That's exactly what I think. Another season with a midfield that cannot compete and a gameplan that looks useless because of the midfield that cannot compete.

The MFC's total and utter inability to find and develop midfielders + a 'midfield team' is becoming a sickening joke. We have a whole lot of blokes who are just not good enough. They may be trying their guts out but they get regularly beaten by their opponents and I see nothing changing this year.

I dread every game we play. Not losing by 10 goals will be a relief.

I think that you are being a bit harsh on the midfield developed in the last year and this preseason. Great midfields don't just happen and this year will see a further jump in the development and more importantly competitiveness.

I don't know why you watch every game with hope. We've been awful for years and very little has changed despite lots appearing to happen. I still go - I convince my kids to go - but I expect us to be bad. I want us to be good, but know it is terribly unlikely. And I've grown accustomed to shocking performances.

When I go, I support the team. I make a point of trying not to criticise players, of applauding just about anything that is good. I support the team. You should spend a few minutes considering how much better a supporter I am than you. I hold fast while acknowledging reality; you hold fast while ignoring it.

There's your vitriol, as ordered.

Mate

.

"considering how much better a supporter i am than you"

really TD, childish comment, unnecessary and ridiculous. thought you were better than that.

I want Ablett to play & to beat them at strength. Wish we had a harder draw too..

here we go!

noble comment 3D but I have watched to many games where Ablett has absolutely smashed us. one player beating a whole team. much prefer that he was not playing and we start the season with a win.

An underdone Ablett will play and because he is short of a gallop, Nathan Jones goes one on one with him and destroys him. And that mini victory will set the tone for a 7 goal win for the dees. There it is.

An underdone Ablett will play and because he is short of a gallop, Nathan Jones goes one on one with him and destroys him. And that mini victory will set the tone for a 7 goal win for the dees. There it is.

Cos he's underdone, something goes PING in the first 5 minutes and he is red-vested. Jonesy then goes head to head with their sub for the game

Gold Coast have confirmed Malceski, Hallahan, Miller, Saad and Garlett will all play their first game for the club.

That means in addition to not having their best forward, the Suns will be taking in an under-done Gaz, potentially an under-done O'Meara and three first-gamers.

No excuses, we came close to this mob on our home deck last year, we can beat them this year.

Ablett won't be unfit, just not hardened, he has still been running lots of k's.

We need to make sure we hit his body all game so by half time he is sore.

Hres my last stab at the team before its named tonight..

B - N.Jetta - L.Dunn - J.Grimes

HB - C.Salem - T,McDonald - C.Garland

C - H,Lumumba - D.Tyson - B.Newton

HF - JKH - J,Watts - B.Vince

F - J.Garlett - J.Hogan - S.Frost

R - M,Jamar - D.Cross - N.Jones

I/C - V.Michie - J.Viney - A.Vandenberg

Sub - D.Kent

Don't think both Howe and Vince will play, and Howe hasn't had a run anywhere yet. Ive said all summer Viv Michie will play Round 1, cant back out now and he was apparently in good form last week too.

Wouldn't shock me to see Brayshaw debut. Think Toump might be s chance to play too..

Viv was among our best in the last four games last season, was ranked in the top 3 or 4 against Freo in the Nab game, went okay for the 15 minutes he played in Ballarat and according to TDI and somebody else was the best last week for Casey. He is among the top tacklers, gets plenty inside 50s (but for some reason does not go inside himself) and has excellent disposal efficiency meaning his disposal results in another disposal down field. I don't think you need to justify your selection. TDI is right, he gets it done with a minimum of fuss and before you know it he has a ton of touches. Just wish he would go forward and kick a couple so that he does get noticed. Or dye his hair blonde and wear fluro boots. Brayshaw will be in as well in my humble opinion.

Gold Coast have confirmed Malceski, Hallahan, Miller, Saad and Garlett will all play their first game for the club.

That means in addition to not having their best forward, the Suns will be taking in an under-done Gaz, potentially an under-done O'Meara and three first-gamers.

No excuses, we came close to this mob on our home deck last year, we can beat them this year.

Malceski has largely been ignored and I personally think he is a fabulous pick up for the Suns.

Gold Coast have confirmed Malceski, Hallahan, Miller, Saad and Garlett will all play their first game for the club.

That means in addition to not having their best forward, the Suns will be taking in an under-done Gaz, potentially an under-done O'Meara and three first-gamers.

No excuses, we came close to this mob on our home deck last year, we can beat them this year.

I thought last year's game was more one-sided than the final score showed.

They absolutely smashed us around the stoppages and had 10 more scoring shots. They led by 30+ at once stage and even when we did challenge, we always gave up 2-3 very easy goals in return which blew the lead back out again.

