TeamPlayedFine39

Both in trouble. Lewis a better chance of getting off than Hogan; think Vineyard did more damage than Lewis. Hogan's one was as stupid and unnecessary as Bernie's.

Credit to Carlton and Bolton. We won ugly but we kicked away when we should have. Had some very good contributors along the way, namely: Clarry, Salem, Watts, Jeffy, Harmes. A win's a win! 2 - 0!!

There were so many cringy post on DL this week. We habitually get ahead of ourselves and don't offer the opposition the respect they warrant. We're a good young team, but we were patting ourselves on the back for a match that hadn't even been played yet.

This is a well written and considered post (I'd hate to see some of the responses he received). Hindsight of course is 20/20 and we should also be careful to jump the gun and claim victory in the 2014 draft. Very early in both players careers and either one could succeed or fail from this early stage. I can tell you though that at the time it started to leak to the media that the saints were taking McCartin, I didn't believe it. Then, when it happened, I was equal parts shocked, equal parts ecstatic.

I must have missed this... I though he had some back tightness...?

I agree that they were moved on at the right time- the issue is there wasn't a David Neitz or James McDonald amongst them.

Fitness and conditioning were a huge issue with the playing list - which also comes down to how the coach was being supported by the football department. This, coupled with a huge loss of experienced players, meant that oppositions would get on huge run-ons against us and were were never able to stem the flow. There was neither the physical condition, nor the cooler, older heads to lead the younger players. The biggest mistakes of that era was that too many senior players were moved on too quickly and that the senior players that were retained, or the ones we hoped would step up to be the next leaders of the club, were not suitable for the role. We needed Bruce, Robertson, Yze, Rivers, McLean and Davey to be the next generation of leaders, but Green was the only one to flourish under that pressure.

This 'protest' part has never made sense to me; how could a coach, who was already under pressure to retain his job, survive a 186 point defeat? It'll all come out one day but it is a very sad chapter in our club's history. I have no issues with this article, these events should be remembered if for no other reason than to remind all of us that the figures at the club are all human beings.

Balme (along with Gerard Neesham) were playing Geelong/Bomber Thompson style football in the mid 90s IMHO. Balme was an innovator, just didn't have (or lost) the cattle.

We should save the match review and congratulations for Sunday evening...

I must have missed the match where O'Mac was toweled-up and cost us 10 goals... I've seen the MFC field some bog-ordinary full backs in my time, O'Mac is not one of them. Holds his own against mature bodies, beats hands-down opponents his own age (see Schache last year), and provides a significantly safer, yet equally attacking disposal to his brother. At any rate, arguing the merits of Oscar McDonald is about as productive as arguing with someone over their religion. Neither side of the debate is going to change the other's mind. Didn't we win on the weekend???

Love your work Joeboy, but is it possible you wrote these at half time..?

I'm going to vomit.

In!

You're right - I'm confusing him with Johnstone. Huge left-field selection!

Looks like a strong team on paper. I'm surprised that Hannan is getting a run following his JLT performances, but good on him! Feeling pumped now!

Someone tracked down Allen Jakovich and he's lacing up on the weekend!

Looked like he'd hurt his hip- played out the game but was limited. His touched-on-the-line reversed goal took the wind completely out of our sails.

We played about as poorly as we could have that day. StKilda were all over, but we were well off our game.

Well, that's not really what I'm saying and if you're looking for a four quarter contributor, then Pederson probably isn't the man either. I like Pederson, but he does drift in and out of games and the last time I recall him playing key defence was under Neeld. I was more making the case for Weideman over Spencer, as preseason selections seem to indicate that's the way the match committee is looking too. So with that in mind, and using your example, then yes- 2 goals is more than what Spencer would provide us.

Personally, I despise the Giants over all others. We will build rivalries when we are once again seen as a threat... hopefully soon.

Not to be critical of other poster as we're all intitled to our opinions, but the love for Spencer on this thread is completely unprecedented on Demonland. There were huge grumbles on here when he was re-signed last year and now he seems to be placed in the majority of Round 1 teams... how the worm turns! Personally, I don't see a spot for him against a quick team on a quick ground, but good luck to him if he's named!

I think Jones and Viney are both professional and driven enough to make this relationship work. I still don't like it though. Grooming is what the vice-captaincy is for; why not have Viney as an active, involved and hands-on VC? The difference is really in name only but affords all due respect to a man who has carried this club on his broad shoulders for the past five years.

Though Weideman does not have a developed key-forward's body, he does do a lot off good work off the ball with his blocking and leading patterns; for me, he plays round one. He has the pace and agility to trouble Brown and is such a proficient kick, he only needs a couple of chances to hurt the opposition. I'm not sold on Spencer as he is not a natural forward and I don't like the idea of our All-Australian ruckman playing second fiddle to him. Gawn has never excelled in the forward line and has said in the past that he didn't like having to play there in his early years. Unless his ability to run out games becomes an issue in 2017, he plays in the ruck with a chop out from Watts. In the place of a second ruckman, we play another mid. Jetta has to play for mine, there is little flair in the way he plays, but he does a job and does it bloody well. He shuts down dangerous small forwards or resting mid and, while not a scintillating kick, doesn't cough it up or have the brain-fades we've come to associate with other defenders. In short, small forwards check under their beds at night for Neville Jetta; he plays. I like the look of Smith; he has the pace and athleticism to play on small and mediums and the aggression and height to play tall if needs be. Would be a good match-up for the dangerous Membrey. JETTA O'McDONLAD SMITH HUNT T'McDONAD MELKSHAM LEWIS VINEY SALEM KENT HOGAN PETRACCA WATTS WEIDEMAN GARTLETT GAWN JONES OLIVER Int. VINCE BRAYSHAW STRETCH TYSON

Would be the greatest media coup since Frost v Nixon.