Fix the Midfield and we'll rise very quickly!

[Binmans PA 26,261]

Still agree with Paul's OP. Fix that midfield, FCS.

[KingDingAling 3,613]

Winning or losing the clearances are certainly important, but our lack of run and flow with ball movement is still appalling.

I don't trust Tyson. He's lost his nerve. Viney's not that type of player. Vince is hacking it forward all the time.

Billy Stretch can't find the ball much but he does seem to think his way through trouble. He isn't quite a line breaker yet though.

It's not good for results but protecting Stretch and Brayshaw this year will be important because they both look like they'll be key parts of the future. I'm keen to see Alex Neal-Bullen and really want to have a look at Harmes as well.

The simple test for draft picks if we are going to focus on need is looking for mids who can run and hit a target.

It's fast become an infuriating stat but we badly need a few 'metres gained' players.

ANB and Brayshaw are probably the type of guys you are looking for.

Both dual sided players, position themselves well, smart footballers, they are the future - along with Salem.

Hopefully we can build on those guys, we've really botched some drafts. Eventually fans will have to accept that we drafted ordinary players.

The worst is behind us.

[praha 10,293]

Our backline is fine, but Howe is Frawley 2.0 and is clearly playing to run the year out. He's gone at year's end. Interesting that last year Roos moved Frawley forward and then he left, and now Howe goes back after playing forward and is destined to leave. It's like Roos is "banishing" these players in an effort to prepare the other end of the ground for their departure.

Our forward line has potential. Garlett has been good with deplorable delivery, and has played his role. He needs to straighten up his set shot and be more damaging, but we couldn't expect more from him, really. It's not like Farmer was a great set shot (unless he was taking a shot to beat us...)

Hogan, well, no comment needed. You can build a team around him.

Our midfield is *still* shocking, probably the best in the league.

Jones goes through the motions.

Vince hacks it.

Tyson hacks it.

Cross hacks it.

Vince and Cross have been "Melbourne'd". Either Tyson is injured, or he's also "going through the motions". He does nothing much of genuine value, like Jones.

We lose the plot across half-back and half-forward, and it's because we *still* don't run two-ways. Our entire middle section is constantly chasing, never demanding the ball, and so therefore we can't drive forward. This is why we're last with inside 50s.

Do we have bad players?
Do we have bad coaches?

Is it a bad mindset?

WHAT IS IT?

I don't know anymore. I have zero answers. I just can't see what it is about this team, where it's bad is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO bad. I just don't get it.

[Thehardtackler 785]

Tyson is carrying a strain. He had tape on his thigh and it is common knowledge that he has been carrying a strain all year.

[Moonshadow 16,274]

Tyson is carrying a strain. He had tape on his thigh and it is common knowledge that he has been carrying a strain all year.

He may have a week off then, after today's belting. He's not much of an asset in that condition.

[Bobby McKenzie 2,187]

He may have a week off then, after today's belting. He's not much of an asset in that condition.

Was Tyson that bad? I didn't see the game but noted that he had 25 possessions and 89 points.

[bing181 8,175]

Was Tyson that bad? I didn't see the game but noted that he had 25 possessions and 89 points.

No, of course he wasn't that bad. In fact, I'd say it was his best game for the year. But this is Demonland.

[baysidedave 246]

_{Reckon should try to get one midfielder from Swans and one from Giants, both thost teams have heaps to spare!!}

[What 18,810]

_{Reckon should try to get one midfielder from Swans and one from Giants, both thost teams have heaps to spare!!}

Must get a blue chip midfielder or two art seasons end... maybe a godfather offer to someone like Shiel or Trealoar, we have to try something.. anything...

It simply must happen , no excuses

Add a blue chip ready made gun to the midfield plus Petracca coming in 2016 and we will be on the way

[grazman 6,502]

It really nicely illustrates the folly of the "Jones is an A grade mid" party. He is a solid midfield citizen at best.

It also highlights the recruiting black hole the last umpteen years have been.

McLean, Sylvia, Petterd, Morton, Bate, Bell, Bennell, Blease, Grimes, Gysberts, Tapscott, Trengove, Scully - all relatively high draft picks and not a genuine A grader amongst them (although Scully might be, but not at Melbourne, and Jack might still be if he can get back on the park). We've had one midfield recruiting success in Nathan Jones. The tale of our ruck recruiting is even worse.

Hopefully we've fixed this now under the watch of Jason Taylor. Trade time will be fascinating. With yet another high draft pick will be interesting to see if we can attract what we need. Once again I doubt we can get the quality we require. I'd be happy with a genuine ruck (luenberger/West) and a pacy outside flanker (Yarran, Hoskin Elliott) and go to the draft with two picks inside the top 30 for midfield talent.

[jnrmac 19,088]

Up to half time yesterday, 75% of OUR entries into OUR forward line ended up as a Hawthorn goal.

Think about that. What an unbelievable stat. Its not just the midfield but its a huge part of why we are far ked.

