45HG

I'd give him credit for admitting he was wrong…but I can't get past the fact the he didn't rate Jones that highly in the first place! Fully agree with his view on the looks on people's faces in the Members. I sat in that same area and it's something that made me enjoy the win that much more - looking at the beaming faces of all of the Dees' children added a whole extra layer to the satisfaction of the win. Starting the song after the ground stopped playing it and having everyone join in was fun, too.

All the best teams I can think of were full of role players - with a few game breakers thrown in for extra lift.

Certainly a strange old round. I wonder what the highest margin is for the lowest winning margin of a round. 23 feels high. I think the cap on rotations combined with 3 on the bench is making for very tired players. Especially injuries during a game are now even more of a hindrance than ever before.

Pretty sure it was him in the first quarter who said "this could be the quarter that kick starts Carlton's year." Whoops.

This article HAS to be there definition of jumping the gun. http://m.afl.com.au/news/2014-04-12/sheedy-mk-ii-

Not sure about our own bloody website tipping Carlton to win!!! http://m.melbournefc.com.au/news/2014-04-11/match-preview-carlton-v-melbourne

I might save mine until about 20 past 4... But I'm just a cautious kind of guy.

It is pretty funny that 8 playing minutes after "drawing the line in the sand" Hawthorn went from being 26 points down to being 66 points down. Also going on to lose their next 7 and 9 of their next 11 games. Only won 14 games in the next two seasons, as well.

Murphy

Don't rate him. At all. Can anyone see Mckenzie come in for a negation role? From memory at his time at the Swans, Roos wasn't big on it? However Jordie's 37 touches last week might get him over the line? Certainly prefer him to Byrnes (yes, I'm aware they don't play the same role).

Yes it can be if the players finally decide to put in for one another for 4 quarters, tackle hard and run harder. Go Dees!

I admire your outside the box idea and I, too, hope that in time he can fulfil a roll within the MFC family - he's too loved to simply disappear. However, at the moment I think he needs to be surrounded by his friends and family at home - arguably what he needed when he left Brisbane to start with.

Our ability to control the footy could be massive this round, Carlton love running ahead of the ball and getting on top of the game. A fit Garland, Gawn and/or Dawes would do wonders to our structure. Not going against a top ruckman should really help our clearances. Could see Clisby coming in. Don't think Trenners will be back just yet, a few more weeks to tear up the VFL could be great for him. Pedo needs to stay back I think. I wouldn't play Byrnes - I'd start JKH and possibly have a Clisby as sub, a role I see Riley playing very soon with any luck...

Posters, I have just spent an inordinate amount of time sifting through the trash posted by a minute population of Demonland. I don't believe this thread should be closed. Mitch's retirement is a big issue at the Melbourne Football Club and people should be allowed to express their opinions/feelings about it. That said, some posters should tread far more carefully than they do or they'll get the boot - just as a poster has already from their antics on this thread.

Baum nails it. Well done girls - Lanning, what a jet!

Out: Theme song when running out In: Feels like we only go backwards

It would've been a great deal less amount of times if he had some mates going with him, knowing where to run and backing themselves and their teammate to break a line. Watching the top teams it only highlights how important it is to know your role intimately, back your team mates and always be on the move. We have so far to go, I don't hope Tyson changes that part of his game - I hope his teammates change theirs!

Is it just me or has it been a dull start to the season? These have been the margins of the matches. Week 3: 58, 2, 63, 53* Week 2: 12, 4, 7, 54, 48, 20, 25, 93, 29 Week 1: 70, 32, 18, 33, 38, 39, 48, 17, 65 22 completed matches, only 4 games under 15 points. 2 cracking matches in the Bombers/Hawks and Tigers/Bulldogs. 9 games over 40 points.

Haha - 0 and 3 isn't even the worst part of it!

Wow. The Doggies get up in a scorching game at Etihad. There wouldn't be an ounce of energy left from any player after that.

I do not know footy.

You guys must hate roundabouts - you'd never get off the thing!

Lies, damned lies and two weeks worth of statistics.

