Who could have predicted cloke would kick seven straight?

If was ever gonna happen, it was gonna be against us.

​Thats just how we roll.

Who could have predicted cloke would kick seven straight?

When he got the first one straight in front 15 out I told my mates we were screwed.

Cloke is a confidence player, and getting a gimme or two at the start sets him up for a big day.

When he got the first one straight in front 15 out I told my mates we were screwed.

Cloke is a confidence player, and getting a gimme or two at the start sets him up for a big day.

Exactly.

Name the 11 to 12 players. Sorry, I can't see us cutting that many. I'm not saying we don't have a lot of deadwood, but we can comfortably cut away 6 to 7 players. After that, the decisions become trickier.

...

Having cut 1/4 of the list in the past two years, Roos may prefer to avoid disrupting the list to such an extent leading up to his last year in charge.

Our midfield in particular still isn't what you'd call settled. It needs to function as a machine, when every mid has a sense of what his fellow mids do, where they like to get the ball, what they like to do with it once they get it, and just run to the right spot without thinking.

But that only happens when the same mids play together for 2 or 3 seasons. The midfield has been disrupted this year by injuries (Tyson, Viney, Salem, JKH, Kent, and even Jones looked hampered for a couple of games), but also by some new players really stepping up (most prominently Brayshaw & VDB, plus Garlett who's spent time as a mid). It's also possible that Riley, Michie, and perhaps Lumumba may have a role in the eventual midfield but it's not yet clear what it might be.

I really doubt that we'll go for any more fringe mids who may or may not step up (the likes of Newton, Michie etc). We'll be looking for blue chip mids only, via trade or draft, and look to add only 2 or 3 (given that we have potential blue-chips in Petracca & hopefully Trengove as new mids already for R1 2016).

So if we finish this season with a midfield of Jones, Vince, Tyson, Brayshaw, Viney, Cross, Vandenberg and Salem, that's a great foundation to build on with Petracca, a blue-chip trade (Prestia? Coniglio?) and a top-rated draftee, plus whoever steps up into the big time out of Kent, ANB, Trengove, Stretch, JKH, Toumpas. You get the idea. We don't need to cut a swathe thru that midfield this time.

Exactly.

true, though a good day for him would have been 5.2 not 7.0

Having cut 1/4 of the list in the past two years, Roos may prefer to avoid disrupting the list to such an extent leading up to his last year in charge.

Our midfield in particular still isn't what you'd call settled. It needs to function as a machine, when every mid has a sense of what his fellow mids do, where they like to get the ball, what they like to do with it once they get it, and just run to the right spot without thinking.

But that only happens when the same mids play together for 2 or 3 seasons. The midfield has been disrupted this year by injuries (Tyson, Viney, Salem, JKH, Kent, and even Jones looked hampered for a couple of games), but also by some new players really stepping up (most prominently Brayshaw & VDB, plus Garlett who's spent time as a mid). It's also possible that Riley, Michie, and perhaps Lumumba may have a role in the eventual midfield but it's not yet clear what it might be.

I really doubt that we'll go for any more fringe mids who may or may not step up (the likes of Newton, Michie etc). We'll be looking for blue chip mids only, via trade or draft, and look to add only 2 or 3 (given that we have potential blue-chips in Petracca & hopefully Trengove as new mids already for R1 2016).

So if we finish this season with a midfield of Jones, Vince, Tyson, Brayshaw, Viney, Cross, Vandenberg and Salem, that's a great foundation to build on with Petracca, a blue-chip trade (Prestia? Coniglio?) and a top-rated draftee, plus whoever steps up into the big time out of Kent, ANB, Trengove, Stretch, JKH, Toumpas. You get the idea. We don't need to cut a swathe thru that midfield this time.

Absolutely agree. Great post, mate.

Having cut 1/4 of the list in the past two years, Roos may prefer to avoid disrupting the list to such an extent leading up to his last year in charge.

Our midfield in particular still isn't what you'd call settled. It needs to function as a machine, when every mid has a sense of what his fellow mids do, where they like to get the ball, what they like to do with it once they get it, and just run to the right spot without thinking.

I really doubt that we'll go for any more fringe mids who may or may not step up (the likes of Newton, Michie etc). We'll be looking for blue chip mids only, via trade or draft, and look to add only 2 or 3 (given that we have potential blue-chips in Petracca & hopefully Trengove as new mids already for R1 2016).

So if we finish this season with a midfield of Jones, Vince, Tyson, Brayshaw, Viney, Cross, Vandenberg and Salem, that's a great foundation to build on with Petracca, a blue-chip trade (Prestia? Coniglio?) and a top-rated draftee, plus whoever steps up into the big time out of Kent, ANB, Trengove, Stretch, JKH, Toumpas. You get the idea. We don't need to cut a swathe thru that midfield this time.

Could you pls just point out where that long line of blue chip midfielders is queuing up to come to the Dees?

We haven't secured an elite/blue chip midfielder in the trade period for over 30 years. Its just laughable to think we can attract that calibre of football. We never have.

