Thank God there's no more practice matches.

[grazman 7,295]

At least after Rd one we'll be able to make some objective rational assessments based on a game that actually matters rather than have all the 'Marvin the Robot' comments about how bleak the future looks.

[Jarka 767]

At least after Rd one we'll be able to make some objective rational assessments based on a game that actually matters rather than have all the 'Marvin the Robot' comments about how bleak the future looks.

Ha! Marvin the Robert is one of my all time favourite creations.

I'm not particularly upset with our results as it comes of no surprise, our list needs alot of work before we're realistically challenging for a flag

[CarnTheDees 52]

Another terrible thread only aimed purely at inciting conflict but I'll jump in anyway.

Having just returned from Casey Fields I am feeling desperately bleak about our outlook for this season. Nothing to do with the results, but the manner in which we played today suggests that a great deal of improvement is required in the next 2 weeks. The much hyped "they need time to get used to the new game plan" is a crock, as the game plan hasn't seemed to change much at all. Poor skills, overuse of the football (handball and sideways kicking) and conceding stupid free kicks were the only consistencies in our performance.

[Hannabal 4]

It's taken me a while to get concerned, but today's showing was pathetic.

The overuse of handball is hideous. We have so few genuine A graders. Our skill level was awful. Our decision making even worse. Any forward would have less hair after today. If ever they nail the gameplan, and I use the word loosely, they'll be world beaters, cos the opposition will have absolutely no friggin idea what's going on.

Could Rivers, Bruce, Whelan, and Morton (poor kid) make so much difference ?

I hope I'm wrong, but I may need to learn how to spell Natanui.

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

Another terrible thread only aimed purely at inciting conflict but I'll jump in anyway.

Having just returned from Casey Fields I am feeling desperately bleak about our outlook for this season. Nothing to do with the results, but the manner in which we played today suggests that a great deal of improvement is required in the next 2 weeks. The much hyped "they need time to get used to the new game plan" is a crock, as the game plan hasn't seemed to change much at all. Poor skills, overuse of the football (handball and sideways kicking) and conceding stupid free kicks were the only consistencies in our performance.

I agree.

The mentality that players still seem to have of looking sideways all the time and not moving the ball directly forward is seriously worrying. I noted that most of the goals scored (by both sides) were the result of direct, attacking football.

[Jarka 767]

We have so few genuine A graders.

Welcome to 2 years ago, but I suspect that you already knew this.

Our list needs a major overhaul - rucks, KPP's and midfield depth, but the worst crime that has been made over the last 5 years was the club doing everything it possibly could last year so we didn't receive a pp pick. If things go as they are now for the rest of the year then we will end up with under 5 wins and if we had of done the intelligent thing then we would have had the first 2 picks. It depresses me how stupid we've been as a club since Gutnick began his reign.

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

We have so few genuine A graders.

I'm more worried about the tactics being used.

[John Dee 445]

I'm going to make a cup of tea.

[Hannabal 4]

I'm more worried about the tactics being used.

Really ? Maybe I should have highlighted a couple of other areas.

Knock knock.

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

Really ? Maybe I should have highlighted a couple of other areas.

Knock knock.

It's not to say that I'm not worried about some players. But the overall feeling of despair I got from watching the game today was the way that Melbourne players would continually look sideways and look to handpass when the better option more often than not was to go direct.

[Yze_Magic 3]

What you are seeing now is the fallout from the Daniher/Fagan/Royal era

Our player development was pathetic under that regime. And Dean Bailey is left to pick up the pieces.

I can tell you now that Bailey and co. will shine, and we will rise again like the phoenix. But if you expect it to happen overnight, then I suggest you get a clue about football and perhaps study the state of our current list and also the massive player/coaching staff turnover from 2007/2008.

[Gorgoroth 12,712]

I must admit i don not expect too much from this year, good thing I'll in the USA for a few weeks in may

[diesel 420]

The mentality that players still seem to have of looking sideways all the time and not moving the ball directly forward is seriously worrying. I noted that most of the goals scored (by both sides) were the result of direct, attacking football.

This really got my goat today. If there is such a thing as instinctive football then we need to learn it quick. We don't take the first option and as a result I doubt anyone playing up the ground would have a clue how or where the ball is going to come into our forward line!

I hope it is all a ruse and that in two weeks time the game plan they have been tested on will unfold in all its glory!

Certainly we need our best back and I was glad to I hung around to watch Sandy. Jared Rivers looks primed and Wheels, Wheats and Barts all played their part.

[mo64 5,504]

It's taken me a while to get concerned, but today's showing was pathetic.

The overuse of handball is hideous. We have so few genuine A graders. Our skill level was awful. Our decision making even worse. Any forward would have less hair after today. If ever they nail the gameplan, and I use the word loosely, they'll be world beaters, cos the opposition will have absolutely no friggin idea what's going on.

Could Rivers, Bruce, Whelan, and Morton (poor kid) make so much difference ?

I hope I'm wrong, but I may need to learn how to spell Natanui.

Hannabal, it's only taken a week, but we are now on the same page.

[Bring-Back-Powell 14,389]

Hannabal, it's only taken a week, but we are now on the same page.

I hope you're all braced for a 3-19 season.

