On 06/04/2011 at 21:31, old dee said:

I thought he was one of our best on Sunday admittedly the competition for Melbourne's best was not high.

However he was working a long from goal on sunday so not sure we can make much out of that game re his goal kicking ability.

I think he has been one of the bright spots for us so far this season.

A large number of people on Demonland keep saying "give him a chance young guys take time to develop".

Well I think he is developing and am quite prepared to keep him in the team.

If we want to put in Juice then find another spot.

Martin is earning his spot so far which is more than can be said for a few others.

This will be two in a row OD.

Couldn't agree more. His first two games have been very good considering where he's come from and what expectations were.

He is playing the second ruck role very well at the moment and the club is right to persist with him in that role.

It is good that Juice kicked a few. Kick a few more this week and next and show that it isn't a one hit wonder and then the pressure will really be on and he will force his way into the team. Given Juice's history, let's see him repeat it consistently for a few weeks first before we go rushing him into the team...

  On 06/04/2011 at 21:36, Grandson of a gun said:

This will be two in a row OD.

Couldn't agree more. His first two games have been very good considering where he's come from and what expectations were.

He is playing the second ruck role very well at the moment and the club is right to persist with him in that role.

It is good that Juice kicked a few. Kick a few more this week and next and show that it isn't a one hit wonder and then the pressure will really be on and he will force his way into the team. Given Juice's history, let's see him repeat it consistently for a few weeks first before we go rushing him into the team...

Son welcome home we need start again!

Only joking GoaG.

  On 06/04/2011 at 09:25, big_red_fire_engine said:

When has Martin shown any likelihood to kick goals at Casey or in the Seniors. Martin played key forward in the pre-season and looked lost on the 3 times I saw him when he did get near the ball he attempted to mark everything with flat hands, when he did get the ball he fluffed the opportunities he had. I too would persevere with Martin as I think he is improving but we are really using him as a back up and he at this time is not offering value when rested (which as a backup should be most of the time).

Maric played some crackers in the preseason - just shows how much you should read in to those games. Plus, I'm quite sure Martin would have gone near the ball more than the 3 times you saw him - couldn't really see him starting in Round 1 if not.

Stef has been our biggest improver, and easily in the top 3 or 4 most consistent so far this seaason (albeit 2 weeks old). I can't see how someone who kicks one bag of goals in the reserves, and is a repeat offender of being terrible when playing in the seniors, should be selected ahead of Stef. The other impressive thing about Stef this year is the fact that he has had to play multiple positions each game. Against a couple of weaker teams this fortnight, the need to swap him around may not be as great, so I'd love to see him play out of the goal square for the next 2 games. I'm not sure what defender he would get against the Lions this week, maybe Merritt? Will most likely get Bock the week after. 2 great challenges for him to learn from, and honestly, he has the capability of beating both. The advantage of that is Jurrah will get the number 2 defenders, and let's face it, the Brisbane and GC second defenders aren't much = 2 big bags for LJ coming up?

  On 05/04/2011 at 02:15, Snoopy said:

I hesitate to say this but it's interesting that Michael Newton is named by Gotch as being our best - and this after a very limited last few months. It seems like he has been around forever but he'll turn 24 later this month.

I've seen a fair bit of Juice play in the VFL and he's gone from serviceable to dominant. For those that haven't seen him he smashes VFL games - he's simply too good for the opposition.

I agree he has been terrible at AFL level but I can't help thinking that so was Jamar. And then there is the Pod who admittedly didn't get a go at AFL early (although he did try out with several AFL clubs prior to being picked up by the Cats)as an example of talls making it late.

I reckon we'll see Juice again this year if he keeps his form up and I for one haven't written him off yet. I just can't help thinking of "donuts".

Given the wrap on the Gys for juice to be the best is saying something. I concur though that consistently the best is what is called for to get a recall given previous false dawns.