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Supporters need the bye next weekend more than the players ?

You could be forgiven for wanting nothing to do with the club after the first half. I didn't. I thought I was going to take a two week hiatus from the site, from the club, from anything to do with Melbourne. It was close to the worst half of football we have played for some time. We played lazy, arrogant footy and for the first time I really saw no leadership from our players. You could almost sense that we thought this was a game we would win without too much effort. It was horrible to watch. And then it all changed. Our leaders, especially Jones, took the game by the scruff of the neck and said 'we've had enough'. Against the wind we worked super hard and got ourselves back in front before going on with the job in the last term like we should. We played some terrific footy and it was clear that our changes worked as we had plenty of run to finish off the game. It was great to watch. A few things stood out: I have loved the development of Hannan over the last fortnight. We are seeing a good player form right before our eyes. He can be a real weapon for us. Nathan Jones stood up big time in the third term and gave us some real leadership. It was fantastic to see. Jeffy Garlett has been sensational this year and it was so pleasing to see him kick another 4 after a quiet game. I thought our changes were spot on this week and really gave us run we needed to not only get back into the game but to finish it off as well. No doubt the first half is something we need to fix and fix quickly. But, we are 5-5 going into the bye and we can rest and hopefully get a few key players back for a big second half of the year. We may not be a finals side going by tonight's effort, but we are well and truly in the running. Bring on the Pies in a fortnight!

I only saw the second half. Not sure what you're all complaining about ?

Here's something we can all enjoy: Clayton Oliver had another 35 touches, 21 contested possessions and 11 clearances. What a player. I wouldn't trade him for anyone in the competition right now.

I highly recommend for those that haven't been to Alice to come up and support - it's awesome. On a very personal note - not that anyone knew... nice win for the old man looking on - exactly one year on. Finally. Jones was immense the negativity that pervades supporters drives me to drink (currently at Montes in Alice again, it's awesome) its not about 2017 and yes finals makes me feel good - but they show grit, time and time and time again. From a coaching perspective they make relevant changes where appropriate- 2018 will be a cracker. oliver is just sublime harmes is stepping up and remember - no defined ruck and no key forward for structure - glad we lowered our eyes in the second half. Melbourne have done effing well for the past 5 rounds without the services of some athletes that really are crucial to structure and planning. Personally I commend the coaching staff with all things considered

Oscar McDonald: 11 x 1% ers. Double anyone else in the team. THAT'S why he's playing. He's ranked 4th in the AFL for average 1%'ers per game. Does he need to improve other aspects of his game? Absolutely. But stop looking at what he doesn't do, and look instead at what he DOES do. The rest will come.

another great game by #pedomyths

Good point, SJ. He used it very well this week and he was stiff to be dropped a few rounds ago. The other one that stood out for me was Melksham. Had a huge impact on the game and he looks a much better player since being released from the half back line. Let's hope that continues as well.

I see your Ablett and raise you a Gawn and A Hogan.

[censored], that was stressful

I cannot cope with the doom and gloom around here sometimes. We won - as ugly as the first half was - we won. I will take that any day of the week and I for one are celebrating. Go Dees.

Watching Melbourne play is like having your wisdom teeth extracted without anaesthetic.

A lot of negativity on this thread and fair enough for our shitty first half. However 1. We won 2. We played some good footy and turned a 30 point deficit into a strong win. 3. It keeps us in touch in a very strangely even season Let's put Gawn/Spencer and Hogan back into that side. Pedo stays as a key forward and gives us a marking option up forward. Also we don't get continually outmarked around the ground. An oppo defence has to cover Hogan and Pedo so Watts is freed up. Garlett has more crumbing opportunities. Hannan ( who has an innate ability to be in the right spot) could be a real wild card. Our mids actually get a percentage of taps directed to them. Game on.

Right...so the game plan is to play so bad in the first half the opposition thinks the games in the bag meanwhile it gives the coach time to assess the situation make all the necessary moves, and completely bamboozle the opposition in the 2nd half! ....yep, that must be it.

Can't get Hogan and Gawn (or even Spencer) back quick enough.

getting back on track http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/how-melbourne-star-jeff-garlett-has-gone-from-carlton-reject-to-demons-leader/news-story/556dd3fd93094b2b191cb33290f7e765 Jetta and Garlett... good to see the boys have a lifelong connection that has helped Jeff regain his awesomeness. The boys are doing the painted boots again - love it

Freekick count = 14 - 14 Funny what happens when that pr!ck Nicholls doesn't umpire our games.

I have another take on the win a on this season we are a team that never give up,

Watts is always laconic, it's his personality, people think he doesn't try but he does, played welll today after couple quiet weeks

The very definition of a game of two halves. There is NO other team in sports that does this to their supporters. And we all keep coming back for more. Credit where credits due, we won and won comfortably. But can we just do this for 4 quarters please....

Jason Taylor has struck gold again, this time with his drafting of Mitch Hannan.

This is hilarious. I put $250 on Gold Coast (to balance my happiness if we lose) and Sportsbet already paid me the win when I went to check the cash out value. Nek minnut...

50+ years mate....

