I'm just sad Dawes is being mentioned as one of our better players missing and I'm finding myself almost agreeing.

So no McDonald, Frawley, Clark Dawes, Davey, jetta, viney, trengove, garland for the 2nd half... Not anywhere near the strength we'll be at come round 1... Obviously a dissapointing result but probably not a great indication of what we'll dish up against port imo.

Sounds like Frawls and T-Mac may have helped (Garlo in the 2nd half too..)

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-03-16/gold-coast-v-melbourne

EDIT: this too

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/afl/more-news/see-how-your-side-fared-in-its-final-tune-up-for-round-1/story-e6frf9jf-1226598834186

Edited March 16, 201312 yr by DemonDan...

Really?

It was 27 and humid. Rotations would kinda be relevant in those conditions.

I also don't read that as 'hey, we would have won if we'd had a full bench!'. I read it as 'look, we struggled today, and part of the reason for that was because we couldn't rotate our players through the terrible AFL conditions'.

I think the AFL cap restrictions didn't apply for these games this weekend, only for the GF so it was open slather on rotations.

Guys, we were very poor today. Pathetic actually. I was there. I don't see how we can finish anywhere but bottom of the table. We were smashed for most of the day. The Suns game plan was better than ours and we looked totally lost. We were unable to hit targets in perfect conditions with almost no breeze. We were smashed in the stoppages after qtr time. We could not rebound from D50. We made rookie errors and didn't support our team-mates.

I was actually quite embarrassed. I'm speechless. We were putrid!!

And Port flogged the Swans, Round 1 is shaping up as our biggest game in 6 years.

With GC so superior I wonder why they only won by 4 goals Somebody write a detailed report PLEASE!

Guys, we were very poor today. Pathetic actually. I was there. I don't see how we can finish anywhere but bottom of the table. We were smashed for most of the day. The Suns game plan was better than ours and we looked totally lost. We were unable to hit targets in perfect conditions with almost no breeze. We were smashed in the stoppages after qtr time. We could not rebound from D50. We made rookie errors and didn't support our team-mates.

I was actually quite embarrassed. I'm speechless. We were putrid!!

An honest account from someone who was there.

Preseason wins mean so much for a team that's coming from such a low level.

It will still take time to eradicate the soft underbelly of this team.

Remember the 'bruise free' quote? Cited by an opposing player, someone at the coal face, someone who hears what goes on on the field.

Too many unskilled players, too many passengers, too many poor recruits.

Much pain to bear, if we survive.

And Port flogged the Swans, Round 1 is shaping up as our biggest game in 6 years.

Yes, and going by your rather skewed logic, Port are headed for the 2013 flag and the Swans are destined to be in the race with us for draft pick #1.

Late June i like to go. When the Frost is at it's worst in Melbourne.

The MFC will continue to under achieve whether i am in the country or not.

I've already booked. Myanmar. Leaving 30/6.

NIL injuries = Win!

Take no notice of today peoples. Hit and giggle stuff

I've already booked. Myanmar. Leaving 30/6.

And I'm off to Guangxi province, China, June/July.

SylviaDaveyMacdonald Start with those three....the big shock for most will be J...J...nah, can't say it.

Pretty sure Davey and Macdonald were at Casey today so won't be surprised at all to see those go and won't lose sleep either.

Sylvia must be hanging by a thread.

And as for J... J... Nah I'll leave that alone too.

But getting rid of "talented" players and replacing them with VFL players that other clubs overlooked and fringe players at other clubs is dangerous.

We are so far behind its not funny. I understand we were missing a spine but it's the midfield that's the problem. And I don't see Trenners Viney and Blease changing anything.

Was Howe even out there?

And I'm off to Guangxi province, China, June/July.

Hopefully you get lost there.

Guys, we were very poor today. Pathetic actually. I was there. I don't see how we can finish anywhere but bottom of the table. We were smashed for most of the day. The Suns game plan was better than ours and we looked totally lost. We were unable to hit targets in perfect conditions with almost no breeze. We were smashed in the stoppages after qtr time. We could not rebound from D50. We made rookie errors and didn't support our team-mates.

