titan_uranus

I've always thought Bate would become a star, but this year has made me question that. Only 2 or 3 good games, the rest of them he's been ineffectual. When he's playing well he does everything right, but when he's not playing well he looks slow and fumbly. What do others think, because I'd give him my vote for the most disappointing player for us this year

With the amount of clubs that will be interested (could be about 7 of them), the asking price will be high. Also considering Geelong's first pick in the draft is most likely to be 16, they may ask for a first round draft pick, or at the very most a second round pick.

Can someone please explain to me the benefit of chipping the ball sideways and backwards?

Yes you still have the ball, but the ball is usually in a shitty position.

I completely agree. This comes a close second to our skills as the thing that is worst about Melbourne.

I think a lot of people have forgotten how 'lucky' we were to be in a position to get a PP last year. The real issue last year is that we lost a lot of close games, that, had we won them, would have seen us well out of contention for a PP by Round 22. I speak of matches early in the year against the Bulldogs, Port Adelaide, Essendon and North Melbourne, all of which we lost by a goal or so, and all of which we led in the last quarter. If we'd won just one of those then Round 22 last year would have been a non-issue.

IN: Holland, Petterd, Maric, Meesen

OUT: Newton, Bate, Yze, White

I'd love to see Holland get a game. He's a veteran who deserves a send off simply because we know he will give it his all from the first bounce to the end. The same can't be said for Yze or Newton. Maric surely returns (school permitting), Petterd to get Bate's spot.

i am prepared, but i honestly didnt think he was that bad today. i thought he has improved on his earlier season form. he wasn't our best, he wasn't great, but i gave him votes because i thought he attacked the contests all day. and i thought he used it alright when he had it. (17 disposals, 2 tackles, 2 inside 50's)

Neither did I. There were plenty worse than Bell. Which I guess is an indictment on how bad we were.

There will be a number of players who wont be around in a couple of months.

I really hope you're right, I hope the club makes the hard decisions and cuts the mediocre players off the list.

Meanwhile they sign Newton to a new contract...

here is a HUN report. what are you blokes on about ?

This report isn't in the hard copy of the paper, that's the (so-called) problem.

daniel bell is useless

I agree, but The Age had him as our best player... How sad.

Can't say i have ever seen as many tackles not stick in my life. We both lack desire to lay an effective tackle and we are P*SS WEAK!

This was something I noticed last week. It's such a big problem IMO. Too many of our players look scared when they attempt a tackle, and as a result the opponent just runs out of it. We are so soft it's not funny.

I'd love for him to play, but I don't know if the coaches will drop Newton (or anyone else) for him.

Don't think we'll be looking for another off-field problem. But I do like the way he plays.

Perhaps with the exception of Yze for Maric, the like-for-like changes all justifiably make our team stronger.

I don't think the team is stronger with White instead of PJ (but we don't have a choice). I guess Dunn can tag Burgoyne or something but I don't know if Dunn is that much better than Valenti. Really, the only change that makes the team stronger is Garland for Frawley.

Correct me if wrong, but Canberra has the War Memorial, which would attract many people on ANZAC day. Which either means there will be plenty of people to go over to Manuka to watch the footy, or everyone will be busy at the War Memorial. I dunno.

I am happy with the selections...Port by six goals.

For what reason RR? I'm happy in that we should lose this game, but I'm not happy in that Valenti and Frawley aren't playing. I think they should both be in the team over Yze and Dunn.

Nothing sinister Titan, they are important people who will provide quality attributes to a proud club in West Coast who have had a bad 18 months.

Well that doesn't really explain why you referred to them as "people", but anyway, I agree with you.

We finally win a game and we make 2 (maybe 3) unforced changes...

Let's hope Maric is out for school and returns in Round 22, because he didn't deserve to be dropped.

Disappointed to see Valenti and Frawley dropped. No real reason for either of them. And to top it all off, Yze returns.

I would think so mousey. Robbo's about the only MFC player who gets on the panel these days. Good to see Greeny there.

"people"

?

-there was no going around the ground at matches meeting people

Jimmy does this? That's a good idea IMO.

If this telethon is connected to The Footy Show then that's a good thing, hopefully we can make some decent money.

Well isn't this turning into a gripping contest...

I think the only one remaining is Terry Dillon (assuming Waldron's out), so you'd think he's got the job if he wants it. But then again, we might find out tomorrow that Schwab is reconsidering...

The fact of the matter is Daniel Kerr has proven time and time again that he is a proven match winner. With or without Chris Judd and Ben Cousins.

But when West Coast needed him most, he disappeared.

i dont think martin would be happy with being compared with miller. miller got moved all over the place because he never was good in any position.

I wasn't comparing the two as in talent or ability to play forward/back, I was just using Miller as an example of a player who got moved about and as a result was never able to settle into either CHF or CHB. Now Bailey has played him almost exclusively at CHF and he's settled into the role nicely.

I'm guessing

IN: White

OUT: PJ

From what was said in the two Jeff White articles today, it looks like he'll play the last 2 games (or at least, he'll be fit enough to play them). No real need to drop anyone else I don't think.

I reckon Bate is a contender for most disappointing player of the year. He's only really played 3 or 4 good games. I guess I expected more from him.

My first thought is Garland, but thinking it over I think Warnock or Chris Johnson would be a better bet considering that they've had a bit more time at AFL level and have really come a long way.