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Alternatively "Demonland fascination with Barrett continues"

ESSENDON B: HB: C: HF: F: FOLL: I/C (from) Is this their final lineup, then?

Chris Connoly says "hi"!

a "gun for hire" written by a "hack for hire"

Given the AFL is paying their legal costs before the case then goes to the AFL tribunal, I am skeptical as to whether any action will be taken at all. I wonder if Ahmed Saad had his legal costs covered when he brazenly sculled an energy drink at a seven eleven. He did drink it off site after all.

No conspiracy theorists wonder why it's announced roughly 12 hours before the World Cup starts?

i hate essendon even more for DOING this to our game. For the good of the game they CANNOT be unpunished if they are guilty.

Ps interesting to note ASADA did NOT leak the notices were being handed out today. PPS I wonder if James was enjoying his croissant this morning...

Absolute rubbish.Averaging 22 disposals 1 less then Tyson and 5 tackles a game this year which is 3 more then his mate. Would compliment our young impressive midfield just perfectly.

Relax, his problem in this case isn;t with MFC, it is with Roos personally. Roos dared to criticise the umpiring/officialdom. Barrett has a long record of delivering wet-lettuce counterpunches on behalf of the hand that feeds him. It is plainly a personal attack, the final comment does sum it all up "The gun for hire can't lose from here", declaring not only that Roos is a mercenary but that he is also being given undue high status. Such a beta-male stereotype.

You are such a positive chap Machsy. This is the Jesse Hogan injury update forum is it not? Many on here may wonder about Hogans demeanor, my comments were more to do with his apparent happiness. An update on his freedom of movement I thought may bring some happiness, not to you obviously. You are no doubt such an astute observer of sportsmen to state "Of course he's moving without pain" How would you know? Many of the guys actually playing are carrying niggling injuries and managing pain. Have a nice day Mr Negative. Edit- Fix typo.

I think supporters who have a deep care and connection to the club have the right to feel agitated and fed up with the way in which Frawley is dealing with the contract situation at large. There are many reasons why and here are a few. - Frawley's obvious brain fades on game day. Whether it be missed sheppards, pathetic chasing efforts, attempting to chest mark the ball rather than reaching away from his opponent to give himself a better chance to mark the ball, etc etc. - The fact his initial comments about putting contract talks on hold were purely to do with him wanting to know the club was headed in the right direction and that Roos was going to hang around. - His (more recent) continual automated dribble stating his love for the MFC, loyalty as a country boy etc which is only further adding unnecessary pressure to the situation as it's clear we're improving dramatically under Roos, which is the reason he initially wanted to hold off on talks. It's not just a simple, 'I'm putting off talks until the end of the season'. His effort in games in comparison to other 'leaders' of our club has been very questionable and it's extremely disappointing from a supporters point of view. His remarks about the contract, reason he was holding off etc have caused further debate because it's clear we've improved and to me it's really disappointing that his output and effort onfield to perform acts of pressure for the team speaks volumes of where he's at in his head. You don't see that with Dawes do you. I find it more baffling that yourself and Machsy continually talk down the whole situation. We're a club on the up. Frawley needs to keep his mouth completely shut and give the media nothing when they ask and display performances that reflect where his head and heart are at for the time being. It's the absolute least he can do, and he isn't doing it.

They just don't know the difference in meaning between 'continue' and 'start'.

Frawley can go wherever he wants for nothing. Difficult to trade that.

Hird to Dank: "Give us the good stuff we are playing Carlton this week". They knew what they were doing. They sought an edge over the competition. The ran it like a military operation. They were 'smart' enough to get players to sign consent forms. They actively went around their club Doctor. They are cooked.

Totally know where you're coming from I am crying into my Chardonnay or sav blanc or whatever the hell it is

The makor issue will be a under 22 yo player who takes the risk,pleads guilty to get a shortened sentence{maybe} and get his 18 months out of the road and still have a career. As soon as one breaks rank shes all over.

Not the best of news from our point of view because the Bombers seem to lift every time they are under pressure on this issue. Of course, the actual serving of the notices is different and will inevitably be an even bigger distraction than anything that's occurred on the past.

Looking forward to team selection tonight, I have a feeling that it's time to make some changes and not just for the sake of change. We will be coming off a six day break so it might be timely to take some pressure of the younger blokes like Kennedy-Harris and Salem and to bring in a few who played last Saturday like e.g. Blease, Kent, McKenzie (who would be coming off an eight day break).. Lamashtu is right about the need to keep the tabs on Heppell - Bomber Thompson has already indicated he will be relying more on Heppell now that Jobe's out for the rest of the year (and who knows - it might be two years after that too )

Why would a WA native want to move east Who says that is what he is asking? And as if Freo wouldn't pay it (whatever figure it turns out to be)

Ok. The usual we are working on Defence first and then we will work on winning. Said Jesse Hogan is expected to play some games later in the year. Said some of the younger boys may need a break as he doesn't want to overdo it with them. Said Luke Tapscott has been cruelled by injuries. Said Blease was improving and was working on areas advised to him by the Coaches. Said he thought that if the goal was allowed to Vince, we would probably have gone in at 3/4 time 3 points down and then who knows what could have happened. Said the disallowed goal killed momentum and he felt the team were deflated by it. Said our disposal into the forward line on Monday was very poor. Said he would rather get a top midfielder next year than another big forward. Got the feeling he is confident about Dawes, Hogan and is hopeful of a retired player returning ( my take on it, I could be wrong ). Said Fitzy is improving and is another option and mentioned Kent as one who could come in maybe this week.

