I hated posters who bag Neiter. He has been a great player/servant/role model etc. for our club. But till he was injured today, just watching him fumble, drop marks, hang on to the ball too long, unable to give off a quick handball or knock on to a player going past, was just plain embarrasing. It hurts to write this.

Me too. I've never been a Neitz bagger - I've always loved what he brings to the table.

Neitz will go down as a champion of the MFC and rightly so. But we are at such a low point that it's now about the future...not the past. Neita has all the heart in the world but there comes a time when a player is finished. No player has ever escaped that inevitability. I thought Neita's time may come at the end of this season, but it appears as though it's come a little earlier. He isn't providing value any more and a lot of it has to do with the game these days - it has changed and does not favour the gorillas. I don't blame Neita. He's done all he can do in his time at the club. But that time is very nearly over.

Brad Miller is my pick. He's available this week and what he brings to the position is his mobility and aggression at the ball. Bring in Bate to CHF and Maric into a pocket for a bit of an overhaul to the forward set up and let's see what happens on Sunday in Brisbane.

When Paul Johnson comes back rotate him and White in ruck/forward pocket.

Old school resting ruckman style!

We were doing that earlier in the season.

Our forward line was far too big/slow, IMO.

We were doing that earlier in the season.

Our forward line was far too big/slow, IMO.

but if that is the replacement for neitz option?

The bigger issue is, who replaces him as captain?

I want McLean, but I fear we might go with a short-term option like Junior or Bruce.

Interestingly, on Ch.10 they showed our leadership group leaving a meeting (what a joke it is that Yze gets to sit in a leadership meeting, but can't get a senior game ) and Brock was there. Perhaps he has been reinstated into the leadership group?

Based on his form in the last 3 or so games and given he is top 10 in the competition for contested possessions, you would hope so!

If Rivers can play 18+ games this year he'll go close

If Rivers can play 18+ games this year he'll go close

Don't think his personality suits the role of captain. He is a fairly introverted guy from all reports, and he wasn't chosen by his peers to play a role in the leadership group this year (not that that says much), so it would be a huge jump going from no leadership experience to captain.

Still, he embodies a lot of the right values, so it's definitely worth considering.

Fair call.

Wouldn't have a clue about what goes on within the club, but just from what I see on TV he'd be my pick

i would hope that bailey picks the captain not the players. i dont mind an introvert being captain. neitz is rather introverted too. but as long as the player knows when to rev players up and when to fly the flag without being stupid...

If Rivers can play 18+ games this year he'll go close

I can see Rivers being our captain and i'm not sure why he isn't in the leadership group already, hopefully he and green are in it for the 09' season.

i would hope that bailey picks the captain not the players. i dont mind an introvert being captain. neitz is rather introverted too. but as long as the player knows when to rev players up and when to fly the flag without being stupid...

There's more to being a captain than just being a good player.

Rivers is a gun player, there is no doubt about it, but is he the sort to go and tell players when they need to pull their head in? Does he command respect from the rest of the group?

If the answers are yes, then great, make him captain, but given he has never played a leadership role at the club it seems a big and unlikely jump for him to make.

Wouldn't have a clue about what goes on within the club, but just from what I see on TV he'd be my pick

I think you're in the same boat as most of the posters on here, but it doesn't stop them speculating on the captaincy

The beginning of the end for the big fella?

http://melbournefc.com.au/tabid/7415/Defau...px?newsid=58294

C'mon down Valenti.....

The beginning of the end for the big fella?

http://melbournefc.com.au/tabid/7415/Defau...px?newsid=58294

C'mon down Valenti.....

woops, didn't see the other thread. sorry

We were doing that earlier in the season.

Our forward line was far too big/slow, IMO.

Bring in Meesen as the Paul Salmon Forward and rotate thru the middle

You do realise they have to be half decent for that to work?

Mees could come in as a forward/ruck type, a bit of risk involved but an option.

Bate is the first choice if he is ready to go. Newton could easily slot in if he can be bothered, and a few smokeys such as Yze or Dunn could give FF a run.

Bails might even unveil a debutant to shake things up. I would not put it past him.

Trent Zomar to Full Forward