Batters I get the feeling that there is not a lot wrong with anything at the MFC other than one thing.

The playing group we have is simply not good enough.

We all want there to be something else wrong and while some of the other things are not perfect

It all gets back to the fact we are simply not good enough.

The score board has been telling us that for most of 2011 and now the first three games straight in 2012.

We do not have the players!

I agree wholeheartedly, but the reason why the players aren't good enough is the same reason we haven't won a P since for ever, eventhough we've had players like Alves Hardeman, Wells Woewodin Neitz Lyon etc etc etc

We get good players and they either don't perform up to their ability or they don't have the surrounding players and coaching to match it with the goods from the opposition for long enough or over a sustained period of games to clinch it.

An interesting observation from a mature age rookie(a rello by marriage) new this year, was that he was surprised after training with another team last year and over the break before he was drafted, how unfit the MFC players were relatively. Had no qualms with the skill level or ability, but was astonished that they were "elite" players(or supposed to be) in terms of their fitness. Hopefully this is one area that may have already been addressed MN and Misson.

Nathan Jones on radio this morning says the team will treat this weeks Jim Stynes tribute game "just like every other game"

I think it means the player wont be distracted in their preparation for the game.

I am sure they are trying to prepare for each week as best they can. Its the on field performance thats an issue. I am concerned that the tribute, though worthy is another potential distraction in an already heavily distracted year.

As with all media briefings with players and coaches, posters have their own licence to interpret/misinterpret what was said.

For an I/V I did not think Jones did a bad job. At least his shows some integrity of effort and application on the field.

I think it means the player wont be distracted in their preparation for the game.

I am sure they are trying to prepare for each week as best they can. Its the on field performance thats an issue. I am concerned that the tribute, though worthy is another potential distraction in an already heavily distracted year.

As with all media briefings with players and coaches, posters have their own licence to interpret/misinterpret what was said.

For an I/V I did not think Jones did a bad job. At least his shows some integrity of effort and application on the field.

I agree, overall he didn't do a bad job (after reading whole statement)

As I explained before the initial soundbytes on 3AW focussed narrowly on the above quote

Yes it can be misinterpreted and maybe he really meant something different

But, that is the point of the thread surely. I'd rather hear less from players on post-mortems and match previews under current conditions.

Let them speak with their actions and not vacuous words

Btw this is nothing personal re Jones who is one of the very few who can hold their heads up

I think it means the player wont be distracted in their preparation for the game.

I am sure they are trying to prepare for each week as best they can. Its the on field performance thats an issue. I am concerned that the tribute, though worthy is another potential distraction in an already heavily distracted year.

As with all media briefings with players and coaches, posters have their own licence to interpret/misinterpret what was said.

For an I/V I did not think Jones did a bad job. At least his shows some integrity of effort and application on the field.

I understand where you are coming from Rhino but for christ sake I'm just over every comment being media approved. I don't want Aker but I could shut my eyes and ask any player from any club and they'd all answer the sames. Like noted above they're all robots.

After 3 rounds of absolute [censored], I'd love nothing more than Nathan coming out and showing some heart. Extraordinary to think it's a memorial game and we won't hear one quote about 'how we'll attempt to play like Jim, give it his passion from first bounce to last bounce'.

Who gives a rat's ass if Caroline Wilson comes out and says they put too much emotion into the game- well that'd make up for the 3 games of no emotion!

After 3 rounds of absolute [censored], I'd love nothing more than Nathan coming out and showing some heart. Extraordinary to think it's a memorial game and we won't hear one quote about 'how we'll attempt to play like Jim, give it his passion from first bounce to last bounce'.

Then cop a barrage of crap from more idiots about not playing like that every week?

Let's face it, nothing the players will say will ever be the right thing when we're losing, and when we're winning we'll hang on to everything they say.

The commentary from players lately has been more of "we'll get better" rather than the "we're hurting too" stuff we heard from Robbo back in the Daniehr years. It's less patrionising, acknowledging of poor form.

Also, take a look at the AFL website today. 4-5 articles about Melbourne. Great for the brand. We are in the media so much lately. Imagine once we start winning.

But, that is the point of the thread surely. I'd rather hear less from players on post-mortems and match previews under current conditions.

Let them speak with their actions and not vacuous words

Btw this is nothing personal re Jones who is one of the very few who can hold their heads up

Yeh, I am sort of ho-hum with player/coach pressers. I struggle to understand people's angst with them. Its a contrived event with contrived questions and contrived answers.

I understand where you are coming from Rhino but for christ sake...

You need to get out more and not expect agony aunt dramas during a press conference. Greatest non events