Rhino Richards

So what if you dont see him as part of our LT plans! Currently he is the best option of the small forward and has played that role really really well this year. Generally his decision making and disposal have been very good. At the moment we have no better option there. The only smart statement you have made is "Of course there is a 100+ minutes in a game and it may seem unfair to focus on those two errors in the context of all other mistakes that are made in a game." Its a pity you did not take note of it. Any chance we lost the Collingwood game when we allowed them to kick 4 goals to 1 goal in the 2nd quarter? Or we allowed the Dogs 3 goals in the first quarter when we had no kicked one? Some of the "he cost us the game" accusations when the result was tight is some of the most naive and self serving drivel on this site

Agree with all that. What he said. Also it might just help if we won the midfield. Drop Bartram after his efforts so far this year!!!- Ugh!

Its a pity its so flawed. You have let an earlier incident clearly cloud your judgement.

In reality, Michael Tuck played too long. In the end he was a serviceable player blocking the path of a younger player with greater upside. It was a difficult time for the Hawks to orchestrate his exit. I think Junior will know when its time. He seems a realistic and down to earth sort of player who knows where the game is at. I think it will be at the end of this year.

Agree. While Bennell gets scrutiny after the Collingwood game, I have not seen another incident since. However I have not seen his internal fortitude put to the test since. Like Rogue says I have not seen a situation where Bennell has gone for a mark, contested ball or situation where he is likely to take the hit. The situation Rogue outlines is the "courageous pack mark". I would also add the situation of players backing into pack or standing their ground for a marking contest knowing a bigger player (Brown or Lockett coming through). I remember Shaun Smith backing into a marking contest knowing full well he had Plugger steaming to the contest. Smith took the hit but denied Plugger a mark at 40m from goal. Gutsy team orientated stuff. Bennell has alot of very good skills and I hope as he matures performs more consistently. And when he is seriously challenged in the future he will rise to the occassion and do what is required at this level.

Voss and Carey are indeed exceptions to the rule. Both were arguably the best of the type in the eras they played At 21 in 1993 in his fourth season, Carey was winning games off his own boot. A style which would dominate VFL/AFL for next 6 years. Voss was made co-captain at 22 (his sixth season) with Lynch in 1997. While he developed into a great leader his early years were a struggle. It took a few years to grow into the role. There is no need to rush Grimes. I would be happy to see Brad Green take the role for a year or two before looking at the next gen of stars.

He has not played football for at least 12 months. He has done no pre season. He is young tall and not physically developed enough yet. You wont see him at MFC this year. At earliest he will get a taste of the action in late 2011.

Bennell did not pull out of the contest but was late to a contest where the Dogs player with ball was on the ground. Bennell was moving at pace and in the slippery conditions avoided unnecessary and dangerous contact with the Dogs player. It was a reasonable action to take given the situation. Bennell may have pulled out of a tackle against Collingwood but we should be spared the Spanish Inquisition allegations on matters where that was not the case.

Mike Sheahan and John Anderson on the Hun online were saying that there have been no better performances in the their first 8 or so games from 1 and 2 picks than Scully and Trengove. They also felt it was too early to say one is better than the other. Clearly the Press are starting to take notice of these two young guns. (Thank you again Jordan McMahon. B) ) There is no reason why either or both could not be prominent in the Bluey count. FWIW, I think Jamar would be leading it.

When the result is tight it is quite possible that the best player in the losing side could be given 3 votes. Scully could be in line for 3 votes. Your nit picking of his performance in the conditions completely ignores his impact on the game.

There'd be other posters who would change...each week. You could put a case for Bail to swap with JoelMac on the bench.

You might have vindicated your point that umpires do get it wrong. I would have thought the field umpire acted within the realms of your statement here.

The all clear means that the field umpire is satisfied to rely on the goal umpires decision and is not aware of any matter that may have due bearing on the matter. A goal umpire can be legitimately blind sided at 1 metre as well as 50 metres. The situations where it happens are exceptions to the norm but that does not make inappropriate. A field umpire has every right to make a goal umpire of any evidence that may impact on the goal umpires decision. You should find a sunny place.

.... You do seem to change your view by the hour dont you. P.S. Sorry about your last post something went askew when I tried to copy something from it.

Watching the replay I noted Grimes had 3 poor disposals out of 29 possessions. He does win the ball well as you pointed out and his use of the ball is generally very good. Dunn's set shots for goal and his kicking in general does little to impress. Hudson was very good on the night when it did not suit him. Agree.

My only change from a month ago would be to put Bruce in front of JoelMac at the moment

1. Your belief that we go in with one SET PLAY per quarter is bizarre and naive. 2. Kicking out is a matter of focussing on the situation provided by your teammates and seeking the best option in accordance with your game plan at the time and executing correctly. It will involves a number of plays to isolate and spot prefered players (Davey, Grimes) to take the 2nd disposal outside the D50. Decision making is critical because generally there should be a number of options available and a decision has to be made who to kick to. And its not always the case that the recipient will be in the position to play on immediately. Often quite the opposite. 3. As for the corridor kicking out straight down the line might an option in exceptional situation. However most teams with half a brain ensure defender close down the 45% angle disected by the straight line between the goals. Having numbers at the ball should mean the opposition does also which then means the play get congested at the top of their F50 region. The ball is neutral in the oppositions forward corridor. That spells DANGER and successful coaches hate that position to be in. 4.Execution of the kick is only one important part of the jigsaw. The other parts are just as critical make up the requirements needed. I have seen some lovely well executed kicks go straight down the throat of the opposition because they made a poor decision to kick to 2 on 1 or to a position where the opposition had the sit on the ball. 5. For knowing in advance by all the players, the players are drilled to ensure there are variety of options at any one timer to kick to but that we would have preference as to who would receive the kick out if possible. 6. Being a defender is more than just a nice kicking style...Strauss is learning that in the VFL now

The wide kick to a pack in those atrocious conditions is a just a way to surrender control of the ball around their 50 metre arc. In many cases where the wide option was taken the ball missed the target and went out on the full. Correct. But people will do this to push their own barrow. Your 2nd sentence contradicted your first. Its not a set play but a variety of methods that can be employed at any time. Also decision making... SET PLAYS are PREDICTABLE and easy for the opposition to work out. And the more you go down the corridor, where do think the opposition are going to push numbers there. The key issues are decision making, foot skills and being able to utilise a number of methods depending on the situation and conditions to get the ball outside D50.

9 to 10 wins. (Predicted 8 wins). Its no shame but I dont think we will make the finals this year. The losses to the Pies and Dogs will cost us but hopefully we have learnt the lessons. I wonder if younger bodies will tire toward the end of the season. Rs 9 to 18 (sans Essendon and Adelaide) look tough.

Just watched the replay after having been at game on Friday night. Watched carefully for Grimes. He was very good during the game. He used the ball well by hand and by foot. He did have two kicks chopped by the opposition but neither interception were costly to MFC.His decision making was also good in traffic. Some of the garbage written about Grimes is just unbelievable.

Correct on both fronts. Give it a break JCB. Even after you grilled the coach about it, its not a lack of discipline. It would seem so.

Only when it suits their purpose.

Nah! You are right WTL. So what are going to do about it?? Hold you breath. Clench your fists. Run around and circles and see if that does anything. Pile of angst meaning nothing. I thought you answered that. Agree

Enjoy your stuffed week. I have explained the situation. You cant change history. Move on. Your hissy fit is self serving.

Being closest does not mean you are always in the best position to see the incident. There have been a number of occassions where a field umpire has consulted with a goal umpire on an outcome.