NAB CUP 1: NORTH MELBOURNE AND RICHMOND

[jumbo returns 6,744]

Not a great deal different to if we touch them up...

These games are more valuable than the Mickey Mouse Threeway of the last two weeks but they are still all about giving players a go, learning styles and patterns, and testing an individuals progress by 'pushing what you would normally do to measure progress.' (On a simple level this could be playing a mid across HF, or challenge someone to play the 'slot' role in centre clearances ie. the target player, or reader.)

Look, it is good for the fans if we can come out and beat Collingwood at Etihad, but I will be playing my own PS games soon and what we will take out of them will have little to do with the scoreboard. I want to get better and if that means explain people to see whether they sink or float - then do it.

These games mean nothing.

Yes they do....

Teams that aspire to climb the ladder start their assault early.

GWS are going hard against Carlton and Scully's really bulked up.

[Satyriconhome 10,880]

Good grief agreeing with rpfc again, had a busy weekend, so only getting on here now, these games are a slightly better standard practice game

The normal suspects on this board who want to whinge and doomsay have done so

Like the fat guy who sat behind us at Etihad, who looked like he would get exhausted getting out of his seat, beer nn hand, abusing the players for the full 80 nimutes for not making an effort, don't know why he watched

Told Mark Neeld at the Family Day that I thought we were a bit sloppy but thought also there was a bit to like, and he agreed

Hawthorn lost both games and Buddy Franklin was awful, believe Al Clarkson is suicidal...NOT

[old dee 24,082]

Good grief agreeing with rpfc again, had a busy weekend, so only getting on here now, these games are a slightly better standard practice game

The normal suspects on this board who want to whinge and doomsay have done so

Like the fat guy who sat behind us at Etihad, who looked like he would get exhausted getting out of his seat, beer nn hand, abusing the players for the full 80 nimutes for not making an effort, don't know why he watched

Told Mark Neeld at the Family Day that I thought we were a bit sloppy but thought also there was a bit to like, and he agreed

Hawthorn lost both games and Buddy Franklin was awful, believe Al Clarkson is suicidal...NOT

The fanatics like us who come on Demonland might be able to take a longer term view

But the great volume of MFC supporters only get involved come this time of the year.

They don't see loosing form as anything other than

"Here we go again"

For clubs down the list who wish to give there supporters hope for a new year

Early winning form inspires hope and sell memberships.

Of course Hawthorn and their supporters will not be worried about losing last night.

They know they have a good team.

The same cannot be said for the supporters of the MFC or the Dogs

[Satyriconhome 10,880]

Any team can go from good to bad or vice versa, that is what makes the comp interesting, West Coast last year for instance, who says Hawthorn are not in for a bad year, or can't we say that, only MFC criticism on this board then

We have too many good players now to not improve, it just needs tweaking a bit more, I am paitent, but it will happen

Renmark will be an improvement although again we may not win

[old dee 24,082]

Any team can go from good to bad or vice versa, that is what makes the comp interesting, West Coast last year for instance, who says Hawthorn are not in for a bad year, or can't we say that, only MFC criticism on this board then

We have too many good players now to not improve, it just needs tweaking a bit more, I am paitent, but it will happen

Renmark will be an improvement although again we may not win

That is my point mate.

Hawthorn / WCE supporters will buy memberships no matter how their team performs in these games.

Teams like us do not have that luxury.

It has nothing to do with criticising the Dees on here

[Carlos Danger 380]

Aside from the rookies, the biggest positive to come out of the NAB round 1 is what appears to be a massive set shot accuracy improvement from Howe.

[bing181 9,472]

Getting done by 5 goals against Port will not create much hope.

Dawes not playing apparently, and with Clark still out, there goes the backbone of our much-vaunted new forward line. Add to that Blease and Frawley probably out, plus perhaps resting one or two others to manage game time ... I'd be preparing myself for another loss if I were you.

[CBDees 3,167]

Well at least we are in good company now that neither of last year's Grand Finalists have won a first round NAB Cup match. The difference to them though is that they lost to Gold Coast Suns and Greater Western Sydney respectfully (and in Sydney's case they got thrashed by GWS)!

[old dee 24,082]

Dawes not playing apparently, and with Clark still out, there goes the backbone of our much-vaunted new forward line. Add to that Blease and Frawley probably out, plus perhaps resting one or two others to manage game time ... I'd be preparing myself for another loss if I were you.

The same thought had occurred to me bing

Back to no forwards again

[old55 23,860]

That is my point mate.

Hawthorn / WCE supporters will buy memberships no matter how their team performs in these games.

Teams like us do not have that luxury.

It has nothing to do with criticising the Dees on here

Why did we lose and what should the club be doing about it?

[old dee 24,082]

Why did we lose and what should the club be doing about it?

Not enough good players fifty-5

And guess what they have been trying to solve that one for the best part of ten years with seemingly every decreasing success.

However I think we are a bit better than last year.

The point I am trying to make is we need to win games any games anywhere.

Not saying they are not trying.

Dees supporters tend to see losses in trial games as unimportant.

I don't they are important to the MFC.

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

I've just watched the Richmond game again and one thing that really stands out is how flat-footed Melbourne players often are, especially after disposing of the ball. Sylvia is one of the biggest offenders but even some of the fresh players did this.

