On 07/06/2019 at 04:18, 3Dee said:

Not sure if many follow the NHL around here, but here is an optimistic story for every Demonlander.

The St. Louis Blues were dead last in the NHL on January 3rd this year (that's 31 teams). This was around the halfway mark of the season. They then went on a huge run, made it into the playoffs and are now one game away from winning the Stanley Cup (series lead 3-2).

Maybe we shouldn't give up just yet?

Also [censored] the Bruins

I just reflect on North Melbourne in recent times. Rock bottom for an eternity, as well. Nabbed a piece of absolute inspiration against the odds and against expectation (it was Ronald Dale) and from there, accessed some absolute talent in both experienced players and recruits, with Ron bringing these people together into a Team with a mission, each with a purpose and a demand of absolute support or the deal was off. 

It is recent history passed; it was relatively short-lived for a variety of uncontrollable reasons; it was also what happened. It was stuff that could only happen with Barassi on-board. It was more than absolutely successful; it was miraculous and a testament to football endeavour. 

The MFC is in a better position now, in today's game, than North were in that day in the game that existed then.

Duplication is not a sin.

 

 

Looking forward to seeing what May can do. But our team does look stronger on paper. Hope Lever can put a string of games together. Hopefully this year our backline can stop Mason Cox. 

Hope we can put on a good show on monday. 

Spargo!??

OMac and JKH out...

... Now we're getting somewhere!

It'll take time to gel, but man it's gonna be sweet seeing Lever and May repelling everything that comes their way (hoping that our mids do more running to prevent that), and with Hibbo/Salem rebounding, together with new gun Hore helping out with intercepts. 

Love Baker and Fritsch on the wings 

Grundy and Cox 

vs

Gawn and ???????????

where the fruitingles is Preuss. 

Spargo to play on Cox!

Melbourne

B   Michael Hibberd   Steven May   Jake Lever

 

How good does that look?   Beat the Filth

  On 08/06/2019 at 08:57, picket fence said:

Cheezus H Christmas

Cannot kick beyond 35-40 m

Cannot mark

Is slower than a wet week in Melb

Cannot stick a tackle

Doesn't t hit the scoreboard

Really ???

 

He's still an improvement on JKH, who has only managed to play 6-8 games per year since his debut season when spots were easier to retain. He's a fringe player that is pushed out of the team within 2-3 weeks maximum and usually gets 3-4 goes at it per year. He's had his chances in years gone by and should be the first player to be omitted when better players return, if he's playing his standard quiet game before omission and we have a good opponent to play. I think this is just a classic case of a players reputation growing because they're not in the team and away from the crosshairs of fans.

Edited June 8, 20195 yr by John Demonic

  On 08/06/2019 at 17:07, John Demonic said:

He's still an improvement on JKH, who has only managed to play 6-8 games per year since his debut season when spots were easier to retain. He's a fringe player that is pushed out of the team within 2-3 weeks maximum and usually gets 3-4 goes at it per year. He's had his chances in years gone by and should be the first player to be omitted when better players return, if he's playing his standard quiet game before omission and we have a good opponent to play. I think this is just a classic case of a players reputation growing because they're not in the team and away from the crosshairs of fans.

Best side 4 the year. Only missing arguably 5-6 players. Milkshake, Vanders, Jetta, maybe ANB, Preuss & J Smith (the x factor in 4ward half). 

Best side all year. Avaerage age and games have gone up to a respectable level. 

Im tipping a Melbourne win. Pies have been average in the last few weeks and have had disruption with Buckley/malthouse saga

dees will come to play 

  On 08/06/2019 at 12:28, Soidee said:

Spargo to play on Cox!

Possibly on Hibbo's shoulders Soi

 

I don’t mind the Cox in. Reid had been ok for them and Cox has had a number of weeks off. I would have been more worried about Reid as he’s a pretty smart footballer.

It also might be a bit slippery due to morning showers.

