hemingway

Hopefully the Crows loss is indicative of a loss of form. They were due for a loss. However, the Crows play the AO so well. We will need a complete team effort and as you say, we will need some of players to have great games. We certainly need to curb the influence of Walker, Betts, Sloane and to a lesser extent Jacobs. We will need mid-field dominance but also quick defensive tags on these guys.

spot on

Whats more depressing than losing? Reading the negativity, criticism and bagging of players, coaches and Club. There are winners and losers in football as there is in life. In many countries there is poverty, deprivation and a life without future. However, people remain happy. They have faith, hope, patience and also optimism for their future or their children's future. So if you see no future for the MFC and if all that comes to mind are negative thoughts.....then for God's sake give it away. If there is one worse thing about watching your team go down at the MCG, its sitting near a bunch of whinging Melbourne supporters bagging their own players. I can think of many occasions when I have got close to decking some of our supporters for the comments that they shout out. Have faith, optimism and positive thoughts or give it up and make your life and the life of family and friends a happier one. Did the Bulldog supporters give up on their beloved club. No, and look what happened. After years of frustration and disappointment, they won a flag. Losing brings disappointment and frustration. It dents your expectation, confidence and hope. However, there is always next week and a win will bring renewal of these things. The best posts are those where their authors have constructive comments about where improvement can come from, such as selection, team balance, game plan etc. See the upside to this young side and coach, and appreciate that this is still a developing list with lots of improvement still to come.

Good move to allow supporters to attend not just FH. Much more egalitarian than a room full of supporters with money. Much prefer to be sitting with the supporters from the outer than those from corporate boxes or the long room. We have to eliminate the perception that Demon supporters are from the top end of town or attended Melbourne Grammar. Yeah I know we have a few players from Brighton and Carey.

Think it's more a reflection of the heightened expectations of Demon fans and associated frustration when they lose. There are always reasons for the loss and the buck stops with the coach.

His point was that footballers and athletes have to adjust their training as they get older to avoid injury or burnout. This is true for all sports but particularly so in AFL. It's a point well made and should gel with those who have participated in any sport for any length of time at a highly competitive level. Research has shown that athletes are at their peak for about 7 years before injury and wear and tear take their toll. It's not so much the age of the person but when they started competing and training at a high level. One of the problems of starting young is that the injuries come earlier. Many ex athletes with knee, hip and ankle problems such as arthritis will tell you that they wished they had done things differently when they were training. One of the reasons why cross training has become so important is to avoid the highly repetitive activities that result in injuries.

Okay, OD, that's put your earlier comment in context.

Seriously OD, Weideman is a kid. My comment is the same, cut some of these boys some slack. Particularly the young kids. Look at Watts. Even in the best teams, individuals have their off matches. Focus on the positive not the negative .

Reckon we need to allow some slack Beezle to our perceived underperfomers. It's team game and we supporters will never know what the coaches instructions are.

Watts, a great story of determination and will overcoming past disappointments and critics. Many others would have given up. Jacks loyalty to Melbourne and Paul Roos mentoring important. And Goodwins harsh message pre -season.

Reckon Wagner is a talent and like Hunt has dash and is fearless. Love his attack on the pill.

Yes, agree Wise. Definitely overrated.

Let's keep our powder dry until we play the Crows in 2 weeks. Most sides are being slaughtered by the Crows.

Well they were not on the ground and we lost. That's football. Just ridiculous. Could have, should have. Sounds like those in life trying to justify their past disappointments and failures. It's life.

Exactly

Thanks mate, confirms my memory. Bit of a mystery.

Too rational and analytical by far!!!

Lots of family arguments in the family club. Dysfunctional family club. Wonderful.

Don't say the name Ollie Wines, please. Of all those we have messed up, Ollie is the big one. Can you imagine him in our midfield.

How could I forget the Crows. Having been in Adelaide recently the attitude of Crows supporters is sickening. They already have it won.

True. We are improving but the talent and improvement of GWS is seriously scary. Although, so are the dogs. At the moment, all other clubs seem a long way off the type of footy that these teams are playing. Finals is one thing but flag contenders is another.

Agreed OD.

Gee OD getting very tough in your views. I think I agree on JKH but he deserves another game. Very difficult to build any confidence if you get dropped after one game given his interrupted pass. However, a very harsh assessment on Stretch, a young guy without a lot of games under his belt. May not be spectacular but has pace, good foot skills, can kick a goal and has a footy brain. His stats show he is solid contributor every week.

The overuse of indirect handball has been one of the major reasons for our losses this year. Slows our ball movement and time and time again leads to turnovers or stoppages.

Get over it. He went for the money at a time when the MFC was a basket case both on and off the field. How it played out is another matter given the obvious duplicity involved. A young kid who was influenced by his elders. Loyalty is a very disposable thing in the modern world. Who would stay working for a lousy company if they were offered a huge amount of money to secure their future irrespective of performance. ?