Melbourne v Brisbane - Pre-Match Discussion

[Mono 457]

Hands up who put Peter Sellar in their 22 as soon as we drafted him?

No match up for him. Will play v wce id say

Steve Martin might get the job done.

[hardtack 10,984]

Steve Martin might get the job done.

That Jerk? No way ;-)

[Lil_red_fire_engine 11,339]

I love the excitement shown by Tynan in his press conf on the MFC website. I love that Magner in his describes his natural game as "aggressive". I love seeing players debut. Cant wait for tomorrow.

[davey_magik 1]

I reckon Watts will start on the bench.

Don't you get fined for having players that are named on the ground starting on the bench?

[Nasher 33,617]

Don't you get fined for having players that are named on the ground starting on the bench?

I've never heard that before, and don't think it sounds right. It would serve no purpose at all - it'd be no different to making an interchange 1 second in to the game.

I know you get fined if you make a late change using a player not named on your emergency list, that might be what you're thinking of?

[Lil_red_fire_engine 11,339]

Don't you get fined for having players that are named on the ground starting on the bench?

Only when you put in your official team sheets 1 hour before the game.

[DirtyDees DDC 190]

I seriously don't get the obsession with "pace." Apart from the ability to apply defensive pressure in the form of being right up your opponent's clacker, "pace" comes from fast ball movement, not runs and curry. With the number of times we'll be winning contested ball then immediately slamming it on the boot (for better or for worse), I don't think pace will be all that relevant. Nice to have, but not as essential as the ability to kick the ball well (which we can't do either).

Richmond certainly found out about Carlton's pace last night. They must have 6-7 guys in the Blues lineup that can break the lines with sheer speed.

Even a guy like Armfield was able to carry for 20m and kick for 40-50m, and he's not even in their top dozen players. We may only have 2 guys who can do the same; a newcomer in Sam Blease and another nearer the end of his career in Davey, whereas all their guys are in the peak of their careers. They tell me Jack Watts is quick over 20m - i'd like to see that.

As for the other comment about our ability to kick the ball - I think that's a little unfair. There's the old saying about the player that couldn't hit the broad side of a barn.

Well I've looked at tomorrows starting line-up for our backline, and i reckon most of them could hit the broad side of a barn.... a fairly large barn...and probably do it at least 4 out of 6 times. Except for maybe last week when it was a bit windy. That will bring the average down a bit.

[satyricon 267]

It always astounds me that 'supporters' on this board will continually denigrate the ability of the MFC players.

This is even before we have kicked a ball in earnest for the new season.

I will wait to see tomorrow, even then I find it hard to 'have a go' as I have never played at that level, so wouldn't know how difficult it is.

As long as a player give 100%, I don't care, just have a crack

Also the obsession with comparing with other teams or other players, why?.....just go along and enjoy the game,.footy is a game, it's enjoyable, I love watching Joel Macdonald coz I have no idea what he is going to do, I would love him to catch a nice simple mark, but that would take away the enjoyment of watching him take on 3 opposition players to get the ball back

We get to have another go next week, no matter what we do this week

........if the performance gets to you, you only have to head south after the game..a nice slow one in the river or on the railway tracks.....

I can only say God speed to the players

[PaulRB 6,435]

Looks like the Lions could be well short on Saturday "Brisbane's Leuenberger doubt".

[rpfc 28,966]

It always astounds me that 'supporters' on this board will continually denigrate the ability of the MFC players.

This is even before we have kicked a ball in earnest for the new season.

I will wait to see tomorrow, even then I find it hard to 'have a go' as I have never played at that level, so wouldn't know how difficult it is.

As long as a player give 100%, I don't care, just have a crack

Also the obsession with comparing with other teams or other players, why?.....just go along and enjoy the game,.footy is a game, it's enjoyable, I love watching Joel Macdonald coz I have no idea what he is going to do, I would love him to catch a nice simple mark, but that would take away the enjoyment of watching him take on 3 opposition players to get the ball back

We get to have another go next week, no matter what we do this week

........if the performance gets to you, you only have to head south after the game..a nice slow one in the river or on the railway tracks.....

I can only God speed to the players

I don't quite follow what you are saying.

While I don't agree that posters should be juging players before an actual match has been played, we will soon be in a position to judge the players progress in the chosen profession for which they would like, and I demand, they succeed in.

And I won't kill myself, as you insinuate, in lieu of making judgements on the performances of the players and the club.

[jnrmac 20,310]

There was an article on the MFC website last week about Moloney and they spelled his name 'Maloney'. This mistake drives me nuts, but when it's on our club's official website it is very poor. Here's the link: http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/7415/newsid/131489/default.aspx Fifth paragraph.

There was an article on the MFC website about Jack Watts getting dropped sorry, rested for the last NAB cup game ha ha. The our Captain comes out and says he has to work his way back into the team!*&$$

You would think they could get their stores straight down there ....

[jnrmac 20,310]

Richmond certainly found out about Carlton's pace last night. They must have 6-7 guys in the Blues lineup that can break the lines with sheer speed.

