titan_uranus

It's easy to say Craig's made a blunder by holding on to McLeod, Goodwin, Edwards and Burton, but in reality three of those 4 had decent seasons last year (Burton being injured). Goodwin was AA, was he not? Regardless, the reason they're struggling as much as they are right now is because a lot of their team was injured in the pre-season, and thus aren't fully fit. They're going to take time to get to full fitness, and since they've copped a fair few injuries already in 2010 their season's not in a good place right now.

I'm sure they'll look at all our uncontracted players at year's end, and make an offer to those they'd like in their team. Whoever accepts, goes. I don't really know if that's how it works, but the point is they'll want/take our best player who comes out of contract. Whether that's Petterd, Jamar or anyone else, it will have nothing to do with Queensland heritage. And I doubt it will be Spencer.

Current top 6: Grimes, Green, Sylvia, Frawley, Davey, Jamar Future top 6: Trengove, Grimes, Frawley, Watts, Jurrah, Scully Not that it's a biggie at all, but I wouldn't have thought this needs pinning. Like basically every other thread it has its moment, then fades away when the interest dies down. I can't imagine this thread dominating discussion for weeks.

Whatever team they play, nothing changes the scenario for us. We have to play at 100%. Anything less (such as the first half last week) and the game will be close.

Garland could. I'm not sold on him as a forward, but it's not like we've got tonnes of KPFs keeping him out. Conversely, we've got a decent enough defence without him.

I will admit that he deserves kudos for going into the ruck. I doubt before this year he'd done any ruckwork. But he gives his best shot when he's called upon. I wouldn't say he got some 'nice possessions' though. I'd say he struggled.

Just goes to show how many people out there get paid to write/produce football related material, but have no idea about anything. I mean, how someone like Mark Robinson gets to be as high up at the HUN, I'll never know. The man wouldn't have the IQ of a cactus.

Might not get a game. Would be somewhat unfair to bring Martin in for him, but it could happen, as Newton's done nothing in either game he's been given. If he does play, he's not going to get Rutten like he did last week. He won't even get their best defender (McGuane, who's been suspended). He'll get Thursfield or Moore, neither of whom are much chop. If he gets some room in the forward line, he could find himself taking some marks. Then he'll have to convert his shots. It seems that our 'gameplan' involves our forwards running towards goal, rather than leading towards the ball carrier. I reckon Newton's a lot more suited to being a 'typical' FF who leads from the goalsquare towards the ball carrier. If we play him like that it will give him the best chance to kick some goals and make a statement.

I have to admit, I have the same thoughts. I'm semi-confident that we'll win. But if we play like we did in the first half against Adelaide, or in Round 1, and Richmond apply themselves (make no mistake, they'll be as fired up as can be given that we're probably the only team they feel like they have a chance against), then we could find ourselves in a bad place. I know that's pessimistic, but I guess it's the result of us being the favourites for the first time in years. I prefer us going in as underdogs.

It's definitely too soft. Whether or not there are OHS restrictions or something like that that prevent the sound from being turned up, I don't know. But anything coming out of those speakers gets drowned out too easily at the moment.

Gee, didn't know that implementing subsitutes could have such a wide ranging effect...

Hey cool. That's better for each of them than I previously thought.

How the coaches saw it: Melbourne v Adelaide 8 James Frawley (Melb) 5 James McDonald (Melb) 5 Simon Goodwin (Adel) 4 Mark Jamar (Melb) 3 Jack Grimes (Melb) 3 Brett Burton (Adel) 2 Bernie Vince (Adel)

Thanks for that. Appreciated. Cleared up why Sylvia didn't play. Not a jaw thing, just a lack of training thing.

Not sure if Riewoldt is too quick for Rivers. He isn't as slow as many make him out to be. Bruce doesn't have to play defence if we don't need him there. Stupid comment.

Do you have to ruin it? Obviously we have work to do with our forward line. But at least we can say we have a strong defensive unit.

Hard to pick. Voted Morton, could have voted Grimes, Jurrah, Trengove or Watts.

On the other hand we've been running out games well. We've won the fourth quarter in each game so far. I'm happy with our fitness at the moment.

We're ranked third in the competition for points against, behind only St Kilda and Sydney (i.e. we've conceded the third fewest points in the league). That's a pretty good showing of how well our defence is going right now.

I guess that's because on TV you see a lot more of the Southern Stand. The Northern stand, especially the MCC, was pretty well populated. And yes, it was raining at the first bounce for about 5 minutes.

I doubt the rest of our team are not team players. I also doubt these two will be there when we lift the cup.

I've been on his bandwagon for a while now. But I can't see him getting a game at the moment. He'd be behind a few others. Plus he doesn't really fill a gap in the team. I wonder whether he'd make a decent forward. Don't think he'll crack into our defence. But I see talent there regardless.

Sorry, but Sylvia picks himself. A definite starter (assuming he's fit). The point remains, though, that for the first time in 3 or 4 years it's picking the outs that's difficult. Not the ins. And that's unquestionably a good thing.

Yes he was. Early on there were a couple of one-on-one contests between the two. Maybe he wasn't supposed to be on him, but he was. And he was beaten. Maybe you should watch the game. Or at least not post like that. Calling someone a 'very good player' based on one game is a bit rich. Especially considering a lot of his other games have been mediocre. Like I said, a good game, and he keeps his spot no question. But I wouldn't go calling him anything more than an average player. That (players playing in lots of positions without really settling) has happened a bit of late at Melbourne. Miller and Martin come to mind.

Where did I say pinning the arms was a bad thing? The tackle(s) was/were fine. But that in itself is the reason why he didn't need to be slung to the ground. He wasn't going to release the ball standing up. Having seen the replay I think it was Newton who pulled him down. McDonald looked like he was wrapped around his arms, Bartram too.