martin

Pity Sidebottom only got two,always plays well against us.

Thanks for that. It's a worry that we didn't really recruit a back up/3rd ruckman in the off season. Frost/Pedersen/Dawes can all pinch hit but we'll get mauled over an extended period. Fingers crossed that Maxy maintains his form and fitness.

Maybe I've missed something but can someone enlighten me as to what is happening with Jake Spencer? Hurt his foot at the intra club game and hasn't been sighted since. At training ATM and pretty much a full turnout other than him. Would be a concern if Gawn goes down and Jake is a long way off.

Pretty sure the Casey game on the 26th is an intraclub match. Surely we can work with Casey to have the game changed to the Sunday so that Demon fans could get out there to see Petracca,Trengove,Brayshaw etc. and not miss our MCG clash with GWS.Maybe charge a small entry fee and make a quid for the Scorpions. I for one would certainly be there!

"I reckon you shouldn't be allowed to post an opinion unless you have demonstrated some intelligence & knowledge of the game". So I guess you shouldn't be posting.

Please show me where I have 'bagged players endlessly'. Perhaps you overlooked my praise for McDonald, just not as a defender.

There are those who love every player that has ever worn a Melbourne jumper,no matter what. Blinkered.

No overreaction whatsoever. McDonald is a great ball winner and is an elite endurance athlete. His presence elsewhere on the field could be a real bonus. No doubt he has played some very good games for the MFC and will continue to do so. Having said that, if the pressure of NAB Challenge games causes him to make such calamitous errors how will he go if we ever play in finals? Yes, some others aren't great but he is horrendous. This observation is not based solely on yesterday. For those who suggest we have no other option, look no further than Frost. Tight defender, great closing speed whose disposal is adequate. I hope for him the forward experiment works but it's not at the moment. Why we haven't experimented with the switch between him and McDonald thus far is puzzling. Turnovers are morale sapping and lose games. Not sure how others view it but watching McDonald is an extremely nerve wracking experience. Reinvent him and see what happens before any huge contract at seasons end.

Garland with the 'ball in his hands' is like Peter Daicos compared to McDonald.

Criticism ofMcDonald is not based solely on today's performance. He has been butchering it for a long time.

Tom McDonald in his current role is an absolute liability. He has been for a long time. For the life of me I cannot understand why we have recruited Frost,leaving him running around the forward line like a headless chook when he is a nailed on defender. Conversely,McDonald's ball winning ability could be an asset further up the field without the morale sapping costly turnovers. Could someone please explain to me why the coaching staff have not at least experimented with this option in the NAB challenge? Quizzical to say the least.

For 'reluctantly' read Terlich!

Yes,Hulett was there and looks big and physical. Lumumba joined in most of the main session. Frost looks list up forward,love him to go back. Wagner looks assured and has excellent disposal.Reluctant unusually prominent and vocal.Hogan kept pointing to the medial ligament area dropped out a few times before going off.Oliver in everything.

Yep. Got there a bit late but it was a very good session. Only JKH and Newton in rehab. No sign of Dawes,Spencer and obviously Brayshaw. Hogan looked concerned and frustrated with a knee issue and left the track early. Hopefully nothing sinister. Petracca is a beast with an aggressive 'Hogan like' attitude! Stayed on with a group of about 15, including a sharp Trengove,with McArtney barking the orders. Christian was the standout.