Firstly I use my eyes and secondly, Dan Hannebery, who played a lot of junior footy with him confirmed it. He's soft.

You're welcome to disagree and live in hope.

So in that case we should get rid of Jack Watts now?

Hopefully we play Strauss next week. We have no one (Watts aside) that can kick the football out of the backline. Need to give he and Blease 5-6 matches in a row.

So in that case we should get rid of Jack Watts now?

Softest player I've seen at Melbourne in 40 years.

But I've decided not to comment too much on him as he's not worth my time.

Good story. Try 'some' or 'a few' or 'the odd one or two', but then it's not much of a tale is it.

The debut ages of the Hawks 1986 Premiership Backline were 17, 20, 16, 18, 19 and 19 (so Russell Greene began in the Ressies when he was 10 or 11).

I CBF going any further. A season or two is not 100 games.

...or maybe just try Tuck, I think this is where the story really comes from and he started at Hawthorn before Jeans. Forgot Dipper played a few in the 2's as well.

Russell Green started at St Kilda so maybe it was in another life.

I understand the point that was being made but it really is a player by player situation and also depends a bit on the team. Some players just take a bit more time to develop, Hogan would probably have an impact now in AFL in a half decent team.

This type of post makes me laugh.

Neeld's game plan is at work in the VFL? Is it? I mean really?

Then why have players play VFL, why promote players when they play well in VFL. Why get excited ov Hogan, if all he is doing is dominating VFL.

Negative posts like yours are just sad. You are a lonely fool.

Edited April 20, 201312 yr by Benson

"But I've decided not to comment too much on him as he's not worth my time."

Heard Spencer was BOG. What can you tell me?

Heard Spencer was BOG. What can you tell me?

The Essendon ruckman was four feet tall?

Thanks Demon Dave. Great to read some positives in this very negative time. Really hope all your summations are taken on board by the powers that be to improve our 1sts line up. Go dees!

The Essendon ruckman was four feet tall?

An insulting post. Were you there today? No Fing idea.

Then why have players play VFL, why promote players when they play well in VFL. Why get excited ov Hogan, if all he is doing is dominating VFL.

Negative posts like yours are just sad. You are a lonely fool.

Firstly, you explain to me what Neeld's game plan is. That then might support your post.

Secondly, why you have to resort to insults is pathetic.

Been off the board for a couple of days, got sick of negativity, went to Windy Hill today as well.

DemonDave's report just about covers it, great report DD

Spencer was huge today, think he was [censored] off Gawn got jump on him

Taggert was the one that surprised me, thinking they are just making sure his body stands up, but like DD says, if he can keep producing like today

Hogan...first time I have seen him live (except for first NAB cup)....now I know why we took him.

I listened to Rohan Welsh's words in the rooms after the game, he stressed the DI's again, they passed the target, and said it was a team win, he praised the players.

Made a point of saying the Melbourne players 'wanted' to play for Casey today

It was a pleasure today , like DD says, to sit and watch when a team decides to play as a team and be rewarded for the effort

Somebody asked about Dom Barry, spoke to him, injured , hamstring (I think that is what he pointed to)

Good to hear about Hogan and the rest of them. Would like to see Toumpas have a strong few months for Casey this year.

But great that Hogan is showing why we gave up what we gave up.

Strauss may lack intensity and physicallity but they can be worked on. To call him soft is stupid and ignorant. He broke his leg playing for this club what did you do?

And taking the word of hanneberry? Really? The bloke spends most of his time back in Melbourne at 7 nightclub or other night spots indulging himself. Very good footballer but I'm not convinced he should serve as a character witness. Did they play juniors together or is he judging off 10 or so tac games?

Been off the board for a couple of days, got sick of negativity ...

Somebody asked about Dom Barry, spoke to him, injured , hamstring (I think that is what he pointed to)

Thanks for clearing that up Satyriconhome. I too, am thoroughly sick of the negativity and the nastiness of some of the posters directed on this site to the Melbourne Football Club. The lies and the nitpicking is making me thoroughly sick.

The performance of the Casey team was heartening and I hope that it marks a turning point in the club's fortunes.

An insulting post. Were you there today? No Fing idea.

It was a joke, settle petal.

Strauss has the smarts, but he's exceptionally soft. He lacks AFL intensity, but his skills and the extra time at VFL level make him look good.

Fools gold.

Confession time: I hate seeing any of our players hurt but when Strauss broke his leg - against Carlton wasn't it - as he went down my reflex thought was oh well, if it was going to happen to anyone best it be JS because he's shown nothing.

Whoever compared him to Maric was spot on. I never saw anything in Maric's 20-odd games that suggested why he was drafted either.

If Strauss continues to shine at VFL level he is sure to get another chance but as much as I'd like to be wrong I won't hold my breath.

I've never understood why Strauss has been persevered with a defender - he doesn't defend with any really intensity.

