titan_uranus

Dean Bailey has had 10 matches to work with this team. Let's wait until the end of the year before we turn on him. He doesn't need it, and the club doesn't need it. I did say 'yet': in other words, wait until we've played some of the other teams languishing down the bottom with us (i.e. West Coast and Essendon), and let the season play out in its entirety before we criticise a first-year coach.

Heh, it'd be quite stupid to say 'play for the jumper': there's nothing to play for there.

I thought he was looking good before his injury in defence. Think he should stay there.

Brock wouldn't miss QB because of a broken nose. He'll play. God I hope Davey plays. Maybe Meesen to the forward line? He can move (apparently), maybe he can mark and/or kick too.

Well it's alright to say that, and I actually agree that players shouldn't be gifted a spot in the team, but we sorely lacked a big, strong marking presence in the forward line, and this is why we drafted Newton. Give him a shot at it, he knows his career is on the line, and if he doesn't perform, get rid of him.

With the upcoming draft changes we need to capitalise on this year's talent pool. There may be teams such as Port, St. Kilda, Carlton, North who finish 7-10 but may be looking to 'top up' for another shot at the premiership. The teams who finish in this region will have picks 7-10 in the draft. Maybe a pick from one of them could be lured.

I wonder if Holland will line up against Rocca again...

There we go! Get rid of this silver s--t and make this the alternative strip.

Purely and simply, there is no-one in this team with a goal-kicking ability/nous/knack. Bate and Miller don't kick anywhere near enough goals (Bate excused though), Wonna is a rookie 1st year player, shouldn't be expected to carry the team's scoring, Davey plays further up the ground now.

Yeah, they choked real bad vs West Coast on Saturday... Still think we will do better than what people think. Maybe we're Collingwood's 'bogey side'.

Exactly! As far as I know an effective disposal is one which hits a target (please correct if wrong). On that basis, Bruce often is 'effective' in his disposal. However 'effective' does not count those that are ridiculously stupid given the target's situation. Plus, for someone of his experience, and being a 'leader', he shouldn't be turning the ball over 23% of the time. IMO thats bad enough. As has been mentioned, Bruce shouldn't be in the leadership group; compounded by Green's absence from it. Let's be honest though, he wasn't the only one to put teammates under pressure yesterday; someone (Warnock maybe) handpassed to Green at fullback in the first quarter which led to a Schneider goal.

I don't think his career is necessarily over, but he will never be the same again. And to think how different things may have been if he'd been rested this week to freshen him up for Queen's Birthday (which I thoght might happen as he kicked a bag last year)

Bell - time to go

I watched Channel Seven's awful coverage, and Commetti made a good point. He noticed that at most of the clearances, especially in the 2nd quarter, our players were all too focused on their opponents and not on actually getting a clearance. Doesn't help when our ruck division is thrashed. We can't blame Bailey (yet) because, as has been stated, when the players commit, the game plan works (vs Geelong, Fremantle 2nd half, Hawthorn). Blame should be directed to the more experienced players such as White, Yze, Bruce, and maybe also to the selectors. 5 changes to a team that clearly played its best game of the year, of which 1 was forced (though Morton probably needed a rest).

Hmm, I can see where you're coming from but I don't think Aussie was one of our best today. I didn't really see much in the way of defensive pressure from anyone, let alone Aussie. My votes: 6. McDonald 5. Warnock 4. Bate 3. Sylvia 2. Garland 1. PJ

You're right, these two constantly get caught trying to break tackles. Whether or not they can be 'taught' how to do this to greater effect I don't know because at the moment both of them make the wrong decision in trying to get past a 3rd or 4th player.

Yep, yesterday was the worst of them all, especially considering that the first two were against now top-3 teams. Maybe TD had something to do with it...

Last chance for Newton, and Dunn too I reckon. If neither of them can settle into the forward line for the remainder of the year I don't know why we would want to keep them.

I totally agree re: Bell and Bartram. Time for Bell to go IMO, I see no value in him at all. Hasn't improved much but is regularly played. Bartram at least puts his body on the line and tries to win some of the contested ball. Disagree re: Miller. He isn't helped by shocking disposal inside 50 (or the sunlight)

Rohan Connolly is Essendon

Thanks for that Mikey.

Can you run through what the MFC was asking for in this survey for those who didn't get to have their say...

I agree, good form at Sandy warrants selection in the seniors IMO. A win this week would do wonders for our players' confidence leading into Queen's Birthday, a game that all Melbourne supporters want to see us win, so it's important DB looks for a team that can win for us over the next couple of weeks.

If Holland's injured I would doubt he would be an emergency; I don't recall seeing (shoulder) after his name in the paper either, which makes me think he may well be a late inclusion for Robbo.

Same thing happened here. I guess the MFC just doesn't appreciate the input of Concession members.