Our season in a gif...

It should....but it's often deeflating.

Exactly Jane here here Seems some posters have forgotten how morose it was to follow this team a couple of short years ago. Think how you felt watching this team in 2013 and what you would've given for a game/result like today I'll be enjoying every win I see from here til the day I die. Yeah some mean more than others but they all count.

Imagine living next-door to the MacDonald clan. Mister, can we have our ball back. Mister, can we have our ball back. Mister, can we have . . . .

65 point turnaround, 35 point win and you're not impressed? Melbourne supporters need psychological counselling package with the membership instead of a scarf next year

I didn't see the game, but want to add my support to Oscar. 90% of what the kid does is excellent, 10% is horrendous. For a guy who has played 20-odd games, he does a hell of a lot right. With experience and confidence he will cut the errors and be a very good player. I already think he is tracking better than either his brother and Frawley at the same stage of their respective careers. Nice to see the boys fight back from a poor half and get a decent win. However it is most concerning that they have gone well down in each of the past five games. It would be nice to lead at quarter time occasionally.

Currently at a restaurant where the boys must be staying. They are in the pool for a quick recovery. Watts is limping but hopefully the week off will help. Players a bit embarrased as they walked through the restaurant with melbourne fans clapping them. Told jonsey great 2nd half by him.

But aren't you one of those posters, like old dee and beelzebub, who often talks about how the only important stat is the W-L ratio and that there's no such thing as "honourable losses"? If, when we lose, you only talk about the loss and ignore what might have been positive about the performance, I feel like you should acknowledge the importance of the win even if we played tripe for 2.5 quarters.

Whoa. Weird being called by my name. Nice to make your acquaintance. Oscar would get into any list in the comp besides those with a full quota of KP defenders with 50 games under their belts. He's a young key position player playing on a local pitch against KP forwards that are sensational, and were playing well. He's a kid. You have to look at what he can do based on what he's done so far. Not on individual mistakes he makes. People mark him harshly but he's in development still. My only problem with him is that we have 3 of the same kind with Frost and TMac as well, so one will have to make way for the heavy we recruit or develop. Either that or he has to add a string to his bow, as all he does is work inside defensive fifty. Saying he's close to worst in the comp. That's just nonsense. Sorry. I get the frustration with him cos he gets exposed, like all young KP defenders. But fair go, he's nowhere near that bad. TMac played all day forward or in the ruck. I think he went back for all of 5 minutes. Two weeks ago he went forward and was a huge part of us beating the best team in the comp. People forget quickly. Tom is definitely a good player. Plenty of good players with bad kicking technique. To each their own though.

I knew my boy Harmesy would be a good in.

I have still liked his game over the past fortnight, though. He is clearly playing well as a defensive forward, he has good hands and he is getting to the right spots to hit the scoreboard. He just needs to put a few kicks through the big sticks like he did against the Crows.

Well put. You have become close to my fave poster. Always balanced and eloquent. Kudos.

That is exactly why we are the most frustrating side in the competition. The team that played the second half was completely different to the first. Its also the current frustration of wondering how we would be with the AA ruckmen and one of the most promising power forwards in the land to straighten us up. Great to see Jones put us on his back in the second half and Lewis and Watts make up for lack lustre first halves. T-Mac into the first ruck and Pederson forward shifted the match. Great game by Jeffy for Indigenous round. Take it, learn, rest, reset and move on.

Dermot: "it was not correct indesposal "

Think Melksham deserves some credit. He was real good, got a lot of it and used it well. He's not a backmen, but running round the middle he can play a big role

Main difference first/second half was swapping Tom Mac and Pedersen (ruck/forward). Tommy is not a forward.

Don't forget how good Pedo has been.

I have no doubt if we brought 4 quarters every week then we'd be a chance for the flag. Unfortunately we're still yet to see it but 1.5 was enough for an easy win. Jones and Harmes were the catalysts. Hibberd is elite even when the chips are down, and biased [censored] Rohan Connolly didn't have him in top 10 recruits for the year. LOL. Hannan is a winner, a bit like Breust at the Hawks, just bobs up for goals every week. I'll [censored] take that win. Halfway through the third and it was season over, now it's alive again. Goodwin-ball has it's flaws but it's like a tsunami when it works.

Nathan Jones is a hero!! He willed the team to a win.

One of the most unenjoyable wins I've seen. Ablett plays and we probably lose. A long way to go for this group.

Nathan Jones pulled us back into this. Thanks skipper.

Trade bait, if anyone wants him. That Tyson and Salem for Kelly swap is getting worse by the week.

Or Tom for starting the calamity chain by handballing to the worms?

Jeffy will be wearing No. 67 and Nev will be wearing No. 50 during today's game.

Stangely....i see nothing. Such a damning description of our season

Well, the first 9 chapters of "The Journey" have been intriguing to say the least. I will read chapter 10 later on this afternoon. Even if the reading is positive, do I return the book in the fiction or non fiction section of the library? I love this club but I must admit my head is messed up to the point where I can't feel the slightest bit of confidence sometimes.

given this is in alice springs, this game could be a line in dee sand ok, i'm going