On AFL360 last week Paul Roos said he doesn't think players are watching enough footy.

It came up in the context of how he and the MFC team went to the 'G for the Easter Monday Hawks-Cats game, but he didn't single out Melbourne players specifically.

In reply, Nathan Buckley said he always makes sure he watches the top teams each week as this is the best way to keep tabs on where the game is headed and how the league leaders are playing.

There's probably some AFLPA clause which prevents a coach from ordering his troops to watch footy outside of their normal contract / contact hours, but I'd be very disappointed if our players weren't watching the best sides / games each week.

How can you aspire to be the best if you don't know what the best is doing?

It's also worth noting that being at the game and observing tactics, moves, game style, behind play structures, etc is considerably different from watching on TV, where the camera largely follows the ball.

I can picture TDI sitting back chuckling over this, cos the time has come where we're going to ask what the players watch in their spare time, and he's going to say he thought it was of no consequence.

On AFL360 last week Paul Roos said he doesn't think players are watching enough footy.

It came up in the context of how he and the MFC team went to the 'G for the Easter Monday Hawks-Cats game, but he didn't single out Melbourne players specifically.

In reply, Nathan Buckley said he always makes sure he watches the top teams each week as this is the best way to keep tabs on where the game is headed and how the league leaders are playing.

There's probably some AFLPA clause which prevents a coach from ordering his troops to watch footy outside of their normal contract / contact hours, but I'd be very disappointed if our players weren't watching the best sides / games each week.

How can you aspire to be the best if you don't know what the best is doing?

free agency provides a short cut for those who would.

seriously, is this also a reflection of the diminished attraction of this modern version of Our game.

The fans don't want to watch it: why would the players?

I can't imagine you'd want to spend what little free time you do have as an AFL player watching even more AFL.

When you're outside your jobs do YOU want to spend your free time thinking about whatever industry you work in?

I can't imagine you'd want to spend what little free time you do have as an AFL player watching even more AFL.

When you're outside your jobs do YOU want to spend your free time thinking about whatever industry you work in?

Many professionals regularly attend seminars or events out of hours to learn about their field. I know I do.

Many professionals regularly attend seminars or events out of hours to learn about their field. I know I do.

Accountants hold weekly out of hours meetings to discuss the latest in calculator technology.

I don't really understand why not. When i played school footy, during the break, I would watch the best teams to know what i'm going up against.

I don't really understand why not. When i played school footy, during the break, I would watch the best teams to know what i'm going up against.

between playing and training how many hours would a player put in per week?

between playing and training how many hours would a player put in per week?

And don't forget most players get a video of their likely opponent to study.

I can picture TDI sitting back chuckling over this, cos the time has come where we're going to ask what the players watch in their spare time, and he's going to say he thought it was of no consequence.

Sorry no training, so having a footy free break for a couple of days, I am not surprised Roos said it, of the squad I would say we only have about half a dozen at the most who can't get enough footy, the rest will watch or do everything except watch the footy.

Surfing, basketball, golf, soccer and a couple of computer games (FIFA soccer) seem to be the go

When you're outside your jobs do YOU want to spend your free time thinking about whatever industry you work in?

Absolutely. When you love your job, and want to be the best in your industry, it pays to keep an eye on what your competition is doing.

Footy watchers I would count, Grimes, Viney, Garland, McKenzie...just by speaking to them

I can't imagine you'd want to spend what little free time you do have as an AFL player watching even more AFL.

When you're outside your jobs do YOU want to spend your free time thinking about whatever industry you work in?

Yep, it's basically my life. I spend a lot of time thinking about, watching and being involved in my industry.

Yet there is still time for the Footy, watching the odd favourite TV show and spending time with my partner.

...so I would think if you are serious about playing at the highest level then you would spend a bit of extra time watching what makes great players and teams and working out how you can get there.

I sure hope it's not just a 9 to 5 job for these guys.

Absolutely. When you love your job, and want to be the best in your industry, it pays to keep an eye on what your competition is doing.

uhmmm. okay if that's what you like doing. how about spending time with the person you love, spending time with family, having a drink with friends or reading a book.

uhmmm. okay if that's what you like doing. how about spending time with the person you love, spending time with family, having a drink with friends or reading a book.

c'mon ernest, since you went to the big library, there hasn't been a book written that's worth reading

still, can always read the old classics i suppose

Sorry no training, so having a footy free break for a couple of days, I am not surprised Roos said it, of the squad I would say we only have about half a dozen at the most who can't get enough footy, the rest will watch or do everything except watch the footy.

