Lil_red_fire_engine

BIG RED SIGNING IN: There was never going to be wholsale changes particularly with younger players on a 5 day turn around. Only Newton played last week and by all reports was rested in the last. Surprised at the non-inclusion of Whelan though. Best of luck Newts on debut. Hopefully the kid has/will be told that he will be played for x weeks to remove any pressure. I hope it is not the case but I would not be suprised if ND had wanted Brown to play in his last game as he would be close to his favourite player I would think over his time coaching the Dees. Frawley needs a full run at Sandy. Bell will play on lucas (ala Harry O and Campbell Brown).

BIG RED SIGNING IN: A true professional, who has handled his entire time with Melbourne particularly his departure with true grace and professionalism.

Jarka, go back and re-read the debate we had and if you have an ounce of intelligence you may comprehend what I was stating. I can't recall stating him as mentally weak at any point I believe that was your interpretation. All I did was provide an position for consideration as to why some things aside from what you see on the park may be considered when promoting someone.

BIG RED SIGNING IN: As much as we would like wholesale changes with Sandy playing on Sunday they will limit changes for the 5 day turnaround. In: Newton, Whelan Out: Holland (No match up), Yze

BIG RED SIGNING IN: Can I have confirmation whether this is the longest post ever on this site..

Well at least being an emergency shows that he is getting closer and at least now being recognised. I would not be surprised now to see Neita not play and Newts come in...Best of Luck Newts if that is the case.

Newton had not produced much at all to that point of the season. Its cool that we disagree its all part of a good debate.

I dont think either of them were ready to play but we had to play someone. I think it was determined that putting Garland into that environment too early may be better than putting Newton in there. This isn't about how he performed but more about what damage it may do to the players confidence and how would they handle it.

BIG RED SIGNING IN: Good to see some intelligent debate on this topic..it has become few and far between on this site. From what I understand and have witnessed from watching him play Newton is exactly what is meant by a confidence player. The only thing that will stop him being a quality AFL player is his mind and application as he has all the attributes you require to be a quality key forward in todays game. We need to consider that he was drafted the second youngest in his draft, missed a whole year with injury and this time last year had only just commenced playing decent footy at Sandy 2's. By years end he was bagging hauls in the 2's and getting limited senior time. Now he is consistently kicking goals week in week out with some smaller bags. To me this is pretty good development. If he is a confidence player it is key that he is brought up at the right time. There would be nothing worse than him getting elevated and not getting a touch. Would that be enough to put him back into his shell at Sandy? Possibly. I agree he needs to learn from Neitz and hence bringing him up this week does not serve that purpose, if anything it puts greater focus. I do not think him playing at the VFL is hindering his development as he has grown as a player in the first 11 rounds already and continues to each time I see him play. I think it was seen that the Sydney game we were very short for options and Garland was more mentally ready to be put in that situation. The best way for him to be promoted is with Neitz in the side and told that he will be played for 2-3 weeks regardless of performance. This should be with solid game time and not with limited ground time. This is probably the best way for him to be introduced. I however can not see who will make way in the current forward set up to fill that void at this point in time.

Not at that stage nor do I think he must be played now. He is kicking goals consistently at VFL level which would make him believe he is good enough to play there. I would like to see him bag a couple more big hauls (6+ goal games) or truly dominate a couple of games. The most dominant I have seen him was about 4 weeks ago when he played across half forward and kicked 2.6. Once he is dominating at that level then bring him up. There is no rush...he will debut and if he lives up to his potential it will be well worth the wait.

BIG RED SIGNING IN: I am a massive Newton fan have seen him play 4 times this year including last weekend as well as numerous times last year. The kid is all talent but still looks immature of mind. He missed a goal from 20 metres out on a reasonable angle with a wet ball and you could see his mind was off the game for the next 10-15 minutes whilst he kept cajoling himself over the miss. I want to see the kid play for Melbourne more than I have looked forward to any debutant that I can recall in recent years but the timing is very important. The last thing you want is to bring him up too early, not get a kick and then dent his confidence at Sandy. The kid will play but lets make sure he also believes he is ready.

