Our whipping boys

[Harrisonrules 273]

Chaos reigned following last weeks catastrophe. Many reasons were given.. Run... leadership... etc etc. But hardness was the popular choice. Punishment had to be given.

Of course the buck stops ....at the top. This was not a once off, it has happened quite often in the past; slow starts, shambollic team work, lose against the teams we should beat. We pressed on turning a blind eye to these with each spirited win, particularly against visiting interstate teams on the MCG. Yes of course we did well against the pies last year, for some reason we do. But which of the other Melbourne based teams have we beaten in recent years. (I'm already trying not to think of the pies this year).

Of course if hardness was the reason it was because our tough nuts 'cracked'. They had soft insides. Why weren't these the ones punished.

Because hardness is easy to blame, and running ball players are not tough. Morton is potentially an elite player. The more he runs the better he gets. He's been injured and is getting back into the swing of it. Put him on the ball and he will improve the mid field. Martin, will never be a bash em crash em ruck man. Against Cox and Nat he was never going to jump over them, but who would and at least he gave Jamar a rest. Two weeks ago he played one of his best games. So we blame him. One of our biggest threats this week will be Tippet. He is the one serious backup for Tippet we have. Pity about Bennell, again another elite skilled player but half forward flank, or occasional back flank in a backline that was torn to shreads is hard to establish yourself. Pity he isn't given the 'never question his ability' Bartram treatment.

All we've proved is runners aren't always the tough nuts. The tough nuts get off scott free because there will always be softer agile bodies that can be the sacrificail lambs.

[Scipio 5,868]

Chaos reigned following last weeks catastrophe. Many reasons were given.. Run... leadership... etc etc. But hardness was the popular choice. Punishment had to be given.

Of course the buck stops ....at the top. This was not a once off, it has happened quite often in the past; slow starts, shambollic team work, lose against the teams we should beat. We pressed on turning a blind eye to these with each spirited win, particularly against visiting interstate teams on the MCG. Yes of course we did well against the pies last year, for some reason we do. But which of the other Melbourne based teams have we beaten in recent years. (I'm already trying not to think of the pies this year).

Of course if hardness was the reason it was because our tough nuts 'cracked'. They had soft insides. Why weren't these the ones punished.

Because hardness is easy to blame, and running ball players are not tough. Morton is potentially an elite player. The more he runs the better he gets. He's been injured and is getting back into the swing of it. Put him on the ball and he will improve the mid field. Martin, will never be a bash em crash em ruck man. Against Cox and Nat he was never going to jump over them, but who would and at least he gave Jamar a rest. Two weeks ago he played one of his best games. So we blame him. One of our biggest threats this week will be Tippet. He is the one serious backup for Tippet we have. Pity about Bennell, again another elite skilled player but half forward flank, or occasional back flank in a backline that was torn to shreads is hard to establish yourself. Pity he isn't given the 'never question his ability' Bartram treatment.

All we've proved is runners aren't always the tough nuts. The tough nuts get off scott free because there will always be softer agile bodies that can be the sacrificail lambs.

I agree with the general gist of your argument, and they should hae dropped big name player like davey or sylvia to really make a statement. However this week I think Warnock, who is a great spoiler of the ball is actually the best player in our side to match up on Tippet, a stand and mark forward. Also your judgement of Bennells skills as elite is a tad over the top.

[Guest Thomo]

The selectors again took the soft option. Don't make the correct call because it is to tough, drop the usual suspects. Weak.

[dee-luded 2,958]

Chaos reigned following last weeks catastrophe. Many reasons were given.. Run... leadership... etc etc. But hardness was the popular choice. Punishment had to be given.

Of course the buck stops ....at the top. This was not a once off, it has happened quite often in the past; slow starts, shambollic team work, lose against the teams we should beat. We pressed on turning a blind eye to these with each spirited win, particularly against visiting interstate teams on the MCG. Yes of course we did well against the pies last year, for some reason we do. But which of the other Melbourne based teams have we beaten in recent years. (I'm already trying not to think of the pies this year).

Of course if hardness was the reason it was because our tough nuts 'cracked'. They had soft insides. Why weren't these the ones punished.

Because hardness is easy to blame, and running ball players are not tough. Morton is potentially an elite player. The more he runs the better he gets. He's been injured and is getting back into the swing of it. Put him on the ball and he will improve the mid field. Martin, will never be a bash em crash em ruck man. Against Cox and Nat he was never going to jump over them, but who would and at least he gave Jamar a rest. Two weeks ago he played one of his best games. So we blame him. One of our biggest threats this week will be Tippet. He is the one serious backup for Tippet we have. Pity about Bennell, again another elite skilled player but half forward flank, or occasional back flank in a backline that was torn to shreads is hard to establish yourself. Pity he isn't given the 'never question his ability' Bartram treatment.

All we've proved is runners aren't always the tough nuts. The tough nuts get off scott free because there will always be softer agile bodies that can be the sacrificail lambs.

Youv'e been watching too many melbourne games for the last 40 Years, my guess, from the mCC enclosure. Keep on lappin up the traditional Melbourne game of the past 45 Years.

[titan_uranus 22,363]

The selectors again took the soft option. Don't make the correct call because it is to tough, drop the usual suspects. Weak.

Martin didn't deserve to be dropped, but the other two did.

Of course, Dunn deserved it too, and I have no idea why he's still in the side.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

Martin didn't deserve to be dropped, but the other two did.

Of course, Dunn deserved it too, and I have no idea why he's still in the side.

We are aruging about the 21st and 22nd positions in the side.

Not you TU but there are posters who just like to swing the axe without a plausible alternative.

