Some encouraging words about Harmes on our website:

"He wasn’t best-on-ground and didn’t kick a bag, but there was plenty to like about James Harmes’ first AFL match. The rookie had nine touches, threw his body in and gave a couple of strong bumps and made a few tackles, giving the Melbourne fans another youngster to keep an eye on...'

He did better in half a game than some of his teammates who played the whole game!!

I thought the intention was always to play Harmes for 1/2 the game (as most of debutantes have this year).

So he was to either start as the sub or lined up to be subbed out.

I would be surprised if he didn't know, that he would be subbed out, before the game started.

Doubt he will be dropped...maybe share the sub vest with one of the other 1st year players.

Looked pretty downcast when wearing the red vest - god I hate this sub fiasco.

That's a positive as it shows he's a competitive beast. Hope they give him another go.

In - Grimes, Fitzy

Out - Howe, Dawes

B - N.Jetta - L.Dunn - C.Garland

HB - H.Lumumba - J.Fitzpatrick - J.Grimes

C - B.Vince - D.Tyson - A.Vandenberg

HF - J.Watts - T.McDonald - A.Brayshaw

F - J.Garlett - J.Hogan - A. Neal-Bullen

R - M.Gawn - J.Viney - N.Jones

Bench - J. Kennedy-Harris - J.Harmes - D.Cross

Sub - B.Stretch

After the last two weeks webber I have no idea why they cannot.

Because it's patently obvious that it's untrue.

One frustrating loss and half of you drop your bundle.

Pathetic.

Because it's patently obvious that it's untrue.

One frustrating loss and half of you drop your bundle.

Pathetic.

They are no more wins than last year at this point. We are scoring one goal more and conceding 2 more.

Not much up side there bing

Howe cleared!

Now we can see whether the coaches do what Nth did and make an example of players...they dropped Edwards and made Harvey the sub.

WC did the same with Selwood a few weeks ago.

Time that there was some consequence of players who aren't doing their job are held accountable

Howe cleared!

Now we can see whether the coaches do what Nth did and make an example of players...they dropped Edwards and made Harvey the sub.

WC did the same with Selwood a few weeks ago.

Time that there was some consequence of players who aren't doing their job are held accountable

im not at all against this, short term pain long term gain, an oldie but a goodie, still works.

Roos has rarely done this, but results were good with Watts & Grimes.

Would like to see Fitzy back in for an extended run as a key defender. Harmes I think should get at least another week, he did some good things but struggled for positioning and adapting to the level which is how I saw ANB's first run.

Gus struggled and could have done with a week off.

Also copped a hit early in a tackle that would have tested that trap of his.

I'm all for 2 ruckman Gawn & Jamar, Dawes of Hogan to come out.

Fitzy in to move T Mac around (out whoever doesn't get up)

I'm all for 2 ruckman Gawn & Jamar, Dawes of Hogan to come out.

Fitzy in to move T Mac around (out whoever doesn't get up)

Hogan out for Jamar or Fitz!?

FMD i have seen it all now..

I'm all for 2 ruckman Gawn & Jamar, Dawes of Hogan to come out.

Fitzy in to move T Mac around (out whoever doesn't get up)

Hogan out LMAO

Oh my lord

Edited July 13, 201510 yr by hogans_heroes

Hogan out for Jamar or Fitz!?

FMD i have seen it all now..

relax preferably Dawes but Hogan looked to have a niggle & may not get up.

relax preferably Dawes but Hogan looked to have a niggle & may not get up.

well ok if he has an injury that would suck but dropping him would be diabolical

well ok if he has an injury that would suck but dropping him would be diabolical

We can cover him. Exhibit A, the Geelong game.

Dawes and Howe won't get dropped.

Hogan out...? Surely can't be serious.

He won't be dropped from this side unless injured or suspended (or strategically rested against the reigning premiers).

Edited July 13, 201510 yr by Lamashtu

Dawes and Howe won't get dropped.

Why shouldn't Dawes?

The guy is dead set useless

Why shouldn't Dawes?

The guy is dead set useless

If Pedo wasn't injured I'm convinced Dawes would've been "finding form" in the seconds by now.

I ought to be surprised at some of the pessimism in this thread, but I'm not. Some people on here appear to just be itching for the next error to befall the club so they can say 'I told you so! We're not improving! Why didn't you all listen to me when I said so!!'

If you think we're worse than last year then you're far more delusional than those who you criticise for suggesting we're doing OK.

If you think our best is the worst in the league then you didn't watch our best convincingly beat Richmond, the Dogs or Geelong (two current top 8 sides, one pushing for the 8 (and in Geelong)). You didn't see our best dominate Collingwood for sustained periods (current top 8 side), or GWS for the first half (current top 8 side), or Port for the first half, or Adelaide for the first quarter.

Yes, the last four of those didn't turn into wins, and that's both disappointing and not good enough. But suggestions that our best is the worst in the league are just ridiculous, the evidence shows you to be wrong. It also obscures from the reality of football - no side plays at its best week in, week out (hell, Fremantle just lost to Hawthorn by 72 points). Our best is more than good enough. If anything, the issue is our worst - our worst is not acceptable and dips below pretty much all other clubs' worsts. IMO we're working on this but a combination of bad list management, bad team selection, bad luck with injuries, and bad leadership mean that it's not being improved as fast as I would like.

Why shouldn't Dawes?

The guy is dead set useless

Played okay against the Cats.

Competes.

Chases.

Played okay against the Cats.

Competes.

Chases.

Is that it...

Why shouldn't Dawes?

The guy is dead set useless

Might be angling for a trade with Dawes too.

I ought to be surprised at some of the pessimism in this thread, but I'm not. Some people on here appear to just be itching for the next error to befall the club so they can say 'I told you so! We're not improving! Why didn't you all listen to me when I said so!!'

If you think we're worse than last year then you're far more delusional than those who you criticise for suggesting we're doing OK.

If you think our best is the worst in the league then you didn't watch our best convincingly beat Richmond, the Dogs or Geelong (two current top 8 sides, one pushing for the 8 (and in Geelong)). You didn't see our best dominate Collingwood for sustained periods (current top 8 side), or GWS for the first half (current top 8 side), or Port for the first half, or Adelaide for the first quarter.

Yes, the last four of those didn't turn into wins, and that's both disappointing and not good enough. But suggestions that our best is the worst in the league are just ridiculous, the evidence shows you to be wrong. It also obscures from the reality of football - no side plays at its best week in, week out (hell, Fremantle just lost to Hawthorn by 72 points). Our best is more than good enough. If anything, the issue is our worst - our worst is not acceptable and dips below pretty much all other clubs' worsts. IMO we're working on this but a combination of bad list management, bad team selection, bad luck with injuries, and bad leadership mean that it's not being improved as fast as I would like.

Sense!

Make them fight for their spot in the team.

I like what Dennis Pagan use to do. Worst four players from the game would train all week against the best four from the reserves. Whoever wanted it more got in. I know its a bit old school but we need to bring back a bit of Guts and Determination. A bit of G and D is what we need this week.

Is that it...

Yep.

He's no world beater, but I reckon he does his job.

Can't say that for a few others.

Yep.

He's no world beater, but I reckon he does his job.

Can't say that for a few others.

Sorry but disagree. Whatever job he is supposably ment to be doing he is pretty [censored] at it.

He has been a major major disappointment. The quicker he is out of the side the better.

Adds nothing to this team.