very ordinary yesterday and had less possessions that some of the kids who only played a few minutes.

The only time we looked like getting a goal in the second half was when we got a free yet we had Jack, Ricky, Maric, Martin, Bate and Dunn and they are a few of our starting forwards. The way the ball bounced out of the forward line was worrying there was just no pressure on their defenders. Let's hope that this is not how we are going to perform when the real thing starts.

The only time we looked like getting a goal in the second half was when we got a free yet we had Jack, Ricky, Maric, Martin, Bate and Dunn and they are a few of our starting forwards. The way the ball bounced out of the forward line was worrying there was just no pressure on their defenders. Let's hope that this is not how we are going to perform when the real thing starts.

*facepalm* Oh dearie me...

How many times can we stress that it is the PRE-SEASON = give games too new players = allow irregular players game time = give match fitness to those who have just got over injuries = REST BEST PLAYERS IN ORDER TO DO THOSE THINGS MENTIONED!!

Half of our BEST 22 were missing yesterday FFS!! Which means structure WILL be up the shizen!

I'm annoyed now.

Which thread are you referring too Barry?

This thread is about the fact that we are not anywhere near as good as we thought we were and we have a long way to go to reach the finals let alone win a flag.

Anyone that watched that game yesterday would/should have been disappointed, we were terrible and were just not competitive for a large part of the game. I had visions of finals this year but after that effort yesterday I would say we will be closer to the bottom than the top. We were seriously bad.

Some people did get ahead of themselves, but we're not to bad. Remember we will Improve throughout the season,,, and it's at the End of the season we'll know, How much ground we've made up on the top 6.

*facepalm* Oh dearie me...

How many times can we stress that it is the PRE-SEASON = give games too new players = allow irregular players game time = give match fitness to those who have just got over injuries = REST BEST PLAYERS IN ORDER TO DO THOSE THINGS MENTIONED!!

Half of our BEST 22 were missing yesterday FFS!! Which means structure WILL be up the shizen!

I'm annoyed now.

I'm annoyed too, you don't seem to be able to read what I've said, it is the senior players and their lack of skill that worries me, if it doesn't you then you live in the land of delusion.

I'm annoyed too, you don't seem to be able to read what I've said, it is the senior players and their lack of skill that worries me, if it doesn't you then you live in the land of delusion.

But i don't want the senior guys going Flat out & risk injury in a practise game.

I want our senior players to learn structures and get fit during the practise games, that's why losing the NAB cup aint so bad.

Let the senior players be primed to go flat out in round 1.

Did we get any injuries yesterday??

.........Aaaaaannd it begins...

But i don't want the senior guys going Flat out & risk injury in a practise game.

I want our senior players to learn structures and get fit during the practise games, that's why losing the NAB cup aint so bad.

Let the senior players be primed to go flat out in round 1.

Did we get any injuries yesterday??

Eeeexactly. Thankyou, why you little.

RobbieF... DO YOU UNDERSTAND NOW?!?!

why you little... the only injury was Strauss.

.........Aaaaaannd it begins...

... when nothing needs to begin....

It's preseason people!

These games are for a bit of experimentation, practicing certain systems and to get match fitness.

The winner is not important.

Breakdowns in execution are not important.

Turnovers are not important.

Skill errors are not important.

Have none of you played footy and played in practice matches yourselves?

The result is inconsequential.

And lastly, what was the injury to Strauss..?

Eeeexactly. Thankyou, why you little.

RobbieF... DO YOU UNDERSTAND NOW?!?!

why you little... the only injury was Strauss.

... when nothing needs to begin....

If not able to perform even the most basic skills is "not going flat out" then of course I do. Did you actually go to the game?

Yes, it would be better if we were winning pre-season games, but really it is so totally, utterly and completely unimportant in the context of a 24 week season, people should put it in perspective.

I can't disagree with you more.

Yes we want to see some young guys get game time. But our kick-ins, stoppage work, system and effort should be working. We have been training FIVE MONTHS!

Our draw is the best we have had for years from a football perspective. If we get off to a flyer, it sets us up for the year. Momentum is huge in football and belief among young sides can do incredible things. We play Swans, Hawks, Bris at teh 'G, Gold coast, bye, WCE, Adelaide at the G. We should easily be 4 and 3 after 8 rounds.

It is imperative we get off to a good start.

I can't stand this weak crud we have to put up with in pre-season. What have they been doing for 5 months????? Because we didn't look fitter or more skilled than Brisbane yesterday. Nor did we show stronger desire. Our system and efforts were inept. As was the performance of our coaching staff.