Simple things like picking up your opponent when the other team has the ball. We cant be arsed to do this after 9 wretched years. I don't know what it takes to recruit footballers that can do the basics like hitting targets and BEAT THEIR MAN but unless it happens in the next 24 months we are gone as a football club.

[The O 39]

Must get a blue chip midfielder or two art seasons end... maybe a godfather offer to someone like Shiel or Trealoar, we have to try something.. anything...

It simply must happen , no excuses

Add a blue chip ready made gun to the midfield plus Petracca coming in 2016 and we will be on the way

There's a possibility that a current captain may ask for a transfer at the end of the season due to "drug culture" issues. He's had enough of the club failing to address his concerns and has spoken to 2 Melbourne based clubs over the past couple of weeks.

If would require a club giving up a lot to secure him - but if MFC somehow managed to secure him it would massively improve our class and ball use throughout the middle.

[What 18,810]

There's a possibility that a current captain may ask for a transfer at the end of the season due to "drug culture" issues. He's had enough of the club failing to address his concerns and has spoken to 2 Melbourne based clubs over the past couple of weeks.

If would require a club giving up a lot to secure him - but if MFC somehow managed to secure him it would massively improve our class and ball use throughout the middle.

Rockliff?

[The O 39]

Rockliff?

No.

He's from a Melbourne based club. I'd say he's probably a 25% chance to leave at this stage, however if he does end up asking for a transfer (as he's still got years on his contract) then the news and fallout (of why we would want to leave) will be huge.

[dazzledavey36 48,913]

There's a possibility that a current captain may ask for a transfer at the end of the season due to "drug culture" issues. He's had enough of the club failing to address his concerns and has spoken to 2 Melbourne based clubs over the past couple of weeks.

If would require a club giving up a lot to secure him - but if MFC somehow managed to secure him it would massively improve our class and ball use throughout the middle.

Are we one of those Melbourne based clubs.

[The O 39]

Are we one of those Melbourne based clubs.

No, at this stage we're not one of the 2 clubs.

The connection with MFC - is that he did support us as a youngster (and we would be more capable than the 2 clubs of accommodating his contract/salary).

[dazzledavey36 48,913]

No, at this stage we're not one of the 2 clubs.

The connection with MFC - is that he did support us as a youngster (and we would be more capable than the 2 clubs of accommodating his contract/salary).

Not surprised pendles feels this way.

this culture has been going on for a long time at that club.

[faultydet 7,593]

Just please say the two clubs are not essendrug or hawthorn.....please

[Curry & Beer 5,444]

Who in their right mind would come to us

[WhyAlwaysMe 237]

Who in their right mind would come to us

Dawes & Lumumba

[WhyAlwaysMe 237]

Is Mark Neeld back!!

he never left

[wattsjurrahdunne 88]

In my view it is not just that we need to add 5 midfielders and a quality ruckman, we need 2 of those midfielders to be better than N Jones & 2 of those midfielders to be better than Vince & Tyson. What I'm trying to say is that in a top 2 or 3 side, N Jones is the 3rd or 4th midfielder and Tyson & Vince are the 6th & 7th midfielders.

I must admit to not rating Tyson anywhere near as highly as some on this site. I see him as being the most ineffective 25 possession midfielder in the comp. Outside of the stoppage, he's a liability and far too one sided for me.

[Farmer 686]

I've written about this elsewhere. If you are getting smashed in the rucks it makes it hard for the midfield.

Against Freo Jamar had 34 hitouts to 40 against the best ruck pair in the comp. I know we were smashed by Fyffe but he is v special. Against Richmond, in the wet, Jamar frequently belted the ball forward to good effect.

The last 2 weeks Spencer has been slaughtered, often has failed to make contact at all. Yesterday's ruck combo of Ceglar and Hale is hardly premium. But they doubled his hitouts and each took a number of marks. I admire Spencer's determination but I would drop him and bring in both Jamar and Gawne, giving Dawes some weeks to get his calf better

Hogan if he plays, is often well upfield. i would like a tall near the goalsquare.

The comments here about Tyson irritate me. He was ok yesterday tho his disposal has slipped somewhat

[Farmer 686]

he never left

No, and his influence continues. Look at Stefan Martin

(Although, in fairness, half you dills on this site were delighted to see Martin leave)

[Frosty Demon 153]

In my view it is not just that we need to add 5 midfielders and a quality ruckman, we need 2 of those midfielders to be better than N Jones & 2 of those midfielders to be better than Vince & Tyson. What I'm trying to say is that in a top 2 or 3 side, N Jones is the 3rd or 4th midfielder and Tyson & Vince are the 6th & 7th midfielders.

I must admit to not rating Tyson anywhere near as highly as some on this site. I see him as being the most ineffective 25 possession midfielder in the comp. Outside of the stoppage, he's a liability and far too one sided for me.

Not a bad call. tyson can be frustrating. we definitely need massive increase in class mids and some f,ing ruck men