While Fitz didn't have a great game and looked clumsy at times, he had a crack, got into good position, and if he held a few marks and kicked with better composure, could have had 2 or 3 goals. And he's quick. Jamar got more taps but did NOTHING but drop them to his feet. 2 weeks in a row Jamar barely troubled the stats people. I'd like to see Max and Fitz given a run of games together.

I think in time we'll be seeing this, I just don't think next week is a good moment. We could do much worse than have them as our ruck brigade for the next decade or so.

So bringing in an entirely new coaching staff who 'know what they are doing' is going to magically change the fact that half our list are spuds?

Please.

I think he is dead right! Team so,lacking in confidence, one really can't judge individual young players

Have just posted the press conference to my blog for members/supporters > http://www.theaussieword.com/2013/06/melbourne-fc-rd-10-v-hawks-press.html

How would you know, you're not even watching.

If the players want to back Neeld they have to start winning the contested ball and running for team mates.
It may be too late by tonight. This Neeld love was expected in Round one 2013.

Question for next year..... Can we have a forward line with Clark, Dawes,Hogan and Watts? with Howe and a small crumber in there too. I think it may be able to work well... there are a few weapons in that forward line.

Question for next year..... Can we have a forward line with Clark, Dawes,Hogan and Watts? with Howe and a small crumber in there too. I think it may be able to work well... there are a few weapons in that forward line.

My only issue with that is that a lot of teams now are using HF and FP type players as extra numbers in the midfield. Playing too many talls reduces our midfield and this is already a problem area.

How would you know, you're not even watching.

there is such thing as video of the games. One can watch enough.

Don't be so precious. We are all effected by these dark times in different ways.

Watching games live break bones right now.

We all react in different ways.

After watching today's game here is my list of basic mistakes which are being made almost every game:

1) Can Howe please step back further off his mark. He consistently walks (might as well stop and smell the roses) back three steps and as a result either kicks a lofty hospital kick because he is too close to the man on the mark, giving the opposition more time to contest or it just simply gets smothered like today

2) Can players please have a ruck/tall defender or forward to shepherd and man the goal line. Again today we could have smothered a ball from an opposition set shot on the 50 + shephered one of our shots in too

3) Can players please back up the man on the mark to stop the opposition running off the line when having a snap at goal (Terlich today just walked away, the opposition ran around and kicked the goal - no pressure/smother)

4) Can Jamar kick his own ball. Its getting ridiculous. He consistently hand balls it off and we know he has a good kick (no Dutchy Holland) but the one time he has had to kick it himself was some horrible bent legged un-confident technique and the ball lofted 25m... get him some practice during the week. Its an absolute joke that our ruck cant kick - look at the confidence in Cox, Pike even Gawn.

5) Can Pederson please please for once win a contested mark. He needs to practice using his body more. The fact that he was getting beaten by a skinnier kid in his second game sums it up

6) Can Watts for once get in front of the contest and be the first in and first out for a change... also can he stop complaining when he doesnt get a free and man the mark

7) Can players remember Kent has one of the longest kicks in the game, and when he moves to kick it forward hold back and let it go over the oppositions head

8) Can Strauss please stop giving away silly frees. Got up to 3 or 4 today

9) Can we get the old footy show handball sign/template and get players to start to handball hard at the body... not at their feet

10) Can Rodan start wearing a glove. His butterfingers in the first half was horrible and is a recurring trait everytime he plays. I know it wont add grip but maybe help out the sweat/confidence

Feel free to add on.

Question for next year..... Can we have a forward line with Clark, Dawes,Hogan and Watts? with Howe and a small crumber in there too. I think it may be able to work well... there are a few weapons in that forward line.

For me it sounds like a great set up. We have seen from this year that Howe and Watts get shut down when played as #2 forwards, but when played as #3/4 and on worse defenders they dominate - both for polar opposite reasons (Watts with his strong mark and Howe because he is too unpredictable).

