THE SPIRIT WAS THERE, BUT ...

[Harrisonrules 273]

FWIW, Morton had the highest Dream Team score today for the Dees (96). On Supercoach, he was third behind Rivers and Bate.

21 Disposals, 4 marks, 6 tackles (only Jordie had more) and 1 goal 1 behind. Not bad on paper - though those glaring mistakes don't look good either!

Bing 181 - that's a good summary of Cale's performance. He spoilt his performance with clangers....but showed we should perservere without doubt.

For the last two years under Bailey his cup has been half empty. Today his cup was half full. In time it will runneth over.

[rjay 25,072]

I used to have it with Davey off half-back and Frawley. But yeah, take your point, none. Neeld's sent them into their shell. They're petrified of stuffing up and so stuff up.

I think you are on the mark here. Frawley is still doing the defensive stuff well but when he gets the ball he seems to be over thinking it and thinking is not his strong suit. We are not getting any drive from him, I hope this turns around.

[dee-luded 2,959]

Cal;e made a considerable contribution. His attitude was considerably better, showed more confidence and self believe. Will not be dropped again this year and will end up in our top ten by end of year. A way to go but so much upside in him

I was heartened by Cale's desire to try to play with a higher Intensity & he actually did it OK a couple of times.

I think he could possibly learn to speed his head up a tad, & react a bit quicker mentally, & with some confidence could start to believe in himself.

He snapped a clever goal in tight.

And he showed some urgency with the ball out on the wings a few times.

Some here a re going ape but I can see the beginnings of a real Turnaround. As long as we maintain that aggression.

[Harrisonrules 273]

Today sucked for me. I know some on here are sifting through the piles of crap and are attempting to find positives but please we are awful and have hit the reverse gear hard. Our team from 2 years ago would have smashed this bulldogs team today. I don't know what will take longer to build, the wheel at docklands or a good bloody melbourne list. I was one of the positives ones on here " Relax we've got this" Well I am not anymore. Yes we had a crack and for 15 minutes in the third it looked like Neeld had gone to get a beer and the players started to actually play for a while. Then we shut down and died in the ass. It's just not fun to go to the footy anymore my weekend was good until today. I still love the club and i will get over today but there is no enthusiasm for this year from me anymore I haven't got any left.

It's time for you to go and watch soccer. The games are close

[praha 11,240]

I thought that was a pretty awful performance. I kept saying to myself that we weren't that bad, but I guess I was kidding myself.

-92 in total disposals

-90 in uncontested possessions

7+ more clangers

-15 marks

-4 inside 50s

Now, these are improvements on previous weeks, but consider we've played a side that will arguably finish 10-15th, and won't factor in finals.

A lot of supporters calling up the radio saying there are improvements. Aside from a fun-to-watch burst in the 3rd, the club was insanely frustrating and beaten convincingly in certain areas.

I also compare us to GWS and GC. IMO I think GWS are performing better than GC. Would we have been within 8 goals of Adelaide had we played them last night in Adelaide in those conditions? I'm not so sure.

We are a very bad team guys. Time to admit it. It's OK to. Let's try and have a constructive discussion on what's wrong with the side, as opposed to looking for positives in a team that has been bad for going on 6 years now. We know what the team is good at: contested possessions and actually scoring and marking once the ball is in the 50. That's cool. But what's wrong with the side?

Plenty of hard nuts winning the contested ball, but when they don't, the opposition has 4-5 options.

This leads to the large differential we're seeing in the oppositions inside 50s.

This puts pressure on our backs.

Forces us to press.

Gives us little option going forward when we DO get some run out of the back 50.

We had this very issue last year in the many games we lost by 10+ goals.

Coaching team and gameplan, or the players? I'm certainly leaning towards the latter.

We will certainly finish 16th, 17th, or 18th. This will essentially be the final steps of the recruitiment team's rebuilding drafting implementations. They MUST draft players that turn in superstars. There's simply no exceptions for that.

Free agency is also coming in. Get us a midfield superstar. Hell, even get Pavlich here if you can and put him in the center.

Also, Watts will never be more than a mid-tier player. He's OK. Not great. We certainly made an error of judgement in that regard. Or maybe he just came to a club that doesn't know how to develop players?

Supporters need to start asking these questions and addressing these issues, rather than looking for positives in a team that isn't actually progressing at all. We're actually very much on par with both GWS and GC.

