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Some players will run past him as his leg speed is not as it once was and he will shank the odd kick but every week I go to the football and know exactly what Daniel Cross will bring to the table. I wish you could bottle his greatest strengths the difference between his best and worst games - he may not be our best player but is always in the top 5 or 6 when he gets beaten in a contest or makes a mistake it drives him to make up for it in the very next contest - he doesn't drop his head. his ability to run from the first to the last contest, getting to the right spots and doing the little team things He may not be Roo's most talented import but surely the rest of team ( and coaches) must look at the way he plays and appreciate his efforts and want to emulate the way he goes about it.

He was good, but not as good as Toumpas.

Its good to see Jack Grimes enjoy a win. I have seriously felt for this bloke and if anyone that deserves a bit of success its Jack Grimes. Been through some horrid losses during his time To make it even more sweeter he played a beauty of the game. I hope he continues his form and stays in for the rest of the year.

I got bored

I just love Daniel Cross. Embodies everything I want our young players to be. Courageous, hard working, dedicated, team oriented. He is a wonderful role model and I bet will be a great coach one day. Loved seeing him stick it to his old side.

What?

Bail made the right decision to not kick it. There are many times where a player is free. But that is only half the equation. The player has to be able to get it to the free player. With the free player directly behind the man on the mark, Bail would have had to go back quickly and then lob the ball over the man on the mark to the free player. This means that the ball hangs in the air and, with AFL speed, these almost always allow the opposition time to make a contest. That's why you see so many sideways kicks, because you can get the ball to the receiving player quickly and lowly. It's also why playing on is so effective, because when you are 2 metres wider you have removed the man on the mark from the kick. Bail `100% made the right decision to have a shot. He just missed it.

Without Bail and Matt Jones we may not have won the game. The WB main weapon this year has been Murphy and Johanasens run from half back. Bail and Jones both played defensive forward roles on these two and where a huge reason we won the game by limiting the dogs run. People need to take the blinkers off at times and stop looking at super coach scores.

This just posted off a MFC supporters page on FB. Not sure if true or not.

This thread wasn't on the front page and I thought that was disrespectful to Jesse Hogan. I love how he has 21 touches, 9 marks and 3 goals, which may well be as good a game as a key forward has had for us in a decade (and probably the most complete forward performance in the AFL this round), yet supporters are neither shocked nor surprised. I think we supporters may be getting 'superlative fatigue' with Jesse. He's a 20 year old playing his 7th game. He's just just phenomenal.

It's a big call but he's as important a signing as we've made imo. I don't think the senior leadership void should be understated. It was a black hole. Crossy has been fundamental to the resurgence, He 100% should get another year if he feels his body is up to it. He may not play every game next season but we're not out of the woods yet and he will remain an important cog.

Brayshaw was looking fatigued all night? After pushing on and running the game out with 11 touches in the last quarter I'm making the assumption your idea of fatigue is different to mine.

Tom McDonald must have reveled in the opportunity to be just a boring defender, for once, rather than the gatekeeper between the MFC and complete oblivion.

Can confirm that selectors are idiots

Nathan Jones actually lead the clanger count, and that one was the worst anyone in the team made. VandenBerg made a couple of bad ones too. I agree that the selective micro-analysis of certain individual mistakes is getting really tiresome. I guess once some have decided that Toumpas is a dud, it's really hard to admit that he had a good game, even if it wasn't perfect. Other players have their errors overlooked because if their overall positive contribution to the game, but Toumpas doesn't get the same courtesy.

Spencil just might be our man. His tackle numbers were up prior to this obviously but he not only dominated his lessor opponents, he actually took the game on with great flair and attack. He was even hitting up a few leads lace out coming i50. Don't underestimate that game... we dominated the clearances as a result of his effort and great follow up work once the ball hit the ground. Something u could rarely ever say in the last 8 years watching us with a few exceptions when the Jamar/Moloney combo got going. One of the best all round ruck games I've seen from an MFC ruckman since big Jimma was running around. Hats off to Spencil. I seriously had my doubts he could deliver at that level other than in VFL.