I was actually quite embarrassed. I'm speechless. We were putrid!!

Wow.. 100 times more sensationalist than the pathetics working at Afl.com and the H-Sun..

..or is that you Caro?

Troll.

Sylvia

Davey

Macdonald

Start with those three....the big shock for most will be J...J...nah, can't say it.

Macdonald is a big name?

In what universe?

NIL injuries = Win!

Take no notice of today peoples. Hit and giggle stuff

With all due respect, I am taking notice. Practice matches are there to practice the game plan. We still seem not to have one. We had absolutely no structure. We have the worst midfield in the comp. I don't see how that will improve with the inclusion of Viney and an underdone Trengove for Rd 1 (Trengove no certainty to play anyhow for the 1st month). Today was not good enough.

Yes, and going by your rather skewed logic, Port are headed for the 2013 flag and the Swans are destined to be in the race with us for draft pick #1.

Hawks are rooted too.

May as well call the year off seeing it's all been decided in March.

@melbournefc: Leading possession getters for the game were: Watts 25, Grimes 22, M.Jones 21, Terlich 21, Magner 19.

Two recent draft picks and a rookie, two of them from the VFL and the other from the SAFL. Lucky they were all mature-age!

Just home from the game at southport, haven't read many post but can get a feel for whats being said from the few i have. For me it was same old thing, we chased and we chased and we chased which we never stopped doing which was good, I think? When we got our hands on the ball we just couldn't keep possession for long enough to build pressure, so we chased again! Sylvia's endeavour and run was good to see, Ranga did ok, well they did all have a go which was the pleasing thing, seemed to be a lack of talk on field amongst our lot compared to them, and the real frustrating bit o footy i saw was us lying (russian i think) on the ball and not even ATTEMPTING to get it out, hold'n the ball every time.The Suns seemed faster and played a lot more structured than us. I honestly can't c us winning to many this year even with a best 22. Disappointing 4 me i'm afraid.

Wow.. 100 times more sensationalist than the pathetics working at Afl.com and the H-Sun..

..or is that you Caro?

Troll.

So you were there mate? How good were we then?

I am a disappointed member. You can make your own judgement as to how good we were when you watch a game.

Edited March 16, 201312 yr by pringle

3 goals to Aaron Hall. I really wish we'd managed to get him.

Just back from the game and i'm very disappointed with our lack of intensity 2 weeks out from round 1,where if we bring the same attitude,Port will smash us by 10+ goals.It was 28 degrees all game and our players just didn't look interested.We got off to a good enough start,leading 21-7,then the Suns as I expected dominated the midfield with Ablett,Swallow,Hunt,O'Meara,Rischitelli and Matera taking control,lucky Harley Bennell didn't play.Our midfield can't stand up to that.

In the second quarter,we had the ball on half back flank and we kicked sideways for 3 minutes and Hogan was one out at Centre half forward with no other players within 40 metres and we wouldn't kick it to him one out,GIVE THE KID A BLOODY CHANCE FFS!!! What happens next,turnover.Our gameplan was poor all day and Neeld was easily outcoached by McKenna and the Suns have far superior footskills.

Strauss was yelling at Toumpas for being out positioned in our zone set up.Byrnes kicking was appalling,kicking out on the full and missing targets all day.Gillies tried hard but won't cover Rivers.Rodan is a livewire but doesn't have a great defensive side,Howe was quiet as was Col.

God,i wish Hogan could play this year like all the other 18 year olds!

From the HS today J Watts was unleashed from half-back with 25 disposals and D. Terlich also played well. No mention anywhere about Byrnes who has kicked goals each game. Where was Nat Jones. I think I will wait and watch the replay before slashing wrists etc

I'm hoping it's not the case but it's looking like Port are the next team below us to become better and more competitive quicker.
2011 - Richmond
2012 - Brisbane
2013 - Port???

When the plan becomes more 2nd nature to everyone..

I would guess by mid year..

by then we should start to look more cohesive and have a better understanding of how each other plays under neeldys plan..

Lets hope more of our players catch on sooner rather than later then.

If your prediction is close to the mark it's going to be another very painful year mate

Edited March 16, 201312 yr by Rusty Nails