Having cut 1/4 of the list in the past two years, Roos may prefer to avoid disrupting the list to such an extent leading up to his last year in charge.

Our midfield in particular still isn't what you'd call settled. It needs to function as a machine, when every mid has a sense of what his fellow mids do, where they like to get the ball, what they like to do with it once they get it, and just run to the right spot without thinking.

But that only happens when the same mids play together for 2 or 3 seasons. The midfield has been disrupted this year by injuries (Tyson, Viney, Salem, JKH, Kent, and even Jones looked hampered for a couple of games), but also by some new players really stepping up (most prominently Brayshaw & VDB, plus Garlett who's spent time as a mid). It's also possible that Riley, Michie, and perhaps Lumumba may have a role in the eventual midfield but it's not yet clear what it might be.

I really doubt that we'll go for any more fringe mids who may or may not step up (the likes of Newton, Michie etc). We'll be looking for blue chip mids only, via trade or draft, and look to add only 2 or 3 (given that we have potential blue-chips in Petracca & hopefully Trengove as new mids already for R1 2016).

So if we finish this season with a midfield of Jones, Vince, Tyson, Brayshaw, Viney, Cross, Vandenberg and Salem, that's a great foundation to build on with Petracca, a blue-chip trade (Prestia? Coniglio?) and a top-rated draftee, plus whoever steps up into the big time out of Kent, ANB, Trengove, Stretch, JKH, Toumpas. You get the idea. We don't need to cut a swathe thru that midfield this time.

My concern is the club's ability to attract blue chip mids. We are going to have to tell a good story, a promising future in a relatively short term. At least finals appearances in the next two years. So I think we need to develop our own players. I would be giving blocks of 4 or 5 games to our mids to learn from the teams they are playing. Let them make mistakes but make sure they learn the lessons. I am sure that is what Roos is trying to do. Whilst I did not like what he said about the failure to man up Oxley (where was the runner) I think he was also telling them that they have to think for themselves. It was an object lesson and I would expect to see the leaders and senior players doing more on field directing in the week to come. Its the way to get them to use their own initiative. Could just be dreaming but I expect to see better on field leadership this week.

Could you pls just point out where that long line of blue chip midfielders is queuing up to come to the Dees?

Perhaps you could show us the long line of blue chip midfielders queuing up to go to any club. About the only one last year was Beams to the Lions - for family reasons as much as anything. 2013 ... I don't know, correct me if I'm wrong, but there were no blue chip midfielders who changed clubs.

etc. etc.

Could you pls just point out where that long line of blue chip midfielders is queuing up to come to the Dees?

We haven't secured an elite/blue chip midfielder in the trade period for over 30 years. Its just laughable to think we can attract that calibre of football. We never have.

show me the dumpster full of cash and I will show you the queue

All coaches get the finger pointed when the team is losing. Would much prefer Roosy dealing with the internal and external stuff than anyone else I can think of. Give me an intelligent, positive, and practical guy every time. He is also shrewd in what and how he communicates. It is not always best to be transparent to the media and public when your most important job is player management. I think overall he is maintaining a pretty good balance. He has the respect of the media and his players. That's got to be a good thing. If he keeps the jackals from the media away all the better. As with the players mark his report card at season end.

This nails it for me Ernie. I cannot believe people can actually justify any criticism directed at Roosy, given the low base from where we have come since his tenure began. He is extremely shrewd and is not simply urinating in the wind. I have seen some really good signs this year, but given our current list, the simple fact is we just don't have the cattle at the moment. Monday's game was one of split second decisions that went wrong for us, during the frenetic pace of the game. The victor showed they have a touch more class than us. Our day will come and it is not as far off as it seemed at the beginning of last year.

Go Dees

show me the dumpster full of cash and I will show you the queue

Money hasn't been the issue for us. We have cap room in spades.

And Shiel has re-signed for two more years.

Gee there goes that strategy.....

Perhaps you could show us the long line of blue chip midfielders queuing up to go to any club. About the only one last year was Beams to the Lions - for family reasons as much as anything. 2013 ... I don't know, correct me if I'm wrong, but there were no blue chip midfielders who changed clubs.

etc. etc.

Perhaps, this year it could be Prestia to Melbourne 'for family reasons'?

Perhaps, this year it could be Prestia to Melbourne 'for family reasons'?

Do you know something Adam?

Do you know something Adam?

I wish.

2014 Melbourne Demons 22 4 18 0 18.2% 2015 Melbourne Demons 12 4 8 0 33.3%

Already 4 wins this year and the trajectory so far only looks like going up. Roosy is a brilliant coach and for what it's worth think he should be signed up for the next 10 years. Have greater faith in him delivering than when Goodwin takes over due to his inexperience not his coaching nous. Not a slight on Goodwin just believe keeping Roosy as head coach would have been worth it's wait in gold.

Getting the team up to beat the cats on their home deck in Enright's 300th after last week's poor finish shows his supreme coaching nous.

