Whilst the result on the weekend was worse than the previous year (in terms of margin), I couldn’t help but feel more optimistic after this year’s loss to West Coast.

Last year I left the ground disappointed with the players effort and skill level; this time around I left feeling like we had some positives to build on, which helped me cope with the barrage of abuse that was dished out in my direction at the Subi hotel!

I’m not sure how it looked on TV, but at Half time the scoreboard looked ugly, but we were matching it with them in general play IMO. If it wasn’t for some dubious free kicks we would have been in touch (that was how it looked from my perspective, without any TV or Radio commentary swaying my opinion).

Our forward line got hardly any opportunities but Mitch Clark was able to kick 5 goals from five ½ chances & Lynden Dunn played well enough.

Our backline fought hard all day and I think that we have enough talent back there for long term planning.

In the Midfield we weren’t able to get our hands on the ball – simple as that. But as a general rule when we did have the ball we did ok. As much as I hate the Eagles they are a league above us for now. If anything we should take heart from their improvement . Scott Selwood was a very limited footballer a few seasons ago and he’s now racking up the possessions and kicking goals from 50 on acute angles. 2 seasons ago I would have said he was a tagger at best. Whilst the eagles might have “tanked” to pick up Gaff, and spread rumours about discipline and alcohol to secure Darling, the Eagles were a very average team only a few seasons ago and 2 players can change the fortunes of an entire side. Glass, Cox and Kerr are champion players which we don’t have the likes of, but if Neeld and Co play their cards right over the next few years we can be a good side too.

Interested to see how we go against the Tigers who we have seemed to have the wood over for a couple of seasons now.

This pleases me.

  On 10/04/2012 at 01:18, DemonWA said:

Whilst the result on the weekend was worse than the previous year (in terms of margin), I couldn't help but feel more optimistic after this year's loss to West Coast.

Last year I left the ground disappointed with the players effort and skill level; this time around I left feeling like we had some positives to build on, which helped me cope with the barrage of abuse that was dished out in my direction at the Subi hotel!

I'm not sure how it looked on TV, but at Half time the scoreboard looked ugly, but we were matching it with them in general play IMO. If it wasn't for some dubious free kicks we would have been in touch (that was how it looked from my perspective, without any TV or Radio commentary swaying my opinion).

Our forward line got hardly any opportunities but Mitch Clark was able to kick 5 goals from five ½ chances & Lynden Dunn played well enough.

Our backline fought hard all day and I think that we have enough talent back there for long term planning.

In the Midfield we weren't able to get our hands on the ball simple as that. But as a general rule when we did have the ball we did ok. As much as I hate the Eagles they are a league above us for now. If anything we should take heart from their improvement . Scott Selwood was a very limited footballer a few seasons ago and he's now racking up the possessions and kicking goals from 50 on acute angles. 2 seasons ago I would have said he was a tagger at best. Whilst the eagles might have "tanked" to pick up Gaff, and spread rumours about discipline and alcohol to secure Darling, the Eagles were a very average team only a few seasons ago and 2 players can change the fortunes of an entire side. Glass, Cox and Kerr are champion players which we don't have the likes of, but if Neeld and Co play their cards right over the next few years we can be a good side too.

Interested to see how we go against the Tigers who we have seemed to have the wood over for a couple of seasons now.

Interesting to hear your thoughts DemonWA

How did my mate look at the ground because from my view from here and reading the statts he was as bad as I expected.

I have this feeling that we are trying to make him something he will never be and that is a backman.

He is a small forward or nothing from my view

Look forward to your thoughts

Why didn't team mates fly the flag when Frank Grimes got crunched??

He is our captain. This is very concerning to me.

The MFC is not a team right now...

  On 10/04/2012 at 02:24, why you little said:

The MFC is not a team right now...

THIS

yeah that worried me for sure. Our midfield is the problem and its the pits.

_{Do you think any front and square roving drills get practised at training? Comprehensively being shown up by the opposition in this department so far!}

Some people are blaming the umpires but at the end of day what did the MFC do as per usual - drop their heads.

God it frustrates me sometimes I just want to run out onto the ground and do something!!! Id probably last 2 minutes though!! B)

  On 10/04/2012 at 02:49, Hells Gates said:

Some people are blaming the umpires but at the end of day what did the MFC do as per usual - drop their heads.

