The Month Ahead

[45HG 1,539]

A massive month of football ahead for the MFC.

Whilst I see the point of many that we don't deserve to play finals, and furthermore that it would just be to make up the numbers, I think this month ahead is an important stage of the team's development to becoming a power side.

It's vital that we begin to knock off good teams and if we can pinch one of these 4 games I think we can make finals.

This period is also crucially important for the older players of the club. They have been rightfully pilloried this year, but strong leadership and good performances would go a long way to rectifying their season and reputation.

I think we're good enough to snatch at least one of them, what do others think?

[Striker475 696]

Carlton game. Serious possibility of no Judd, Robinson will get knocked out within 5mins, Armfield too.

[Neita3000 37]

Massive month ahead. I was talking amongst my non melbourne supporting friends last night and they were commenting that despite Melbourne being impressive they are yet to beat anyone of significance and until we do we truly haven't indicated to the AFL community that were the real deal. We'll have close to our best 22 out there over the next month and with a spot in the finals up for grabs we're in a great position to make an impression.

[titan_uranus 24,631]

I think we'll lose them all.

Our best chance, IMO, is Carlton. They are over-performing given their side. If we bring even a 25% increase in effort from the Friday night game we'll be in with a shot. But I feel we'll lose it, and the other three too.

[Jaded No More 67,772]

Next two weeks are dead, gone, finished. We won't get close to Hawthorn or Geelong. If we escape with less than 10 goal losses that would be a miracle quite frankly.

Carlton are the ones I think we could possibly beat, if they are still missing some key players and we are at our best, devoid of injuries and everyone is firing. They are struggling without Waite and Jamison, but their small forwards are still a cause for concern, not to mention their midfield. If Judd misses the game due to the impending birth of his child, we could seriously pinch this one. And I'm sure the players haven't forgotten the words spoken after our last encounter.

The AFL royally screwed us by giving us a home game at Etihad. We could have beaten the Eagles at the G, but not at Etihad. What a scheduling joke that is!

[jabberwocky 2,301]

A massive month of football ahead for the MFC.

Whilst I see the point of many that we don't deserve to play finals, and furthermore that it would just be to make up the numbers, but I think this month ahead is an important stage of the team's development to becoming a power side.

It's vital that we begin to knock off good teams and if we can pinch one of these 4 games I think we can make finals.

This period is also crucially important for the older players of the club. They have been rightfully pilloried this year, but strong leadership and good performances would go a long way to rectifying their season and reputation.

I think we're good enough to snatch at least one of them, what do others think?

It will be a strange new feeling to actually be competitive let alone win against any of the better teams. Starts are crucial with our young team, our leaders need to lift consistently and we need to find a way to work throughthe press. A fit and in form Aaron Davey could be the key here. If blokes like Gysberts and Nicholson improve thier consistency with thier disposal efficiency this would help. If we do get that win it could lead to an epiphany of sorts and it wouldn't surprise me to see our talented team to get on a bit of a roll, but with young sides this can also work in reverse,

Can it happen? probably not quickly or emphatically enough for us to play finals but it could.

[Tony Tea 2,804]

We were lucky Port was so dreadful. We will lose them all.

[Jordie_tackles 354]

Massive month ahead. I was talking amongst my non melbourne supporting friends last night and they were commenting that despite Melbourne being impressive they are yet to beat anyone of significance and until we do we truly haven't indicated to the AFL community that were the real deal. We'll have close to our best 22 out there over the next month and with a spot in the finals up for grabs we're in a great position to make an impression.

Agree, Carlton have only beaten one top eight team in twelve months haven't they? Sydney twice?

When we start beating the better teams is when you can seriously consider finals even though we are a chance this year

Funnier things have happened than us beating Carlton Hawthorn or Westcoast though....

Essendon beating Geelong etc confidence can do wonders

[Dockett 32 1,237]

"Acids on". Good stuff, at least we are still in it and it will tell us if we have improved or not. All as it should be and all the main players right in the frame.

[Demonic Ascent 0]

We won't win any of them. We may put up a fight against the Blues due to the comments by that d-head Robinson and Armfield earlier in the season but ultimately can't see us winning. Carlton are looking at top 4 this year we would be lucky to sneak into the finals.

If we showed some commitment and intensity we could win 3 of them (can't see us winning at Geelong no matter what we do). But I doubt that will happen and our "leaders" will go missing again. Of the ones listed above I reckon Jamar, Rivers & Sylvia will try their utmost but won't be able to get us over the line in any of them due to lack of support.

[Juicebox 628]

Went for Moloney but I've been saying "yep, he really stood tall and did his utmost to get our boys over the line" nearly every game this year.

- Hawthorn have been smashed with injuries, which is about the only thing that gives us a chance. Recovery after Darwin game is crucial.

- Geelong are such a professional unit and won't drop a game at kardinia anytime soon.

- The Carlton game is one we can win. Like most games unfortunately, it depends a lot on which Melbourne decide to turn up.

- I'd be a whole lot more confident taking the Weagles on at the G, but "you can't always get what want". We are getting what we need and that is another chance to break this little Dockland hoodoo.

[dee-luded 2,959]

At this point we're not fierce enough to be a Top 4 side,,, nor compete with these teams at this point in our development.

Bruise free footy just won't cut it at this level.

Next year will be more realistic with our team of young boys.

[Nasher 33,607]

The realist in me says we'll lose the lot as we're worse sides than all of those other teams.