[Harrisonrules 273]

Trengove is not just slow. He's not getting the ball and he's not disposing of it cleanly enough. Those players you've named are clean users of the ball and get 20-30 disposals regularly.

It's undeniable that Trenners is having a crap year. I wonder if it's got anything to do with the captaincy. Whatever it is, he's not playing well, and if he wasn't captain there would be far more scrutiny on his position in the side.

Can someone come up with the number of games per player. I reckon it will tell a story

[Bitter but optimistic 22,246]

Round four completed. It's all over for 2012. I really cannot find any positives - despite the usual pre season optimism it's no different to when Bailey took over.

[Real Demon 232]

We were the most dishonest football team in the competition under Bailey....................today was one of our most honest games for a long time.

The skills were infuriating at times, but I left that game today content that if nothing else, they had a genuine crack.

Dishonest players clearly aren't being played at the moment, many of which were playing last year.

We are on the right track, but there is going to be some pain!

[Jaded No More 68,972]

We were better this week than last week. As long as we can say that every week, then I'll be satisfied.

We played a much poorer opponent.

Richmond went down to Geelong and lost by 10 points. The last time we were there we lost by 186.

It's sad that we have reached a point where we don't think losing a game to a sh!t team by 21 points is that bad.

This was our only real chance at victory until round 13 and we screwed it up. Not because our opponent was good but because we were [censored] poor for too many patches during the game. Too many easy clearances, too many quick transitions. We spent far too long in our defensive half and when we finally got the ball forward we let the Dogs run it out with ease.

It's not ok to play intense footy for 15 minutes then come out in the last quarter and concede two [censored] poor goals.

And what the [censored] was Neeld thinking starting Jones, Beamer and Howe on the bench in the last quarter??? We had to get the first goal but we couldn't get near it in the centre.

Beggars belief this coach. Seriously I am trying to support him, but he makes it damn difficult.

[Dr. Gonzo 24,274]

I have didn't question their endeavour today. But endeavour doesn't always get you wins. We are lucky we were playing the Bulldogs, because that endeavour kept us close against an average side, however, against atfreat side we would be slaughtered.

I am questioning our game style/plan and the holes in our list.

Our problem today was not our endeavour or game plan. It was our disposal and willingness to run hard. Too often we would win the hard ball and turn it over with clangers. Other times we would handball to players under pressure or kick it high to players on their own allowing the opposition time to make the contest. Other times we would panic under pressure (sometimes minor or perceived pressure) and just bang it on the boot. Trust me this is not our game plan to just bomb it high and long in hope of a pack mark. We do this because our players panic and go for the tried and true "safest" option. As they become more confident in themselves, their team mates and the game plan they will know where to position themselves and where to pass the ball instinctually like the best teams do (that is the hope anyway).

I thought Davey had a red hot crack today and was his best game in years. He put his body on the line several times, had second and third efforts and kicked his best goal since that wet Friday night against the Cats in 2006 (from the same pocket but this time on his right boot). It was disappointing no one went to him after this goal to show support and help build his ocnfidence.

Morton did some good things but too often lets himself down by avoiding contact at all costs and missing easy targets under minimal pressure. You can't play footy if you don't want contact. He needs to be given another few weeks to show if he can improve but I'm not holding my breath.

Macdonald needs to go as well. I don't know why he came back after only 1 game at Casey but I would rather see Blease, Davis or Couch in the side.

Overall I thought there were some improvements (mainly endeavour) and some disappointments (mainly disposal) but we still have a hell of a long way to go and the next 2-3 months will not be pretty.

[dee-luded 2,959]

Can you name me one player in our backline you have confidence in when they are trying to get it out of our defensive 50? It's a massive hole in our list IMO.

The whole backline is under the pump & yet to find any rhythm, connectivity & confidence. They'll get there.

Garland is having a shocker so far. All our newby leaders are struggling, and so far the senior players haven't contributed.

[dee-luded 2,959]

the MFC website lists Magner as our best. 12 possessions and only 64 supercoach points. Says it all really.

No Demon even cracked the 100, pretty ordinary across the board.

MacDonald is one of the biggest liabilities to ever pull on the jumper...but what kills me is that Garland kicked backwards to him standing all the way back in the opposition goal square, when clearly there was nothing on for the switch anyway. He just set him up to fail.

I thought Bartram did pretty well today, backed into some packs and always works hard.

