Very happy big Max is in this week, hope he plays a blinder

All these people bagging the selection of Watts clearly cannot read or listen. Roos has said repeatedly - and you might recall this term - that he has exceptional "football intelligence".

Clearly Roos sees the goal assists and the excellent below the knees polish that many others miss.

Or you could just go back to when Watts was dropped and note Roos' comments about how you don't miss something until it's gone.

So get over yourselves. I wonder how many of those pursuing the false "Watts or Grimes" option are those who have bagged Grimes' disposal in the past?

I guess in defence of Howe, he has an attribute that almost no-one else has.

AND FINALLY, none of us know the role every player is given on any particular day. Maybe a little less certainty in the opinions around here would be fitting.

Comedy gold......

Comedy gold......

I reckon

Shows just how much Grimes has fallen, Matt Jones getting a game in front of him must cut to the bone!!

Comedy gold......

I reckon

Pot.

Kettle.

Black.

Google it boys.

The midfield has been our biggest weakness for a while now but with Jones, Vince, Tyson (obv not playing) and Lumumba playing inconsistent football you'd think if those guys plus Viney turn up to play we would be a good chance.

Obviously Vince has been playing more of a tagging role this year so his form is harder to gauge.

Lumumba I have been a little disappointed with so far but give him time (he is playing a new role).

That leaves Cross, Vandenberg, Newton, Riley, Toumpas, Brayshaw and M.Jones who can't really be expected to have great games week in week out.

Hopefully in a couple years time Brayshaw, Toumpas, Stretch, Salem, ANB, Petracca and Trengove will be in that core group (maybe Vanders and Newton as well).

Plus we need to score a gun mid in the off-season to take pressure of Jones and to lead the way for the young players.

Right now though I struggle to see us winning games like this due to our small group of core mids.

Edited June 7, 201510 yr by Young Dee

The midfield has been our biggest weakness for a while now but with Jones, Vince, Tyson (obv not playing) and Lumumba playing inconsistent football you'd think if those guys plus Viney turn up to play we would be a good chance.

Obviously Vince has been playing more of a tagging role this year so his form is harder to gauge.

Lumumba I have been a little disappointed with so far but give him time (he is playing a new role).

That leaves Cross, Vandenberg, Newton, Riley, Toumpas, Brayshaw and M.Jones who can't really be expected to have great games week in week out.

Hopefully in a couple years time Brayshaw, Toumpas, Stretch, Salem, ANB, Petracca and Trengove will be in that core group (maybe Vanders and Newton as well).

Plus we need to score a gun mid in the off-season to take pressure of Jones and to lead the way for the young players.

Right now though I struggle to see us winning games like this due to our small group of core mids.

Vanders is already part of the core group - has been a real find.

Hats off to the recruiters.

Who goes to Sidebottom/Pendles ??

Who goes to Sidebottom/Pendles ??

Vince to run with Pendles, Cross to run with Swan, Viney maybe to Sidebottom?

Got to be careful that we aren't overly conscious of their mids though,we need to win the ball ourselves.

Very happy big Max is in this week, hope he plays a blinder

He won't.

Vince to run with Pendles, Cross to run with Swan, Viney maybe to Sidebottom?

Got to be careful that we aren't overly conscious of their mids though,we need to win the ball ourselves.

Rileys in there for a reason. Guessing Roos gave him his assignment at the start of the week.

I still think we're a massive chance, must maintain intensity and tackling pressure.

Vanders is already part of the core group - has been a real find.

Hats off to the recruiters.

We said the same about Magner.... obviously he was a little more one dimensional but still don't want to overhype a mature age player again (Terlich, Georgiou)

We said the same about Magner.... obviously he was a little more one dimensional but still don't want to overhype a mature age player again (Terlich, Georgiou)

He's different to those players, it's pretty clear.

Rileys in there for a reason. Guessing Roos gave him his assignment at the start of the week.

I still think we're a massive chance, must maintain intensity and tackling pressure.

True, I hadn't thought about Riley. I worry that he lacks the running capacity to go with either of those three though...

True, I hadn't thought about Riley. I worry that he lacks the running capacity to go with either of those three though...

Was thinking Swan goes forward a lot, they also have Elliot - Jetta and Blair and Fasalo. Will be interesting to see what happens.

We said the same about Magner.... obviously he was a little more one dimensional but still don't want to overhype a mature age player again (Terlich, Georgiou)

Really?

Wow.

I want to see Viney take on Pendlebury. Would be great to see him cop some rough footy for once

I want to see Viney take on Pendlebury. Would be great to see him cop some rough footy for once

Viney or Vince as long as he's made accountable.

I want to see Viney take on Pendlebury. Would be great to see him cop some rough footy for once

Pendles still struggling with an ankle so he'll probably be spending a fair bit of time forward

I can see Viney going to Sidebottom

I played golf yesterday with a pies member who said he believes pendles will be a late scratch tomorrow due to his ankle injury.

Not sure how good his source is, but that's his info

Glad Matt Jones is in.

He will provide the ability to take a live ball and then kill it and lie on top of it like squirrel .Something we have been lacking .

Robbie and Pitmaster, thanks for your excellent posts. Reason and insight.

THE BEAST by Whispering Jack

Neale Daniher spoke to the Melbourne players again this week.

Perhaps there's not a lot of logic behind what I'm about to suggest but I believe that the last time Daniher spoke to this group, they got up and played possibly their best game of the season against the Western Bulldogs and on that basis, I'm giving them the nod to break an eight year old streak and win a Queens Birthday clash against Collingwood.

Last week, in the absence of a rev from the Rev, Melbourne demonstrated its inconsistency and its brittleness by turning a comfortable four goal lead halfway through the second quarter into a ten goal defeat against a previously flailing Port Adelaide. There's little doubt that such form has a lot to do with what's going on in the collective heads of the group and Neale Daniher's courage and example over the past year during his battle with MND is enough to spur those with doubts in their minds about their ability to succeed in this sport.

And for this reason, I believe that the Melbourne Football Club will join American Pharoah, the Aussie Test Cricket Team, Serena Williams, the Casey Scorpions and Barcelona (remind me about their colours) in their triumph over the Beast this week.

Melbourne by 17 points.

Like your work WJ!

Max Gawn says he deserves chance as Melbourne’s No.1 ruck against Collingwood.

http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/max-gawn-says-he-deserves-chance-as-melbournes-no1-ruck-against-collingwood/story-fndv8pdq-1227387272388

Max Gawn says he deserves chance as Melbourne’s No.1 ruck against Collingwood.

http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/max-gawn-says-he-deserves-chance-as-melbournes-no1-ruck-against-collingwood/story-fndv8pdq-1227387272388

Sub heading then says "MELBOURNE says big man Max Gawn deserves his opportunity " (bit confusing)

Edited June 7, 201510 yr by Young Dee