Is it possible he could play on the wing? Or is he not quick enough?

I've never rated him and I have no expectations for his future, so I am assuming that he will continue to be a good player at this level.

It's a real shame when you look at those drafted around him and significantly after him that he simply doesn't compare in terms of the attributes that they bring to the side.

Strauss may lack intensity and physicallity but they can be worked on. To call him soft is stupid and ignorant. He broke his leg playing for this club what did you do?

And taking the word of hanneberry? Really? The bloke spends most of his time back in Melbourne at 7 nightclub or other night spots indulging himself. Very good footballer but I'm not convinced he should serve as a character witness. Did they play juniors together or is he judging off 10 or so tac games?

There are degrees of being soft, but in the main it means lacking physical intensity at contests. You even agree that he lacks physical intensity, so you agree that he's soft, but you're annoyed that I call him soft. Interesting.

The facts are that in his 5th year after a full preseason he's playing reserves footy. He's another terrible top 20 pick. But we're becoming immune to that now. He just joins the conga line.

As for Hannebery ? I love him as a footballer and reckon he's pretty well placed to judge other players intensity. His impressions of Strauss 5 years ago when playing state footy with him was that he was soft. Five years later I'd have to say he's an exceptional judge. I've watched him at AFL level, as well as Casey and it's my conclusions too. But no-one is forcing you to agree.

And fancy a 22 year old (Hannebery) having a few beers when he gets back to town. Well, I never...

There are degrees of being soft, but in the main it means lacking physical intensity at contests. You even agree that he lacks physical intensity, so you agree that he's soft, but you're annoyed that I call him soft. Interesting.

The facts are that in his 5th year after a full preseason he's playing reserves footy. He's another terrible top 20 pick. But we're becoming immune to that now. He just joins the conga line.

As for Hannebery ? I love him as a footballer and reckon he's pretty well placed to judge other players intensity. His impressions of Strauss 5 years ago when playing state footy with him was that he was soft. Five years later I'd have to say he's an exceptional judge. I've watched him at AFL level, as well as Casey and it's my conclusions too. But no-one is forcing you to agree.

And fancy a 22 year old (Hannebery) having a few beers when he gets back to town. Well, I never...

Anyone who breaks their leg and goes back for more is automatically not soft. He may not be hard at the contest, but he shall never again be labelled soft. He's earned that right.

Anyone who breaks their leg and goes back for more is automatically not soft. He may not be hard at the contest, but he shall never again be labelled soft. He's earned that right.

You're overly reactionary to an injury. They happen on the footy ground, or in the playground. Ask Sammy Blease.

He's soft, but let's hope he can improve his attack at the footy and contests, because he certainly has skill. Unfortunately that alone doesn't cut it in the AFL anymore.

We all want him to succeed.

You're overly reactionary to an injury. They happen on the footy ground, or in the playground. Ask Sammy Blease.

He's soft, but let's hope he can improve his attack at the footy and contests, because he certainly has skill. Unfortunately that alone doesn't cut it in the AFL anymore.

We all want him to succeed.

It's not the injury I applaud, but the mental toughness to come back after it. Anyone can fall, but only a few are willing to get back up.

When it comes down to it though, "soft" is just a word. I can't tell you what it means or to whom it applies any more than you can tell me what it means or to whom it applies.

So in that case we should get rid of Jack Watts now?

I'd trade Watts in a heartbeat. Pick 9-15

Ok you've made your point. I too have had a ping at the bloke in the ruck about being 'gentle' but as they are our players we should be supportive and probably leave it to those from other clubs to bring those sorts of things up. If we can look at it another way, I suppose its why I like the 'invisible man" Davis who also cops plenty on here. He definitely doesn't lack in the courage stakes and so far this season it seems hasn't lowered his colours.

You're overly reactionary to an injury. They happen on the footy ground, or in the playground. Ask Sammy Blease.

He's soft, but let's hope he can improve his attack at the footy and contests, because he certainly has skill. Unfortunately that alone doesn't cut it in the AFL anymore.

We all want him to succeed.

Don't blame the recruiters for all our draft flops. They are given a brief of the type of player we want. They do their research and come back with a list of options, only to get overruled at the selection table - usually by the coach.

In 2008 one of our experienced recruiters spotted a young kid named Zaharakis. The recruiter desperately tried to get the MFC to pick him. Instead, Bailey went for Strauss because 'he's a good kick'. They didn't consider whether Strauss could actually get the ball!

Last year...Neeld says he wants 'good sized, good bodied, ready to play types'. So we recruit a tribe of under-180cm pygmies in Viney, Toumpas, Byrnes and Rodan! And where did Barry come from?!!! Did we really bypass Jed Anderson to pick up this skinny kid with no heart for the ball.

We need size in midfield - a Kennedy or Mundy or Pendlebury. So we pass on Oliver Wines. Gawd.