Samael

Interesting comment. Michie split his eyelid in the first minute from a boot heel. Lost his contact lens and then copped a couple of stitches. Could not wear a contact for the rest of the game. I would be questioning why there were 3 WC players able to jog by unattended. That would annoy me as a coach. Watched the Casey game today. Nothing to see there from MFC. Number 17 and 20 were probably best. Trenners, Toump and Michie serviceable but nothing to suggest they will be in the magoos again next week baring injury. Jamar okay. Poor standard and poor skills from both sides.

I would like to see the number of games each has played listed against the names. I can't believe that assessments are being made on players that have played so few games and mostly negative. Watching the game and (masochist that I am) the replay its the 3 plus year players that are letting us down. The speed of decision making is slow for players with this level of experience. It was evident against St Kilda and blatant against WC. They seem to look for 2nd 3rd and 4th options. Maybe its lack of faith or fear of taking a risk but they are turning it over anyway. It makes their skills look poor. Watts is a perfect example and the difference between his Saints Game and Eagles is astounding. Roos should be saying forget the results and look for the improvement. I would rather see them treat the next few weeks until we can bolster the forward line, as a time for experimentation, risk, flare, first reaction. Stop over thinking the game, don't be hung up on consequences, after all they cant be much worse. As Alan Jeans said, just do. We might still lose but it would be more palatable.

I don't think Roos will make wholesale changes to the personnel. What has he got to go on. I think he will change players positions whilst he has virtually no forwards. The more important thing I think he has said is that he is compiling his own dossier. I think he believes that he has been sold a pup on players and will now make his own assessments. I think this bodes well for the new guys as he recruited them, or at least has influence. But I think that he will be taking a long hard look at those who were at the club the last few years. They are the ones scarred by the past years as he put it. If he can't get in their heads and change the mindset that I think emerged in the first quarter against the Eagles then he will look elsewhere. I think that was evident in his comment regarding who has responsibility. He perseveres as his record shows but he does make changes when he judges the commitment required is not being shown.

When did he coach Sydney without its forward line? Cannot compare his tenure at Sydney with the two games he has had with Melbourne.

I don't understand those wanting to dump Michie. He was as good as any in the first half, after getting his eye split. Even the commentators on the replay I watched were spruiking him. Third and fourth quarters he was played of the HFF which in the Dees is starvation corner and delivery was brutal. I do not understand why the ball is directed to Watts every time or worse to a three on one and even 4 on one contest at one time. It was clear Viv was presenting yet time and again ignored. Somebody said Roos should look at the old players. I agree. They carry the baggage and operate like they are waxing in the school yard. Want to change the culture you get new blood in. BTW do you no Michie wears contacts and with the cut eye probably couldn't wear one in his left eye. Also he has played just 10 quarters of footy and compared to many of the Dees 30 plus games offers something. How many of us were at the level we expect of these young players when we were in our third day on the job. I also worry that JKH has far to great expectations on him. He is light framed and whilst he has sparkle and real promise the fans seem to see him as the cure for all deficiencies. Roos said that these new youngsters are not the ones to lean on and that the old heads are where the turn around will come from. He is right and its time he moved some on. No one should be sacrosanct. Sorry for the rant

Mitchie will own Gaff. Has done since under 12s Seriously. They have had a rivalry since they were kids and Viv carries my pay packet.

It was hard to make out on the box but it looked like Michie was played on the hff in the second half. Is that correct?. Never seen him play there.

I agree. I think the posters on this site really over amped their expectations. No real forward line and then injuries. Mid field group that have not played together. New game plan, I think that within a month, forget the results the team will be showing significant improvement. These guys need support, that means no wholesale changes. Roos is just now talking about the fragile confidence of the players. Sack a few for a poor first up effort, that by all accounts was better than most efforts last year would be a mistake. I reckon it would have been better to have played a middle ladder team first up. Brought a membership today just to support. Hope to see a couple of games live during the season.

I agree. I watched it on the box and a couple of times the commentators called the wrong name. Live would have been better to make a judgement but I think it needs to be remembered that that this was his first full game. Watched him over here last year and he is worth the perseverance. But I am biased.

Mitchie looked like he was being played on the HBF in the second half, probably because of necessity, but I think that is out of position for him. I would like to see him under the ruckmen's feet. Still need to be versatile.

With a depleted forward line why kick to a 3 on one contest.

Lurking "other strugglesville team" supporter now taking an interest in the Dees because you have picked up a great kid and player whom I am keen to see be given a go. I wont be changing teams but now have a secondary reason to tune into the AFL. Can't imagine anyone changing allegiances. Hope you smash the Saints and will be there to watch. My team will be belted elsewhere.

What recruit isn't. Even a veteran like Cross will be champing at the bit..

Connies. Love it!

Agree This Challenge is like an entree. So many new guys to watch, new game plan. What's not to be excited about. The results are secondary.

Viv will be a huge get for MFC. I followed him at Peel and he was double teamed almost all the games he played in the Wafl. Came over and watched the one game he had against Geelong. He was only told at 10 am that he was playing and was easily their better player in the second half (biased but close to truth). He is an excellent ball player who kicks to the jumper, has absolutely no other thought than for the team and I am tipping a 22 game player this year. Freo did not want to let him go.

Thanks. Great acquisition and I am betting a rising star nomination this year. Freo had a brain fart letting him go.

DID michie Train?

Hello First post. I have played since I was 8 years old. Now 58 and will still give it a go next year. Over 50s at Darebin. Played with a few VFL players over the journey as well as two of the most successful School teams I know. St Vincents in the Bendigo Golden Sq league. By 1972 they had won 12 of 13 Grand Finals in the Under 18s comp. Then Heidelberg High which won two Vic High Schools Grand finals in a row. Had a couple of coaches from Collingwood (Adamson and Potter) as well as a couple of pies players (Manassa, Stewart, Bond, Wise all of whom had some 1st games at the pies). I am rubbish but love getting out there.