Forest Demon

Bloody oath. The other years he was in contention he was nowhere near as strong as he was this year. He was the strongest this year and put in some massive efforts, especially in the alps when it looked like it might have been slipping away.

Anyone who says Sylvia is hot and cold obviously hasn't watched very hard this season. In the past yes, but this year he has been steady without as many of the big starring games we had seen from him in the past year or two. The Bulldogs game the only one I can think of where he was poor. He must be retained.

I agree, he should be fined or suspended for a week. But I could easily find more than 10 others that deserve the same treatment, including some from our own club (Lynden Dunn against North comes to mind). I guess there is a bit of grey area, but there are plenty of obvious examples going unnoticed by the AFL. Look at world football now, FIFA have never stepped in and tried to eradicate diving, and it has got worse and worse, and now has become a massive blight on the game. Please don't let it get to anywhere near this stage in our game.

I could pick out a few Melbourne players I have seen staging for free kicks this year, so I wouldn't take aim at Monfries too much. At least he had the guts to admit it and look to fix it up. The AFL need to crack down on it significantly, it is not as if it is hard to see it when it happens.

I don't think people are expecting to just rock up and take the 4 points tonight. I personally thought this would game would be a tough one to win, but to give up yet again when things are going against us is poor. Hardly doomsaying...and to say f&%k off is a bit uncalled for and even offensive.

Beginning to get you point...and find it hard to disagree

Yep, we don't deserve to play finals this year. If we manage to sneak into 7th or 8th on the back of a cushy draw, it will do nothing but send a bad message to the group that this kind of season is acceptable. This year has been every bit as, and possibly even more, as disappointing as the last few, where we were at least a rubbish team having a dip, compared to this year where we are an average to decent team deciding to play only when the opposition lets us.

Sorry Dusty, but although you are correct in saying some of the umpiring was abysmal tonight, to say the team showed character etc etc misses the mark for me. Sick of the inconsistency in intensity being shown one week to the next by this team. As soon as a team doesnt let us have it all our own way we crumble.

GOOD Petterd's mark ...that is all BAD Morton and Garland consistenly not hitting contests anywhere near hard enough...Morton a serial offender and Garland just having a shocker Sylvia playing almost predominantly as a forward when are getting destroyed in the middle and our best midfielder is being wasted in the goalsquare Jurrah seemed if the ball had of bounced differently in the 1st quarter and he had of got his tail up things may of been different, but fact is it didn't and he faded completely out of the game from then on UGLY Lack of fight when we are up against it and the potential culture stain being left on the club for the future Our captain's ability to impact on a game when we are doing it tough...any chance was snuffed out when he missed in the 3rd

This is getting ridiculous. Have never seen a bigger bunch of front runners in my life. We can all sit here and say the future is coming, bla bla...but there needs to be a serious mental shift amongst this group if they are going to go the highest level and win a flag in the next 5 or 6 years. Their natural progression will only take them so far.

He is starting to look very good. Got to the stage where I'm not just hoping he will pop up and do something important, I've actually come to expect it when it goes in his area over the last month or two.

Haha, tend to agree. I have serious concerns over this bloke.

I thought he was quiet today, but 13 inside 50 tackles is a seriously good effort, considering that would beat the team total for inside 50 tackles in our bad weeks.

Is that for real? If so that is a damning statistic, even for an outside mid

Consistency of our 'experienced' crew is disturbing

I made a deal with myself not to get overly excited about a 19 or 20 year old anymore, as it has often led to disappointment down the track, but stuff it. I love the way McKenzie goes about it, doesn't look or move like an AFL footballer, but I honestly think his grunt work is as important as anyone's work in our midfield. And I think he will play a lot of his career without too much recognition from outside the club, and he will never be an 'elite' midfielder of the competition, but he will get a lot of internal recognition at the club and will be an integral part of our midfield over the next 10 years.

Not a good example, he was the only one who busted a nut to get down there, was the only Melbourne player within 60m, and did well to collect the ball. And the holding the ball decision was probably a bit harsh.

GOOD: Average age of 22 years and 6 months (just checked Gold Coast from last week and they had an average age of 22 years 5 months), and being the better team all night despite injuries to key personnel Morton putting his body on the line and his dangerous and effective use of the ball, expect that week in week out from him now No weak link, only Jurrah and Frawley could say they didnt have a good game, but still did a role BAD: Sylvia's corky, but could almost go in the good, as he wont miss next week you would think, and the youngsters meanaged to stand up and take the slack and get the win without arguably our best midfielder UGLY: Nothing

I think his weight gain is actually quite noticeable, looks a lot thicker through the middle and especially his thighs. Unfortunately still soft as butter and just too many unforced clangers. Would trade but probably wouldn't get anything worth it. The club has to back themselves to develop his obvious potential. Kicking technique and a hunger to win the ball the obvious things that need to be instilled in him.

And kicked out on the full under little pressure that directly led to a goal seconds later. He is a trier, but ultimately isn't up to it.

Having their time again, knowing that Bruce would leave, I would be stunned if they would stand by that decision. Even the most stubborn at the club would regret this I think. I also get the feeling that this put a lot of players off side.

John Worsfold had a few more runs on the board than Bailey though. Coaching for his career for the rest of the season, but unfortunately for him he is doing it with half a list.

Should start next week and should be in front of blokes like Morton, Bennell etc.

Warnock was awful though, but Morton worse. It has got to the stage where I would be genuinely suprised if he makes it to the level of even being a decent/good player. Anyone who tries to defend his kicking is in dreamland.

Well he did claim it when he didnt get near it, but that sort of thing happens every week. Im sure I could find a few Collingwood players having claimed similar.