It was never close. GC just kind of took the foot off the gas for 5-10 minute periods. We kicked the last two of the game but it was over long before that, even if we only lost by 8. GC never looked like losing that one.

We will win this game if we slow down their run, and don't ourselves go through the traditional 30-minute patch of ineptness. Our NAB Cup games haven't been promising in that regard: all three games had whole quarters where we were just terrible. Give GC that much freedom and they'll kick 5-6 goals in a row.

This game will be won and lost in the midfield.

Viv was among our best in the last four games last season, was ranked in the top 3 or 4 against Freo in the Nab game, went okay for the 15 minutes he played in Ballarat and according to TDI and somebody else was the best last week for Casey. He is among the top tacklers, gets plenty inside 50s (but for some reason does not go inside himself) and has excellent disposal efficiency meaning his disposal results in another disposal down field. I don't think you need to justify your selection. TDI is right, he gets it done with a minimum of fuss and before you know it he has a ton of touches. Just wish he would go forward and kick a couple so that he does get noticed. Or dye his hair blonde and wear fluro boots. Brayshaw will be in as well in my humble opinion.

Michie is a just a typical run-of-the-mill midfielder with low consistency, low damage and zero standout qualities. The MFC has been a factory for these types for a good decade which is probably the main reason we have stunk so badly. Given our dearth of better options, he might warrant selection but he, along with a few others, symbolise where we are at as a club simply by their inclusion in the 22

An underdone Ablett will play and because he is short of a gallop, Nathan Jones goes one on one with him and destroys him. And that mini victory will set the tone for a 7 goal win for the dees. There it is.

He went one on one with him and the stats were very even. He can certainly hold his own against Ablett.

I thought last year's game was more one-sided than the final score showed.

They absolutely smashed us around the stoppages and had 10 more scoring shots. They led by 30+ at once stage and even when we did challenge, we always gave up 2-3 very easy goals in return which blew the lead back out again.

It was never close. GC just kind of took the foot off the gas for 5-10 minute periods. We kicked the last two of the game but it was over long before that, even if we only lost by 8. GC never looked like losing that one.

We will win this game if we slow down their run, and don't ourselves go through the traditional 30-minute patch of ineptness. Our NAB Cup games haven't been promising in that regard: all three games had whole quarters where we were just terrible. Give GC that much freedom and they'll kick 5-6 goals in a row.

This game will be won and lost in the midfield.

Disagree. With 7 minutes to go we trailed by 13 points. Despite kicking four more we somehow conceded three ourselves (one was a freebie to Ablett). Obviously that could have easily played out in our favour. It was an open ball game for at least 3.5 of the 4 quarters

Edited April 2, 201510 yr by Curry & Beer

I've just realised that this is my fiftieth year as a Melbourne supporter.

I'm loyal, if nothing else.

I was at that GC game last year - the score lies - we were not 'in it' and it felt like GC just couldn't put us away.

The 8 point loss was just a stat to me, and stats lie...

I've just realised that this is my fiftieth year as a Melbourne supporter.

I'm loyal, if nothing else.

Legend

Wonder how many frees the umps will gift Gary in his return game? I'm guessing at least 3,with 2 converted into goals.

Gaz gets free kicks coz he is a gun and puts his head over the ball when his opponents ignore the ball and illegally try to stop him. he should get more support from the umps not less. then maybe the McKenzies of the world will try at least looking in the general direction of the ball

I've just realised that this is my fiftieth year as a Melbourne supporter.

I'm loyal, if nothing else.

So you & I are the reason we haven't won a flag for 50 years. That's good, I thought it was all my fault.

Edited April 2, 201510 yr by Mgdee

So you & I are the reason we haven't won a flag for 50 years. That's good, I thought it was all my fault.

Add me to the fault list as well.

Malceski is a good pick up indeed and a loss for the Swans who may really miss his drive off half back. We got a very similar player in H.(congrats to him on 200 tomorrow lets hope his 300 is a premiership game .

http://www.afl.com.au/video/2015-04-02/pick-a-winner-with-carey-and-brown

Wayne Carey tips Melbourne, Brown think it will only be a close loss. Not bad...You can even tell from Dixson's fist pump, that he is tipping Melbourne. What's wrong with these guys?

Edited April 2, 201510 yr by Moneider96

http://www.afl.com.au/video/2015-04-02/pick-a-winner-with-carey-and-brown

Wayne Carey tips Melbourne, Brown think it will only be a close lose. Not bad...

all hail the King

and stats lie...

Then get rid of your sig.....

Then get rid of your sig.....

oh wow, that's some irony right there....

I've just realised that this is my fiftieth year as a Melbourne supporter.

I'm loyal, if nothing else.

I started 55 years ago D

And I am not taking any of the blame.

However a half century of mainly crap is not easy.

After 50 years, when things look bad I can always shrug and say, 'Eh, I've seen worse.'