Preview - Melbourne v Fremantle

[Guest fatty]

Errr I wasn't actually replying to you

And the reason I used Junior as an example, is to illustrate that just because the club decides that player A or player B are not going to be playing for the club next year (be it due to age, skill level, etc...), does not mean that said player is automatically going to be dropped to the VFL never to be seen again. White and Junior are both not likely to continue next season, but they both will play the next 16 rounds if their form warrants selection.

By saying that there is no one left to drop anyway, you are pretty much backing up my point of view that whatever review the club undertakes in the next few weeks, it will not necessarily be reflected in team selection. The review has to do with contracts and the long-term future of the list.

Well can you tell me specifically who you were replying to? It seemed a fairly general response to me. This would be nice to know as then I would get a better understanding as to what you are on about.

And thanks for the reassurance that Connolly wasn't talking about player performance come Rd6. It was all about negotiating Benny Holland's contract next year. What a crock.

[Jaded No More 68,915]

Well can you tell me specifically who you were replying to? It seemed a fairly general response to me. This would be nice to know as then I would get a better understanding as to what you are on about.

And thanks for the reassurance that Connolly wasn't talking about player performance come Rd6. It was all about negotiating Benny Holland's contract next year. What a crock.

Generally, when you quote someone, it is the person you quote who you are replying to.

I wrote much the same thing on another thread, because I believe that a lot of supporters were expecting wholesale changes come Round 6 or 7. It is my opinion that the club's review is not necessarily in regards to the immidiate make-up of the team, but rather a long-term look at who should and should not be on the list going forward. Once a decision has been made, contract negotiations can begin with players who are out of contract. This is a particularly important move given the new rule brought in by the AFL which allows uncontracted players to enter the national draft. We need to secure the services of those we want in our team in 2009 and beyond.

Any player who is fit, is likely to get their opportunity at senior level this year. Apart from some of our late picks in last year's draft, we've already seen the majority of our list play and this trend is likely to continue. Players will come in and out of the team as their form and fitness dictates, not to appease supporters who are craving wholesale changes (before you bite my head off again, this is not a direct reflection of you).

[praha 11,240]

That dramatic increase in percentage is why Bailey should have his 3 year contract extended to 7 years, at least! That really is the work of a genius!

[Blistering 541]

That dramatic increase in percentage is why Bailey should have his 3 year contract extended to 7 years, at least! That really is the work of a genius!

If we can win tomorrow by about 10 goals we will have doubled our percentage since round 1. If that happens then Bailey can have the coaching gig for life!

[Guest fatty]

I share your frustration and disappointment about the season.

I think the Club and its culture is being turned on its head. I think the list will be overhauled. Its hard to strip it barer than it is.

I think White will be finished at year end and Robbo will perform a ceremonial final year at Sandy in 2009. It will be interesting watch Saunter and Robbo fight for the easy goal in TBO goal square.

DB and CC have a long process to undertake. I think they knew better than anyone else.

I actually think this time is an interesting period if you are prepared to look through the emotive static thats been generated on sites like this.

To be honest with you, Rhino I'm not upset with how our season is panning out. I said as much here late last year.

Thomas tanked with StKilda but the mix is currently not quite right. Hawthorn has arrived and I expect the same of both Richmond & Carlton shortly.

Clarkson knew Rawlings, Thompson, Hay could prop up the team for a few years. He also knew that it would get them nowhere. But he wouldn't have traded them without knowing the quality of KPP's that were coming through in the drafts. He's played it well and its paying off. I'm sure he also had assurances that Hawthorn could afford to take the longroad - unlike Daniher and the MFC.

People talk about the great brand of football that Hawthorn play but they also have quality. A premiership team needs a lot of things to go right in a season, but more than anything else, it requires elite players.

I expect the same of Bailey and I believe he's following the same path. Its why I don't want White and Robertson but am happy for McDonald to play out his career (apologies for biting your head off, Jaded!!).

Regardless, losing to win goes against general human nature. Its why I don't mind and can understand people here venting. I still want to see Melbourne win knowing full well that it won't help us in the long run. I still expect us to lose but I also want a longterm solution. Most of the posters here understand that but human nature dictates otherwise. Its still frustrating to see us persisting with KPP's that aren't going to be in the mix in 3 - 5 years time.

Do I want to win today? Yes. Do I care if we lose? No. But there has to be some hope for all of us.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

To be honest with you, Rhino I'm not upset with how our season is panning out. I said as much here late last year.

Thomas tanked with StKilda but the mix is currently not quite right. Hawthorn has arrived and I expect the same of both Richmond & Carlton shortly.

Clarkson knew Rawlings, Thompson, Hay could prop up the team for a few years. He also knew that it would get them nowhere. But he wouldn't have traded them without knowing the quality of KPP's that were coming through in the drafts. He's played it well and its paying off. I'm sure he also had assurances that Hawthorn could afford to take the longroad - unlike Daniher and the MFC.

People talk about the great brand of football that Hawthorn play but they also have quality. A premiership team needs a lot of things to go right in a season, but more than anything else, it requires elite players.

I expect the same of Bailey and I believe he's following the same path. Its why I don't want White and Robertson but am happy for McDonald to play out his career (apologies for biting your head off, Jaded!!).

Regardless, losing to win goes against general human nature. Its why I don't mind and can understand people here venting. I still want to see Melbourne win knowing full well that it won't help us in the long run. I still expect us to lose but I also want a longterm solution. Most of the posters here understand that but human nature dictates otherwise. Its still frustrating to see us persisting with KPP's that aren't going to be in the mix in 3 - 5 years time.

Do I want to win today? Yes. Do I care if we lose? No. But there has to be some hope for all of us.

I think the Hawks were judicial with Rawlings, Thompson and Hay. Thompson had plateaued. Rawlings was rated as a front runner with a poor attitude. Hay best years were behind him and the Hawks had already identified application issues with him. Aside from Thompson, the Hawks got steals trading the other two. Clarkson has done good things at Hawthorn but if wanted to be successful he had no other option to get rid of those players when he did. Both Rawlings and Hay justifed the internal assessments made at the Hawks

[grazman 7,435]

Errr I wasn't actually replying to you

And the reason I used Junior as an example, is to illustrate that just because the club decides that player A or player B are not going to be playing for the club next year (be it due to age, skill level, etc...), does not mean that said player is automatically going to be dropped to the VFL never to be seen again. White and Junior are both not likely to continue next season, but they both will play the next 16 rounds if their form warrants selection.

By saying that there is no one left to drop anyway, you are pretty much backing up my point of view that whatever review the club undertakes in the next few weeks, it will not necessarily be reflected in team selection. The review has to do with contracts and the long-term future of the list.

Good Post Jaded and exactly right, Too many people are here waiting for the magic switch to be thrown and for it all to start coming together. We're a long way from that. Our handball skills have been poor for a long while - not surprising given the focus of the previous game plan was to kick it long on every occasion. Our tackling skills are sub-standard and the change to a new game plan has also revealed significant weaknesses in player's decision making abilities.

The review should focus on who stays and who goes... and when they go. It should also look at what direction the club needs to go in targeting players via the draft and and how we structure our list and contracts to avoid being ambushed by Gold Coast's entry into the competition. The day to day running of the team and it's selection will still be very much up to Dean Bailey and not really a matter for Chris Connolly or anyone else outside the coaching department.