SLOW TRAIN COMING by Whispering Jack

The 1:13 from Frankston was running about seven minutes late when it came up around the bend and stopped at Malvern station. I had been concerned, up to the point at which I squeezed myself into the overcrowded carriage, about what might occur on the MCG later that afternoon but my fears were allayed at hearing the conversations on the train.

The Tiger fans were discussing their team and, with every passing station that saw further cramming and huddling of masses of humanity into overloaded carriages, my confidence grew. For sure, they spoke with reverence of Riewoldt, Martin, Cotchin and Deledio but these names were sprinkled with the likes of other Tiger heroes mentioned in the team. Names of recycled players rolled off their tongues. Bachar Houli, Shaun Grigg, Mitchell Farmer, Brad Miller and Tom Hislop, all introduced from other clubs. The Tigers were supposed to be a promising young side, developing for the future but there were too many transplanted names. There was no comparison with the depth and richness of the youth at Melbourne, the team of the future.

I received a nodding look from the priest under whose armpit I was encamped as the slow train rolled into Richmond station. He seemed comforted by the rosary beads clutched in his crab-like fingers under his long black coat. Out on the platform, the sun was shining brightly. We were home!

I confess now that I wasn't feeling all that comfortable about half an hour later as the six minute mark of the first term ticked by even more slowly than the train that delivered us to the MCG. By then, the Demons had barely come within touching distance of football, Richmond was leading 2.4.16 to 0.0.0 and had eight inside-50s to nil. I was wishing at this point that I had stayed in the train and moved on to Flinders Street. By now, I might have been happily passing Broadmeadows inside an empty carriage oblivious to the events taking place at the cauldron filled with more than 60,000 football fans.

But my how quickly things can change? A Tiger error allowed Brad Green through for the team's first goal. They replied and Green came back with another, the first of six unanswered goals that ultimately determined the outcome of the game. By quarter time, Melbourne led by 20 points and was ahead in the inside 50 count by 17 to 13, such had been its dominance in the latter part of the term. The form of Jack Watts who kicked two goals for the quarter was an ominous sign for Richmond. Just as important was the way in which the entire side worked hard to team together once those cobwebs were removed.

After Tyrone Vickery threatened with two early goals, the Demons reasserted their dominance. By the main break, they were in complete control and 29 points in front.

The lead stretched out to 38 points by the five minute mark of the final half when Stef Martin goaled and another blowout threatened if only the Demons had been able to convert the multitude of opportunities that presented themselves in the penultimate half hour. At least they worked harder than ever before at keeping the ball in the forward sector. The count for the third term was 2.10.22 to 3.4.22, an even result (thanks to a late Watts goal) despite Melbourne's dominance. The margin was just close enough to keep the Tiger faithful at the ground a little longer so as to ensure that the train carriage on the way back home would again be overloaded.

The teams fought it out, the Tiges threatened but never got close enough and the final minutes were a scrap with only Liam Jurrah's unpredictable excitement to delight the crowd.

Nathan Jones (24 touches) and Brent Moloney (30 disposals) gave Melbourne the grunt in an engine room powered up by the return of Mark Jamar. James Frawley kept Riewoldt in check although the Tiger forward did not seem quite right. Colin Garland and Jared Rivers kept the rest of the Richmond attack at bay most of the time.

Much had been made before of the battle of the early draft picks and the emergence of Dustin Martin as star quality but for mine, Jack Watts, Jack Trengove, Tom Scully and Jordie McKenzie were standouts. They, along with the likes of Stef Martin, Jeremy Howe, James Strauss and Dan Nicholson are the promise and the blessing of the future. The slow train is coming.

Melbourne 7.1.43 12.4.76 14.14.98 17.16.118

Richmond 3.5.23 7.5.47 10.9.69 13.13.91

Goals

Melbourne

Green Trengove Watts 3 Jones Jurrah Martin 2 Howe Sylvia

Richmond

Vickery 3 Farmer Newman 2 Deledio Edwards Foley Grigg Martin Riewoldt

Best

Melbourne

Jones Watts Martin Moloney Rivers Scully McKenzie

Richmond

Foley Edwards Nahas Cotchin Deledio Newman

Injuries

Melbourne Joel Macdonald (knee)

Richmond Nil

Changes

Melbourne Nil

Richmond Nil

Reports

Melbourne Nil

Richmond Nil

Umpires Margetts Stevic Findlay

Crowd 61,900 at the MCG

SLOW TRAIN COMING by Whispering Jack

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Just as important was the way in which the entire side worked hard to team together once those cobwebs were removed.