Really want to wait on Tyson. He hasn't looked the player he was last year so I'd give him as long as he needs to be 100% not 95%

I saw this posted on BigFooty

Well, have you heard the way they talk about us? "... hopeless sense of composition ..." "... phrasing is clunky and his posts have little flow ..." "... don't even realise he was making a simile ..." "... couldn't spell if he ate a dictionary ..." Harsh, and quite hurtful if you're one of the targets.

You are dead wring! of all the disposals Grimes had yesterday one didn't go to a MFC player. Instead, a number of passes were spot on including a 50 m left foot job on the member's wing People in this site are absurd about Grimes. His courage is remarkable and he's a damned good defender

Bails kick was after the siren, which surely meant from the players point of view it was too close to risk a pass in that situation.

Watching Jake Spencer and Jack Fitzpatrick tear it up yesterday at AFL level, I cant help but think of the work B Mac is doing behind the scenes and if hes already weaving his developmental magic at the MFC Justin Plapp may just be doing some fine work too

KEEP NEWTON IN THE TEAM..... Ex players have an uncanny ability of playing at a higher level than normal against former clubs and he might have a point to prove after being traded after not being able to get a game.... Just a thought, but probably worth a punt....

By the way...I'm still loving Crossy. He's been very consistent this year. Those pushing his demise are a way off the mark at the moment. There might be another year in him yet.

Who else think we can beat port and Collingwood and be 5 for 5 by round 10?

Fitzy turned Boyd into a million dollar potato in a red vest

That would be an awesome name for the lead singer in a heavy metal or punk band.

Put him in a cage poking him with a stick for 3 qtrs and then unleash him in the 4th.

Who cares... we know how good he is!

We're on a 75% win ratio without Dawes, just saying. Must earn his spot back in the team.

Just imagine if it was Toumpas and not Jones you kicked it straight to Stringer when he kicked the dribble goal. Not seeing much criticism of Jones

Played a cracking game yesterday. Probably his best for us. I thought he was almost cooked but there is still some Gasoline in the Tank

Whispering Jack- 2 day ban

That handball to Pedersen.... holy [censored]. Holy [censored]. I dont think this kid has a weakness in his game.

No problems with the diet this week it seems.

Warning: Rant below I've found myself increasingly irritated by Matthews commentary in the media. The first thing is the man's voice - it is high-pitched and inconsequential - like white noise. I must say I routinely ignore his "special comments" because his voice is so pissant and whiny - really incongruent to his reputation as being one of the toughest men in the game's history. Secondly, though is that he legend status in the game has given him carte blanche to say whatever he damn well pleases - and its not like these utter eunuchs like Hamish McLaughlin are ever going to pull him up on it. For example, in the wake of Clarkson hitting a fan incident (whatever you're view on that aside) Matthews remark was that the fan was lucky not to recieve worse - this was on that wretched Channel 7 sunday footy show. That ludicrous and irresponsible comment was met with applause and lots of self-satisfied nodding of heads from the invertebrate sycophants in the studio. "lucky not to recieve worse" - are you kidding me, Lethal? What did that fan deserve, then? Broken jaw? A Neville Bruns special perhaps. For a man with a criminal conviction for king-hitting someone he should understand the dangers of such a strike. But he doesn't. He applauds it because all the man has ever known is to belt someone when they get in your way (or even if they don't) You can imagine if an ex-player held in less esteem had made this comment - a Jason Akermanis for example (who isn't the media but take your pick) - he would definitely be held to account and made to apologise for his remarks. Not Lethal though, noone even batted an eyelid as far as I know. He is beyond reproach and so revered that the guy believes his own [censored] - seems everyone else does too. Not me too. Undoubtedly one of the greatest players of all time and arguably one of the greatest coaches too - (although slightly more fortuitous I'd say). But I really wish the guy would just recede into the background - I'm completely sick of him (obviously!) Sorry, this rant is more to do with the boys club that is AFL media and nothing to do with the game. Regardless, 2 cents right here. Oh, love you Jesse. Don't listen to whiny Leigh's raspy twaddle.

Anyone quietly loving the work of Ben Newton? Doesn't get much of write up but he is averaging about 17 disposals a game and is showing that he could become a goal kicking midfielder. Has a very neat left foot and adds a bit of class outside I reckon.