Some interesting games, some big games and some mediocre games in the upcoming instalment of the AFL season. Hawthorn v Fremantle Head to head Hawks with the last 5 (including the big one) Form Stirring vs methodical View from the nest Tough to beat at the best of times, Hawthorn proved again on Friday that even when seemingly down and out, they simply know how to win. View from the wharf Freo's methodical game plan looks even stronger this season - top 2 beckons and a win here would go a long way towards that cause. Losing Fyfe could hurt their midfield (will Sylvia get a run?) but they have many players who know how to play their roles. Verdict Friday night footy throws up he grand final replay. Hawthorn's injuries haven't halted their start to the season and Freo have picked up where they left off. Hawthorn love the G, Freo need to learn to. I expect this to be a hard fought match, probably coming down to a few goals. Hawthorn score quickly but it was seen last week that it can be halted through midfield pressure and defensive cutouts. Freo should have enough talent and determination to get over the line. Tip Dockers by 11 Western Bulldogs vs Richmond Head to head Tigers with the last 3 Form Meh View from the kennel A few good youngsters coming through, would've got up last week against a decent side had they not travelled to Perth in the heat the week before. View from the lair Last week's win should release the monkey off the back - clearly there are issues psychologically at Tigerland. This week provides Richmond with the chance to break the shackles and it'll probably boil down to the level of resistance the Dogs provide. Verdict Richmond should have too much grunt and spread with the footy with too many goal scorers. Tip Richmond by 31 Adelaide v Sydney Head to Head The away team with 5 of the last 7 Form Fade-outs deadly View from the murder Competitive in patches last week against the Power, Adelaide will be looking forward to playing in front of their parochial mob. View from the Swan Have enjoyed playing Adelaide away in recent times and may enjoy playing away from the pressures of home. Verdict The home crowd should push the Crows over the line, with Sydney looking a shadow of their former selves. Swans need to get back to working hard as a unit. Tip Adelaide by 25 Gold Coast v Brisbane Head to Head Brisbane with the last 5 Form OK View from the Sun Metricon promises to be a fortress for the Suns, they'll be looking to roll their neighbours there for the first time in their short history. Will need to back up from the longest trip in footy. View from the Den Have had the wood over their local juniors and have been competitive for the most against last year's 1 and 2. Verdict Tough to select here. Promises to be a close contest with momentum swinging each way. Tip Gold Coast by 17 West Coast vs St Kilda Head to Head Saints with 4 of the last 6 but Eagles with the last 2. Form The luck of the draw View from the West Amazingly they've managed to play last year's 15th at home and 17th away, now last year's 16th at home. They shouldn't have been as poor as they were last year and have certainly returned to 2011-12 form. View from Heaven Amazingly have managed to play last year's 18th and 17th at home. Have made both sides pay and, surprisingly, sit 6th at 2-0. It won't last. Verdict West Coast will post another cricket score at home at St Kilda's percentage will reverse. St Nick can't save his mob against this fleet of falls and goal-kicking midfielders. They've rediscovered their press and it's at its peak at home. Simpson will be disappointed as he'll be looking to see what his side can do against quality. Tip West Coast by 89 Collingwood v Geelong Head to Head Collingwood with the last 3 Form OK v Good View from the depths Had their standard victory over the Swans and lapped up the predictable plaudits that fell their way afterward. Have also enjoyed playing Geelong recently. View from the cattery Just doing enough to get the job done of late. So many experienced players who can still tear a game apart. Will need to be at their best to get over the army. Verdict A good game this promises to be. Collingwood lift for Geelong, aided by the support of their fans. Geelong players seem to falter under 'pies' pressure and they'll need to stay steady to get the chocolates. It'll come down to who keeps their nerve the longest and, possibly, whoever happens to be ahead at the finale. Tip Cats by 14 GWS v Melbourne Head to Head Dees 3-1 Form Decent vs Undermanned etc View from the clouds So many talented forwards and some gritty mids, clearances a strength all boding towards the GWS side moving to 2-1 in 2014. Ran over the top of the Dees in their last outing. Faltered late against the Saints, suspect in close games. View from Hell Too many injuries to be consistent and competitive against decent teams. If Garland and Gawn can come in, the side can play with dash and flair and smalls can remain lively the Dees should give it a shake. Verdict The Giants have looked much more consistent than the Dees, who have too many variables to be backable. Tip GWS by 19 North Melbourne v Port Adelaide Head to Head North with the last 4 Form Middling vs tops View from the bush North have not come close to hitting their straps this season, and save for Boomer Harvey may have been languishing at 0-2. Have enjoyed playing Port and should feel well at home with their 3rd straight game at that terrible ground. View from the station Are becoming Geelongesque. It's the only way I can describe the confidence they are playing with and their sensational ability to kick a hell of a lot of goals very quickly. Verdict This should be a good game to watch and, as ever, should be won in the middle. It'll be goal for goal and may come down to the side that capitalises the best. Early stations, but nearly a must win for North's confidence and credentials. Tip Power by 13 Essendon v Carlton Head to Head Essendon with 3 of the last 4 - with some strange results of late Form Top vs …not top - both sides ruing missed comeback wins View from the pharmacy Simply love the warm months for footy. Should've rolled the Hawks in the end after a stirring comeback. The players simply have to be congratulated for their attitude to footy despite all the rubbish going on behind closed doors. View from the bank Carlton also should've got up after coming from behind but terrible…terrible…disgusting kicking for goal cost them dearly against the Tiges. Verdict Bombers have won the past two by 11 points combined (from 9 less scoring shots). Carlton won the previous match by 96. You simply can't go past Essendon, despite the fact that they looked well out of the past two encounters but still go the chocolates. Tip Essendon by 32 Game of the Round Cats/Pies - Crows/Swans and Roos/Power in equal second Upset of the Round Adelaide Thrashing of the Round West Coast over St Kilda Worst tip last week Tipped a draw in the Crows/Power game - 54 points off! Closest tip last week Missed North by 4, Dockers and Cats by 6, Bombers by 7, Pies by 9

And he sacrificed immediate reward to get Hogan.