titan_uranus

If Pavlich returns, Freo will win. If not, it will be closer, but I think Freo's form is better.

I have had it with Newton. Get rid of him now. I cannot stand his lack of effort, dropped chest marks and just plain poor body language and overall demeanour. Doesn't give the team anything. Meanwhile Carroll White and Yze are busting a gut at Sandy trying to get back in the seniors. Yes I know Newton's much younger but youth shouldn't be an excuse for no effort. He's meant to be highly skilled: one goal that should have been a pass to Morton doesn't qualify as skilled when you later drop a chest mark.

As for Bell: absolutely shocking first half, but a much improved second half. His third quarter was some of the best football he's played in over 12 months.

Sylvia should look at how hard Bartram, Buckley and Jones worked yesterday. He should be ashamed with his effort yesterday. I doubt even Y_M could defend him.

Things look grim. I still think we can win another 2 games this season.

North and Essendon are not that good. We still play WC. They are winable games!

Have to disagree there Wrathchild, I've seen Essendon over the past 6 weeks and they're playing great football with a severely undermanned squad. They will beat us soundly next week.

As for North, they rotate between quality side, average side, and total crap. And if West Coast play like they did yesterday, we won't beat them either I don't think.

It's quite simple.

Bailey's vision is one shared by the Board - ie. 'play the kids, focus on youth'.

MacNamee's vision was not shared by the Board - ie. 'recruit a marquee player, make Melbourne the elite "Premier Club"'.

Exactly.

End of discussion (I hope).

How about none of the above?

This is just a personal thing, and I know it's better financially to sell a home game (or two), but I would prefer to see all our home games at the MCG. I would assume that if we wanted to play a couple in Canberra or Geelong or Casey or wherever then we'd have to sign a contract for x years, thereby consigning us to that location (regardless of how well it works) for x years (a la our Brisbane games). If and when we begin to challenge for the flag (the emphasis being on 'if'), I'd reckon we'd all be complaining about how we'd sold a game to Geelong (practically giving up the 4 points). Maybe it costs us a spot in the 8, or top 4. Yes, I know that's not looking too likely the way it's going, but, for mine, I'd prefer not to see Melbourne selling home games.

Tell you what, if Maric kicks 1 goal and has 10 disposals that'll do me, so long as he tackles and chases.

What's Garland's motor like? 'Cos Petrie covers a fair bit of territory.

Also wondering whether he could be a bit undersized so Martin or PJ maybe?

Well if Petrie's playing in the ruck (which I guess he will do) then maybe PJ will go with him, but I reckon Garland's motor is just as good as Martin's.

This is from the letter to members:

BRAND STRENGTH – Board member Russel Howcroft - former Chairman of the Advertising Federation of Australia and current Managing Director of George Patterson Y&R, one of the country’s leading advertising agencies - will address the serious questions raised about the Melbourne Football Club brand, and our marketing strategies for the future.

Russel Howcroft is one of the regulars on the Gruen Transfer (sits on the far right if you wanna know). From what I've seen of him and his ideas on the show I believe he is one of the finest marketers in Australia's advertising industry. Having him deal with the image of the MFC and our brand I think will help us enormously.

"How does everyone see the crop of youngsters coming through. This is based on everything, but ultimately where you think they will end up at the end of their careers (hunches are a justifiable reason)"

This was the question posed. It was about where you believed the players would be ranked when they had finished thier careers.

Well in that case I was fine to put Petterd on top then.

tbh I think the more pressing question is: how do you stop Petrie if he plays like last week?

Yeah I reckon Petrie's going to absolutely murder us. Maybe Garland to go with him wherever he goes?

Btw, I think Dunn will go to Harvey, but if that fails, Bartram might go to him.

I think you've outlined what could be a great initiative for the MFC. However, there are a few points:

1) As you mentioned, cutting down on pens/stickers etc. won't be an issue as these are so cheap and would probably be bought in bulk anyway.

2) Allowing people to choose the amount of games their membership allows entry to might have an effect on crowd sizes. Having a minimum number of games might make some people say 'Well I paid for this membership I might as well use it'. If someone buys a membership for, say, 10 games, then they might not go to any more games after that because their membership doesn't cover it.

- On the other hand it might make people buy a membership they otherwise wouldn't have bought, so I dunno if this will actually be a problem.

I don't know if anyone else noticed this, but last night on the footy show Hutchy interviewed McNamee, and asked him about getting J Brown. When Hutchy asked him something like 'Why do you want him', McNamee's only answer was 'Why not?'. I reckon this just shows how little he knows about football. He didn't seem to care about the cost of him, or really justify his want for Brown.

