Re Morton's continuing selection, I have to say that I have some difficulty understanding what he is seen as offering. He obviously provides some pace as evidenced by a couple of dashes down the wing on the weekend and, occasionally, shows some courage under the ball. Is it simply a matter of confidence? Let's hope he'll put it all together for once on Sunday.

With regard to the team in total, I think Neeld has to give the players he thinks are the core at the moment, the chance to get used to each other and the pace of the game. I am now well over 'putting games into the kids' because, frankly, we need to start turning it around. I don't think it will happen if we keep making unnecessary changes. Apart from Couch, no one else seems to be making a great case for inclusion so, until we get our first choice injured players back, we should perhaps try to develop some consistency.

Looking forward to a heart-warming performance on Sunday.

Less speed ?

We're regarded as too slow, not instinctive enough with the ball, not skillful enough to be effective enough and for long periods as required.

So I would query your knowledge here given nearly every other Melbourne footy nut recognises this.

And the speedy players you mention have concerns in other aspects of their game which they need to address.

If you read all of what I wrote you would see I was being facetious, tongue firmly in cheek as I stated our players were "too fast" for our own disposal which always goes to the back of the player rather than where they are running to.

Geez Im sick of peopel not able to decipher reality !! good enough for you Stuie ??

He was deemed good to go for the first round.. Imnot really sure he was on the ground...if yuo get my drift. Subsequently he hasnt played. The only criteria for his inclusion again is that he earns and warrnats selecction. Up til then anyoneelse ought to be seen as a viable option.

NO ONE..( nice big letters to facilitate the lessening of misunderstanding ) ought to be a walk up start.I dont care for a second whether its last years Bluey or a rookie, same rules apply.

If Beamer isnt up to it because of form/fitness then someone else gets the gig.. Plain as !!

Now thats not bashing.. thats reality 101

Totally agree that Beamer shouldn't play IF his form doesn't warrant it. What I was having a dig at was people saying his "form" has been no good lately when he has played 1 game this year. Sure no one is a walk up start, but if you live in reality you know that proven experienced players usually get more games to turn it around than younger ones.

1. You have made a number of claims about Dunn's alleged toughness and that he is a much better player than Morton. I have said they are both borderline and both have disapppointed. You cant cope with that?

2. For 2nd time you have said Ricky P is doing on OK. You are easily pleased. GIven what he showed in 2012, he is another disappointment

3.Clearly the players are not the only ones who this..

How about players dispose of the ball properly? Now there is a thought.

1. Really? Reeeeeally? Have you missed the point AGAIN?! FFS... For the last time, I'm not saying Dunn is a great player, I'm not saying he should even be in our 22, all I'm saying is that I would much rather him in than Morton if we're picking between them on form. Please understand this time.

2. Did I say I was pleased? Please read what I wrote properly, and understand what I said about my current expectations of him.

3. The fact that you don't even get my little tongue in cheek reference here and you go on to make the exact point I was illustrating while trying to argue with me just proves to me without a doubt that you have no (yes I'll use the word again) understanding of what I wrote.

This will be my last response to you about this as I'm sure other posters are sick of me xplaining the same things to you over and over while you either miss the point or just try and misquote or misunderstand to keep an argument going.

Totally agree that Beamer shouldn't play IF his form doesn't warrant it. What I was having a dig at was people saying his "form" has been no good lately when he has played 1 game this year. Sure no one is a walk up start, but if you live in reality you know that proven experienced players usually get more games to turn it around than younger ones.

My simple extrapolation is to therefor think. if His form wasnt brillian tostart with....and he is injured and will carry a niggle for however long til he's tiptop then is it too long a stretch to think he will have to run back into form ? And if so , he like everyone on the list is going to face time at Casey, and rightfully so..

Im of the thinking Neeld isnt of the camp to think anyone is going to be more likely than another be quicker to gain momentum.

All bets are off now. I sense Neeld is singularly unimpressed by the efforts of many.