Our boys were so keen to contest the ball today that unfortunately, we had two players flying for the ball and spoiling each other for several marks near the goals. This happened too often but I guess it is better to contest than let the opposition get the ball.

Talk and teamwork and we will be even better as a group. Loved our resurgence after our woeful first ten minutes. Brent Moloney was simply inspiring today and Jack Watts has pure football talent. Say no more, he's arrived and firing.

What about the team work of Jamar and Stef. I thought they worked really well today and with a bit of tweeking this could be a partnership that is really going to be the backbone of a premiership side.

What about the team work of Jamar and Stef. I thought they worked really well today and with a bit of tweeking this could be a partnership that is really going to be the backbone of a premiership side.

Wholeheartedly agree with you. My teamwork problem was guys getting in each other's way for straight forward marks. Overall our general teamwork is pleasing and getting better week by week.

How was that passage of play involving Trengove, Scully, Gysberts and then finally LJ? He just missed on the run, but that would have been an amazing goal. It reminded me of Geelong in their heyday.

How was that passage of play involving Trengove, Scully, Gysberts and then finally LJ? He just missed on the run, but that would have been an amazing goal. It reminded me of Geelong in their heyday.

Yes it was a good passage of play that one...I was rapt when L J did kick the sealer...

I loved Watts' body work on his opponent that allowed Jamar to take a mark, for a shot on goal that he eventually missed. I went with my brother-on-law, a Tiges supporter, and his summing up comment was "The Dees shepherding and blocking was the difference in the game". Our team work, with the exception of some third quarter laziness, was top notch today. Nicholson, Jones, Sylvia, Gysberts, Scully all spread with intelligence on many occasions AND we had someone forward to kick to that maed a huge difference.

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How was that passage of play involving Trengove, Scully, Gysberts and then finally LJ? He just missed on the run, but that would have been an amazing goal. It reminded me of Geelong in their heyday.

Are they out of their heyday??? Unbeaten at this stage is about as good as it gets.

How was that passage of play involving Trengove, Scully, Gysberts and then finally LJ? He just missed on the run, but that would have been an amazing goal. It reminded me of Geelong in their heyday.

Globetrotters!!

Most impressed fighting off the constant challenges,was never quite sure whether we would weather the storm.

Great day for the MFC today.Witnessed some real courage and belief.You occasionally get an inkling into the mindset of the inner sanctum,over the last two weeks have been really excited about some of the positive signs.

As I have believed from day dot,Jack T AND Jack W are more important to our 13th flag then any other players.

Are they out of their heyday??? Unbeaten at this stage is about as good as it gets.

I hope I'm wrong, but I'd expect the Pies to beat them in a Granny.

And what a test it's going to be on Friday night. The challenge of beating the Bulldogs at Etihad where we haven't won since before Bails became the coach.

And what a test it's going to be on Friday night. The challenge of beating the Bulldogs at Etihad where we haven't won since before Bails became the coach.

I think its time that hoodoo is put to rest....

I really believe we are going to win this week against the doggies...we have true momentum now..

I reckon I was on your train Jack, getting on a stop later.

Is it true that Petterd had 13 tackles inside the forward 50? If so, that is just immense.

Pies ego inflated- forward press is outdated

It dont apply no more-they cant rely no more

while Eddy stands around waiting

In the home of the Brave-Norm Smith turning in his grave

Fools glorifynig themselves

But they never can manipulate THE SATANS

And theres a slow ,slow train coming -up around the bend

-wtih apologies to Bobby D .

I think its time that hoodoo is put to rest....

I really believe we are going to win this week against the doggies...we have true momentum now..

Yep that Hoodoo will be busted Friday night and I sense another big flogging coming for the Dogs.

I have never particularly rated the Scraggers at all !!

Is it true that Petterd had 13 tackles inside the forward 50? If so, that is just immense.

Yep I think so. We had 35 inside 50 tackles, Petterd had 13 of his 14 inside the 50. All this just two weeks after having 1 inside 50 tackle against Collingwood.

Yep, 13 of his 14 tackles for the game were I50.