Enough is enough. The [censored] is not worth the time of day. Let alone 72 posts.

Brett Allison certainly seems to have cheered-up this week - I'm sure the players are relieved! Dean Kent is an outstanding prospect - great speed, kick and attack on the footy. I expect him to remain in the seniors when he finally does break through. Great to see that Jordie and Pigdog are maintaining some good form and keeping the pressure on the midfielders in the seniors. I have high hopes for Viv but his last quarter fade-out suggests he hasn't regained full match fitness following his (jaw) injury. Viv and Riley will need this season and next preseason to build a real fitness base to attack 2015 at full speed after having such a bad run with injuries over the past year (several years in Viv's case).

Yes, and that substance is the reason I can't remember the '60's.

Wise words often bear repeating... ...as many times as it takes....

But we probably would have if we could have!

please god let us beat these pr1cks

I went down to Casey yesterday only to be greeted with a huge storm at the start of of play which made the rest of the afternoon a real slog. There was surface water everywhere and of course the ball was like soap. It made for an ugly spectacle with large packs forming at every contest. Plenty of ball ups. It was interesting to see how the Melbourne players responded/reacted to these conditions. Most of them stuck generally to their role and their defensive work was OK. That said, their offence was strangled by a Collingwood outfit that manned up very well and did not allow the Melb players to find space. A few player observations: Sam Blease - I would not think Roos has put a cross through his name yet. I thought he played his role quite well. His second half was excellent as he tried to take the game on with his pace and broke clear on a number of occasions from half back. His fitness level has improved and ran the game out quite strongly. Dean Kent - Was a focal point up forward and was strong at the ball. Switched roles a number of times and gathered contested possessions down back. In the top 3 best in my view. Luke Tapscott - He was one of the reasons I went to the game. I thought these conditions would suit his game but then I thought what is his game? He was a little disappointing. Yes he contested well enough and was at the bottom of packs a number of times but so were a dozen others. Dropped a simple mark in front when Casey was surging. He doesn't do anything special that you can justify him being on the list. It could be a confidence thing as he has had a long list of injuries but sadly I do not see any strings to his bow except maybe his strength at the contest. I hope I'm wrong. Aiden Riley - As you can expect these conditions suited him. He was tough at the contest and tackled with a lot of vigour. As we know, he's a real hard nut. As can be expected he tired a bit in the second half. I don't think he will be pushing for selection in the next couple of weeks, not because of form but I think Jordie is ahead of him at this moment. Will be interesting to see whether he can develop his breakaway skills further as his fitness improves. Jimmy Toumpas - As you can imagine conditions did not suit him but he still contested well and his defensive work was good. I assume the coaches would have looked closely at this aspect of his game as it was not a day to exhibit his offensive skills. That said, he did provide link ups on a number of occasions. Quickly the others Dom Barry - Improved as the game went on and was impressed with his tackling. Read the game quite well considering the conditions. Fitzy - Played his heart out in the ruck all day but was overshadowed by Hudson who did some good work around the ground. I only saw Jack take one chest mark. James Harmes - Like Barry, improved as the game went on. Played both ends of the ground. A work in progress. Dan Nicholson - As usual solid in defence. The conditions made his kicking look good. The umpire even penalised him for deliberately kicking the ball out on the full. He didn't realise that Nicko just shanked it again. He's been consistent and will get his chance if there is an injury. James Strauss - Maybe I missed some of his play but I certainly would not have him in our best. He was steady and I guess played his role but there is nothing special about him. Viv Michie - I liked his game. A slow start but was very active in the second half and was a key player in that third quarter when Casey took control for a short time. He is a good size and its not easy to knock him off the ball. I can see him being a regular for Melb next year. Alex Georgiou - Has lost his way. His confidence seems low and has no energy out there. The criticism did not seem to have worked. Michael Evans - Just a game. His inside work was OK and broke free a few times. Conditions didn't suit. Jordie McKenzie - Really good game. Only played a half but was at the bottom of every contest and tackled like the Jordie we know. BOG in the first half next to Kennedy of Collingwood. Will not be a weak link if he gets called up this Monday. These are just my observations from the grandstand. Obviously Allison and Co will be looking at players from all different perspectives.

I can see getting ROK coming as an assistant and hopefully dragging a few players! Im sure Tom Mitchell is sick of playing twos!!

yeah, i just still think he'd offer something at afl level as well, you can never have too much depth.

