I wanted to compare this horror start to the year with how we did in 1997, another horror year:

1997

Round 1: Melbourne def Nth Melb 70 to 55

Round 2: Melbourne lost to Collingwood 56 to 163

Round 3: Melbourne lost to Sydney 91 to 99

Round 4: Melbourne lost to Bulldogs 87 to 89

Round 5: Melbourne lost to West Coast 78 126

Round 6: Melbourne lost to St Kilda 35 to 121

After 6 rounds:

Average PF: 69.5

Average PA: 108.8

Average Losing margin: 50.2

2008

Round 1: Melbourne lost to Hawthorn 50 to 154

Round 2: Melbourne lost to Bulldogs 66 to 161

Round 3: Melbourne lost to Geelong 82 to 112

Round 4: Melbourne lost to Nth Melb 79 to 127

Round 5: Melbourne lost to Carlton 68 to 101

Round 6: Melbourne lost to Brisbane 85 to 137

After 6 rounds

Average PF: 71.7

Average PA: 132.0

Average Losing margin: 60.3

We are scoring more than in 1997 on average but are conceding 4 more goals per game. Both years no scores over 100. However there was a win in 1997 and 2 losses of less than 10 points. So we've started off worse in every respect except points for, which I find quite amazing.

I wanted to compare this horror start to the year with how we did in 1997, another horror year:

2008 sits very comfortably with 97, 81, and 74. In fact it may end up the pick of the bunch.

And don't forget '78 under Dennis Jones; that was an absolute shocker of a season culminating in yet another wooden spoon. Dennis Jones coached us for that one season and then (thankfully) sank completely from sight. Perhaps history is set to repeat itself.

Round 4: Melbourne lost to Bulldogs 87 to 89

Christ on a stick, that was painful. Don't think I'll ever repress that gruesome memory.

I barely remember that game at all, but I've never let myself forget that it was the worst umpiring of a game I've ever seen.

1997

Round 1: Melbourne def Nth Melb 70 to 55

Round 2: Melbourne lost to Collingwood 56 to 163

Remember those 2 games well, we screwed up Careys shoulder and beat the reigning premiers in rnd 1.. next week was one of the worst matches ive ever seen MFC play.... and against Collingwood.....

1997

Round 1: Melbourne def Nth Melb 70 to 55

Round 2: Melbourne lost to Collingwood 56 to 163

Remember those 2 games well, we screwed up Careys shoulder and beat the reigning premiers in rnd 1.. next week was one of the worst matches ive ever seen MFC play.... and against Collingwood.....

Round 4: Melbourne lost to Bulldogs 87 to 89

Pretty sure Neitz kicked 7 on Grant that night, yet Grant got 3 votes on Brownlow night... which in the end had him clear of Robert Harvey... footy justice shined when Grant was ruled ineligable

Round 4: Melbourne lost to Bulldogs 87 to 89

Pretty sure Neitz kicked 7 on Grant that night, yet Grant got 3 votes on Brownlow night... which in the end had him clear of Robert Harvey... footy justice shined when Grant was ruled ineligable

Was that the shocking free kick against Stynes in the goal square paid to Darcy???

Was that the shocking free kick against Stynes in the goal square paid to Darcy???

Yep. It was probably one of the only times where you could categorically say that the umpiring over the course of the game cost Melbourne the game. If I recall correctly umpire Caulfield retired soon after that game.

I usually try not to worry about umpires, but it was so frustrating and downright disgraceful that night that I remember ringing up the radio station on talkback to complain about it. First time I've ever done that!

From memory we defeated Carlton in 1997 when they were supposed to give us a towelling. Shock victory, but a enjoyable one. This year Carlton gave us a towelling and they are still a bottom 5 team. This season takes the Cake for sure!

Instead of landing Trapper like we did in 1997, we may just land outselves a player that can bring in the young kids to see the dees play.