[Yokozuna 1,004]

It happens in all clubs. It used to annoy me when the players on the bench, who played half a game in a losing team would be dropped before the under performing players who played all game.

That being said I think Bennell deserved to be dropped. He shows glimpses but does not do enough, he needs to get 20 touches and 5 tackles a game.

Martin has shown some glimpses, and I am surprised he was dropped.

Dunn should be out, we cant have both Dunn and Bate in the team and it is Bates chance.

I would have liked to see one of our senior players dropped to send a message. Win or lose, as long as we have a dip, that is what we need to send out to the fans and opposition.

I am happy the Gysberts is still in, he needs to keep playing.

[Pello 1]

Martin was stiff. Not sure who is going to be the back up ruckman tomorrow - maybe Dunn?

Agree a big name should have been dropped and that should have been Davey - he can't handle a tag and he needs to go back to the VFL and get his confidence. Also Wona is lucky to be in the side. He's there for his tackling as well as kicking goals and we didn't have a tackle inside the forward 50 last week.

[dee-luded 2,958]

It happens in all clubs. It used to annoy me when the players on the bench, who played half a game in a losing team would be dropped before the under performing players who played all game.

That being said I think Bennell deserved to be dropped. He shows glimpses but does not do enough, he needs to get 20 touches and 5 tackles a game.

Martin has shown some glimpses, and I am surprised he was dropped.

Dunn should be out, we cant have both Dunn and Bate in the team and it is Bates chance.

I would have liked to see one of our senior players dropped to send a message. Win or lose, as long as we have a dip, that is what we need to send out to the fans and opposition.

I am happy the Gysberts is still in, he needs to keep playing.

Yep Totally 'Yokozuna'. It's time definately to start sending messages through the selection panel.

?You want a Game, go out & Earn It.

[dee-luded 2,958]

Martin was stiff. Not sure who is going to be the back up ruckman tomorrow - maybe Dunn?

Agree a big name should have been dropped and that should have been Davey - he can't handle a tag and he needs to go back to the VFL and get his confidence. Also Wona is lucky to be in the side. He's there for his tackling as well as kicking goals and we didn't have a tackle inside the forward 50 last week.

Martin is stiff, but has eased off over the last couple of Matches. Instead of showing the way, as a 24 - 25 Year old, he followed the trend.

He'll get another chance, But Must take a mature role with some leadership.

[Geddy Lee 582]

Yep Totally 'Yokozuna'. It's time definately to start sending messages through the selection panel.

?You want a Game, go out & Earn It.

Davey hasn't been, and is still in. The last 'hard call' we made was dropping Yze (different coach) and even that was at least 12 months late.

It's not part of our club sadly.

[dee-luded 2,958]

Davey hasn't been, and is still in. The last 'hard call' we made was dropping Yze (different coach) and even that was at least 12 months late.

It's not part of our club sadly.

Davey hasn't been in the worst 4 players. But has been very poor, by his standards. He has been like a sook when tagged. He won't learn the deal with close attention @ Casey.

I'm not ready to Drop Davey, Yet, but would start him from the Bench this week. If he's ordinary again, next week the Sub position. etc. The same goes for other leaders who don't show the required SPIRIT.

[Geddy Lee 582]

Davey hasn't been in the worst 4 players. But has been very poor, by his standards. He has been like a sook when tagged. He won't learn the deal with close attention @ Casey.

This opinion is uniquely MFC and we have to stop thinking along these lines. Make him uncomfortable for once, and see how he responds.

[Guest Thomo]

Davey hasn't been in the worst 4 players. But has been very poor, by his standards. He has been like a sook when tagged. He won't learn the deal with close attention @ Casey.

I'm not ready to Drop Davey, Yet, but would start him from the Bench this week. If he's ordinary again, next week the Sub position. etc. The same goes for other leaders who don't show the required SPIRIT.

Davey's problem is that he does not work hard enough anymore. He is a lazy player, that is why he struggles with a tag. Send him to Casey. If he wants to play seniors, he can prove it by working hard for a few weeks.

[dee-luded 2,958]

Davey's problem is that he does not work hard enough anymore. He is a lazy player, that is why he struggles with a tag. Send him to Casey. If he wants to play seniors, he can prove it by working hard for a few weeks.

Yep, I agree, He seems to think he's made it... The good comparison is Davey of now against Davey (the rookie),,, >>> up against the attitude of Richmonds like little animal from the same borough, Robin Nahas!!!

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/tigers-v-dockers/story-e6frf9jf-1226051598947

[dee-luded 2,958]

I agree with the general gist of your argument, and they should hae dropped big name player like davey or sylvia to really make a statement. However this week I think Warnock, who is a great spoiler of the ball is actually the best player in our side to match up on Tippet, a stand and mark forward. Also your judgement of Bennells skills as elite is a tad over the top.

Time for Demons to stop being nice

Lloyd joked that the Demons needed Lyon to go down into the rooms and tell the players to "draw a line in the sand", as Brereton once famously did at half-time of a Hawthorn-Essendon game in 2004.

"This Melbourne team has been too nice for too long, and it's about time that changed. That's not just for Bailey's sake, or that of president Jim Stynes, who has never been afraid to give his all in whatever challenge he has faced.

It's for the benefit of the players themselves, and for the short-term progression of the club. So far, in 2011, the players have played more like angels than Demons. It's time for some of them to start getting their hands dirty."

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/time-for-demons-to-stop-being-nice/story-e6frf9jf-1226051708507

[Guest watts04]

bennell was stiff, martin needed a full game in the VFL...

Morton needs to pull his finger out, too comfortable and plays too nice

davey the same