I can't disagree with you more.

Yes we want to see some young guys get game time. But our kick-ins, stoppage work, system and effort should be working. We have been training FIVE MONTHS!

Our draw is the best we have had for years from a football perspective. If we get off to a flyer, it sets us up for the year. Momentum is huge in football and belief among young sides can do incredible things. We play Swans, Hawks, Bris at teh 'G, Gold coast, bye, WCE, Adelaide at the G. We should easily be 4 and 3 after 8 rounds.

It is imperative we get off to a good start.

I can't stand this weak crud we have to put up with in pre-season. What have they been doing for 5 months????? Because we didn't look fitter or more skilled than Brisbane yesterday. Nor did we show stronger desire. Our system and efforts were inept. As was the performance of our coaching staff.

Collingwood had 2 players in Hospital after last nights NAB practice Match. For a game no one cares about.

Once the games are worth 4 points then it is time to get worked up not now.

We have 3 weeks to pick our best side for Round 1.

Collingwood had 2 players in Hospital after last nights NAB practice Match. For a game no one cares about.

Once the games are worth 4 points then it is time to get worked up not now.

We have 3 weeks to pick our best side for Round 1.

Exacery.

As long as the boys get a puff up, blow out the cobwebs, get a feel for the contest and most improtantly- GET THROUGH UNSCATHED then that is all that really matters.

The season proper is only just around the corner and i guarantee you will see a much different Melbourne in Round 1.

I can't disagree with you more.

Yes we want to see some young guys get game time. But our kick-ins, stoppage work, system and effort should be working. We have been training FIVE MONTHS!

Our draw is the best we have had for years from a football perspective. If we get off to a flyer, it sets us up for the year. Momentum is huge in football and belief among young sides can do incredible things. We play Swans, Hawks, Bris at teh 'G, Gold coast, bye, WCE, Adelaide at the G. We should easily be 4 and 3 after 8 rounds.

It is imperative we get off to a good start.

I can't stand this weak crud we have to put up with in pre-season. What have they been doing for 5 months????? Because we didn't look fitter or more skilled than Brisbane yesterday. Nor did we show stronger desire. Our system and efforts were inept. As was the performance of our coaching staff.

Melbourne rested a lot of senior players from yesterdays game. Apparently they were in the stands.

I think we'll see most of them in Launceston, Friday night. Which , is also a short week between these 2 games. Go, Dees.

Melbourne rested a lot of senior players from yesterdays game. Apparently they were in the stands.

I think we'll see most of them in Launceston, Friday night. Which , is also a short week between these 2 games. Go, Dees.

We were bad, but a tad underdone, like a badly cooked hot cross bun.

We had ten players out to their 4. We only lot by 29 points and that is the score.

i am disappointed with the loss and i feel that Bailey is simply not getting his plan to come across with the players. Whatever we want to achieve at training simply isn't being done on game-day (serious concern). However, looking at the list of outs, it isn't panic station just yet. Although, the likes of Mckenzie, Frawley and Morton won't be returning to the squad in a hurry. Without Frawley our back-line is a disaster and it highlights the rest of our back-men as sub afl level players. I will reserve judgement until after next weeks game against the Hawks/Eagles,as that game will be a full dress-rehearsal.

Not panic stations yet, but if i was Bailey, i would want the team to start performing at a respectable level very soon.

sub AFL???? I beleive they are all employed to play AFL.

We were bad, but a tad underdone, like a badly cooked hot cross bun.

We had ten players out to their 4. We only lot by 29 points and that is the score.

LoL, LoL,, very good.

Melbourne rested a lot of senior players from yesterdays game. Apparently they were in the stands.

I think we'll see most of them in Launceston, Friday night. Which , is also a short week between these 2 games. Go, Dees.

they were in the stands, with a few of the younger players taking notes, mcnamara, frawley, garland were hanging out with pen and paper taking notes on the zone and structures, and mistakes that were made, was good to see.

I think our forward line is ok (apart from the fact that it didn't exist for the most part on Saturday), but our defence is our main concern. Not good decision making in the backline, but I don't think it will be a deal at all when Frawley gets back.

I think our forward line is ok (apart from the fact that it didn't exist for the most part on Saturday), but our defence is our main concern. Not good decision making in the backline, but I don't think it will be a deal at all when Frawley gets back.

Yehhhh ummm... 2/3 of our defense were missing in Grimes, Frawley, Garland and Bartram :/