titan_uranus

I just hope he doesn't lapse, that he can take it up to Riewoldt or Kozi next week. I remember hearing he was the big improver over the pre-season, so I hope he keeps it up.

I agree with the comparison with Rioli, however I think Houli and Palmer are in front in the race for the Rising Star.

The crap performance in Adelaide plus 1st vs 16th plus Hawthorn members got to go to this game to substitute for Tasmania = more Hawks than Demons. I disappointed in the overall size though. And it ended up being a good game too.

Of course we can. St Kilda are not the most physical or aggressive side, so if we start against them like we started yesterday we're in with a chance. Hopefully Garland puts in another awesome effort on Riewoldt, and someone knocks out Milne. The fact its at TD doesn't help though.

Our aggression was awesome. Any word on whether Jones was reported for that? I bloody well hope not.

I agree Billy, I thought Holland was important in providing a target up forward. Just someone who could hit the pack hard.

It was worse because Aussie didn't have the ball. This was a horrible error on the umpire's behalf, and Commetti and Watson on 7 agreed. If anyone has watched Footy Classified, Garry Lyon discovered 'sprawling', where a player, once they feel any pressure from behind, buckles and falls over, coercing the umpire into paying in the back rather than holding the ball. I reckon it was holding the ball. This is a problem across the whole AFL. However we can't and never should blame umpires for our losses.

I agree, Sylvia this year had started to play decent footy in defence, and he's had OP. Jamar's had more opportunities and less injuries. If Robbo's out then I expect Yze to come in for him. Good to see Weetra in the best for the reserves. Hope he gets some confidence out of that.

I'm pretty sure he had more than 3 errrors. And they were simple kicks and handpasses not hitting the target. Bruce was poor yesterday, IMO (and its my opinion only). I cringed whenever he went near the ball in the first half. He can do much better

This is the real issue. There is no way the AFL is going to allow us to use a 'boutique' stadium. There's no money in it. That's why games aren't played at Windy Hill, Arden Street, Glenferrie Oval etc. any more. Also, here we are complaining about how the MFC never gets a decent fixture. Why then would we want to sacrifice the chance to play night games or attract decent sized crowds? Geelong has a 'boutique' stadium because they're Geelong. It's another city. They need to respect both their Geelong and Melbourne members. By the way, unless you live near there, who wants to go to Casey?

Now they're only 1 win away. And they could have beaten the Dogs and played well against the Cats and Hawks. And they haven't played us yet.

Improvement on our effort in Round 1. By that I mean a win. If not a win then not a 100-point loss.

I used to think that but I'm pretty sure PJ was named on the ground for Sandy last week yet still managed a call up vs Adelaide. Our defence for this week is not terribly confidence-inspiring. I think Yze has to play this week if only for some experience and leadership down there. Hopefully Frawley keeps his spot, he simply has to keep playing on the good forwards of the league to improve. Maybe Frawley to Roughead? I don't want him to go, but will Valenti keep his spot? I guess maybe he could make way for CJ's or Bode's last chance. I hope not though.

I with you deanox, I think curtain raisers are a good thing. They get people to the ground who might not otherwise have come, and then hopefully they stick around afterwards, boosting attendance numbers. Plus maybe they spend more money on food etc. Plus its entertaining.

That is priceless.

I hope so. It would make sense though - imagine if Neitz hadn't been on the LTI, and had retired spontaneously. Then the club would have had the choice over any rookie to promote, right? So in effect Melbourne is just choosing any of the 4 rookies to get a spot on the senior list. Well that's the way I hope it is.

Holland shouldn't play down back unless there's a gorilla-forward i.e Rocca, Gehrig. There's no-one in Hawthorn's team that would provide a suitable match up for Holland. If Jamar keeps his spot (which he sholdn't) PJ should play full-forward IMO.

There is a fine line that people like us would do well not to cross, and as most people here have already said, that line separates criticism of a player's football ability or performances from personal criticism. IMO, professional footballers need to be able to take a look at what people may be saying about their football, even if some of the criticism is harsh. As has been said, for every bagger there is usually a defender. Also, I think a lot of the time criticism stems from supporter passion - we all want to see our club win, so we get worked up over what prevents those wins. Overall boards such as this one are mainly positive, and are nothing more that a place where supporters can share news, ideas and opinions. They are just that. Opinions. Mark Robinson has blown a legimitate topic out of proportion.

Quite an unenviable situation we're in here. We need the money, however if we continue to live off 'life support' we may never establish our own means of creating funds.

Two promising players whose development has somewhat been stalled due to injuries. Not fair. Can someone clarify for me: now that Neitz has retired, does Wonaeamirri get to stay on the senior list for the remainder of the year? May be a dumb question but I've heard conflicting answers.

I say he deserves one more chance to show whether or not he can still play AFL football. Against the Hawks thats not such a bad idea because we're unlikely to do too well anyway, however considering the likely standard of our football vs theirs anyone who plays badly is going to be targeted so I get the feeling that should he play he's a good chance to become a scapegoat and not last another match.

Hmm well I can't decide whether to care or not. Hopefully he doesn't just waltz straight into the team, he needs to prove himself at Sandy.

I wouldn't put Petterd in there until he becomes more of a permanent fixture in the team. I like the rest though.

http://news.theage.com.au/sport/shaun-burg...80520-2g8l.html Crawford accepted his one match ban, but McGlynn is contesting his 3 week suspension

Does that mean he'll be fit in a week or two, and might go back to Sandy, or he'll be playing for Melbourne in a week or two?