ridiculous quote

[Gouga 560]

You are kidding yourself Gouga! What Wayne Carey did is unforgivable!

A 50m penalty.....come on!

I'm not saying we would have won, but Wheatley single handedly destroyed our chances that day by being nothing short of stupid.

That was round 2, we are still winless. You never know, could have been a different season had we won?

I can forgive Stynes because it was his first year of football and he grew up in another country and he went on and did plenty to pay the club back. Wheatley is an experienced footballer that should have known better.

[Rogue 585]

I can forgive Stynes because it was his first year of football and he grew up in another country and he went on and did plenty to pay the club back. Wheatley is an experienced footballer that should have known better.

Fair enough.

[kramer 0]

wheatley is another good/ average melb. player at best, we ve got lots of them. if he was put on the open market someone might take him at pick 60 just to see if they get lucky. not a memorable 100 games.

[Yze_Magic 3]

Yze - I don't know why I bother responding, but Fagan is highly acclaimed and has been sought (and he knocked back) by other clubs over the years.

You are quite happy to write from the comfort of your seat that he "has no idea". Go to training and say it to his face.

I have told him to his face before

[Axis of Bob 11,146]

It's OK, because I'm sure he rates your opinion as highly as we do.

[Courtney_Fish 183]

Yze - I don't know why I bother responding, but Fagan is highly acclaimed and has been sought (and he knocked back) by other clubs over the years.

You are quite happy to write from the comfort of your seat that he "has no idea". Go to training and say it to his face.

Well I read through all the comments but this was the most interesting one. Yze_Tragic, do you own a chair now?

[Jonesy is the next captain 0]

Its do oro die for Wheately show up and perform or u are gone that is why he is playing

[deanox 9,641]

Is he out of his mind??? in our best 22?? any side with wheatley in it..won't win a premiership i'm sorry but he doesn't do enough for us and should be traded/delisted at the end of the season. Worst 100 gamer

Fagan has no idea. hasn't for a long time

We still have a second rate football department, and it shows

I put Fagan's comments done to spin.Wheatley is depth. That is all.

I tend to agree that Wheatley is a depth player, but every club needs these types to play finals.

...i would be amazed if he could make out 22 contrary to what Fagan believes. I think we need to delist him...

Servicable at best.

...

Its do oro die for Wheately show up and perform or u are gone that is why he is playing

one swallow doesnt make a summer...but does anyone wnat to change their mind about what a fit wheatly could do for us on the wing now? he played a fantastic game today...

[Gouga 560]

He was fantastic today. Great skills, I don't think he missed a target.

But it was only one game deanox.

[Jaded No More 67,609]

Well well well, if Paul Wheatley isn't 87 times better than Ward and Brown, I'm a pineapple*

Wheatley's first quarter on the wing was excellent, and when he just backs himself and kicks it long, he is a beautiful asset to the side. He can penetrate through a wall of opposition players without breaking a sweat, which is something every side needs.

*Disclaimer: I am not a pineapple.

[Nasher 33,607]

Thanks Paul for vindicating my defence of you. A+ game today.

[Jarka 767]

one swallow doesnt make a summer...but does anyone wnat to change their mind about what a fit wheatly could do for us on the wing now? he played a fantastic game today...

Consistency has always been his issue, I'll readress my opinion on him at the end of the season, not just after one game. I wouldn't have called his performance today fantastic though....

[Slartibartfast 16,870]

Consistency has always been his issue, I'll readress my opinion on him at the end of the season, not just after one game. I wouldn't have called his performance today fantastic though....

I think fitness has been his issue. It, or his lack of it, has been the reason for his inconsistency.

[DemonDoug 0]

He can kick the ball - long and to a target, he should get a game every week

[Doggo 32]

I wouldn't have called his performance today fantastic though....

I thought his game was very very good today. Maybe not 'fantastic', but very good nonetheless. His long accurate kicking has been something we've really been lacking this year. Definately an asset worthy of exploiting for the teams sake.

Here's to hoping he can get some fitness, stay injury-free and cement his spot in the side - as a player of his type is something we need. He is certainly more capable than Ward and Brown in the foot-skill department, as well as being younger, more versatile and stronger overhead, and his forward movements today, especially in the 1st qtr were great. Looked comfortable back in at the top level.

[Deano74 156]

I think fitness has been his issue. It, or his lack of it, has been the reason for his inconsistency.

Like most players in the side it is hard to play your best football with limited preparation, for players to be at their best I feel they need 4 to 5 weeks of consistent Football. Brock and Wheatley will be vastley improved in a months time.

Wheatley showed his value today and will get better. I think he is in our best 22.

[gOLLy 401]

/me serves words on a plate and hands over a napkin

[Red and Blue Flame 150]

even tho wheatley was verry good yesterday- i still believe it would be better off playing a younger kid. He's too inconsistent, and has been around for too long to now start playing decent.

[gOLLy 401]

your not leaving the table to you finish your meal

[QueenC 74]

Credit where it is due he was good yesterday and should hold his spot next week.

But while I am not one to be particularly critical of our players some of it here has been justified.

I just hope that we see the best out of him, like yesterday, for as long as we have him.

For how ever long that may be?!!!

[Kit Walker 225]

I don't think he's one of the players in the gun this year. He has just turned 26 and has a penetrating kick, something that we are not overly blessed with in this team. When we'll have 9 players on the current list turning 30+ next year, Wheatley is pretty valuable either as a first 22 player or depth at worst.

Must admit, I have been a bit of a fan because Melbourne doesn't have any players that can kick 60 metres (except Beamer occasionally and Neita's matchwinner yesterday!).

[Yze_Magic 3]

he is a very good player

To those who wrote him off, you are just silly

[Jarka 767]

I think fitness has been his issue. It, or his lack of it, has been the reason for his inconsistency.

For 8 years? That's a bloody long time to have a fitness problems, if that's really the problem i doubt that he'll ever be able to be a consistent player.

[Jonesy is the next captain 0]

Seriously u could not say a bad word against him yesterday, that shouldve shut all the Wheately baggers up for this week. He was excellent, hard at the ball, good kicking all around great. Good to have him back in form end of story

[Dappa Dan 2,188]

your not leaving the table to you finish your meal

I took a couple of bites of humble pie, but I've put the rest in the fridge for now. We looked great yesterday, and Wheaters was part of that. But one good game does not a good player make.

The general consensus is that he will be useful for a few years yet, as he's of a good age and has the skills to be more than just a defender. For example, right now Wheatley > Warnock.

Like Godders, he is not the kind of player that will actively win you a flag, but his role could be very important nonetheless, and they are both at the START of their best years as footballers.