I have only seen Petracca once live and was really impressed but I went to the game with a view of keeping an eye on others and little knowledge of him. But very early on I was "who is that kid" Funny you say about his awareness around contests - that and his tackling ability were the fist things which initially attracted my attention. Attacks the contest hard with a an attitude of if I don't get clean ball no-one else will Had an awareness of players being close by and the need to accelerate early and hit the ball at pace catching others flat footed and naturally creating much needed time and space If there was heavy congestion made the decision of his next move before getting ball in hand so once he had got the ball he already knew what he was doing next He looked like he enjoys hurting opponents (love this in a player) and he maintains his awareness when teammates have the ball and are under pressure to apply a shepherd or solid body pressure on an opponent. When he tackles they stick and he wraps the opponent up so they don't break the tackles - I would think he will maintain this at the next level despite opponents being bigger at AFL level So was it a one off I don't think so, it was done throughout the game and not in spurts so it would suggest it's in his DNA. By all accounts he backed it up in the game against Vic Country last week so he may well be the one who started around mid second round prospect but shoots up the pecking order as the season goes on

I was surprised Gawn was played in this game. We should have stuck with another runner, that was the first selection mistake. My thoughts were that they didn't want to mess with Pedersons form by playing him in the ruck but he ended up doing that anyway. I think Max will be a great ruck man but I don't like him as a forward.

We've played Collingwood on the QB for many years, longer than you've been alive. It's probably the longest standing annual match of any in the competition, there are still plenty of Collingwood supporters that hate Melbourne and vice versa.

60k against the Tigers, 37k against Carlton, 36k against the Bullies, 68k against the Pies, 45k against the Crows, not too shabby 31k against the Saints and even 22k against the Weagles. Poor attendance in Alice but we didn't expect much there anyway and the same against GWS, no one goes there.

It certainly didn't look like he was injured when he came off. He ran off, the steward tried to hand him the vest, he looked absolutely stunned that it was him and in disbelief. It was a bad move.

Anyone still keen on having him as a playing development coach like Luke Power and James McDonald were for GWS?

Still better then just because you said so

Tell em he's dreamin. Tell em to get stuffed.

Its worth noting that Slammin Sam started his VFL/AFL career for North Melbourne in 1968... Without having to dig very deep I note that in 1968 The Shinboners kicked 31 points against Richmond in round 6, 32 points against Collingwood in round 11 and in the round 15 game versus Melbourne, the Demons won by two points, 40 to 38. The very next week North managed 39 points against St Kilda. From these statistics I derive that the North Melbourne Football Club, along with Sam Kekovitch, his coaches and his team mates are responsible for the very low number of members that club has in 2014!

Where's the loyal country lad in all of this ... or is that just some pathetic smoke screen?! That he hasn't yet signed up to the club - as a leader of the club - is absolutely hopeless in my opinion.

He is right to the extent that everyone ( including us ) would not like if we played that way and scored 3 goals every week, What that dingbat doesn't understand ( and Bomber Thompson does) is that we are like a baby just learning how to walk. We are 9 games into a new era of coaching for these players. Of course 3 goals is unacceptable but get a grip - these players are just learning what is required of them and I think the progress made has been quite outstanding.

*sad*

It's the emblem of the Melbourne club, the demons of red and the blue

As others have noted Roos has flagged some changes with his comments in the presser about a coupe of the young players tiring. from that i suspect Salem and JKH might go back. There are a handful of players that meet the Roos test of having strung 5-6 good games together at Casey. These are Nicholson, Mckenzie, Kent and perhaps Blease (who has had at least 3 good games in a row). Add to that Riley and the Toump who have been in and out of the seniors. My tip for who they will bring in (as opposed to who i think they should) is Kent (fast, good penetrating kick, attacking and best 22) and ..drumroll... Blease. We really lack speed of the half back flank and if you look at how Sydney play it is a vital element of the Roos game plan. Also we'replaying at the g and will need pace. He has been ok the last few weeks at Casey and is working on his defensive game - and i gather, playing at half back. Also its getting close to the time where Roos will want to see what he's got to offer at senior AFL level before making a call to keep or trade. The VFL player review will tell a tale i reckon.

Would prefer 3 for and 8 against then 8 for and 18 against

"Should auld acquaintance be forgot, keep your eye on the red and the blue" It means that even though you may (that is, it is a acceptable to and you are permitted to) forget about your passing fancies, you should always keep your eye on Melbourne. Basically, while you may have other acquaintances (for example you follow Melbourne storm in passing), don't ever forget about the team you love. Edit: put it in full context add it is a slang saying of old. "For even though you may forget acquaintances (people you meet or know in passing), always remember your true friends". It derives from Auld Lang Syne by Robert Burns. It differentiates acquaintances from friends. In this case the singer is proclaiming that "the red and the blue" is their true friend.

*Without having seen Tyson play...

... and a quick stroll across the Bay after!

Lets not go through this again...