Rivers was effective, albeit playing on an absolute spud.

Davey did enough.... but god, Murphy destroyed us! Fantastic player.

I'm pretty sure Stef Martin would give us more than Sellar does, should get a recall hopefully.

The crowd was up and about in that 3rd quarter, it was actually pretty exciting for once....but I always felt a loss was pre-ordained.

Jeez it seemed like the Dogs got all the luck out there, the lucky rebounds, the bounce of the ball, the umpires.

When it all boils down though, too many times we missed easy targets (Morton, MacDonald), kicked the ball too far over our forward's heads (Moloney, Bail), did stupid things in the defensive 50 (McDonald's handball inside instead of out, Frawleys spoil on the line) or simply weren't sure enough with our hands (Watts again and again).

I wasn't angry today, just sad. I think I saw about 5 percent improvement though.

I think it was Cooney interviewed on radio after the game, said Magner lined up on him, said he thought Magner took the points tonight.

[Harrisonrules 273]

Tom Mac disapointed today with decision making

Wpould,t it be great if he wazs a super star before he gets to 10 games. Yes its about how best to bring him on. Just play him in the seniors or back and forth to Casey. I guess it will happen in time. I trust he wioll be an excellent player in time.

[Jaded No More 68,972]

This is F#cking ridiculous. A game of errors and you call him out on that. Did you actually watch how hard Morton ran to space today? If the rest of our midfield (Bate and Jones aside) attempted to do that we would be playing 2012 football and might win some games. 21 touches, 8 contested, 6 clearances, 6 tackles and he gets singled out for criticism. What a f#cking joke.

How about we mention Dunns refusal to play in front, Joel McDonald complete inability to hit stationary 20 m targets with no pressure. Lets talk about Brent "bleeds red and blue" Moloney inability to get to any ball that doesn't fall in his lap or how an inside mid plays in the centre square all day and doesn't lay a tackle. Mark Jamars 46 hit outs with 3 at best to advantage. Nope Cale Mortons fault today.

Our intensity was better. Our attempts to spread were much improved. We missed the opportunity to put pressure on them in the first quarter with easy missed shots. We negated their ability around the stoppage but we still aren't clean enough through there ourselves. Not happy with the loss but there were some improved signs and hopefully today was the last we see of Dunn and Joel McDonald again.

Where did I blame Morton for the loss?

You know the difference between Dunn, Macdonald and Morton?

Morton is bloody talented and does so much right but he is so goddamn apathetic sometimes that he makes lazy mistakes and it ruins his game.

Hooray to him, he worked hard. What a shocker for a Melbourne player.

He is damn frustrating and he isn't alone, he is just much more talented than many of his teammates and he deserves some tough love. He's cruised along for too many years doing nothing. He is better than that.

[Harrisonrules 273]

My observations, for what they are worth.

• Finally, we saw Melbourne play out a game when it looked pretty hopeless (eg when 5 goals down in the last)
  
• Umpiring was absolutely awful.
  
• Flash got some confidence up and I think it would be madness not to have him running around the forward line for the season. His first goal, front and centre, was vintage and the perfect compliment to Clark.
  
• Cale Morton isn't as bad as everyone wants him to be. He did a few really good things and, despite a few clangers, is consistenty up near our top possession getters.
  
• Jamar will never dominate anybody like he did today. If we couldn't win today's clearances (which we didn't) we never will.
  
• How did Cooney run 20m without anybody being able to catch him, when he only has one leg?
  
• Jared Rivers is a cornerstone and so underrated.
  
• Watts did some great work, but he just doesn't attack hard enough. His ball use is too good to waste as a deep forward. He's heaps better running around the wings, taking strong contested marks through our midfield, and delivering precisely into our forward line.
  
• James Magner makes our midfield look 250% tougher.
  
• Moloney's sleeve doesn't.
  
• Unfortunately for Neeld's gameplan, we looked excellent when we were far enough behind that we were forced to take some risks through the corridor. Best footy we have played in ages.
  
• Having said that, our forward pressure was better than I can remember seeing.
  
• Bate looks much better in the midfield and makes the team better, which says more about the team than him.
  
• Rohan Bail takes a great mark for his size.
  
• We desperately need Gysberts and Sylvia back.
  

That's enough for now.

Really liked Bails game and effort. 50 more games and he will be really valuable to the team.

