NAB CUP 1: NORTH MELBOURNE AND RICHMOND

[P-man 13,366]

Because he was always a leading possession-getter at Melbourne?

I just don't find it surprising that he's already showing he's going to be alot better this year than last, now that he has nothing to chuck the sooks over.

[Hannibal 5,814]

With all of those gnashing their teeth over our two losses, should we take heart over the fact that it looks like Hawthorn are going to have an even worse season than us, given the fact that they are about to go down in their first two games against worse opposition than North and Richmond?

They had about 11 or 12 of their best 22 not playing.

I wouldn't take any heart out of their losses whatsoever.

[hardtack 10,849]

They had about 11 or 12 of their best 22 not playing.

I wouldn't take any heart out of their losses whatsoever.

Much like us in our game against Richmond... those who played both were tiring and the best were rested. And against Richmond for us, that is a much bigger ask than Hawthorn against GC or Bris.

[RalphiusMaximus 6,102]

I have to say, having finally seen the Richmond game, the Umpires actually did kill us. There were several incidents that directly contributed to either us not having a scoring opportunity or Richmond getting one. The score in the first half would have been far closer had they not made those howlers.

[s-t-i-n-g-a 439]

Just on the umpires, it may have been mentioned already, but the Tigers did seem to be using the ducking technique the Eagles were last year.

[hardtack 10,849]

I want to know what set off Dustin Martin at the end of that game when he was wanting to have a go at Nathan Jones... wonder if someone wanted his opinion regarding issues facing the sporting world of late.

Edited February 23, 2013 by hardtack

[Theo 276]

Mckenzies game is based on getting to the ball 2nd. Seriously doesnt take much to wonder wjy we are being smashed in the midfield. We have 2 mids in the centresquare chasing the ball while other teams have 3-4 (Jamar does not chase after the tap)

And to think they have just given him 3 yr contract. That worries me because the coaches don't see what we see. If they do it was a poor decision along with Jamars 3 yrs.

[Biffen 12,949]

I want to know what set off Dustin Martin at the end of that game when he was wanting to have a go at Nathan Jones... wonder if someone wanted his opinion regarding issues facing the sporting world of late.

Go get your glass pipe!

Who f#cked your head up? Besides your barber?

Still living at Garys or does he let you out now?

Cant you get a kick without the meth?

They misspelt your neck tatt-doesn't matter in jail though I spose.

It wouldn't be hard. There is a wealth of material to work with.

[Hannibal 5,814]

Much like us in our game against Richmond... those who played both were tiring and the best were rested. And against Richmond for us, that is a much bigger ask than Hawthorn against GC or Bris.

I wasn't talking about us. Why bring everything back to Melbourne on an unrelated observation ?

And yes, I know about Melbourne's team against Richmond. I posted the names and TOG above.

[Return to Glory 8,453]

Mckenzies game is based on getting to the ball 2nd. Seriously doesnt take much to wonder wjy we are being smashed in the midfield. We have 2 mids in the centresquare chasing the ball while other teams have 3-4 (Jamar does not chase after the tap)

Great point. And first match last season against Brisbane really illustrated the problem from the upset IMO

[bing181 9,411]

That worries me because the coaches don't see what we see.

Er ..... really?

[jnrmac 20,271]

And Moloney leading possession getter for Brisbane. What a surprise.

What were his stats for arm waving and pointing to spaces for other teamates to fill??? Yep, he would have topped them too....

[jnrmac 20,271]

Go get your glass pipe!

Who f#cked your head up? Besides your barber?

Still living at Garys or does he let you out now?

Cant you get a kick without the meth?

They misspelt your neck tatt-doesn't matter in jail though I spose.

It wouldn't be hard. There is a wealth of material to work with.

Noice...

[S.R.J 418]

Maloney will do great in Brisbane as he is surrounded by some really good midfielders. He is just not capable of leading a midfield by himself like he was at MFC

[rpfc 28,894]

And to think they have just given him 3 yr contract. That worries me because the coaches don't see what we see. If they do it was a poor decision along with Jamars 3 yrs.

When it comes to players like McKenzie it is pretty simple: if you give everything, all the time, have a great attitude and expect that attitude of others - you are going to be valued.

We are nowhere near good enough to think that we can 'move past' Jordie McKenzie.

Occasionally on here, some slip into an alternate reality where Grimes should be moved back to the backline and Jordie told to 'take a hike' without realising that there is no replacement for them.

We have a bad midfield. If you want them to be replaced it is going to take time.

[rpfc 28,894]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d29VsG35DQM

[Ron Burgundy 8,587]

I want to know what set off Dustin Martin at the end of that game when he was wanting to have a go at Nathan Jones... wonder if someone wanted his opinion regarding issues facing the sporting world of late.