Please... The kid has coped criticism most of his career and probably rightly so, but today he deserves a pat on the back.. Was probably his best game for the club. Give the kid credit where it's due

So on Friday afternoon when I was still working my Bulldogs supporting boss says to me, as he was leaving, "Sorry about the game on Sunday" What a [censored], can't wait to drape my scarf over his chair ready for when he walks in. Sucker.

Gosh winning feels good. Had my 3 boys all watching and barracking for the first time ever too (rather than fleeing the house in fear). My 7 year old son said he wanted to go to the MCG and watch Melbourne play because the crowd sounded awesome. Win games and the fans will come, MFC. So stoked.

Probably too top heavy having Gawn and Spencer in the same side. Hopefully Viney is fit and Jetta the other in. Those outs are probably fair.

I'll bet my left nut. He launched off the ground and put his shoulder to a blokes head. The commentators saw it and noted it. In the old days that was fair game, but now it's outlawed and for good reason. Concussion is the most serious frequent injury in AFL. I coach an under 17's side and I've got 2 guys out for the next fortnight waiting for doctors to clear them for concussions. They've missed days of school. They've had headaches. Their parents are worried about them. Knees, ankles, broken bones, blood noses aren't a concern. Most parents know bones heal and kids wear the injuries with pride. Concussions are the ones that get them worried.

Well I said I was looking forward to Pedersen, Watts and Brayshaw playing together on the half forward line I wasn't disappointed . great game dees now all you need to do is back it up again next week with the same intensity, against Port. Wouldn't two wins in a row be great right now

This is the guy we recruited today. Confidence was up which was good to see. Hopefully we get to see Jimmy on the rise from here.

So you reckon, 100 tackles on a weekly basis is achievable? The highest average in all rounds so far is 76.5 by the Bulldogs We are second with 74.1 Fremantle are second last with 54.9 The median for all teams over the 8 rounds is 65.3 On what basis do you calculate that 100 tackles, week in week out is achievable? Or even desirable?

Crap thread

Absolutely cracking game today. Eat a bag, haters. Jesse Hogan is amazing. I love that every time the ball goes near him, something happens or he looks threatening. Just a beast. Watts was fine today and is well worth having in. His pass to Toumpas was just perfect. Speaking of Toumpas, eat a bag again, haters. So! Picket! How do you like them apples!! Hey?! He ran and ran and ran and was really solid. Will be great for his confidence. Heritier looks old and slow. Brayshaw dropped out through the middle, but was absolutely massive in the last quarter when it was there to be won. A star in the making. Dunn, Cross, McDonald, Newton, Garland just did what they needed to. Pedersen - more mobile, dangerous and able than Dawes. I'd be worried if I were Chris, because Pedersen adds three times as much to us. Was enormous today. Riley cracked in really hard when he came on. Loved Garlett's little f you to the Bulldogs supporters behind him when he jagged that goal from the boundary. A bit of mongrel and arrogance that we've missed. Grimes did one or two stupid things but that was far outweighed by his work rate, courage and leadership. Good on you, Grimesy. Vandenberg was just a beast. What a pick up. He turned the tide on his own at least a couple of times. Was great to be able to swing Howe forward, he looked far more comfortable and interested up there. Really went for some marks and took some screamers. Bernie Vince. What can you say? He just loves the big stage and his sealing goal, when he turned to the MCC to celebrate, was just brilliant. Bail was absolutely fine tonight. You don't see it on TV, but a couple of his efforts were huge. Good on him for really getting involved. And Fitzy. Whichever genius gave him a crack down back should have his pay doubled. Gave Boyd an utter bath and was everywhere. Was even better live than he would have looked on TV - he was just everywhere.

Can we shut up that Picket idiot now?

Bail & Jones did their jobs. If you'd seen much of Footscray this year you'd know that so much of the Dog's attack this season has been generated by the run & distribution off half back by Murphy, Johanniesen & Wood. Our two "spuds" significantly reduced their impact. Good planning from Roos.

Thanks again to KC for providing his regular match day updates. greatly appreciated champ