Newton started on the bench but didn't leave the ground once he came on (about the 25 minute mark of the first qtr). The rest spent no less time than they would under standard rotations.

It would make perfect sense to see Newton play. Afterall Richmonds backline is very inexperienced and he has been in good form (3 goals in the wet yesterday has been vastly underrated by those who saw it). In saying this though after playing in the wet yesterday to play on a 5 day turn is a lot to ask of a kid. I will be hellahappy if he plays but will not be screaming the house down if we went for a small forward line or the bigger bodied Miller. Will be interesting to see what is done...

BIG RED SIGNING IN: Can anyone confirm a Sandy Reserves Side? Will likely head down early if Hayes and Weetra are named?

BIG RED SIGNING: I am amazed that people see a guy who has captained a 3 time premiership side (which includes being on match committee) and spent extended injury periods sitting in the coaches box with Leigh Matthews as less experience than someone who has an official title as an "assistant coach" and is responsible potentially for nothing more than laying out witches hats and moving names on a magnetic board (note partial tongue in cheek). Saying there is a gulf between Voss and Longmire for example in experience is relatively small if existent at all.

BIG RED SIGNING IN: Jaded Moloney is definitely not a great player and closer to an average player than a good one. Yes I agree he is playing restricted due to injury but would love to know how many of his long bombs actually go to someone and when he will learn to chase an opponent?

BIG RED SIGNING: Joe Anderson has not set the world on fire. he will be a good, ordinary player. Frawley's season has been culled by injury as well so I guess drafting him was a mistake as well......

BIG RED SIGNING IN: Poor Isaac cant take a trick. Back from a hammy. then does another hammy then he now does a wrist... Hopefully we get to see him at sandy some time soon.

BIG RED SIGNING IN: Finks you have touched on what to me is most important. You cannot say Michael Voss needs to do an assistant coaching apprenticeship. In alot of ways he has already done one and more.All long injury lay offs he has he has been in the box listneing to Matthews. As captain he has had to player manage, develop youngsters, motivate a team, been on the team selection committee, hold press conferences. In summary he has more qualification in my eyes than an assistant coach such as Longmire or Harvey do (hey but they hold a good white board).

BIG RED SIGNING IN: CJ starred in the preseason when played on a wing and left on a wing. He has been played there for about 15 minutes in the first 2 rounds and thrown between forward and back for the remaining 5 minute stints ND has left him on the ground to settle. If he was worse than Bate last week I was watching a different game yet no mention of Bate getting dropped.

BIG RED SIGNING IN: Completely unrelated. Don't see a huge amount of soft tissue injuries as you would expect if it were BB related.

BIG RED SIGNING IN: Am I the only one to notice that Moloney refuses to chase........He is the most defensively inept player in our side (and he has alot of competition).

BIG RED SIGNING IN: Finally someone who understands the most important part of last night....no injuries...Anyone who thought we were going to win from halfway through the third qtr obviously was not aware of our lack of match fitness...Hawthorn has played 3 serious intra-club matches we have played 60 minutes last week of kick and giggle to help Channel 7. Run as many laps as you want it is nothing compared to match fitness...Sitting near the bench last night you could see in the last qtr the guys coming on still looked like they were blowing hard...Just couple of observations, most already said: -Green and CJ easily our best 2 players...Jones first half was excellent (although must learn to chase), Bruce needs to learn to hunt the ball again and not get easy pill that he then turns over. -Buckley was super impressive and gives us speed and carry through the midfield. Would prefer to see him played rather than Yze, Ward or Brown. - Both Jamar and PJ were rubbish...we should be doing all we can to fast track Neaves to see if he is up to it otherwise a ruckman needs to be drafted/traded for next year. - A team with Godfrey Ward and Brown will not make the eight...You can have one but not all three....Browny for mine. - Was impressed with the couple of things Frawley did but did not think Hughes was up to it. Did nothing but get some wide ball.

BIG RED SIGNING IN: I am assuming a "match simulation session" is now the new fandangled term for praccy match. If that is the case we are playing at Moorabin today at 3pm. Shame about the lack of notice:(