Almost as good as a win ...

[Whispering_Jack 28,037]

Nothing beats getting the four points but I think today marked the start of a new era for the Melbourne Football Club. For the first time under Dean Bailey we played like true Demons and had we not been pittted against the best side in the competition on their own dungheap after unfurling their premiership flag from last year, we might have even gotten up and won.

Next week against North Melbourne should hold no fears.

[Maybe next year 167]

Maybe not 4 points - I would say two. Let's see what happens next week.

[WonnaJurah 5]

roos the blues let the winning streak begin

[Geddy Lee 582]

This week won't be so bad at work.

Cale Morton is Jesus Christ's distant relative.

[Hards 2]

Much better workrate and much better either change to the gameplan or execution of Bailey's ideas - not everyone running for the handball but using the short kick to space the opposition out. We looked faster than we did in previous weeks as a result, not caught as often in the middle.

Go down by five goals, with at least four conceeded to poor defensive half turnovers or spoils (and three of those within two metres of goal!).

I hope they view that as a game they could have won, and not be happy or content with getting within five goals of the Cats.

[Anders 14]

You're kidding aren't you? Geelong were terrible today, if ever we were going to beat them today was it. But BASIC skill errors (particularly allowing Hawkins 3 goals pretty much in the goal square!) and letting Geelong get red time goals cost us. Don't get me wrong it was much better than previous weeks. But still very frustrating.

Lets get some consistency in our performances before we judge whether things are looking good. Better yet lets actually get a win!

'

[deestroy08 0]

I agree. What a great game to watch.

Wona and Morton are so impressive, and it's good to see McLean and Bruce finding some form. And Wheatley! And even Carroll.

[mclean sweep 0]

Geelong didn't play their A game though i believe if melbourne's skill errors get patched up we could be a real chance next week.

Morton shows promise of a champion. Rising star award

[Yze_Magic 3]

Morton is increcible

A real footballer. Aussie looks like the second coming of Byron Pickett

I am PUMPED

BRING ON THE ROOS

[beelzebub 22,271]

Well I'll bascially repeat myself from other thread ( what a PW I am..lol )

Well.... first game we were COMPETITIVE....now we just need some Skills and Better Decision Making !!

Some blokes can feel proud of efforts....some need to hand in their jumpers

I dont think the round 6 Ajudication came come quick enough. Bails must be heartened ( as indeed are we..lol ) Still a very long way to go...lets not get particularly carried awa..yet all but a small number expected an utter anihalation. It didnt come and for the first in a while the Cats struggled..in their own kitty-litter no less.

Im afraid the writing is on the wall for a few Demons. Some lost opportunities are coming home to roost.

I like Aussie.. something about him.. a no nonsense type.. very nuggety. Morton...a revelation.

a long way to go still...

[Anders 14]

I agree. What a great game to watch.

Wona and Morton are so impressive, and it's good to see McLean and Bruce finding some form. And Wheatley! And even Carroll.

LOL. Seriously? It was a terrible game to watch, our work rate was there but it was often not pretty, Geelong were bad too.

Yeah. Morton was good again. Looks like he might turn into a Brendan Goddard type player. Wonawhatever had good disposal, much better than many of his teammates.

[Geddy Lee 582]

LOL. Seriously? It was a terrible game to watch, our work rate was there but it was often not pretty, Geelong were bad too.

Yeah. Morton was good again. Looks like he might turn into a Brendan Goddard type player. Wonawhatever had good disposal, much better than many of his teammates.

Good to see you have your hopes down.

[mclean sweep 0]

How many chances are they going to give Garland. He just really struggles. I remember seeing at the dying stages of the first qtr when Wheatley's kick was smothered, Garlands attempt to spoil (or should have marked) just looked clumsy. Resulted in a stokes goal.

[deestroy08 0]

LOL. Seriously? It was a terrible game to watch, our work rate was there but it was often not pretty, Geelong were bad too.

Yeah. Morton was good again. Looks like he might turn into a Brendan Goddard type player. Wonawhatever had good disposal, much better than many of his teammates.

Maybe I'm easily pleased, but compared to the last two weeks, yes - I enjoyed watching this game. Any game where we don't get belted and from which some big positives can be taken (ie. Wona, Morton) is enjoyed at this point.

[Anders 14]

Good to see you have your hopes down.

What do you guys really expect though? the next Wayne Carey?

[dazzledavey36 49,149]

or next jimmy hird!

