Spencer will be first ruck.

That is the only conclusion one can draw from what we have seen so far in Pre-Season.

And while there is a month to go - Jamar hasn't suited up, Gawn has been playing forward, Fitzpatrick is a forward, Clark is looking at a Rd 6 start, and King is a baby.

Right now he is so far in front he cannot hear the band.

Yep, 7 wins, I've penciled in the 2 against the dogs & GWS, 1 each over the Saints, Lions & Tigers! ;-) Etihad our new stomping ground;-p

A really good year would be adding a Port/Bombers/North/Blues scalp or 2....

Yep, 7 wins, I've penciled in the 2 against the dogs & GWS, 1 each over the Saints, Lions & Tigers! ;-) Etihad our new stomping ground;-p

A really good year would be adding a Port/Bombers/North/Blues scalp or 2....

a single win over any one of Hawthorn, Collingwood, Geelong, Carlton, Essendon or North would be like heaven to me.. i need a win against those mobs so badly that i can't sleep at night

a single win over any one of Hawthorn, Collingwood, Geelong, Carlton, Essendon or North would be like heaven to me.. i need a win against those mobs so badly that i can't sleep at night

To show real improvement we need to consistently win against lesser sides (Suns, Giants, Lions, Saints, bulldogs), win at least half our games against medium teams (North, Essendon, WC, Adelaide, Port, Tigers, Magpies, Carlton) and get beaten by no more than five goals by the elite (Geelong, Hawks, Swans, Fremantle) and maybe sneak one or two wins from them. That would be an excellent year and put us in the middle of the eight. There will be ups and downs of course and we will not achieve that level of consistency, but I have high hopes of bottom half of the eight. We do after all have a very favorable draw, and medium levels of improvement will show up in wins and better percentage quite quickly IMHO.

For the last couple of seasons I have been making the outrageous prediction that Melbourne would win in round one and we've been smashed. I won't make any predictions this year.

The thing is, Roos has a track record from Sydney, and we understand something about his values and methods - but how much he can impact our team is an unknown. How much difference can a non-bullying non-butch type of coach have on a list which includes as many educated and intelligent and talented players as we have? We don't know. It is one of the most fascinating things about season 2014, I think for all football supporters - that we are going to see how much can be achieved using this very different mindset/worldview/methodology.

Roos will presumably be very good at it, and perhaps he will demonstrate the value of a different, less military-styled approach. Twenty-first Century, perhaps? I am fascinated watching, it sort of tests beliefs of mine about how to get the best out of people. Particularly people of a certain type. I think Roos is primarily tapping into different things, and the question is, how far can it go?

I was very interested in Jack Trengove's comments after the Richmond game - Roos attitude critical in win: Trengove

I have speculatively invested in Jack Watts at 500 to 1 for the Brownlow, just in case Roos' approach delivers a real culture changer.

What I am predicting is that we will pretty well immediately begin learning about a different culture of coaching; as to results, at this stage I can only hope for (not yet predict) big things. But there have been some signs, haven't there?

Blease instead of Toumpas? No thanks

Couldn't agree more.. If Jay Kennedy Harris comes on quickly.. Blease would have to try squeeze on to the half back line!

The thing is, Roos has a track record from Sydney, and we understand something about his values and methods - but how much he can impact our team is an unknown. How much difference can a non-bullying non-butch type of coach have on a list which includes as many educated and intelligent and talented players as we have? We don't know. It is one of the most fascinating things about season 2014, I think for all football supporters - that we are going to see how much can be achieved using this very different mindset/worldview/methodology.

Roos will presumably be very good at it, and perhaps he will demonstrate the value of a different, less military-styled approach. Twenty-first Century, perhaps? I am fascinated watching, it sort of tests beliefs of mine about how to get the best out of people. Particularly people of a certain type. I think Roos is primarily tapping into different things, and the question is, how far can it go?