As far as I'm concerned it should be a team rule that midfielders should be moving at all times. It is especially evident when compared to very good players like Cotchin who just doesn't stop.

[old dee 24,082]

I've just watched the Richmond game again and one thing that really stands out is how flat-footed Melbourne players often are, especially after disposing of the ball. Sylvia is one of the biggest offenders but even some of the fresh players did this.

As far as I'm concerned it should be a team rule that midfielders should be moving at all times. It is especially evident when compared to very good players like Cotchin who just doesn't stop.

It is like comparing Champagne and River water CB

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

It is like comparing Champagne and River water CB

It's frustrating because running is a conscious decision. You don't have to be good at football to know to keep running and if fitness is an issue it can always be improved.

The problem Melbourne always seem to have is that the skillful players don't work hard enough (Sylvia, Davey, Johnstone) and the players who can run butcher the ball (Nicholson, Tom McDonald, Godfrey, Bail).

[bush demon 2,207]

Any team can go from good to bad or vice versa, that is what makes the comp interesting, West Coast last year for instance, who says Hawthorn are not in for a bad year, or can't we say that, only MFC criticism on this board then

We have too many good players now to not improve, it just needs tweaking a bit more, I am paitent, but it will happen

Renmark will be an improvement although again we may not win

According to afl website we are taking a young team to Renmark.

[rjay 25,424]

It's frustrating because running is a conscious decision. You don't have to be good at football to know to keep running and if fitness is an issue it can always be improved.

The problem Melbourne always seem to have is that the skillful players don't work hard enough (Sylvia, Davey, Johnstone) and the players who can run butcher the ball (Nicholson, Tom McDonald, Godfrey, Bail).

Toumpas, Kent and Viney don't seem to have that problem so maybe we will turn it around.

[Chook 15,068]

According to afl website we are taking a young team to Renmark.

With Frawley's concussion, let's hope he doesn't accidentally fly to Denmark instead.

[bing181 9,472]

The same thought had occurred to me bing

Back to no forwards again

Not just no forwards perhaps ... as mentioned above:

"Mahoney said the club would send a young squad to Renmark, and use the match to get more game time into players who did not get lengthy runs in last Friday's NAB Cup. ''I don't think we'll be sending a very senior squad,'' he said. "

In other words, getting games into the kids.

Perhaps better that it's not on TV, we'd need to put a few around here on suicide watch.




[leucopogon 1,519]

Just watched the replay of the North game. Midfield looked ordinary and I honestly believe it will be another year in the bottom 4. Just being realistic. The large number of changes to the playing list will take time to gel. I guess I'm getting a bit disillusioned after the last 6 seasons and am struggling to see light at the end of the tunnel. Have already renewed my membership though and will hope for the best with realistic expectations.

[Gorgoroth 13,216]

I don't think we will be as bad as 2012, yes our midfield will still be weakish, but Viney and Toumpas will give us some glimpses that this will change, (if we sack Royal I'm positive that will help too!). forward half looks better, backs still look ok, while we may not will a lot this year, I don't think we will be flogged as often and show more each game

[pantaloons 2,019]

Three days on, for Pete's sake. If we are so enamoured with the scoreboard results of a couple of practice halves, the first game ended with Melbourne 5.6 to 5.5. North beat us with the same legitimacy that George Costanza beat Bubble Boy in Trvial Pursuit with the moops question.

[low flying Robbo 979]

Correct me if i'm wrong but when Watts was given a free kick and a 50m, he chose to go the full distance and not bother pulling up slightly short and going for the 9-pointer. At the time i was like "no, go the supergoal and get us back in the game" but i realise he's got a smart head on his shoulders. I reckon he realised it was pre-season and didn't bother with the mickey-mouse rules.

[rpfc 29,020]

I would like to think so but when Kent lined up for his great chance to kick a goal at an AFL stadium Watts was one of those players that screamed for the footy, and even gave Kent 'a talk' after he kicked that goal.

Dunn did the same thing to Toumpas against Richmond that I am still annoyed with - just let the kids take their kicks, they are the ones that earnt the shots on goal with their run and present. I really don't like that attitude.

But again, I don't like much of what Dunn brings.

[hardtack 11,104]

Correct me if i'm wrong but when Watts was given a free kick and a 50m, he chose to go the full distance and not bother pulling up slightly short and going for the 9-pointer. At the time i was like "no, go the supergoal and get us back in the game" but i realise he's got a smart head on his shoulders. I reckon he realised it was pre-season and didn't bother with the mickey-mouse rules.

He was way too far out to shoot for goal when awarded the free, and I am pretty sure that if you opt to take the 50m (which would take you inside the arc) then you must take the full fifty and must shoot for 6 points only - in other words, even if you pulled up just outside the 50 and took your shot, you would still only be awarded the 6 points.

[Roger Mellie 4,205]

"Mahoney said the club would send a young squad to Renmark, and use the match to get more game time into players who did not get lengthy runs in last Friday's NAB Cup. ''I don't think we'll be sending a very senior squad,'' he said. "

In other words, getting games into the kids.

Perhaps better that it's not on TV, we'd need to put a few around here on suicide watch.




In other words it's going to be 40 degrees!

We have to travel to bf nowhere to play in 40 degrees.

We would take Casey players if we could

Mickey Mouse game that will take a lot out of players