Jones didn't rate the tatts on Martin's neck - he's more of a sleeve kinda guy.

[DeeZee 7,445]

Even though i admire Jordie greatly for his consistent 100% efforts, id rather see someone like a Nicholson developed in the tagger role.

The reasoning behind this is that he has pace to burn which we need at the stoppages,but he also has a big tank,and very good endurance to be able to follow the elite midfielders around.

[daisycutter 29,891]

Didn't earn any stripes either.

Him and Dawes cannot take a catch. At 6 foot 7, they aren't there to crumb it.

Dawes 6'4" 193cm

Sellar 6'5" 196cm

but yes, definitely not crumbers

[Ron Burgundy 8,587]

I was pretty happy overall. We were definitely competitive in the North game, they seized the momentum in the middle part but we had it at the end and could have run over them which is a very good sign. Our weakness remains in the midfield and we've taken long term steps to address that over summer with Viney and Toumpas so it's unrealistic to have high expectations of immediate improvement. The only new ready-made in the midfield is Rodan and I thought he was very lively.

Richmond really smashed us in the first half of that game and poor conversion kept it closer that it should have been. But as Ben's Tiger quote shows they were playing their A team vs our B team, they were fresh and they played a different game style from North who wanted to retain possession from the back half rather than move it really quickly, even if to a contest - that would have been a tricky adjustment. That we came out even with them in the second half of the match was a credit to our adjustment and fitness. I think Richmond are a good side who'll push well into the finals.

Some say: "But we didn't win". I say: "Hotel-Motel ..."

On reflection, I tend to agree with you Fifty 5.

At the time, I was extremely underwhelmed by our performance against Richmond. It had all the signs of our loss to them last year, which I think was the worst game I watched last season. Simply hated that game.

That said, as you've pointed out, we had our B team, we'd just played a half of football and, fortunately, they did work out how to stop the bleeding in the second half, which is probably a good sign.

To me though, it really illustrated our lack of depth in the midfield. I like the look of Evans and Matt Jones, but they desperately need better midfielders around them to do well, ie, not the likes of Couch and Magner.

Pedersen's performance also concerned me - I had hoped for much more than he delivered.

In short, the game against North was really good IMO. But the Richmond game gave me tremors - I hope you're right in the observations you've made about it.

[P-man 13,366]

And to think they have just given him 3 yr contract.

Hm, had forgotten about that.

[Sir Why You Little 37,296]

Filling the space left by $cully & Beamer is obvious.

Shafted both ways.

[P-man 13,366]

When it comes to players like McKenzie it is pretty simple: if you give everything, all the time, have a great attitude and expect that attitude of others - you are going to be valued.

We are nowhere near good enough to think that we can 'move past' Jordie McKenzie.

Occasionally on here, some slip into an alternate reality where Grimes should be moved back to the backline and Jordie told to 'take a hike' without realising that there is no replacement for them.

We have a bad midfield. If you want them to be replaced it is going to take time.

I watched a replay of the North game last night, and Jordie's kicking is not AFL standard, it's that simple. My opinion is that at this level you can't carry that in one of your core midfielders, no matter what stage you're at as a team.

Yes he gives his all and is a tackling machine, but not being able to kick the footy is kind of a big issue is it not?

It's crying over spilt milk to an extent because he's in the leadership group and is here or at least another 3 years, but it's a concern if he can't improve it.

That aside, watching the game again gave me alot of hope for this season. We could've easily won that first match and possibly should have won it.

[Cheap Seats 3,310]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d29VsG35DQM

Under-rated post - very good

[Cheap Seats 3,310]

On reflection, I tend to agree with you Fifty 5.

At the time, I was extremely underwhelmed by our performance against Richmond. It had all the signs of our loss to them last year, which I think was the worst game I watched last season. Simply hated that game.

That said, as you've pointed out, we had our B team, we'd just played a half of football and, fortunately, they did work out how to stop the bleeding in the second half, which is probably a good sign.

To me though, it really illustrated our lack of depth in the midfield. I like the look of Evans and Matt Jones, but they desperately need better midfielders around them to do well, ie, not the likes of Couch and Magner.

Pedersen's performance also concerned me - I had hoped for much more than he delivered.

In short, the game against North was really good IMO. But the Richmond game gave me tremors - I hope you're right in the observations you've made about it.

I am not going to give up on Pedo yet - He took a nice grab in the 2nd game (which was disallowed due to Davey striking Morris - i think it was??)

Delivery to him was pretty average and first game in new colours - he needs time to work it all out

I know I am re-opening old wounds but I was most disappointed with Sylvia - could put it down to first game back as well but only did one nice thing (pass to Howe in game 1)- stuggled to finish opportunities and seems to lack class. I won't give up on him just yet but at 27ish you could almost say a wasted talent