titan_uranus

This killed us numerous times yesterday. The half forward line would start on the edge of the centre square, then run in to contest the centre bounce. The North defenders, though, would often hang back, knowing that if a Melbourne player got the clearance, the resulting kick would end up around the half forward line, where the North defenders could take the ball. It was a poor choice of strategy. You also mentioned the rotations: there was one instance yesterday where a Melbourne player was called off the ground, leaving his opponent to take an uncontested mark just seconds later. I couldn't believe that a player could come off the ground when he was in such a position. Certainly the coaches' strategies are playing some role in our performances.

I think I probably overplayed the disposal issue: today it wasn't his disposal that let him down. But whether or not he succeeds as a wingman (if he gets played there) will rely on his disposal.

Pretty much spot on there YM. Morton was probably the biggest disappointment for me today. Has he put on any weight over the pre-season?

What was the crowd today?

Davey doesn't seem to play FP anymore, he's more of an onballer nowadays. Maric would take that spot. And once Robbo's gone, Jurrah can have his spot. In any case, it's far better than the pathetic forward line we've got at the moment.

That's a pretty fair appraisal Geddy Lee. He's just so damn slow, it impedes his efforts to chase or push up the ground.

Sorry to all the Buckley fans out there, but he was shocking today. He just cannot dispose of the ball. He was torn apart by Wells in the last quarter. He couldn't keep up on the lead, he didn't show much pace at any time, and he missed multiple targets (though he certainly wasn't the only one). He just doesn't strike me as being a bright prospect for the future.

6 - Moloney 5 - Petterd 4 - Cheney 3 - Rivers 2 - Frawley 1 - Green

And Collingwood loses! Yippee!

Hawks have the worst? Um, how about ours Freak? I'd take Campbell and Taylor/Renouf over Johnson and Jamar (from a hit out perspective). And surely Carlton's in the running too?

Sounds like it. Damn. At least Maric seems to be playing well.

There's quite a bit of talk about the round 4 clash between Richmond and us. Everyone expects Richmond to be 0-3 with Geelong in Geelong and the Bulldogs in the next 2 weeks. The media is trying to spice up this round 4 clash as D-day for Wallace.

You'll find that a lot of Melbourne supporters are MCC members, and as such sit in the MCC reserve. Since that includes me, I can't really say where the best place is to sit. Just that when we play Collingwood, there will probably be a 3 to 1 ratio of filth to MFC supporters.

There's an upset brewing in NZ: NZ 9dec/619, and in reply, India's 2/73. Good for cricket if NZ can win.

Spot on.

Having said that he was pretty bad last night. Dropped a few sitters, missed easy targets. Then again, the whole team was rubbish.

I have to say, I don't mind who makes the final cut, so long as it's not Meesen. And Dunn probably shouldn't play. Other than that, any combination of Martin, Jones, Jetta, Bennell and Cheney would suit me. Hale's not that good. I'm happy to place our confidence in Warnock. Garland and Rivers will help out. It shouldn't be that bad a problem.

There is only one Melbourne in this city. The other team is North Melbourne. That's a suburb, just like all the other clubs are. Definitely. Most AFL supporters don't comprehend the state of other sports. The NRL is on its knees. Golf is floundering. Plenty of other sports have meagre attendances or cannot establish a proper foothold in Australia. But AFL is going strong. Being at the bottom of the AFL puts us above most other codes.

Richmond is pathetic. Unbelievably poor skills, which is closely followed by a dumb coach who insists on a game plan that does not suit his charges. You can't play possession football when you can't kick the ball 15m to a target. Richo looked like he was going to burst into tears last night. I feel somewhat sorry for him.

This is so stupid. Firstly, Bailey is contracted for next year. Secondly, we haven't even played one match yet this year. Thirdly, Bailey inherited a pretty pathetic list. No chance.

Without making a comment about the double meaning there, how does Dunn pick himself? Could hardly get a game last year, did nothing over the pre season to impress, and we've named Bartram. Dunn won't play. Agree with your selections on the bench. I just can't believe Meesen was even named. Martin might be in danger, but I'd have him in front of Meesen, Dunn and Bennell. Agree too about Sylvia. Probably just makes the best 22, but I have no qualms with him being omitted to make him work harder. We can definitely win this match.

There's an article in The Age today about these two; I can't find it online. Both of them have put on a couple of kgs since they joined us. From the article it would seem that Jetta will debut first, possibly this week. Bennell seems to think he'll need time at Casey before he gets a game (he's being groomed as a half-back flanker).

Yarran's injured, so you won't want him this round. And it looks likely that Garlett's going to be named this week.

Where did you hear that? I'm fine with the Norm Smith medal.

Good of the Age to point this out today (calls the HUN 'The Little Paper').