Let me say I am a big fan of PR and he is building the list as best he can. As a Paid up long term member I am well aware of our deficiencies with the list, I am also aware that our young draftees are still developing, however....

PR - give us supporters of this club a bit of respect, we don't need to hear our list are tired after round 7, this list is ranked 9th youngest not 18th.

All clubs have injuries and we are not in the worst position on that.

Please stop telling us that some players who have been around on our list for years may still be mentally fragile! It is patently obvious to most of us who these players are, and hopefully their all gone as soon as possible.

I am sick of hearing about the black past of this club and it's woes. All I want as a supporter and watcher of games is to see effort, skill and competitive football. I don't want to hear mamby pamby pressers after each game we lose, As a supporter I want a coach who is a robust defender of his game plan and direction and stares everyone down with confidence. Lately it's starting to appear quite fluffy and political when Roos speaks. I'm over excuses and political speak.

The next month will be the barometer of where this list is going and supporters want to see a brand worth attending games to watch.

xcuses, xcuses, xcuses... tis mid june, the approaching solstice, & we've eclipsed a nemesis down in their den

Roosy totally outcoached Scott this week and what a time to do it. He and Clarkson are still the best two coaches in the league. We're very lucky to have him.

Roosy totally outcoached Scott this week and what a time to do it. He and Clarkson are still the best two coaches in the league. We're very lucky to have him.

Loved the rucks on Jared...as we know he is a terrific player if allowed to zone off but has always struggled against the bigger forwards/rucks

Loved the rucks on Jared...as we know he is a terrific player if allowed to zone off but has always struggled against the bigger forwards/rucks

Spot on, R. It was always going to be about quick ball movement, whether we could create a contest inside 50 and whether we could stop their run off half back.

Here is a great summary of where our club is at off the field.

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2015-06-25/goodwins-role-could-increase-this-year

The great thing is that the off field team is really stable and kicking goals.

As usual Roos is letting people enjoy themselves and plays to their strengths: “Simon is just a great student of the game and he’s fanatical about footy. At the moment it’s just about letting him do what he is really passionate about and loves [doing] – and that’s helping us as a team, helping our contest and helping our ball movement pattern...As we move further into the back end of this year and into next year, things will change slightly.”

I wouldn't be surprised to see Goodwin coach thru next years NAB games as part of his development.

I'm chuckling at the title of this thread!

Regardless of the number of wins in the Roos era he will go down as the guy who rebuilt the football side of our club!

Here is a great summary of where our club is at off the field.

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2015-06-25/goodwins-role-could-increase-this-year

The great thing is that the off field team is really stable and kicking goals.

As usual Roos is letting people enjoy themselves and plays to their strengths: “Simon is just a great student of the game and he’s fanatical about footy. At the moment it’s just about letting him do what he is really passionate about and loves [doing] – and that’s helping us as a team, helping our contest and helping our ball movement pattern...As we move further into the back end of this year and into next year, things will change slightly.”

I wouldn't be surprised to see Goodwin coach thru next years NAB games as part of his development.

I'm chuckling at the title of this thread!

Regardless of the number of wins in the Roos era he will go down as the guy who rebuilt the football side of our club!

Great post Lucifer. Its about time someone said this clearly, and you have nailed the bottom line on this topic = and apologies if its done before by others..

Roos has coached a measly 30 games or so and I now go to games thinking we are always a chance. Hats off to recruiters and rest of the team he has built around him.

Matthew Lloyds comments last week about running out of time were laughable. He needs to stick to being an apologist for the bombers - something he excels at.

Roos job was always to come in and lay a foundation so another coach would take over a group that was over the past and ready to become a serious AFL team,

we hired him to take the hits that a coach without his reputation couldn't withstand, and he is clearly the best person to help us build a core that could one day result in a premiership.

Roos has coached a measly 30 games or so and I now go to games thinking we are always a chance. Hats off to recruiters and rest of the team he has built around him.

Matthew Lloyds comments last week about running out of time were laughable. He needs to stick to being an apologist for the bombers - something he excels at.

Bit unkind to Lloyd.

I was delighted when Roos was appointed and I am still very happy with the club's progress - recruiting is so much smarter - you can see a style of play that is winning footy evolving, so don't get me wrong, but Lloyd's column was spot on.

The one blemish I have seen Roos repeat is the talk about the past. There is nothing to be gained in speculation that some players are so scarred they will never recover. If anything past failures should make them hungrier. I remember Don Scott saying of the several premierships he played in his favourite was the first (1971) because it was with blokes who had been smashed many times a few years before.

I think Lloyd was right when he said Roos had had a couple of bad weeks. Failing to play around or deal with Oxley helped cost us the QB game and he had 2 and 1/2 quarters to do it. And the mess we made of the St Kilda game really put us under the hammer because we were getting into winning positions and failing to finish off.

Lloyd's a better commentator than many and a bit of a surprise - like Carey who is also surprisingly articulate. Roos is not above criticism but he is the best thing we have had going since Neale D.