Even a guy like Armfield was able to carry for 20m and kick for 40-50m, and he's not even in their top dozen players. We may only have 2 guys who can do the same; a newcomer in Sam Blease and another nearer the end of his career in Davey, whereas all their guys are in the peak of their careers. They tell me Jack Watts is quick over 20m - i'd like to see that.

As for the other comment about our ability to kick the ball - I think that's a little unfair. There's the old saying about the player that couldn't hit the broad side of a barn.

Well I've looked at tomorrows starting line-up for our backline, and i reckon most of them could hit the broad side of a barn.... a fairly large barn...and probably do it at least 4 out of 6 times. Except for maybe last week when it was a bit windy. That will bring the average down a bit.

Hmm we get good value out of Davey. His 15m dinky chips really cut the opposition to threads.....

[Guest Jackie]

There was an article on the MFC website about Jack Watts getting dropped sorry, rested for the last NAB cup game ha ha. The our Captain comes out and says he has to work his way back into the team!*&$$

You would think they could get their stores straight down there ....

Just proves it's all a lot of BALONEY.

[H_T 3,049]

If players don't comply to team plans or manage their skill set to the required level the coach sets...it is fair game, if a player doesn't put his head over the ball, it is fair game and open to criticism. That's part'n parcel of today's game. The players are required to perform for their club and their coaches to the best of their ability, if they can't meet their coaches requirements (and demands of shareholders), they risk falling by the wayside.

If you cringe at constructive criticism where it is warranted, you have that option of not reading it.

[daisycutter 29,922]

It always astounds me that 'supporters' on this board will continually denigrate the ability of the MFC players.

This is even before we have kicked a ball in earnest for the new season.

I will wait to see tomorrow, even then I find it hard to 'have a go' as I have never played at that level, so wouldn't know how difficult it is.

As long as a player give 100%, I don't care, just have a crack

Also the obsession with comparing with other teams or other players, why?.....just go along and enjoy the game,.footy is a game, it's enjoyable, I love watching Joel Macdonald coz I have no idea what he is going to do, I would love him to catch a nice simple mark, but that would take away the enjoyment of watching him take on 3 opposition players to get the ball back

We get to have another go next week, no matter what we do this week

........if the performance gets to you, you only have to head south after the game..a nice slow one in the river or on the railway tracks.....

I can only God speed to the players

Um, footy is not a game, its "more than a game" B)

[Guest Jackie]

If players don't comply to team plans or manage their skill set to the required level the coach sets...it is fair game, if a player doesn't put his head over the ball, it is fair game and open to criticism. That's part'n parcel of today's game. The players are required to perform for their club and their coaches to the best of their ability, if they can't meet their coaches requirements (and demands of shareholders), they risk falling by the wayside.

If you cringe at constructive criticism where it is warranted, you have that option of not reading it.

Yes, some if not many will(should) fall by the wayside with our track record. Given all salary caps are equal except for the upstarts we have been getting very poor value for money from our lot for far too long.

[satyricon 267]

If players don't comply to team plans or manage their skill set to the required level the coach sets...it is fair game, if a player doesn't put his head over the ball, it is fair game and open to criticism. That's part'n parcel of today's game. The players are required to perform for their club and their coaches to the best of their ability, if they can't meet their coaches requirements (and demands of shareholders), they risk falling by the wayside.

If you cringe at constructive criticism where it is warranted, you have that option of not reading it.

The very definition of constructive criticism is open to interpretation

[Pates 9,690]

I seem to remember an interview with Bartel with regards to how the Geelong players approach contests in a game and their mindset.

I think he said something like they have hunger to win every contest, and if they didn't win that one then they would make damn sure they'd win the next one. I know it's a simple idea and it's kind of just words, but I sort of feel for a while the players have been thinking ok I want to win this contest but not having any burning desire, and that if they didn't they'd get a pat on the backside and start again.

What I'm hoping is the Geelong sort of mentality that has been drilled into the brain of every Melbourne player, it seems to be what Magner bases his game on and I can't wait to see him put it on display out on the G.

On paper, we should win this. And I think we will.

[Arsene Wenger 72]

Just proves it's all a lot of BALONEY.

I know people often have trouble spelling Beamer's name, but this is ridiculous!

[Guest Jackie]

I know people often have trouble spelling Beamer's name, but this is ridiculous!

Puns are a waste of time on some posters.

[Arsene Wenger 72]

Puns are a waste of time on some posters.

It seems sarcasm is too.

[Guest Jackie]

It seems sarcasm is too.

I'm astounded you could spell sarcasm let alone think it up all by yourself.

[DemonWA 3,940]

I'm astounded you could spell sarcasm let alone think it up all by yourself.

where's the "dislike" button?!

[Akum 2,660]

Getting concerned that we may have gone too far the other way from last year, when we had plenty of skill & fast ball movement but were found out for toughness. This year we've gone big on toughness but sacrificed skill, and the Hawks NAB cup game showed how we could win contested footy & clearances yet get smashed. I want to see better balance between skills & toughness.

This game means very little if we win, but if we lose it means lots.

[caco demon 29]

It's the "opening them up" that has me concerned this season.

We haven't shown in the preseason that we can spread well.

Hopefully we've been playing possum