[dee-luded 2,959]

What I was pointing out is that although Trengove does not have pace, he can still be a brilliant player like the ones I named.

Yeah, a complete engine rebuild when a tune up may have sufficed. Glad you aren't my mechanic!

[Harrisonrules 273]

I was heartened by Cale's desire to try to play with a higher Intensity & he actually did it OK a couple of times.

I think he could possibly learn to speed his head up a tad, & react a bit quicker mentally, & with some confidence could start to believe in himself.

He snapped a clever goal in tight.

And he showed some urgency with the ball out on the wings a few times.

Some here a re going ape but I can see the beginnings of a real Turnaround. As long as we maintain that aggression.

Right on

[DeeZee 7,445]

We need a quick skillfull midfielder in the mould of Marc Murphy...Jones, magner, Maloney,Mckenzie..all too similar.

Boy do they how to jump on the ball, but zero finesse or pace.

This is the type of player we are desperate for.

[cowboy_from_hell 2,390]

It's time for you to go and watch soccer. The games are close

No I don't want to watch soccer. I want to see the team I was told to sit patient with whilst the kids get games and blah blah blah win some games and I dunno maybe play finals and maybe one day win a flag. Now I am being told to sit patient and it's a learning process and whilst we our still implementing elite structure's we still have some more learning to do. I've Kinda heard it all before.

[Guest eraadyn]

Not to make excuses but if this had of been a dry weather game we would have won by a long margin. Which was clear to see after half time when the ground dried up a bit.

It's also clear that finally the team is starting to gel to this game plan Neeld wants us to play, and while I have no doubt we will be somewhere in the bottom 6 come season's end, I at least don't believe it will take 4 years for the team to get a hold on what Mark Neeld is trying to instill (unlike under Dean Bailey).

Having said that there are some players in this side that need to take a good hard look at themselves and need to be scrutinised closely. And other players need to be brought back in and quite a few deserve a pat on the back for their effort today.

Cale Morton : is clearly not up to AFL standard, his body is not getting any bigger, he has no commitment for the 1%ers and his disposal is deplorable.

Tom McDonald : needs a couple of more chances to see what he is really worth and a fierce session on basic skills this week, but I think he will be a keeper.

Lynden Dunn : Oh Dunny, what do we do with you? I have been a staunch supporter of you over the years but 2012 needs to be a standout year or I think Scorpions B&F is on the cards. Ask Matty Bate how that feels btw.

Jack Watts : The grabs he made in the forward line and defensive pressure inside forward 50 show what he's capable of. A bit more skills work and he WILL be the CHF we are looking for. Neeld needs to play him from the wings forward, no more back work.

Jeremy Howe : Not just a marking forward. A true utility in the making. Can mark, kick goals, break tackles, defend and deliver the ball. Damn I like this kid.

Jack Trengove : Just another game for trenners. Wasn't really seen much. Please don't tell me the captaincy is getting the better of him too....

Brent Moloney : Needed the break to find himself but this man bleeds red and blue and it shows.

Jared Rivers : Much maligned but showed tonight what a key component he is to our back 6.

Aaron Davey : Must stay from forward flank to forward pocket inside 50. We lack severly for a crumbing small forward and he is our only option. Our run off half back with Grimes, Garland and Howe swinging between ends is effective.

Mark Jamar : Good taps. Good taps.

James Sellar : Mitch Clark and James Sellar rotating as the tall leading first option? Makes me excited. Provided he brings his kicking shoes and grippy gloves, onto a winner methinks.

James Magnar : Star. Exeplifies mature age rookies and their value.

Nathan Jones : If a bloke to bleed red and blue as much as Beamer this man has a chance. Grunt and drive all night.

Mathew Bate : A high half forward/wing role with a burst in the midfield clearly suits him. Maybe the reinvention has begun for this one.

James Frawley : Caught napping once. Otherwise 'God of Fullbacks'

Colin Garland : Can be fragile during a tackle but is easily our second or third best defender behind Frawley.

Clint Bartram : A bit small and slow to be part of our regular back 6 but tries hard. Very hard.

Mitch Clark : Started well, good grabs, good presentation, slowly coming to grips with the fact he is the primary leading target. If we can rotate Sellar, Watts and Green in with him he will kick 60 this year.

Jordie McKenzie : Tackled a lot. Didn't dispose well, but a couple of those kicks into the forward line off the ground were handy. A bit too litely framed still.