[Anders 14]

How many chances are they going to give Garland. He just really struggles. I remember seeing at the dying stages of the first qtr when Wheatley's kick was smothered, Garlands attempt to spoil (or should have marked) just looked clumsy. Resulted in a stokes goal.

Yeah, can't understand what garland brings to the team. I can't understand why Petterd is out? Because he is a shining light of our youngsters IMO. Lathough in that instance you can hardly blame Garland. God, Wheatley played alright today but he made some shocking clangers and that one was the worst

[Yencks 8]

What do you guys really expect though? the next Wayne Carey?

mate brendon goddard and wayne carey are miles apart...

we expect the next cale morton! someone that has sublime skill and tries his best and is a match winner, that person is better than goddard

[mfcrox 143]

Morton is going to be the genuine superstar we have been wanting for years. I don't wanna 'mozz' the kid, but what he has shown so far has me so pumped up. The composure and skill he shows for a bloke in his first few games is seriously incredible.

Once he gets some more games under his belt, and bulks up a tad... he is going to be an A-grade superstar.

Aussie looked good today as well... good skill, and good defensive pressure. Showed Davey a thing or two today I reckon... and Davey responded in the 2nd half with some good tackling, which was also a good sign.

McLean was really good also, has to learn how to shake a tag though... but 1st half was again a good sign.

Awesome to see Rivers back in the side, he and Carroll worked well together I thought. Defense looks a hell of a lot better with Rivers back there. I still reckon that we need to draft a monster full-back though in the near future... Carroll looked really small against Hawkins today. Having Rivers up back also allowed Miller to go forward, and although I may cop some stick for saying this, I thought he looked Okay up there today.

Hurts me to say it, but Sylvia didn't impress me one bit today... doesn't look interested at all. Shame.

Signs are okay of the coming weeks, I think we have drawn the top-3 sides in the first 3-rounds... so maybe we aren't as bad as the ladder would suggest. If we play with the intensity that we did today, I think we could do okay in the coming weeks

[Geddy Lee 582]

What do you guys really expect though? the next Wayne Carey?

More than Goddard, a good defender and rebounder with a huge kick. Morton is highly intelligent, other guys can't feign around him and his delivery is usually very effective . . .in 3games. Would it be too much to ask to have the next Robbie?

[sylvinator 96]

we certainly have a long way to go, and have a lot to work on, but atleast i could see the light at the end of the tunnel today (unlike previous weeks).

need to improve

- So many basic skill errors. actually pathetic at times. especially handballing errors

- need to improve decision-making. don't handpass to a stationary player. Don't kick it sideways unless its 100% safe to do so. think about who's available instaed of just pumping it into the forward line

- kicking into the forward line needs work

- kick ins need work

- how to punch it thru for a point- a basic skill- needs attention immediately. cost us 5 goals today.

good signs:

- Morton knows how to find the ball and has good skills. he skill sucks at 1 on 1s, but the guy doesn't have a body for afl footy yet, so he'll improve

- Wineamiri looked lively. could he be the player to release Davey into the midfield

- Bruce and Davey both showed they still have it in them to be dominant afl players. last week i wasn't so sure.

- Mclean and Green both tried their guts out- though they are still lacking in skill.

Questions need answering-

- Why not put Sylvia into the midfield? he doesn't do anything across half-forward. Atleast give him a go as a midfielder.

- Garland isn't ready to afl footy, so why is he still in the team? GET IN FRAWLEY!

and FINALLLY a defender who can stay with their player on a fast lead. thank you rivers

[Cards13 9,117]

loosing is as good as winning... I don't get it...

[deestroy08 0]

loosing is as good as winning... I don't get it...

ALMOST as good, not AS good.

[Anders 14]

More than Goddard, a good defender and rebounder with a huge kick. Morton is highly intelligent, other guys can't feign around him and his delivery is usually very effective . . .in 3games. Would it be too much to ask to have the next Robbie?

Its too early to tell what sort of a player Morton will be. At the moment he is a tall player who plays on the wing, who lets face it gets little respect from the opposition. Having said that I agree he has the tools to be a very good player. A tall player who can play through the midfield. He has similarities to Goddrad although I too hope he can become a star player (and he injury free)

[Cards13 9,117]

ALMOST as good, not AS good.

I know I know, just being fascitious. I don't think we should be happy we lost but it was a better showing, lets hope it is onward and upward and we can sneak into the 8 winning round 22 by 95 points to get in by .01%