Wiseblood

Well summed up, WA. My exact feelings on the matter.

Hard to argue it to be honest. 6 weeks is the verdict. Nothing surprising there.

Would he? I really don't think he would be best 22 and I highly doubt he would leave to run around at Casey.

I thought so. Buckenara was only suggesting that Rich can be used as trade bait if they are looking to add more picks, he didn't say he has heard anything about him wanting out.

Did you get those whipsers from the Buckenara article? He only suggested he could be someone of currency that they could trade. Either way I have little interest in him.

If? Who else would be the coach? Is 'Swooper' Northey making a comeback just for this round?

The bloke who copped the hit is very, very lucky. Came out of if with some concussion, the hit didn't break his jaw. Could have been a lot worse, not to to mention his wife and two young kids watched it all happen.

I would have thought we would be #1 on the 'turn over your list' chart over the last 3 years. This is such a stupid thread, though. We've shown we have terrific depth and a good mix of players on our list. Not everyone can be a star, and you can't have a list full of them either. Every team have long term depth players, developing kids and other NQRs plying their trade in the seconds. It's the only way to stay under the cap.

Okay hero.

Just to clarify for everyone - the article mentioned some hamstring tightness in the second term before he played out the game. At no stage does it say Frost is doubtful for this week. Well done on making stuff up.

Source?

More like in the spoon hunt after the Lions got up today.

Such a Melbourne supporter thing to say, chook, even if it's crossed my mind from time to time. You almost find it hard to believe sometimes that we've been playing well, but play well we have. If not for injuries and some silly decisions from key players then we would be looking at potentially playing quite a few games in September. Season isn't over till it's over though. I do share the optimism for years to come as well.

He'll get off. Mills threw his head back like he'd been shot and went down like a sack of potatoes. Then he faked it to stay off the ground. Buggy to play next week and Mills to cop a $1000 dollar fine for 'diving'.

I thought he was going alright at AFL level until he broke his leg. Never the same player.

I think we'll all go in with very little confidence this weekend. If we were fielding the side we had against the Dogs, while adding the return of Gawn and Hogan, then you would go in with plenty of confidence. But it's hard to see the positives with so many out. Danger game for sure.

You might be right, but on the flip they side they may value his experience and leadership in this instance. We've lost plenty of that through Viney and Jones and they may feel what he can bring to the side is too valuable to ignore.

Just a quick one on Maynard - can we upgrade him, or do we need to place someone on the LTI to do it? Not sure if being a Category B rookie changes anything.

The one thing I like about Maynard is that he has a mature body that will handle the in and under stuff better than others. It seems like he also has the fitness to run out a game as well. Is it a risk worth taking? Possibly. Time will tell.

I didn't necessarily say there wasn't, bing. He was just totally over the top in his assessment and made them out to be a finals side, which they aren't. Their midfield is strong and Kreuzer is having easily his best season in the ruck, and is arguably the best ruckman in the game at the minute. Docherty and Simpson also pull the strings from half back, but their forward line is poor and their tall backs are still developing. Not to mention they lack quality everywhere else. A full strength Melbourne side is an 8 goal better side. I expect Sunday's game to go down to the wire with the side we will have next weekend.

How much longer can the Pies be stubborn for in terms of Buckley? This loss today basically snuffs out any finals chance and they have consistently gone backwards under his coaching. I know it's good to see them down and out while McGuire puts on a brave act for his mate, but they stink and are going absolutely nowhere. It's fun to watch, though.

Very big ask, no doubt about it. The hope is that some of these players also see this as a huge opportunity to push their claim for more game time. JKH, Kent and Kennedy are three who have been on the outside looking in for most of the year and would be continuing to do so if not for these injuries. They've been presented with a big chance that we all hope they take.

You won't get banned for picking a few, Dappa, so feel free. Edit - and I agree re: Vince and Lewis, as @titan_uranus also mentioned. I can see them spending more time in the middle and we need their experience in a big way.

Interesting choice, 'bub. I feel like he has stepped up big time for us already this year and it's up to some of the players to now respond in kind.

We've had a rough 7 days as Melbourne fans since the big win over the Eagles. Oliver has been brandished a 'diver', Bugg has embarrassed himself, we've had injuries galore and a pretty bad defeat to the Swans. Our bubble has certainly been burst a little after all the love we've been given in the media and it's easy to let it get to us and take something away from the ripping month of footy we have had prior to this weekend. So, looking for a little positivity going into our danger game against Carlton, I thought we could look at someone we think can step up for us over the next few games to fill the holes we've got across the ground. It could be someone currently in the side, or someone down at Casey who might rise to the occasion and cement a spot in the side. For me, and I'm sticking my neck out a little here as I have no real reason to believe it will happen, it will be Dean Kent. He's had a shocking year to date and he well and truly knows what is expected of him to keep a spot in the side. With others like Petracca, ANB and even Harmes potentially getting more midfield time with the injuries to Viney, Jones and possibly Tyson, there are spots across the half forward line that he can fill for us. He has the experience, the pass and (sometimes) a deadly left foot, so I'm hoping he can the one to step up and help us win a few games across the next few weeks. So, over to you guys. Who is your choice?