45HG

Prediction would be my guess...

The Wonna game? Freo? The last time they flogged us, the time before we got up by a point, the time before they trounced us.

Some benchmarks from last year (some of the dates are a few days off because people often posted the tracker which his moved onto the debt demolition): March 16: 24,200 March 23: 25,006 March 30: 27,128 27,595 (+467) April 6: 28,174 28,099 (-75) April 13: 28,601 29,055(+454) April 20: 29,035 29, 861 (+826) April 21: 30,000 April 27: 29,815 April 29: 30,000 May 4: 30,275 May 11: 30,479 May 18: 30,630 May 25: 30,855 June 1: 31,000 June 8: 31,094 June 15: 31,294 July 1 (finale): 31,508 And the Melbourne football club is flying! Even without winning that most "critical" NAB round 1 match.

My God.

Second on the goalkicking is indeed a good effort, he was very accurate and did apply pressure, but I think given the fact that it "remains to be seen" if his body is cut out for AFL footy essentially is what I'm getting at. I can't see how he should be rated higher given he's hardly played for a year and a half. I just think it's hard to see where he's at when the team that he played in is so different to the one he needs to break into (when he's fit). The last team he played in had Buckley, Wheatley, Bell, White, Yze and Whelan in it! I think he has a lot of promise, but I just don't see why he should be rated higher than he is currently when he can't get on the part and we're yet to see how he would fit into the current team if he did.

I actually think the opposite. The guy played 18 games two seasons ago and it doesn't seem like his body is cut out for AFL footy. I have high hopes for him as a Melbourne player, but I can't see how he's underrated. In the one season he played, he looked a skillful user of the ball whose performance fell away notably after his first 10 games. Now, I know that there was a limited pre-season involved, but that seems to sum him up at the moment.

I'll certainly put my hand up as being someone who thought Mcdonald was past his best. On your point, Rhino, I've been hearing a lot of people talk lately of how tackling is a "mentality" - a state of mind that players need to have to have the desire to tackle. I think it's an interesting one and certainly made me think of the way I played (negatively!).

I think he's looked pretty solic and composed across the backline, I'd certainly have him in the team over Rivers atm. Will be very interested to see how he goes against his old side.

Status update: 45HG16 is: swears school went back last week.

While we're at it, I can't get over how lazy our 2010 recruits have been. Haven't seen them at one club function. I do, however, see how the onus is on the club to give them an opportunity. Pooh-pooh to the recruitment team.

Great news. Wish Cam could spell Moloney though!

I like Nik Nat, he seems like a nice guy and he is great fun to watch, but I feel he's being rated on the player he will be, rather than the player that he is.

Beamer did once get 3 weeks for not hitting Bartel's head in a hip and shoulder, hate to think what he'll get!

I noticed Bruce-Macdonald and vice versa quite often!

I thought Jones was very good today, which was nice to see. I was shocked to see Moloney had 37 touches! Scully's handballing is amazing.

6. Mcdonald 5. Jamar 4. Moloney 3. Sylvia 2. Jones 1. Scully

According to afl.com.au, Round 20, 2000!

Mind you, I didn't think the Dees could sustain the pressure for 4 quarters against the Pies...

Must say, I do enjoy watching Arsenal play and obviously being from West Footscray and having never travelled to England it's hard to feel hatred (or anything close) towards them. I understand them as a massive rival and dislike them as a "big 4" team - but they're very good to watch and have done very well this season with only Fabregas (in patches!)

Sylvia for Newton

No relation to ivor?

I just remember the Melbourne Birthday thread we had a few years ago and I was keeping a close eye on the viewing and once it was pinned it seemed to be viewed much less and is harder to see, but anyway. Yeah forgot about that! Thanks for bringing it up. Interestingly enough, though I had forgotten the topic, I did feel very happy seeing Green going forward and I think this was part of it. Frawley, Garland Davey, Moloney Jurrah, Bate That was mine last year. Now...?: (Probably change next week!!!) Frawley, Grimes Davey, Trengove Bate, Petterd Mind you, our back 6 is looking very difficult to name any standouts.

Poor guy, must be so frustrating.

HT , I often find that pinned topics get viewed less.

Drop Bartram? On the back of that game? You're joking