Surfing, basketball, golf, soccer and a couple of computer games (FIFA soccer) seem to be the go

yeah.,...wouldnt want them to all take an interest in their meal ticket would we.

Think its a bit too cushy for some

ah yes more comparisons to your average Joe

these guys are league ballers, they aren't assistant to the regional manager at a middle-tier paper merchant

I actually watch a lot of football.

The Friday night game, one Saturday arvo game, one Saturday night game, and two Sunday games (and wherever Melbourne fits into that).

I've certainly noticed that the pressure and stakes are a lot higher, and this is leading to more skill errors and bigger fadeouts. I suspect we might see some smashings this year like what we've seen from Brisbane, Carlton, and Melbourne's second half (which was a belting, let's be honest).

Melbourne players could certainly get a lot out of watching teams like Freo and Hawthorn, particularly the former. Two-way running, hard work, communication.

I strongly disagree that we don't have the cattle. It's an urgency thing that is most frustrating. It has a lot to do with simply learning the game what it takes to win. That was an issue last year in 10 games where we led in the last: closing the game out and taking hold of the match.

Roos made a comment last year after the GWS game that missing targets, missing handballs, that it wasn't a skill thing, because if they couldn't hit a target with a handball they wouldn't have been drafted. It's all about EFFORT.

It was also evident in Round 2 against West Coast last year. Who remembers that game? There were skill errors, but only because the players were playing in second gear.

It's eerie how similar our performance was in that game to the 2nd half on the weekend.

And then of course there was *that* game in 2011, but no one needs to see that again.

It's truly gobsmacking how far below AFL standards of urgency and effort the team gets in games. That's not a skill thing. It's a mental thing.

And the biggest culprits are the ones that should be leading and have been at the club for years: Jones, Dunn, Garland, Jamar.

You need to have someone to look up to, to drive you to be the best. Sometimes that's your peers. Sometimes it's your enemy.

ah yes more comparisons to your average Joe

these guys are league ballers, they aren't assistant to the regional manager at a middle-tier paper merchant

And dont we need more assistants to the regional managet at the middle tier paper merchant, good get

I actually watch a lot of football.

The Friday night game, one Saturday arvo game, one Saturday night game, and two Sunday games (and wherever Melbourne fits into that).

I've certainly noticed that the pressure and stakes are a lot higher, and this is leading to more skill errors and bigger fadeouts. I suspect we might see some smashings this year like what we've seen from Brisbane, Carlton, and Melbourne's second half (which was a belting, let's be honest).

Melbourne players could certainly get a lot out of watching teams like Freo and Hawthorn, particularly the former. Two-way running, hard work, communication.

I strongly disagree that we don't have the cattle. It's an urgency thing that is most frustrating. It has a lot to do with simply learning the game what it takes to win. That was an issue last year in 10 games where we led in the last: closing the game out and taking hold of the match.

Roos made a comment last year after the GWS game that missing targets, missing handballs, that it wasn't a skill thing, because if they couldn't hit a target with a handball they wouldn't have been drafted. It's all about EFFORT.

It was also evident in Round 2 against West Coast last year. Who remembers that game? There were skill errors, but only because the players were playing in second gear.

It's eerie how similar our performance was in that game to the 2nd half on the weekend.

And then of course there was *that* game in 2011, but no one needs to see that again.

It's truly gobsmacking how far below AFL standards of urgency and effort the team gets in games. That's not a skill thing. It's a mental thing.

And the biggest culprits are the ones that should be leading and have been at the club for years: Jones, Dunn, Garland, Jamar.

You need to have someone to look up to, to drive you to be the best. Sometimes that's your peers. Sometimes it's your enemy.

I admire your capacity to soak up so much football. Admiration mixed with concern for your well being Praha. Personally, I don't think we have the cattle. This has been a discussion on so many threads over so long that it serves no purpose to go over old ground. However, I absolutely agree that the fade outs are a mental thing and not a skill thing. Our players drop their bundle time and time again. It is reflected in their lack of run, lack of chase, and body language. Some players are worse than others. However it afflicts the whole team and we need to overcome it because at it is we cannot win footy games.

I can understand completely.

Who cares what the opposition does ?

Hardly important.

As long as we look good for a half we can just chill then hit the bar.

Thank F Frawley is not with us anymore.