Lil_red_fire_engine

How did you rate his 9 touch 2 tackle game today? He is a midfielder who currently does not play midfield. We have better options to play half forward. Either play him in the midfield or get him out of the side.

We would have lost that game last year by minimum 80 points. Alot of players learnt in the first quarter what big game football is and now realise how much further they need to come. Give us two quality mids and we win that game.

Out: Green, Magner In: Bail, Couch NB: Tapscott highly likely not to play.

Understand your point but its like for like in this case and a bit of stability in the side wont harm confidence.

Cotchin Dangerfield Franklin The first two not the best now but will be the best goal kicking inside/outside skilled mids in the comp in 2 years. Franklin purely for his difference to everyone else.

I expect Cook will play all year at Casey and be developed in the right fashion not rushed to make a debut this year. Let him get some continuity playing against men in a key position at VFL level.

Great news. Jamar was always going to need 3 years to get him over the line. 3 years should see a good transition from The Russian to Maxy Gawn in the third year.

On my wedding day my face hurt from having to smile so much for photos. I have a similar pain today, is that what you were referring to, if so then you are correct.

I posted this in the "Watts better than Hurley" thread but may as well copy it to her as well. I could not care whether Watts ends up better than Nik Nat or Hurley. I also could not care whether he ends up a 100 goal full forward. I just want the kid to do the most with his god given attributes in the position that best suits him. I think we're starting to see where that could be. A very Goddard-esque game last night.

Assuming Frawley, Bail fit and Blease injured Out: Green, Blease In: Frawley. Bail People will call for Dunn to be dropped but 7 tackles and 7 touches in less than a half over 2 tackles and 10 touches in a full game warrants him being played. There is no possible way on that performance that Sellar will be dropped.

I dont understand the vitriol being thrown at hardnut. Their has definitely been a slight change in direction the last 2 weeks. Although still a defensive style when in dispute the strategy is definitely a simpler game style offensively which allows players to when they have the ball a bit more freedom in how they use it.

I could not care whether Watts ends up better than Nik Nat or Hurley. I also could not care whether he ends up a 100 goal full forward. I just want the kid to do the most with his god given attributes in the position that best suits him. I think we're starting to see where that could be. A very Goddard-esque game last night.

Moloney was excellent because he was put in a role that fitted his endurance levels. Sylvia played his role and showed glimpses of the attributes that will have high trade value at years end. Rivers has been good all year. Green's effort is there but the game has gone past him, hopefully he can see that at the end of the year.

6. Grimes (when the game was there for the taking he took it) 5. Rivers 4. Watts 3. Jones 2. Garland 1. Sellar NB: Special mention to Moloney who in an unfamiliar role gave his all defensively and played smart football when he had it.

I love the line that Primus is taking with Boak. If anything such an ultimatum will drive Boak from a "I want to play with Port or come home to Geelong" to "I want to play with anyone except Port". If Boak was playing for one of the big 4 Victorian clubs and not Port who no one watches the perception of his value would be very different.

Welcome to the site hampton 22. You will learn very quickly that stats and logic doesn't get you very far around here.

I would expect that to happen but it wont happen here. I am expecting alot of clubs will see him that way hence pushing up his trade value.As long as we are adequately compensated it could likely be a win-win for both clubs.

6. McKenzie 5. T-Mac 4. Jones 3. Grimes 2. Blease 1. Clark

We ran harder offensively and defensively than we have all year for three quarters and already had used our sub early. If people cant see we were spent in the last then I guess we should have taken it easy for the first three so we had some left in the tank to keep you happy. Watts was good but 2 poor efforts spoilt his game. McKenzie, T-Mac, Jones, Grimes and Blease excellent. Moloney needs to go to Casey to learn first option football and defensive running. Garland needs to learn that its hard to guard the best small forward in the game when you're continually going third man up. Trengove saved himself from Casey after half time, hopefully that is him turning the corner.

LATE CHANGES Carlton v Melbourne, MCG at 3.15pm Carlton: Chris Yarran and Lachie Henderson replaced in selected side by Kane Lucas and Paul Bower Melbourne: Clint Bartram replaced in selected side by Luke Tapscott FINAL INTERCHANGES Carlton: Andrew Collins, Dennis Armfield, Ed Curnow Substitute: Kane Lucas Melbourne: Lynden Dunn, James Magner, Luke Tapscott Substitute: Jamie Bennell

Article was a good read until he mentions he would have made Moloney skipper. Then any substance in it was lost. NB: I was ecstatic that Neeld was more concerned about what Howe did with the ball after taking that mark than the mark itself.

I would say they know that they need to push Cale to play defensive, contested footy. The promise was shown when he came back into the side but he has gone back to old habits hence the best way to teach him is to drop him until he does it again. I cannot believe the defence of Moloney he is potentially the worst defensive midfielder in the competition. Chasing your man and laying tackles has nothing to do with form. Over the last 3 weeks we have turned to a bit more speed to balance the grunt with Bennell, Blease, Bail and Nicholson in the side together. Bennell can play but needs to work harder defensively and go when its his turn I hope to see him play on Garlett but expect he will play as a small forward. I agree Sylvia should have come back via Casey but it is still no excuse for his recent defensive output.

Melbourne team B: James Frawley, Jared Rivers, Clint Bartram HB: Jack Grimes, Colin Garland, Tom McDonald C: Rohan Bail, Brent Moloney, Sam Blease HF: Jack Trengove, Jack Watts, Brad Green F: Jeremy Howe, Mitch Clark, James Sellar FOLL: Mark Jamar, Lynden Dunn, Nathan Jones I/C: Jamie Bennell, Jordie McKenzie, Daniel Nicholson, James Magner EMG: Joel Macdonald, Luke Tapscott, Troy Davis IN: Rohan Bail, James Sellar, Lynden Dunn, Daniel Nicholson OUT: Liam Jurrah (ankle), Aaron Davey, Colin Sylvia, Cale Morton

I dont know what people expected when you want players dropped. Taggert has played 2 senior games, Couch has not played for 3 weeks, Tynan is still injured, Strauss has not played for a month. It was always going to be a rehash of those who have previously been in. Not a fan of Sellar but if him playing means Clark can say forward no issue with this. Agree with the outs although Morton stiff and Moloney and Green must be on thin ice.

My attendance at the game this week will be strongly swayed by the team selected on Thursday night. I am not going to sit at an away game copping it off Carlton supporters if I am not confident the players on the park are giving 100%