Frost will take Cox

Lever on Mihocek

May on De Goey

Stephenson is a bit of a worry, due to his speed. I think Hibbing will take him.

  On 08/06/2019 at 17:07, John Demonic said:

He's still an improvement on JKH, who has only managed to play 6-8 games per year since his debut season when spots were easier to retain. He's a fringe player that is pushed out of the team within 2-3 weeks maximum and usually gets 3-4 goes at it per year. He's had his chances in years gone by and should be the first player to be omitted when better players return, if he's playing his standard quiet game before omission and we have a good opponent to play. I think this is just a classic case of a players reputation growing because they're not in the team and away from the crosshairs of fans.

Completely agree. It's like we forget how average/poor he was in between stints due to the length of time between those stints. When he got injured, I read in the Sun that we had lost a 'silky midfielder'!!? Crazy stuff. Won't miss him when he's eventually delisted. I'd love for a trade but I doubt there'll be much value.

  On 08/06/2019 at 12:28, Soidee said:

Spargo to play on Cox!

What a killer attitude, 'atta boy. We the invincibles!

  On 09/06/2019 at 01:21, Deemania since 56 said:

What a killer attitude, 'atta boy. We the invincibles!

Didn’t Cox have a sore ankle? Maybe Spargo is the correct man on him ?

  On 08/06/2019 at 12:15, DemonOX said:

Grundy and Cox 

vs

Gawn and ???????????

where the fruitingles is Preuss. 

Agree DemonOx. Running with Weid against Roughead, Moore, Maynard and Co. They will maul him. 

Too much pressure for a developing tall and we know by his own admission he doesn’t cope with it well (yet). 

Why recruit Preuss if not for these types of occasions? Crazy stuff.

  On 08/06/2019 at 10:08, Lamberto Bava said:

I'm not sure if anyone on this website listens to the Deebrief podcast but this week just gone they interviewed Fritsch and he named Spargo as one of the best leaders at the club. So that may go some way as to explaining why he is still in the team. 

His leadership qualities didn't seem to help him at all against GWS (especially that 50m penalty), nor did they help him take that soda of a chest mark he fresh-aired last week at a crucial stage... 

ANB, Stretch, JKH would all be an improvement on Spargo

  On 08/06/2019 at 08:35, John Demonic said:

he hasn't had enough quality around him to be that icing on the cake player. I think he will get better as the team gets stronger personally. I guess we have differing opinions on his value last year.

We should not be recruiting players to be icing we should be developing players to get the job done. His speed and skills are limited but they might develop. This year there are many who have more runs on the board and a few newcomers that have shown more in that same role. I believe he needs to sharpen his versatility and skills at Casey, not in the firsts. The success of last year is not a justification because we fell short. I do not think he has improved and that is his problem. He may improve but we do not need players who are only good if they are carried by the quality around them. Playing him is either a tanking plan or an increase his trade value plan. ANB, J. Wagner, Lockhart and JKH all have better claims to his position and all can win their own ball which Spargo is not good at.

   

9 Out of 10 of the banner are playing.

now we need several of them to pick up their performances.

onward and upward!

  On 08/06/2019 at 12:28, Soidee said:

Spargo to play on Cox!

Squirrel grip?

  On 08/06/2019 at 10:08, Lamberto Bava said:

I'm not sure if anyone on this website listens to the Deebrief podcast but this week just gone they interviewed Fritsch and he named Spargo as one of the best leaders at the club. So that may go some way as to explaining why he is still in the team. 

That’s bizarre. I had him pegged as less “leadership” and more “make-a-wish”. 

De Goey in doubt? 

Calf?

  On 09/06/2019 at 03:15, Mel Bourne said:

That’s bizarre. I had him pegged as less “leadership” and more “make-a-wish”. 

Shows what you know.

  On 09/06/2019 at 06:43, jumbo returns said:

De Goey in doubt? 

Calf?

That would be a handy out.