titan_uranus

First off, you do know it's Andrew, not Alex?

I personally wouldn't want a match on Good Friday (day or night), but that's just me.

Those 2 trips to Subiaco are likely to be Sunday Twilight. MFC would never play at ANZ Stadium (and judging by the surface, I doubt the MFC would want to), but other than that, it sounds alright to me. Probably not enough matches at the G (only 11).

Hall got his 10 weeks reduced by 3 due to the tribunal chairman asking the tribunal to reduce the suspension by 25% for his guilty plea and remorsefulness. I would have thought that if Hall got this 'discount' then Solomon would have been entitled to it as well.

just make it no twilight games. no one likes them.

I agree, but I get the feeling the AFL is too stubborn to remove them.

Overrrated:

Josh Fraser

Dale Thomas

Brad Fisher

Underrated:

Max Rooke

David Hille

Corey Enright

Your talking out of Uranus! , BJ is an all-aust who is not that out of form. He needs to be covered. Bell did a good job. 95% efficiency, deserves another game. That's what Bailey has asked his players, to go back to Sandy and learn their trade, come back in and set them a job. Just on Bell - how did Brad Johnson go? He had no influence.

How did Petterd go last week?

If you want to bring him in, and drop someone for an average game perhaps Wonaemirri or Newton. But not Bell.

Actually BJ's numbers are down on last year (this wasn't the first game in which he's had no influence), but I guess you're right in that DB set him a job which he stuck to and gave his all. I looked at the team and asked myself, if I was going to drop someone for Petterd (which I would do), who would go? I picked Bell because I don't think he will be a part of our defence beyond this year, and I'd rather Petterd played than Bell. I read above on this thread that Petterd played well on the weekend for Sandy.

In terms of Newton and Aussie, Aussie's game was below par becuase I thought he was played out of position, in that he played further up the ground for longer periods of time, rather than in the pocket. Still, IMO he did well. I feel the same way about Newton as I do about Bell, but if Petterd comes in, Newton shouldn't make way.

Why Bell?

Already fought his way back into the team. Had 19 touches at 94%, 6 tackles and played pretty well on BJ

I don't think he will be a part of the MFC in the future, I would like to see Petterd given a run. Given those stats maybe I'm being a bit harsh but BJ isn't in the greatest of form anyway, and when I was at the match I didn't think Bell was playing particularly well.

1) QB vs Collingwood (preferably our home match)

2) At least 4 matches at night-time, of which at least 2 are Friday night

3) No more than 2 twilight games (one of which is likely to be in Perth)

4) Home matches at MCG (i.e. not Dome) except for 2 matches in Canberra

Out: Green, Bell

In: Davey, Petterd

I wouldn't be surprised if we made the 8 next year, but I also wouldn't be upset if we finished 9-12. I do however think we should be out of the bottom 4 next year.

Got an email signed by 'David Neitz' asking for my input in a survey:

One of the major areas I am focusing upon is gaining a deeper insight into the hearts and minds of our major stakeholders, particularly regarding what the Club means to you, why you are involved, and what aspects will lead to your continued involvement with the Club.

Asked for some sort of 'word association' thing, where a huge list of words are presented and you select the ones that you would associate with the Melbournefc, such as successful, struggling, traditional, elite, proud etc.

One interesting question was along the lines of 'I refer to myself as a Demons supporter rather than a Melbourne supporter': I guess they're trying to gauge the extent to which the Demon is still wanted in the members.

Maric and Grimes. The others are 'project players'.

Wouldn't be upset if Bode came back in, but I don't really think Weetra deserves another go.

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.