titan_uranus

I voted 'Other' for Ricky Petterd:

B: Warnock Garland Rivers

HB: CJ Martin Petterd

I was there, surrounded by Dogs fans.

Telstra Dome is a horrid place, colder than a morgue and with about as much atmosphere too.

Yep. I had to wait behind some poor Melbourne supporter for like 10 minutes pre-match as the ticket seller fumbled around with the computer. I have a strong dislike for the Dome, which I guess explains why there were so few Melbourne supporters there.

He wasn't 'Worst on Ground'. Stupid assessment. I have to say he wasn't in our 'best', but he ran and tried hard all day (unlike others, e.g. Sylvia).

Don't rate Monfries at all. Ryder will just about be the best player by the time Lloyd, Fletch and Lucas go.

There's a few other names that you guys probably haven't heard of that are likely to make it too

Yeah, to name one I've seen Heath Hocking a bit and he looks a likely type.

Personally, i'd like DB to maybe remove the shackles from Frawley a bit and let him play as a running half back flanker. From his first game he always seemed to enjoy taking the opposiiton on and having a dash from the backline, and although his kicking action is ungainly, he seems to hit targets. Wheatley is playing this role at the moment and he doesn't hit targets as often as he should, so it could be worth a try. I feel we really lack a bit of pace running the ball out of the backline breaking the lines.

I agree Jerry. I remember in the Carlton game Frawley played on Fevola (and did alright I thought), but at times he took the ball and ran with it out of defence. He showed some pace and he kicked well, so I reckon a half back flanker is the way to go. He can have Bell's spot for mine.

I'm really happy for Dunn. Cooney, Black, Goodes, Foley have all been restricted in both their output and influence. Good on him.

Interesting stat from the weekend: Jamar had 20 hitouts, 20% of which (i.e. 4) were to advantage. That was the most of any of the ruckmen in the game. I think his ruckwork has improved a bit, but he is still useless around the ground.

You really are a dill, Mo. He's an 18 year old kid that shows genuine class and an ability to find space, yet you say he "seems lost". He won the Larke medal for best in last year's u/18 TAC carnival and was renowned for his skills, especially by foot. He's 192cms and 79 kilos which means he can't yet hold his ground in one on one contests, or break tackles. These things effect his confidence and decision making. The pace of the game has never been quicker and he's still feeling his way. His turn of speed is excellent and as he bulks up and gains experience all the natural attributes he possesses will ensure his footy improves.

Completely agree. I am sick of people rubbishing a first-year player for first-year-player mistakes. He's making errors that are to be expected of any 10-gamer. He reads the play well, is in the right space at the right time, but a lack of confidence, a lack of experience at AFL level and a lack of muscle means he can't do some of the things that he was renowned for at u/18 level. Give the boy some time.

Cant wait til he gains some muscle, and some experience. He will be 5 times better than Palmer and Cotchin.

Agree re: Palmer. Palmer sucks. Nothing more than a ball-magnet IMO.

Disagree re: Cotchin. From what I've seen of him he has class, poise, skill and strength. Will be a star of the future.

I've seen quite a bit of Essendon this year and I have to say I think their success is wholly dependent on their ability to find replacements for Lloyd, Lucas, Fletcher and Michael. 4 key position players aren't easy to find. Neagle might be one, Ryder another, but they still need another forward and another defender. Having said that, they have a lot of good young players: Houli, Nash, Lovett, Jetta (I think will get there), Davey, Gumbleton (if he ever gets on the park), Neagle (questionable), Ryder (maybe), Reimers (best of the lot), Monfries (I thought not until the last few weeks), Myers, Pears, Winderlich, Dempsey. At the moment I would say that Essendon has a brighter short-term future than Melbourne, but in the long run, unless they pull some KPP gems out of the draft, Melbourne's youth may be better.

Win. I don't think it will matter whether we finish 16th, 15th or 14th. I still think we will take Watts no matter what. The only problem with winning is the possibility that we could get another 2 and then lose the PP, but I wouldn't worry about it.

Good to see him get a stable spot in the team.

Can I ask, how is Jake Spencer doing? I would guess that he's doing alright because he's been named in the seniors but I don't really know much about him.

I'm not looking forward to Newton's return. I get the feeling he won't get close to what is expected of him. Would love him to, though.

Goodbye Jace.

Whatever, you want to call it, its going to be a non tax deductible donation to MFC. The raffle just gives you some chance at a prize. Just give direct if you hate raffles.

Exactly. Think of the cost of the raffle ticket as a donation to the club, only there's a possible prize for donating. A raffle has, and always will be, a method of making money. It gets people to make 'donations' that they might otherwise not make.

I for one don't want to see White come back in. We did fine without him last week. Maybe White could play as a midfielder/wingman, but I'd prefer to let Jamar and PJ take responsibility.

I'm expecting Bell to make the team because of the Dogs' smallish forward line.

Out: Davey, McLean

In: McDonald, Frawley

I hope Martin gets another game, though I can't think of an immediate match up for him. I heard Frawley played well for Sandy on the weekend so he gets a go on one of the Dog's numerous midsized forwards.

He's gotta be in with a chance. Cyril's fading badly, so if Aussie can finish the season well, the judges might have his good form at the front of their minds when they vote.

Watts. I'm more certain of it with each day.

9. Yay, Gold next year!

Garland, from Miller and PJ. Dunn's making a late-season run at it though.

I didn't mind this when it happened with Sylvia earlier in the year, but on reflection, I'm not a fan of this type of punishment. In my opinion it punishes the team more than the individual.

I tend to agree, except in our situation I don't think it really matters. What's more important is that a message is sent not just to Aaron but to the whole group that whatever Davey did is unacceptable, so that when we need players in the team and not serving suspension for discipline it doesn't happen.

I want Watts, which is good because I also have a feeling we'll take him.

Jared Rivers, so that when one is injured, the other one can play... or Brock for the same reason

I concur. 2 x Rivers means 1 x Rivers playing each week.

Well it's not just dependent on our progess but also other teams (obviously). If the Bulldogs turn into the next Geelong then a premiership may be out of the question until 2012 or something like that. But I reckon we'll be up there challenging in 4 years. Finals in 2.

We will finish 14th, Freo 15th, West Coast 16th. W.C. will take Naitanui with pick 1 to provide an able back up to Cox. Freo will take Rich with pick 2 because they could use another midfielder. So we, with pick 3, will take Watts. Which I would be happy with.