Rohan Bail : Ran and ran and ran all night. I just dont know where to fit him, forward, mid, defense?

Luke Tapscott : Should never be sub again. Put bartram as sub and Tappy in the back 6

Joel MacDonald : Tries hard. But isnt good enough to hold a spot in the back 6 when its fully firing.

Ins needed :

Ricky Petterd - Should have been in for Cale Morton

Colin Sylvia - When fit has to be in the side, no questions.

Brad Green - Could still provide a third tall strong pair of hands to help out. Replace Dunn with Green.

My side should they be all fit and ready to go next week :

B - Garland Frawley Bartram

HB - Tapscott Rivers McDonald

C - Moloney Couch Jones

HF - Sylvia Watts Howe

F - Green Clark Davey

R - Jamar Magnar Trengove

Int : McKenzie, Bate, Bail, Sellar (sub)

[Dee Fan 3,247]

We are sooo slowww.

We seem to have the slowest midfield in the history of the game and I don't just mean foot speed it's our reaction time as well, when we win a centre clearance we just hack the ball forward whereas the opposition, every team we've played this year, has time to unleash a series of handballs and they are away.

We chase but never have a chance of catching. Some have said that we recruited for run and carry, well let me tell you if we did none of the players we have recruited can run and they certainly can't carry, you need to get the ball before you can do that.

At one stage today there were about 4 unmarked players screaming for the ball in the centre but the player with the ball ignored them and kicked to a contest down the line, madness.

We are turning any player we had that had any ability in to hacks. Something is wrong, this side is playing the worst football I have ever seen a Melbourne Football club play and I've seen some bad ones.

[dee-luded 2,959]

We were the most dishonest football team in the competition under Bailey....................today was one of our most honest games for a long time.

The skills were infuriating at times, but I left that game today content that if nothing else, they had a genuine crack.

Dishonest players clearly aren't being played at the moment, many of which were playing last year.

We are on the right track, but there is going to be some pain!

Spot on Real Demon, we had some of those soft players today who were actually putting they're head down and body in. Honesty. Poor, very poor general play, but a start into the right direction.

Honesty to Build on.

[Dr. Gonzo 24,274]

Tom Mac disapointed today with decision making

It was his 5th game - give the kid a break (not you personally but all those having a dig). He is the least of our problems at the moment.

[Jesse Christ 2,884]

We need a quick skillfull midfielder in the mould of Marc Murphy...Jones, magner, Maloney,Mckenzie..all too similar.

Boy do they how to jump on the ball, but zero finesse or pace.

This is the type of player we are desperate for.

Thank you Mr Scully!!!!

But yeah we need a good small back as well. And a good small forward too. I will say one small positive for me was that Davey had a bit more of a crack this week. He still can't tackle to save his life and he still puts in pea hearted efforts over head, but he seemed a little hungrier than usual.

[dee-luded 2,959]

Our problem today was not our endeavour or game plan. It was our disposal and willingness to run hard. Too often we would win the hard ball and turn it over with clangers. Other times we would handball to players under pressure or kick it high to players on their own allowing the opposition time to make the contest. Other times we would panic under pressure (sometimes minor or perceived pressure) and just bang it on the boot. Trust me this is not our game plan to just bomb it high and long in hope of a pack mark. We do this because our players panic and go for the tried and true "safest" option. As they become more confident in themselves, their team mates and the game plan they will know where to position themselves and where to pass the ball instinctually like the best teams do (that is the hope anyway).

I thought Davey had a red hot crack today and was his best game in years. He put his body on the line several times, had second and third efforts and kicked his best goal since that wet Friday night against the Cats in 2006 (from the same pocket but this time on his right boot). It was disappointing no one went to him after this goal to show support and help build his ocnfidence.

Morton did some good things but too often lets himself down by avoiding contact at all costs and missing easy targets under minimal pressure. You can't play footy if you don't want contact. He needs to be given another few weeks to show if he can improve but I'm not holding my breath.

Macdonald needs to go as well. I don't know why he came back after only 1 game at Casey but I would rather see Blease, Davis or Couch in the side.

Overall I thought there were some improvements (mainly endeavour) and some disappointments (mainly disposal) but we still have a hell of a long way to go and the next 2-3 months will not be pretty.

Dr, do you throw all the pieces of your Jig Saw puzzles into the air, all at once & expect them to land perfectly in place?