What we do need is a Moloney full of vim and vigour wanting to take a senior's role in showing the way. We need all of that we can muster.

My simple extrapolation is to therefor think. if His form wasnt brillian tostart with....and he is injured and will carry a niggle for however long til he's tiptop then is it too long a stretch to think he will have to run back into form ? And if so , he like everyone on the list is going to face time at Casey, and rightfully so..

Im of the thinking Neeld isnt of the camp to think anyone is going to be more likely than another be quicker to gain momentum.

All bets are off now. I sense Neeld is singularly unimpressed by the efforts of many.

What we do need is a Moloney full of vim and vigour wanting to take a senior's role in showing the way. We need all of that we can muster.

Guess we'll find out tomorrow... If he's still got the niggle then that will be why Couch is an emergency, if he plays and struggles (either through injury or form) then it'll be back via Casey this time, and if he plays somewhere between serviceable and great then I think we'll all be happy (well, all of us minus the Beamer bashers here)

Totally agree that Beamer shouldn't play IF his form doesn't warrant it. What I was having a dig at was people saying his "form" has been no good lately when he has played 1 game this year. Sure no one is a walk up start, but if you live in reality you know that proven experienced players usually get more games to turn it around than younger ones.

Our midfield has been diabolical. Beemer is one of our best mids. If I was Neeld I would want him in there.

Re Morton's continuing selection, I have to say that I have some difficulty understanding what he is seen as offering. He obviously provides some pace as evidenced by a couple of dashes down the wing on the weekend and, occasionally, shows some courage under the ball.

According to Leigh Brown, he provides "run and carry". Presumably he's in the team because he fills a role better than anyone else available or worthy of selection.

Edited April 21, 201213 yr by bing181

According to Leigh Brown, he provides "run and carry". Presumably he's in the team because he fills a role that need filling better than anyone else available or worthy of selection.

That "run and carry" will be handy when he's a runner next year...

I reckon Leigh Brown is spruiking the party line or he'll go blind.

I reckon Leigh Brown is spruiking the party line or he'll go blind.

Did you not watched Morton play last week (wouldn't surprise me)?

Run and carry (metres gained) seems to be Cale's main focus.

Edited April 21, 201213 yr by José Mourinho

According to Leigh Brown, he provides "run and carry". Presumably he's in the team because he fills a role better than anyone else available or worthy of selection.

Makes some sense. Rosy optimist that I am, I can see that might be a point of view. I would bet a piece of my body that Leigh would also be talking about the expectations that the club has for a 1st rounder. Most of us seemed to think that Bailey had his chance and failed (after 4 seasons) and I'm happy to concede that the coaches have a better idea of player potential than I do. I hope that they're not wrong. Regardless, a couple of games in succession will give us all the opportunity to judge.

There seems to be a fair bit of agreement that our bottom 6 - 8 players are below AFL standard, and many of them have had a number of years and opportunities to prove themselves. Morton ,Dunn, Bate, Joel Mac, Bennell, Petterd etc... Also, other players we thought would get a good go have shown little to the new coach - Blease, Kel Lawrence, Green and Davey etc... We all have our opinions about the ones we like and the ones we don't but inreality the whole bunch have proven to be mediocre at best. Davey and Green excepted.

Two points to make:

Neeld has to play the players he has, and has to shuffle the above players in and out of the team according to match-ups or injury. I sense a minor "cleaning out" at seasons end when many if not most of these players will be delisted or given the chance to seek a game at another club. For 2012 we simply have to put up with them.

Remember, Gysberts, Sylvia, Jurrah and Gawn and Strauss and clearly required players who Neeld has his eye on, but cannnot get them to availability just yet. I reckon by about round 11 we will see the preferred 25 players playing in their preferred roles and then we will get a good look at what Neeld can produce.

What I don't understand is why not give more of a go to Davis, Fitzy, Tynan, Sheehan and those kind of plaers.