I'd like to see a small foward, but Watts and Clark are pretty quick

The Hawks killed us with pace! Who are our speedsters? For the Hawks Hill, Smith and Puopolo are all so quick especially Puopolo he surprised me today and he keeps running. Then there is a bloke called Rioli to return. We have too many one speed players and the midfield is so slow and unable to run an overlap. Can we find some genuine quick runners please. Note for next year Dawes, Clarke, Hogan, Watts and Howe will be too slow we need some runners

Honestly, I don't think I've ever been more encouraged by a 95 point loss. We matched them for periods, but they kept it up constantly and whenever we slipped off them they scored in bursts. Had our usual problems getting good forward 50 entries which translates as a low score, but you would expect a loss of that magnitude to be far worse than it actually was in terms of the play.

Of note:

Dawes really stepped up. He worked hard and gave us that vital link between HF and wing. 21 disposals and 12 marks is a huge effort.

Nathan Jones continues to be the man carrying our midfield. 28 Disposals, 16 contested and 11 clearances. So good they used Sam Mitchell to tag him in the last quarter.

Col Garland and James Frawley can both take a bow. They were awesome on the best forward tag-team in the competition. Not only did they hold the twin towers, but they got involved the other way as well.

Dean Kent showed a bit today. He is going to do very well for us in the next decade. Love his confidence to step around some of the stars of the game and take them on. This is his third game people.

I wish Fitzy hadn't looked so nervous. Had a chance to take a few telling marks and fumbled them. Could have had a few goals if his hands had been better, but he did enough to keep for another week.

David Rodan had his best game in our colours and probably his best in a few years. Burnt his teammates a couple of times, but he was heavily involved and had an impact.

exactly how I feel about it , spot on

For me it sounds like a great set up. We have seen from this year that Howe and Watts get shut down when played as #2 forwards, but when played as #3/4 and on worse defenders they dominate - both for polar opposite reasons (Watts with his strong mark and Howe because he is too unpredictable).

I'd like to see a small foward, but Watts and Clark are pretty quick

Evans looks the goods to me

Evans looks the goods to me

He's not a small forward, Davey is an elite small forward though.

Evans looks the goods to me

He's not a small forward, Davey is an elite small forward though.

And remember Byrnes is a small forward too.

But both are seeing the end of their carreers over the next couple of years so here is one for thinking outside of the box: what about Dayle Garlett?

Davey is a leader and can mentor him and also Byrnes brings that premership experience.

Mat Richardson was remarking when Howe is left up forward he was taking two hawks defenders with him in the contests, and the forward line looked more potent and he should have been left there, also said a lot of other players from other clubs talk about Howe and his marking ability.

Honestly, I don't think I've ever been more encouraged by a 95 point loss. We matched them for periods, but they kept it up constantly and whenever we slipped off them they scored in bursts. Had our usual problems getting good forward 50 entries which translates as a low score, but you would expect a loss of that magnitude to be far worse than it actually was in terms of the play.

Of note:

Dawes really stepped up. He worked hard and gave us that vital link between HF and wing. 21 disposals and 12 marks is a huge effort.

Nathan Jones continues to be the man carrying our midfield. 28 Disposals, 16 contested and 11 clearances. So good they used Sam Mitchell to tag him in the last quarter.

Col Garland and James Frawley can both take a bow. They were awesome on the best forward tag-team in the competition. Not only did they hold the twin towers, but they got involved the other way as well.

Dean Kent showed a bit today. He is going to do very well for us in the next decade. Love his confidence to step around some of the stars of the game and take them on. This is his third game people.

I wish Fitzy hadn't looked so nervous. Had a chance to take a few telling marks and fumbled them. Could have had a few goals if his hands had been better, but he did enough to keep for another week.

David Rodan had his best game in our colours and probably his best in a few years. Burnt his teammates a couple of times, but he was heavily involved and had an impact.

I too, was not nearly as depressed today than I was with our 90 point loss to the Dockers last week. We showed flashes of really exciting footy and the form of Dawes was encouraging. Jack Fitzpatrick impressed me with his mobility and work rate. Pity he couldn't quite hold a few marks but that will come I'm sure. I like big Max but we must now give Fitzy a few games in a row to show his worth. Davey was outstanding with his pace, tackling and enthusiasm. Rodan added much more grunt to the midfield and backed up Jonesy well. Must keep in for at least three games in a row.

