Gator

How hard is it to work out that young teams occasionally lack "effort" when they're overwhelmed and there's not the leaders to show the way. It has happened for time immemorial. Michael Voss played in a wooden spoon team. Sam Mitchel played in a bottom team. As have countless others who went on to be stars. We've got the most exciting key forward I've ever seen at Melbourne, an exciting key defender and one of the most exciting young mids I've seen join the club. Plus Petracca who will be a star. It's a brilliant template.

Tally-ho, old boy. Have to say though, I'd rather "stars". You get me stars, who influence the for and against columns, and I'll give you an abundance of what you crave.

We live in a 24 hour news cycle, so things are often painted as worse than they are or better than they are. Interstaters don't get to hear all of the commentary, but a few weeks ago our harder edge was being lauded. "Experts" saw a new and tougher Bernie Vince, while Brayshaw, Newton and vanDemon were revelations in the hardness stakes. They were the perfect complement to Viney, Jones and the out of form Tyson. But things can change quickly on the back of a couple of poor performances. The midfield is the key. On the days when the midfield clicks we will still have some very good results this year. Unfortunately key injuries will effect us more than seasoned teams, but with Hogan at one end, McDonald at the other and Brayshaw, Petracca, Viney and Salem in between the foundations are most definitely in place. But the news cycle won't always be to our liking or making.

Many supporters said preseason that we'd be 0-7 due to our unfavourable draw. It shouldn't be overly surprising that we've struggled off the back of playing the best 3 teams 3 weeks in a row. Just as the absence of Wines has seemingly had a significant impact on Port, I reckon Viney's absence has been telling. I know some won't agree, but we don't have the depth to adequately replace a hard nosed contested ball winner who tackles to hurt. Brereton made a salient point yesterday; we're still learning a game plan that's more focussed on scoring. Against a kicking team like Hawthorn we were opened up like a sardine can whenever we made a skill error. We haven't been punished like that previously. I would like to see more freedom to take the game on, but not at the expense of defence and I recognise it will take a while to not sacrifice one for the other. Stay the course. Things will turn. And when they do it will have some meat behind it.

I'm one who expects an A-grader with a top 5 pick. Is it a guarantee ? Of course not and plenty don't become elite. I don't blame the club picking Toumpas. His junior record was outstanding. Naturally it's disappointing that a mistake has been made. It's even more disappointing that Toumpas is below AFL standard and I don't believe will become AFL standard. He doesn't have a single AFL standard trait,

Did I read that Toumpas was never expected to be a top player ? What drivel. The club knows it needs stars and it knows the importance of nailing top draft picks. It also knows it stuffed up, just like most of us. Unfortunately, it is what it is. Toumpas is useless in a contested ball situation, which is not a great trait at AFL level. No tackles yesterday was an indictment on his performance. Just as Tyson's 2 tackles and poor year to date is an indictment on how he's traveling.

This isn't "glass half empty" stuff, it's just stating facts. Toumpas is yet to display any AFL-worthy traits. If this changes, praise the Lord (or whomever).

Hawks 9 x 100+ games (5 over 200) and 5 x <50 games Dees 8 x 100+ games (2 over 200) and 10 x <50 games Even without Hodge and Lewis they have loads more experience.

No, I don't recall. I move on very quickly. It seems to be stuck in your craw though. Let it go.

About what ? I'm not the one who gets emotional about players. I know you do though. Do you feel better ?

TimD I do agree that the Watts' discussion has gone too far. You'll note I've only posted 3 or 4 times in this thread and mentioned him once. The discussion is done and dusted. He is what he is and it won't be changing. I've been consistent in my views for years, but agree that now's the time to leave it alone. Nothing else 'needs' to be said. It's all been said. Contrary to your views, I get no pleasure from seeing him dropped or ridiculed. I fully understand why some may think I do, but I don't. It really is terribly unfair the scrutiny he cops compared to others. Sam Day, pick 2, was dropped earlier this year and not a word is said. Gumbleton, pick 2, is out of the game. So are countless others, but all anyone wants to talk about is Watts. Earlier I went on to News.com.au while checking on my footy tips and low and behold they have a photo of Watts wearing the pink jumper from the breast cancer match. I know it's a recent photo, but I'm convinced there's perverse pleasure in showing him in a Dees jumper that's pink. So, thanks for the character assassination, but you're wrong. I note that I'm rarely tackled about my views on his footy, more my own personal motivations. But hey, you get applauded (liked) for your comments, so you must be doing something OK. EDIT: And I've never booed Watts at the football and never will. I won't lie and say I've never bagged him, as I have, but the booing is nonsense.

I'll be there and look forward to seeing Hogan, Brayshaw and Stretch. There wasn't a lot to drag you through the gate last year, but quality first year players will always inspire hope for the future.

If he showed the prerequisite effort and AFL intensity levels he'd already be enjoying his footy. This has nothing to do with anyone other than the player himself.

I'd like to see Howe go forward again and Grimes can adequately play his back-line 'intercept' role. Neither have been great, but it's worth a try. Lord knows I'm no fan of some of these 'ins', but I fail to see how Bail, Jones and Mitchie for Pedersen, Watts, Newton and Kennedy-Harris overly weakens us. I like Newton, but the other 3 have been borderline hopeless. The 'ins' will at least double the possession tally of the 'outs'. And it's not as though the 'outs' don't give it back too. I can't quite understand the angst.

He's not on the outer. They just let their kids develop.

I'm reasonably well connected when it comes to Hannebery... My mail is that he will probably end up in Melbourne, but will sign one more contract with Sydney. He didn't have much to do with Roos when Roos was Sydney coach. Roos delegated and didn't really have a lot to do with the young players at Sydney, which Hannebery was when Roos was coach. So the "connection" angle is thin, although he no doubt respects him. And I can tell you for a fact, Hannebery doesn't rate Melbourne - at all. He may end up in the city, but it won't be at the club. That said, he really rates Hogan.

Some of us were desperate to get Hogan in the 2012 Mini Draft and have been entirely unsurprised by his showing at Casey in 2013 and AFL performances to date. Others, perhaps like yourself, are still coming to grips with the talent before you. I just smile.

He's a handy intercept mark (I see what you see), but he's hardly winning us games down there. I don't reckon his impact is overly influential. He should be able to kick 40 goals as a third or 4th tall. I know which I'd rather.

You won't get people to games when you kick 1 goal in a half of footy.

Then why do you want him continuing as a defender ? I'd rather give him a chance at hitting the scoreboard.

I don't follow you. Please explain. EDIT: clearly Bailey's sides were nowhere near defensive enough. Just as clearly I'm not advocating sacrificing defence for attack. Perhaps you didn't fully comprehend what you were reading.

Supporters are spooked by a random calling in on talkback radio ? Interesting.

I love what Roos has done for this club and there's no doubt we needed to learn a defensive brand of footy, but we lack any semblance of flair or ability to take the game on. I'm not suggesting we should emulate Beveridge, who plays with no tag, but perhaps we could find a better balance. I feel that we're too concerned by the opposition. We 'man hunt', while they 'ball hunt'. This always puts us on the back foot. It's as though we spend the bulk of our time trying to get the ball back from the opposition, which is at odds with quarters and some halves in the preseason. Sometimes you have to give players their head. Not at the expense of quality team defence, but we don't seem to be able to find that happy medium. It's either a lack of talent, or lack of direction. Or a bit of both.

It wouldn't surprise if that bandaged knee is effecting his power in contests. It's the logical solution as to why he's dropped away after a seemingly good preseason.