COULD HAVE, SHOULD HAVE ... DIDN'T WIN by George on the Outer

[Demonland 71,868]

10 Goals 17 behinds with set shots sprayed at either side of the big sticks doesnt create the possibility of winning.

And so it was for the Melbourne side against the Gold Coast Suns. The result was far better than the 10 goal thrashing we had to endure at our home ground earlier in the season, but losses are losses.

We simply should have won this match, and to sit and watch Shannon Byrnes kill any hope with his errant kicking; to watch Dan Nicolson kick his 14th behind for the season running into an open goal is not the formula for success. At least Jack Fitzpatrick's howler in front of goals was reversed 30 seconds later after Jordie McKenzie crumbed the pack in the forward line.

And what a delight it was to see Jordie in action again. While his kicking still leaves a lot to be desired, his relentless tagging of potentially this year's Brownlow Medallist and holding him to a mere 19 possessions was a first class effort. More importantly, he is someone who helps fills the hole in the middle that we all know we have.

But a bigger hole filler is Jack Viney. The kid, and that is all he is today, is just as good as his old man, with his tenacious attack on ball and man. It has been a long first season for him but he is still in there at the end. With another season under his belt, we will start to see his true capabilities.

If there was ever evidence that Neil Craig is a superior coach to Mark Neeld it is in the performance of Jake Spencer.

Prior to the change, Spencer would not keep his eyes on the ball, constantly looking at the opposition ruckman and trying to second guess. Now he just goes for it. And when you are that big, you usually do! Why has it taken so long? The bonus is that the mids are finally given a chance, where they were only getting scraps before. May we see more of it ...

However, Craigs positioning of players is still questionable. Why Troy Davis was in the forward line all night, having played all of his career in defense is incomprehensible. Ill give him slack for the Watts back move, as Jack hates having an opponent. The move gives him the freedom to use his skills, but guess what Jack?

This is AFL level football and there are plenty of coaches already aware of your weaknesses. You wont get this chance against the good sides.

When we go into a game without Frawley and Dawes and then lose Pederson and Howe before the game starts, you know its going to be difficult. Why James Magner cant get a run over the others brought in, is confusing to say the least - especially after he was upgraded just this week.

You might think it was because we need to see who is worth keeping, but winning a game with your best players playing in their best positions might be a good starting point!

Jack Fitzpatrick has become another positive since Neeld left, and thank goodness for that. He at least competes and brings the ball to ground. Its almost a bonus when he scores goals, but he has the endurance and marking capabilities to be far more threatening when he has a couple of other big bodies around him, hopefully next year.

Other positives at this late stage of the season are Mitch Clisby, Dean Kent, Matt Jones and Dean Terlich. Clisby is a natural footballer with the brain to do the job. He is smart and can execute quickly, which is what is needed at AFL level. He will finish up in the middle when his body fills out. Jones, Kent and Terlich are further plusses, and can be forgiven for their occasional lapses as they find their way in their first season. Pity is that these three first year players are light-years ahead of some of their more senior and more highly paid teammates.

The real downer from this game is that Melbourne have forgotten how to win. The chance was there, and all that was needed was that little bit extra. Especially with Gold Coast having three injured on the bench in the last quarter. It wasnt provided by those experienced players who we brought in for exactly that.

The lapses of runs of goals to Gold Coast only happened while Nathan Jones was off the ground (usually getting another repair job done to his nose), and showed his immense value and courage to the team.

If he can do it, why not others?

Melbourne 3.2.20 5.6.36 8.11.59 10.17.77

Gold Coast Suns 2.4.16 5.9.39 10.11.71 13.12.90

Goals

Melbourne Kent Watts 2 Byrnes Davey Fitzpatrick McKenzie Sylvia Tapscott

Gold Coast Suns Brown 3 Sumner 2 Ablett Bennell Day Dixon Hall Stanley Swallow Thompson

Best

Melbourne Viney Nathan Jones McKenzie Spencer Garland Watts

Gold Coast Swallow Prestia, Brown O'Meara Thompson McBurney

Injuries

Melbourne Nil

Gold Coast Bock (leg) Day (quad) May (hamstring) Sexton (dislocated shoulder)

Changes

Melbourne Jeremy Howe (calf) and Cam Pedersen (ill) replaced by Dan Nicholson and James Strauss

Gold Coast Matt Shaw (virus) replaced by Thomas Murphy

Reports

Melbourne Nil

Gold Coast Nil

Umpires McBurney Fila Foot

Official Attendance 13,840 at Metricon Stadium