I was very interested in Jack Trengove's comments after the Richmond game - Roos attitude critical in win: Trengove

I have speculatively invested in Jack Watts at 500 to 1 for the Brownlow, just in case Roos' approach delivers a real culture changer.

What I am predicting is that we will pretty well immediately begin learning about a different culture of coaching; as to results, at this stage I can only hope for (not yet predict) big things. But there have been some signs, haven't there?

Robbie,

Fascinating and very insightful post. To take a civilized but ruthless approach to AFL footy is quite a step. I have posted recently in here how much it concerns me the criminal element which seems to be infiltrating AFL. I know a number of Woods supporters who firmly believe that you cannot win without having "thugs" behind you. They are quite comfortable with that it seems.

The MFC, and Roos in particular, seem to prefer the skills and motivational approach. It will be interesting who prevails.

Personally,and I know I show my life's values here, I believe intelligence and smart play will eventually win out. Roos I think agrees. It will be fascinating to see who is right.

Edited February 22, 201411 yr by Dees2014

I know history recommends caution and even pessimism in making predictions about Melbourne's 2014 chances, but there is something stirring that makes me feel that the Demons will be this year's bolter.

So my prediction is we'll win rd 1 and finish the 2014 season in the 8!

I think we have the perfect storm of hunger, experience and talented youth, favourable draw, exceptional coach and several stars about to bloom (Watts, Howe, Trengove) and re-bloom (Frawley, Clark, Jones).

I know history recommends caution and even pessimism in making predictions about Melbourne's 2014 chances, but there is something stirring that makes me feel that the Demons will be this year's bolter.

So my prediction is we'll win rd 1 and finish the 2014 season in the 8!

I think we have the perfect storm of hunger, experience and talented youth, favourable draw, exceptional coach and several stars about to bloom (Watts, Howe, Trengove) and re-bloom (Frawley, Clark, Jones).

Easy there, tiger

I'm not sure about making the 8, i'd love if at the end of 2014 mfc were no longer considered easy beats, the players no longer considered jokes, even if we don't play finals we could be a team that other teams don't automatically pencil in as a win, and start building towards something.

I would love to see us make the eight but I think we're coming from too far back (happy to be proved wrong tho Dee's). What I am really looking for is come seasons end, up and coming and god forbid a- grade players see Melbourne as a serious option to join. Although we have done quite well with Dawes, Bernie and Dom, it did hurt when players such as Caddy and the young fellow who joined the pies wouldn't even interview with us.

Seen way too many false dawns.

I like the way the sun is coming up but I don't dare to dream.

I want to the see the ball movement and hunger for the contest we showed against Richmond in the NAB cup

still got us down for 8th

I would love to see us make the eight but I think we're coming from too far back (happy to be proved wrong tho Dee's). What I am really looking for is come seasons end, up and coming and god forbid a- grade players see Melbourne as a serious option to join. Although we have done quite well with Dawes, Bernie and Dom, it did hurt when players such as Caddy and the young fellow who joined the pies wouldn't even interview with us.

We are just as capable of pushing tinto the final eight as Port were last year!

I would love to see us make the eight but I think we're coming from too far back (happy to be proved wrong tho Dee's). What I am really looking for is come seasons end, up and coming and god forbid a- grade players see Melbourne as a serious option to join. Although we have done quite well with Dawes, Bernie and Dom, it did hurt when players such as Caddy and the young fellow who joined the pies wouldn't even interview with us.

Dom will be a better player than both of these guys so I'm not so concerned.

...as for the 8, I reckon the bottom 3 will be GWS, Brisbane and StKilda. All other clubs are capable of making the 8 depending on their draw and run with injuries.

In my deranged state, I have placed a pineapple on us to beat the Aints.

Hopefully a decision I won't be regretting by quarter time.

Gutsy move P-man, best of luck, you will have plenty rooting for you.

Reckon you will get the chocolates.

My round 1 predictions...

Make absolutely NO predictions under any circumstances whatsoever!