The optimist in me thinks we'll pull a rabbit out of the hat at least once. Our best chance is Carlton at the 'G' I think.

[biggestred 4,820]

"elderly" hahaha

[Maldonboy38 6,379]

I am looking forward to the next four weeks. Can we be consistent? Can we play 4 quarters? It is likely we won't win one of these games, however...

Hawks. We are a slight chance here. We have improved but are likely again to get flogged at the stoppages. Probably Hawks by 35+ points

Geelong. I reckon we have a shot at this. They are really shakey at the moment and even the Lions matched them for 75% of the game. Last year they only beat us by 11 points (I think) and I reckon the work of Jamar and Stef will give us first use.

Carlton. I am a bit 50-50 with this one. As long as Robinson gets sat on his backside I will be sort of happy. The Blues are suspect and aprt from a gun midfield have real problems down back and I can't see anyone handling Watts' run and aerobic capacity.

West Coast. Payback time and we should be angry.

I reckon we will win one of either Cats or Blues, and come close in another. The other will be a flogging. This just happens to be a pattern at the moment.

.

[Chicken Deelicious 0]

0:4 or 1:3 would be about right. The one thing I thing would be great for the team is to be constent. Big losses should be unacceptable. Being competitive for most of the games, and even 'threatening' these sides would be great. Knocking off Carlton is the most likely chance for a victory. Would LOVE to see us beat the hawks.

[dee-luded 2,959]

The realist in me says we'll lose the lot as we're worse sides than all of those other teams.

The optimist in me thinks we'll pull a rabbit out of the hat at least once. Our best chance is Carlton at the 'G' I think.

We have to win one of the 4 or the Saints will overtake us for 8th.

We need 4 wins minimum, or we miss out.

For me it's not imperative to make the 8, but it's nice to have the Goal. Next Year we'll be judged harshly If we don't get into the 8.... That's the real Expectation.

[Sir Why You Little 36,668]

- I'd be a whole lot more confident taking the Weagles on at the G, but "you can't always get what want". We are getting what we need and that is another chance to break this little Dockland hoodoo.

Great Song.....

[John Crow Batty 8,786]

I like to see this as our backs to the wall test. We have a final last hurrah chance to put all the negative stereotypes and ridicule we have been labeled with for the past couple of seasons. Instead of bruise free football I want to see plenty of free bruises dished out. Even if we can't beat any of these sides I still want to see them pushed to the limit of their capabilities and make them earn their loftier status. We've got nothing to lose for the rest of the season.

[DEELIRIOUS 156]

Hawthorn: With Cyril a 50/50 along with Sewell and Davey maybe back we are a chance. 1 less in and under body for them would help us at the stoppages significantly. 5050

Geelong: Far too classy and professional unit. 10 goal loss

Blues: To get back at Robinson and with no defence and no key forward I think that we might be a chance. 50/50. Do remember that last time we played this mob we had half a team in. Keep that in mind.

Eagles: Even though they lost to the Saints i still think that we will get rolled by 30 points. Its at Etihad which is a killer to start with and their press seems to be unlockable, going on our last outing against them. Only a raft of injuries to key players could save us here.

Edited July 17, 2011 by one fired up maco

[Deemort 28]

I guess the good thing is that most of us have almost excepted that we will probably lose the next 4. So now we basically get a free crack at winning one or two, if we pull it off we will be over the moon, if not well at least we expected it. Probably the most confident I've felt against the Hawks though with all their injuries (even the Lions pushed them to the last quarter) However I am very worried as to how we will back up after the Sauna game up North.

Geelong seem to be going through a bit of a flat patch, with the two losses and a game that looked in doubt against the Lions at 3qtr time.

Carlton also seem a little bit patchy compared to earlier in the year and they do have some key outs. I know they looked ok against the Pies but they have still only beaten one top 8 side this year (Sydney)

West Coast is going to be hard at Etihad, solely because of the brand of footy they are playing.

Having said that we know it's going to be tough so lets just hope we can pull off an upset in at least one.

[rpfc 28,052]

Really interesting thread.

Enjoyed the thinking it gave.

I went positive with a CArlton win that led to the end of the Etihad hoodoo...

I know...

Anyway, if we are to do that, I believe that Moloney, Jamar, Rivers, and Sylvia will play some tough consistent footy over the month.

The others will prattle on and do little, but play well in patches when we are dominating...(apologies to MacDonald who will find himself in the middle of that)

[sylvinator 96]

If we win any of the next 4 games it will be the best win of the last 3-4 years by a mile.

Huge chance to show how far we've come.

Let's finally claim a scalp!

[Sir Why You Little 36,668]

If we win any of the next 4 games it will be the best win of the last 3-4 years by a mile.

Huge chance to show how far we've come.

Let's finally claim a scalp!

We can beat any of the Teams in the next 4 weeks with the right application.

eg. The Hawks would kill to have our Ruck Combination this year...No Roughead. Yes Cyril Rioli is to return....Tag him Jordie.

Frawley to deal with Lance.

We must go into this game positive....Big Crowd. Big WIN

[Striker475 696]

We can beat any of the Teams in the next 4 weeks with the right application.

eg. The Hawks would kill to have our Ruck Combination this year...No Roughead. Yes Cyril Rioli is to return....Tag him Jordie.

Frawley to deal with Lance.

We must go into this game positive....Big Crowd. Big WIN

Forgot about that...getting Jordie to sit on Cyril might work.