hemingway

Most of us are feeling sick !

Unless he can run and find space and his team mates can kick the pill on to his chest, with bullet like precision, CP would be completely smothered and left standing on the rebound.

Lyon has zero credibility. He’s trying hard to get it back but he has a long road ahead.

Disagree, there's only one Max against two or more opponents. Don't think there will be only two ruckmen targeting Max. Max's game is based on his reach and his run. He is not a ruckman that plays a tough physical game, one where he uses his body or strength to crash into his opponent. He plays an attacking game not one where he is trying to negate his opponent. He did play against two ruckman last year but he also got very tired during the season. This year the opposition is much more Max focused and intent on giving him a battering. But there you are, we will see what happens tonight. Hopefully he dominates and has the support of his team mates.

The Bombers have made it clear that they intend to tag team against Max. And it is likely that every side will do the same. No Gawn no Melbourne approach. And Max is going to get very tired or injured from the physicality of his opponents. So Preuss's non selection is surprising. Obviously concerned about slowing us down (and Preuss has not shown great form in his few outings) but this lack of leg speed is almost offset by nullifying Max in ruck duels and around the ground marking. As well as having a big bloke who can act as a shock absorber for Max.

I have faith Doug is that not enough!

As I said, I understand your thinking and I hope you are right.

Agree, and they will need their kids to play well because the older players are getting slower and slower. Hopefully, they have peaked early! There are no prizes for a dominant first half of season other than consolidating themselves in the top 4. But I agree, I reckon they are still vulnerable in September just like 2018.

Goody's coaching skills, nous and tactics are going to be closely examined. Unfortunately, he has problems with injuries and form, which makes his job that much more difficult. Our games todate make us look well off the pace. So he does have valid excuses. Our injury list and form are not figments of our imagination. I understand your sentiments but I think he could have chosen more appropriate words. We lose and his comments are going to hurt. And it is so early in the season.

I have faith rather than hope.

It’s a very ordinary side. In fact poor to ordinary when you factor in form and selection. Can’t see us beating many or any sides with this line-up. Have zero confidence of a win looking at this line-up unless the Bombers are even worse. Very very depressing.

Goodwins comments will look good if we win, but if we don't he can assured that no-one from supporters to the media will be accepting excuses. I find it a strange comment, perhaps reflecting the pressure he is under to turn it around. Two games in and he is talking about no further excuses, it sounds a little desperate after two games. Mid season or end of season, I could understand. Better to simply state, we expect to see improvement this week or we are going out expecting to win.

Ho hum Barrie I agree, but it may take far too long for a complete engine overhaul. Remember those handwritten signs on the back windows of cars, saying "running in, please pass."

Sounds underwhelming Robbo but a humid morning and it is a day before the game so a tune-up is in order. We will need run and sharp skills to beat the blood stained hirds.

so is ho hum or Yossarian would say hI ho

It may be a requirement but that does not mean its a good thing unless you are addicted to social media and want to watch or listen to anything associated with the club. And I can't imagine too many players enjoy the media circuit. I assume players are allowed by the club to talk about themselves, injuries or general themes but there are no go zones such as criticism of club, coach, teammates, disclosure of specific game plans etc. They probably can't win, because if they are told what to say in broad terms, the message comes across as a scripted message and players get criticised for not being honest. On the other hand, if they said what they really thought all hell would break loose, the media would have a field day and clubs would have to go into damage control. So what we are left with is a pretty bland melange that pleases no-one. Ho-hum.

Lack of forward and defensive pressure. If any of our current defenders were playing in Norm Smith's days, they would never get another game. You quite rightly say that chaos needs unpredictability. Perhaps the problem is that very unpredictability means that it is also unpredictable to Melbourne. Defenders not knowing where to kick and not kicking to targets and forwards not knowing where to run. Our ability to get the ball moving quickly is also far too slow and easy for the enemy to cover our poor old forwards. Our forwards have the worst job in the world (at the moment).

Sometimes, in fact more often than not, it would be advisable if clubs and players (perhaps everyone bar the coach) did not speak to the media. Who speaks to the media seems disjointed and random. And rarely does a player say anything of substance. It would be preferable if footy comments came from the coach or general manager (Mahoney). The players should concentrate on their footy and not feel that they have to fly the flag in the media.

Well said dworship, but my experience suggests that it is best not to overrate yourself.

i see you take this conversation seriously, and good for you. And your back handed compliments show promise. My comments were not personal and not directed to you, I was using your comment in a vicarious way. I don't intend to pontificate, I have no reason to do so, and only sages can pontificate. For the rest of us, it is merely an opinion based on what we see and perhaps what we read or are told. Nothing else. My view is just that a view, and I hope it is wrong. I see a great talent, but one that is likely to be wasted unless something changes this season. He is not fit, but perhaps that is his best. If it is, he is below the standard that is required to play AFL at the top level. He may well continue to be a valuable player, who does the mercurial from time to time, and plays in bursts. He may be a match winner, but is he playing to his potential and will he ever do so? However, what we are seeing today are footballer robots that can run and run and run. And there are hundreds of players that will commit themselves heart and soul to the contest every time, over 120 minutes. CP is not on his Pat Malone,. He is in the majority camp, that is what is disappointing. Believe it or not, I love what he promises to be and love what he can do. But he does not do it often enough to inspire confidence or the feeling that we are watching a future champion.

Please! I have seen him play in 3 games including Shepparton and I have seen enough. He suffers badly compared to others on the field in regard to bulk and ability to run. Both speed and endurance. Just watch him trying to chase an opponent, a few strides and then his opponent has metres on him and delivering it to a teammate. You have to want it badly and like someone else at another club he does not want it badly. Probably a lovely guy with a great personality but to be successful you need a single minded ambition and an attitude that ensures that nothing will get in your way. He’s not alone, most of us are like Christian. In every field at any age, there are kids, men and women with great potential but few realise that potential. Most often we say “he had great talent” but only occasionally do we say “what a great champion”. Christian is playing AFL so he has immense talent. But I think in watching him play we are seeing the present and the future.

Not fat but just can’t run! Slow, can’t chase, and has no endurance. That’s what matters. Don’t care if he is fat or heavy, the guy’s fitness is not AFL standard.

Look out Eddie will crack a joke at Freddy's expense. Perhaps not unless he is also a double amputee.

A half head win for optimism, a close second for pessimism.

Sounds like deckchairs on The Titanic ! Sadly with the exception of our best 6, it is difficult to rank our players on form or their likely exclusion or inclusion.