PJ and Martin and Valenti should all stay considering their form doesn't warrant being dropped.

IMO Wonaeamirri could probably use a week or two out of the seniors to freshen up, however I don't think this will happen. As deanox suggested maybe McDonald won't be fit and might be a late out, paving the way for Maric's debut.

PS: I will lose all faith in Bailey if White plays.

I'm surprised at the number of people who have Petterd first. I rate Petterd, but I'd have others ahead at this point.

Actually you're right. Now that I think about it, I put him first because I think he will end up being the best of the lot. At the moment though, Bate and Garland are probably better players and would seem to be showing more than Petterd.

1. Petterd

2. Bate

3. Garland

4. Wonaeamirri

5. Morton

6. Jones

7. Dunn

8. Valenti

9. Martin

10. Bartram

11. Frawley

12. Buckley

13. Daylight

14. Newton

15. Bode

I have little memory of this game. About the only thing I do remember is Chris Johnson running into goal, then kicking it about 10 metres straight to a North player...

Just reading the title of this thread made me cringe.

Nick Davis is long past his use-by date. Absolutely not a person we should ever consider. I reckon he's played 2 decent games of footy in his career.

Absolutely getting mauled. Can't wait to see The Footy Show tonight.

I bet you Hutchy has a 'shortlist' of contenders for the role, followed by an 'exclusive' interview with someone, followed by fighting with Sam Newman.

I don't have a problem with the article, and hopefully the ad with Neita in it does something for the club.

This is a misnomer that gets bandied around a lot. North Melbourne were the dominant team in the late 90s and almost got relocated last year. Hawthorn dominated for over a decade and their board still decided in 96 that they would put a merger proposal to the members.

On the other hand, freo have never done anything and have about 8 million in the bank. Collingwood have won one flag in fifty years and have loads of money as well.

It is unrealistic to rely on performance to keep the club afloat. Football, more than ever, is cyclical. As supporters we must accept that it's going to take a number of years for us to realistically challenge for the flag. In the meantime, as a club we need to find ways to make money without winning flags. As a fan on the outside like everyone else here, I reckon that means renegotiating a better stadium deal, abolishing debt, attracting more sponsors and investing in non-football related revenue. But that's just an educated guess.

Premiership performance would definitely help, but we can't rely on it.

I agree, winning a premiership could basically be seen as useful in the short run but not in the long run. However it could provide the kick start a club like Melbourne needs to get itself together off-field.

The plan might have been audacious but it simply did not reflect the way in which the club, under coach Dean Bailey, has been going about rebuilding the team; nor does it reflect the time, place or space that the Melbourne playing list currently occupies. Rather, it reflects the vision of a CEO who is not football savvy and that the judgement of Stynes and his board about McNamee's place at the club was an accurate one.

We would all love a "quick fix" solution to the club's playing list problems but to throw money at a player who has his share of injury problems and will be 27 years old when the 2009 season opens would fly in the face of everything that Bailey and his team have been trying to achieve at the club.

Great points WJ. Going for Brown at all cost is most certainly not something that fits in with the club at the moment, and it just goes to show how separate McNamee was from the on-field aspects of the club. I also heard him last night on the news saying that, under Steve Harris, we failed in signing Chris Judd. He had his priorities all wrong, and was out of touch with the club.

I've been a strong supporter of the club's policy of pushing youth into the team at the expense of the older group who won't play a part in the club's next assault on a flag. At the same time however, we also have to appreciate that most young players in their first, second and even third seasons tend to tire after a long, hard season. With so many young players in the side last week we fell away badly after half time at Subiaco.

I have to agree with you there. I'd reckon some of the younger players in the team could use a break.

On the basis of their form at Sandy, I'd give Nathan Carroll and Adem Yze a go this week.

Well I guess we know DB isn't going to pick them for any reason other than their form, so I'd say if they were ever going to get a game, now would be the most likely.

I was never happy with the choice of McNamee, and this decision only confirms my suspicions that he wasn't the right fit to an AFL club. His decision to stay an extra week in Paris, if true, sums up his lack of commitment to Melbourne.

I guess this makes Cameron Schwab a possibility to return?

I reckon CJ's also a chance if he keeps this form up.

Trade potential

Miller - his height may attract interest

Sylvia - social issues

Well I don't think they've been watching recently. Miller I think is now off the 'trade potential' list and heading towards the 'untouchables' list.

Sylvia on the other hand...