Jason Dunstall mentioned today when talking about Howe that he is one of only a few Melbourne players who attacks the ball at speed and without hesitation.

When watching a Melbourne game recently with a casual football observer, they made the comment that Melbourne players just stand back and watch. It's embarrassing when young Greene in his first season can continually rack up possessions, at speed and with intent while seasoned Melbourne players choose to just watch.

Watts was racking up the ball in the third quarter but he would often stand flat footed after taking a kick. On top of that, after taking a mark he got caught out because his initial reaction was to kick off a standing start near his opponent when he should have quickly ran backwards to give himself time and space to make the best decision. He is not on his own when it comes to this and Neeld mentioned it recently.

It's the little things, often only a split second but they are so frustrating because to attack the ball and do the little things (such as running back from the mark) require little skill and no experience.

We just do not have any players other than Jones who attack the footy and get their own pill. There are also some players who just demand the footy by giving second efforts and positioning themselves in the rights spots. We don't have any of em.

If we have another year like this we will be out of business.

Edited August 18, 201213 yr by jnrmac

Agree. The 1%'s kill us (or the lack of them).

The contested style of our game is coming along slowly. The other aspects such as this will also come... I just wish it was quicker.

Attacking the ball, going back off the mark, shepherding, running hard to make another option after dishing off, standing the mark on the mark, not 1, 2 or 5 metres back etc etc All things which are easy to fix which have a large bearing on the state of the team.