[Hannabal 4]

Hannabal, it's only taken a week, but we are now on the same page.

I doubt we'll ever be on the same page. I wasn't concerned by results with an under 12's side. Yesterday was close to full strength and I got to witness our R & C gameplan first hand.

I doubt I've seen a worse brand of football.

[gOLLy 401]

Welcome to 2 years ago, but I suspect that you already knew this.

Our list needs a major overhaul - rucks, KPP's and midfield depth, but the worst crime that has been made over the last 5 years was the club doing everything it possibly could last year so we didn't receive a pp pick. If things go as they are now for the rest of the year then we will end up with under 5 wins and if we had of done the intelligent thing then we would have had the first 2 picks. It depresses me how stupid we've been as a club since Gutnick began his reign.

I would say after his reign. Every aspect at our club has a big question mark starting from admin down

[Jaded No More 67,821]

Is it possible that Bailey is instructing the players to play run and carry during the pre-season to prove to them just how poorly they execute this style, and come Round 1 we'll switch to a whole new, much improved game plan? <_<

[mo64 5,504]

Is it possible that Bailey is instructing the players to play run and carry during the pre-season to prove to them just how poorly they execute this style, and come Round 1 we'll switch to a whole new, much improved game plan? <_<

Get used to the phrase "Kick the bl##dy thing". You'll hear it alot this year.

[Little Goffy 14,056]

It's not to say that I'm not worried about some players. But the overall feeling of despair I got from watching the game today was the way that Melbourne players would continually look sideways and look to handpass when the better option more often than not was to go direct.

There's a simple problem with the tactics as far as I can see- the players have been instructed to run with it and look for a good option to pass off to, fair enough, but what we're seeing with these 'held on to it for too long' and 'sideways handballing' moments is that the rest of the team hasn't properly got into the habit of actually presenting good options, running to the right spot, and being ready to push on once it comes to them.

New motto, to be drilled into them all day every day -

MOVE WITH PURPOSE

[mo64 5,504]

There's a simple problem with the tactics as far as I can see- the players have been instructed to run with it and look for a good option to pass off to, fair enough, but what we're seeing with these 'held on to it for too long' and 'sideways handballing' moments is that the rest of the team hasn't properly got into the habit of actually presenting good options, running to the right spot, and being ready to push on once it comes to them.

New motto, to be drilled into them all day every day -

MOVE WITH PURPOSE

Unless you are a team of superskilled elusive players, the idea of holding on to the ball until you find a good option comes unstuck when the opposition apply pressure. Apart from Davey, who else has got evasive skills? Furthermore, the presenting players don't know when the ball is going to be delivered. They may well be running to the right spot.

[45HG 1,539]

as a side note, what was with players getting the ball, running at an opponent on one side of their body, then incredibly slowly cutting back to their other side as some foolhearty attempt to bypass their man, resulting in more stagnant progress down the field that inevitably lead to a handball coming to a player standing still.

i think as our handling of the ball, weetra, improves our team will look a bit better. and when THAT MAN rivers is back our defence will look better, but yes this will not be the 150th birthday year we were all dreaming about, but i don't mean that in such a negative way as it is a necessary step in becoming a force again

[Diablo 1]

and when THAT MAN rivers is back our defence will look better, but yes this will not be the 150th birthday year we were all dreaming about, but i don't mean that in such a negative way as it is a necessary step in becoming a force again

About the only positive to come out of yesterday for me. In what I saw of the Sandy game, Rivers was cutting it to shreds. His strong-marking, strong-spoiling best.

The most dire thing for me was the defensive efforts of the players. We appear to be a team of lazy bastards who are happy to run forward when we have the ball, but refuse to track back when it is inevitably turned over. There is no pressure on the opposition, and so they make it look bloody easy. The players are kidding themselves if they think the application of effort yesterday is up to U14s standard, let alone AFL. Our forward line presently look too old (Neitz), too unfit (Robbo), and too unco (Newton - how many times did he fall over?). Their lack of mo- and a-bility is as much to blame as and of our midfielders. How do you kick to a leading forward when none of the forwards lead?

Before the season starts, two things need to happen;

The midfielders need to get some harden the fudge up pills into them, and chase and tackle. Pressure = turnovers.

The forward line needs to get some arthritis pills into them, and actually move around a bit. It's their responsibility to make leads that demand the football, as much as it is the midfielders' responsibility to deliver it well.

[jacey 333]

Unless you are a team of superskilled elusive players, the idea of holding on to the ball until you find a good option comes unstuck when the opposition apply pressure. Apart from Davey, who else has got evasive skills? Furthermore, the presenting players don't know when the ball is going to be delivered. They may well be running to the right spot.

How was our pressure going the other way?

Surely with 38 shots, there was some lack of pressure or were they all from incoherent play by us?

Edit: Thanks Diablo.

[Diablo 1]

How was our pressure going the other way?

Surely with 38 shots, there was some lack of pressure or were they all from incoherent play by us?

I know you love your 2-way footy Jacey so you would have been appalled yesterday. Some truly weak efforts at times, and the usual culprits. Green and Yze amongst them.

Green is an enigma. There are times when he shows real courage, but then just as many others where he vindicates everyone that has ever described him as a front-runner.