Great game by Dawes, and ws impressed by his post match interview with Neeld. think he caught him ofguard a couple of times...

both the jones boys were good today as well, Frawley must get BOG. for melbourne.

Fitzy looked nervous I agree, but only his 5th game and first for the year, I'll forgive him for that, his intent was there, and he constantly tried to make up for any errors he caused.

Liked seeing Watts up forward. Honourable mentions to Garland and Evans

Rodan played better, but still not sold on him yet...

think Neeld is safe for another week at least.

Question for next year..... Can we have a forward line with Clark, Dawes,Hogan and Watts? with Howe and a small crumber in there too. I think it may be able to work well... there are a few weapons in that forward line.

Need more agility in the forward line really. Put Clark in the ruck and get an Eddie Betts type to rove Hogan and Dawes

Fitzy looked nervous I agree, but only his 5th game and first for the year, I'll forgive him for that, his intent was there, and he constantly tried to make up for any errors he caused.

Good god, Fitzy couldnt take a mark last year, and he cant take a mark this year. He is never going to make the grade, give him all the games you like. Better to bring Maxy back

Today again just highlighted our need to find a midfield. Our defensive 6 is potentially elite, a forward line with Clark, Dawes, Hogan and Howe will trump pretty much all. Its about building a midfield to support each end.

I would add Watts and Davey as the final two on the forward line (though most on Demonlandvmight not agree which is your right)!

First time poster but lifelong supporter and member so go easy people.

Five points about our current situation and some questions..

1. Jamar is not worthy of a spot on our senior team. He's had no pressure on his spot and since the contract extension his form has been terrible. Five possesions in the last 2 games is not useful, regardless of how many hit outs you get. The modern game is past that type of ruckman. Gawn has plenty of potential but can we rely on his knees? Need a boost here.

2. Watts can be a gun but needs a position up the ground, perhaps HFF or FP. I'm sure stats show he is one of the quickest players over 20 on the list so when coming out of the backline or off wing, how good would it be knowing he will have 5 metres on his opponent leading into space. Still developing but getting burnt playing here there and everywhere.

3. Game plan/skills/development is shocking. I'm positive some of our young 'guns' over the years could have been much better players with a better coach and development team. We get good young players and ruin them. Our game plan at moment is interesting at best. We constantly go down the wings but butcher it. This plan will work with a skilful team who can hit targets (not us). The few times we came through the middle (kent & garland), we looked dangerous and got on the scoreboard. I actually sat up and got mildly excited by it.

4. Where is Josh Tynan? I really rated him last year when he had his chance. His attack on the footy was great to watch but lacked a little composure. Did I see his was in Casey reserves the other week? How has this happened. Maybe I'm the only one who thinks this but with spuds like Rodan, Pedo and J.Mac running around, i do wonder if we are looking to the future as Neeld and co say.

5. This leads me to point 5. We are getting thrashed each week anyway so why not get games into these kids. Neeld talks up week by week that it's a 5 year plan but if that's the case, why is J Mac, Pedo, Rodan playing at all? Get games into these kids and persevere with them. At all times unless injuries mean we need to, we should never give J Mac, Pedo, Gillies, Davey, Jamar, Dunn, Sellar, Jetta, Spencer a game again - too many chances and just not up to it with no leadership skills for younger guys.

I saw things today and if you can have one, it was an ok 98 pt loss but if you add Grimes, Clark, Sylvia, T Mac, Viney, Blease and Toumpy into that side and play them all every week, you have a glimmer of hope!

Am I around the mark here???

Who the hell was on Bruest?

Who the hell was on Bruest?

I believe Dunn for most of the game, Terlich for some parts.

Trengrove doesnt need pace to have impact. Look at Watson, Selwood. I wouldnt say they are pacey.

I seen enough early in his career to back Jack in. Remember some of those marks he would take inside 50.

I'll back him in to come good, hes still young.

They have power and explosiveness. In fairness Trengove's last two games have been much better.

My only issue with that is that a lot of teams now are using HF and FP type players as extra numbers in the midfield. Playing too many talls reduces our midfield and this is already a problem area.

Have Watts and Howe push up through the midfield?