God it frustrates me sometimes I just want to run out onto the ground and do something!!! Id probably last 2 minutes though!! B)

that would be 100% longer than me

  On 10/04/2012 at 02:51, old dee said:

that would be 100% longer than me

Actually I'd be puffed and on oxygen during the warmups they have these days!!!

  On 10/04/2012 at 02:51, old dee said:

that would be 100% longer than me

no, it'd probably take you 2 mins to run from the bench to the boundary line - lol

  On 10/04/2012 at 02:24, why you little said:

Why didn't team mates fly the flag when Frank Grimes got crunched??

He is our captain. This is very concerning to me.

The MFC is not a team right now...

Agree only a little bit.

Grimes had the opportunity to brace for that hit if he was more aware of his surroundings.

Hopefully he can return the favour next time we play them.

  On 10/04/2012 at 02:15, old dee said:

Interesting to hear your thoughts DemonWA

How did my mate look at the ground because from my view from here and reading the statts he was as bad as I expected.

I have this feeling that we are trying to make him something he will never be and that is a backman.

He is a small forward or nothing from my view

Look forward to your thoughts

Didnt notice alot of him to be honest mate

  On 10/04/2012 at 03:29, DemonWA said:

Didnt notice alot of him to be honest mate

That probably says it all

  On 10/04/2012 at 03:41, old dee said:

That probably says it all

yeah i guess it does.

I would say that he doesnt do allot wrong aside from getting the ball though. He's never going to be a in and under clearance specialist who gets their own ball. Maybe he runs to the wrong positions? or maybe the guys dont pass to him? who knows, i havent watched him closley enough.

  On 10/04/2012 at 03:19, McQueen said:

Grimes had the opportunity to brace for that hit if he was more aware of his surroundings.

Thats the problem nowadays though.

Since Demetriou has all but erased the bump from the game the players don't expect contact like that anymore.

When it does come they are taken by complete surprise.

Back in the days you learnt to expect contact , ride it and keep playing.

  On 10/04/2012 at 03:19, McQueen said:

Agree only a little bit.

Grimes had the opportunity to brace for that hit if he was more aware of his surroundings.

Hopefully he can return the favour next time we play them.

Still doesn't explain why the team didn't fly the flag for a captain? Not at all.

  On 10/04/2012 at 03:54, why you little said:

Still doesn't explain why the team didn't fly the flag for a captain? Not at all.

Cause they're weak as pizz.

  On 10/04/2012 at 03:56, Fork said:

Cause they're weak as pizz.

Carefull you will upset the Dr with those comments

  On 10/04/2012 at 03:54, why you little said:

Still doesn't explain why the team didn't fly the flag for a captain? Not at all.

True.

It was disappointing.

  On 10/04/2012 at 03:54, why you little said:

Still doesn't explain why the team didn't fly the flag for a captain? Not at all.

Because there wasn't really any need, because it's a non-event overhyped by many who haven't even seen it?

Really , it's not that they didn't fly the flag as the bump was legal.

Its that no-one dished out any punishment of our own.

DemonWA thank you for some sensible observations.

I agree you look back at the top teams and at some point their good players were not much more than AFL standard.

We are too quick to dismiss the talent at our disposal.

In the muddle that is Mark Robinson (says one thing then contradicts it) he said there is a point at which players suddenly believe they can play and believe they deserve to play. Its then they want the ball sent to them, they mark it and their kicking improves as well.

We have quite a few players who we remind each week we dont think they deserve to play and are yet to believe it themselves.

Once they turn that corner things will improve.

Its the theory of sending them back to the ressies to learn they are a cut above that competition.

I really believe we will slowly improve over this year and no team could have done well with all the distractions of the last few weeks.

I think Neeld is on the right track and all we need is everyone on board.

  On 10/04/2012 at 04:05, Fork said:

Really , it's not that they didn't fly the flag as the bump was legal.

Its that no-one dished out any punishment of our own.

well we did try to disconnect a few heads with our nrl tackling

  On 10/04/2012 at 04:05, Jose Murinho said:

Because there wasn't really any need, because it's a non-event overhyped by many who haven't even seen it?

Rubbish. Our Captains are young and new to the job. What the club does need right now is a show of solidarity, at least by the 18 on the grass.

I am concerned about this. And also concerned that you are not.