Edited April 21, 201213 yr by Maldonboy38

I thought Morton was weak last week but i think he needs to be given 4-5 games in a row. I really believe he is confidence player and i still feel he might come good

Ah, the Morton Mantra of the MFC supporter:

"He might come good...he might come good..."

Ah, the Morton Mantra of the MFC supporter:

"He might come good...he might come good..."

That's the mantra for all our young players...

Bar Trengove.

Did you not watched Morton play last week (wouldn't surprise me)?

Run and carry (metres gained) seems to be Cale's main focus.

JM, I won't be baited by your dismissive remark.

Sometimes, run and carry is not enough.

This team needs hard at it footballers at the moment. CM is not one of them.

JM, I won't be baited by your dismissive remark.

Sometimes, run and carry is not enough.

This team needs hard at it footballers at the moment. CM is not one of them.

Sorry, but your simplistic view of what we need is not correct.

Sorry, but your simplistic view of what we need is not correct.

I said 'at the moment' - this footy club needs hard - nosed, tough mid-fielders.

Sunday Footy show just said Markovic is a late withdrawal. If we get enough inside 50s to our talls it will be very difficult for the Bulldogs to prevent them kicking goals

Edited April 22, 201213 yr by Davey's gravy

Just saw Trenners and Tappy at a cafe in Elwood. JT's calf was wrapped up in a compression bandage..

Just saw Trenners and Tappy at a cafe in Elwood. JT's calf was wrapped up in a compression bandage..

Hope it's only precautionary....love the avatar, btw.

Melbourne Demons vs Western Bulldogs Round 4, 2012 – Team Stats

Total games played

Demons - 1,529 (Last time they played, Rnd 15 2011) 1,274

Bulldogs – 1,965 2,178

Games Average

Demons - 69 58

Bulldogs – 89 99

Height Average

Demons - 188cm

Bulldogs – 187cm

Weight Average

Demons - 88kg

Bulldogs – 87kg

Number of players by category

0-49 Games

Demons - 9 / 23 (number of players/average games played)

Bulldogs - 10 / 19

50-99 Games

Demons - 7 / 81

Bulldogs - 3 / 73

100+ Games

Demons – 6 / 125

Bulldogs - 9 / 173

Stats courtesy of footywire.com

Edited April 22, 201213 yr by Rusty Nails

A point of interest for me is the continual discussion regarding players, much of which is appropriate, but the bit that is missing for me is what about the coaching panel? When do we start thinking about whether we have the right coaches? While we bemoan the development of many of our young players we have coaches such as Royal who has never been a success and Rawlings who doesn't come with a great record of success in any regard. craig has some respect but was given a team of natural talent and really didn't set himself up as a 'great coach'.

the jury is out on Neeld but I feel that he needs to produce something in the very near future that indicates he can provide something on match day that makes supporters and game experts think he can strategise, motivate his players and coach because at the moment he is coming across very much like all the other 'teachers' I have ever known - uninspiring, always right, stubborn and unwilling to listen to others that may have an informed opinion

A point of interest for me is the continual discussion regarding players, much of which is appropriate, but the bit that is missing for me is what about the coaching panel? When do we start thinking about whether we have the right coaches? While we bemoan the development of many of our young players we have coaches such as Royal who has never been a success and Rawlings who doesn't come with a great record of success in any regard. craig has some respect but was given a team of natural talent and really didn't set himself up as a 'great coach'.

the jury is out on Neeld but I feel that he needs to produce something in the very near future that indicates he can provide something on match day that makes supporters and game experts think he can strategise, motivate his players and coach because at the moment he is coming across very much like all the other 'teachers' I have ever known - uninspiring, always right, stubborn and unwilling to listen to others that may have an informed opinion

Great post, Warrior. We have seen no evidence of game-day strategy yet, or making a move that changes the game. We do search for answers among our players but it won't be too soon before the blowtorch is turned on our coaching ability (or lack of it).