Alan Smithee

I'm don't want to start another 'lets kick Miller' scenario here, but on Saturday we were so clean through half forward. I haven't seen this for a long, long while. Bate presented really well and gave us an avenue to goal. I know its horse & cart stuff here. We are playing better footy. That helps. But we also kicked goals from half forward.(apologies to Wheaters) But he was impressive. Miller may and probably will get his chances again. Bate is versatile and a bit of an athelete.

Not saying Sylvia is the 'best of the best' here but on Saturday V Crows he laid a pearlour on some bloke (can't remember who) who coughed it right up allowing Bate to swoop, twist and land it through the big sticks. Brilliant stuff. Inspirational.

One thing about Petterd, like Gibbs, is his footy pedigree. They both have it. Will Gibbs be a better player? Dunno. Petterd has been great and like Gibbs will physically mature over time. Gibbs has been well prepared to setp straight into AFL, having played with men in the pretty good standard of SANFL footy. What amazes me about Petterd is he has only had QAFL time and is not only showing he can handle the big time, but is playing pretty good footy as well. I like the boy.

I agree with both you & Kit. I asked the question to seek confirmation of what I pretty much thought you getting at. But as for differentiating our club from the pack (other than offering the Captaincy & an attractive $$ package) would be every sales reps Everest. Not trying to sound negative, but under current circumstances, lets hope his personal ambitions and the lure of a new career challenge 'back home in Vic' will be enough for him to at least hear us out.

For starters, are you suggesting the Captaincy role, Stinga?

Fair enough Brocky. Don't take it as a personal attack. I have been reading these and other boards for years now and 5 minutes of post time on Demonland is not a true representation of what I know and from what I've been reading on this site. I know Belly has copped a significant dump from all angles. But I can also understand the frustration from the fence. Not all supporters are as patient or logical as others. Good to see you kept the faith.

If, week in /week out, Greeny can find a happy medium between what we witnessed today and what we have come to expect (given his undoubted talent), he may well catapult himself into the 'bracket of the elite'.

Steady on Brocky..after such a great game I can see how its tempting to shoot off like that ( no offence meant). But 'The coming of Bell' has tested the patience/faith (or whatever you will) of even the most hardened of our supporters. Ease up. I hope and reckon he can keep getting better...I have seen him building up to this moment all year. For me its one of the few positives that has come out of the season so far.

Fair points. But for the Mfc the 'Sandy nursery' for Melbourne's emerging talent is far too limiting. In his post, Nasher captures a big issue well, and just one of many.

Walls may have undervalued the relative worth of the players he cited for trade. Love him or hate him, what remains relevant with this article is that no matter which way you look at it, the current list (with a heavy emphasis on the senior core group) needs a shake-up. Post numero uno!