Rodney (Balls) Grinter

Indeed and really appreciating the excitement of it. It is a problem though that we seem to get scored against too easily at times and either keep the opposition in the game or let it slip too far away from us. Until we get the ballance right and tighten up our defense just that bit more (it's not like we are bad defensively), we will struggle with consistency. Look forward to putting it all together and getting some real runs on the board wins wise.

Yup if it was the only thing he did all day, it just about would have been enough. Watching the replay, we had almost totally dominated the the third quarter up until that point, but we're getting no reward for effort on the scoreboard. That inercpt was a 12 point play and more, had GC scored I had the feeling they would get up and about and we could have dropped our heads. Reality is that we went on to kick another ten odd goals to GC's two for the game, so we certainly still had the tank and the weapons to out score them, but I do really wonder if we could have handled the scoreboard pressure.

Just watching the replay again now and Dermot himself sums it up nicely before the game after a cross from Lynch and Dixon on the boundary - "we have to work with idiots sometimes don't we", could have been talking as much about himself. I've got to admit that some of the champion past players like Derm, Brown and Carey do give some good insights into what could be regarded as footy smarts. It does shiiit me how often the game callers completely stuff up players names during the game, comes across very unprofessional. The ones that [censored] me off most though are the comentaters like BT who get completely off track and talk in circles for five minutes trying to crack pathetic jokes and completly neglecting what's happening with the game play.

One thing I'm finding hard with the eveness of the comp to this point is how to rate any one individual win/loss. Sounds a bit cliché, but I really think the only way to rate how a side is travelling is to look at them over a 4-5 week period. Beating the top sides of last year means little at this point when you look at how Hawthorn, Sydney and even the Dogs are traveling at present. I was devistated at the time to loose to both Freo and North precisely because it cost us the opportunity to string a group of wins together and put us ahead on the ledger, not necessarily because they are poor sides. More frustrated than satisfied with where we are presently at, but that we have been in every game we have played this year, despite some bad circumstances gives me hope for the second half of the year. I don't think we could have coped like we have without Gawn and Hogan like we are, last season. No doubt we are still having problems with consistency, but I do think the difference between our best and worst is narrowing. That we ground out and still could have almost beaten Geelong and particularly Richmond rather than dropping our heads and getting blown away suggests to me that we are getting mentally tougher and more resilient.

I watched Auzzie Wonaeamirri play for the NT Thunder in the NEAFL at Southport last year. He looked even less fit than the end of his time at Melbourne, but he impacted the game nicely with his skill and footy smarts. Gee the MFC would have had to have endured one of the most rotten runs of luck over the last 10 odd years, Jimmy, Sean, Aussie's dad and now Jessie's dad. That image of Aussie dad and Jimmy after that win is such an enduring powerful image.

I do like the look of Smith, but from what little I've seen of his disposal at AFL level, it's been pretty odinary. Perhaps it's just nerves, a little uncertainty and struggling to pick up the faster pace of the game. I'm certainly hoping he can tidy up this area of his game, because he looks like a more than handy prospect.

Nice article on Jeffy: http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/how-melbourne-star-jeff-garlett-has-gone-from-carlton-reject-to-demons-leader/news-story/556dd3fd93094b2b191cb33290f7e765 He was interviewed by Fox after the game on the ground on Saturday, but didn't speak very well. That's all right, his football speaks more than words ever could. Great to see Jeffy back in form, up and about. The article states all the players had their boots painted by an indigenous artist for Saturdays game again, like last year. I didn't notice while watching the first time, but will keep an eye out watching the replay. I do like this boot painting initiative that Jeffy started and the club has embraced. Jeffy states he'd like broader Australia to learn more about and embrace indigenous culture in the same way the MFC has - you've got me brother.

You've been pretty quite in your critique of Pedo too PD, since he has returned to the side and is quietly getting the job done whilst having a real impact. Personally, my only reservation with Pedo is that he is around that 30 y.o. mark and how long he can continue to produce the goods may be limited. Still if we can get another one or two years out of him at his present output whilst younger KPFs and the team in general develops, I think it's winners all round.

Not when it should be awarded to the MFC anyway.

Don't care, it's money in the MFC's pocket and that matters to our club. That said, one thing it does highlight is - does the MFC get any sponsorship funding fromy the Vic Gov? We often here quoted what the 'Melbourne' name is worth to promotional value, so "Show us the Money". I wonder how the MFC actually fares through government funding when considered how much public money has been gifted to clubs like Essendon, Geelong, Collingwood etc for their lavish training facilities and new grandstandsite etc.?

100% I was certaily one that thought we played like poop in the first half, but probably mainly because we wasted our opportunity with the wind after a decent first qtr. And after that goal that put GC up by 30 points, I was mentally preparing myself for what looked like it would turn into a thumping for the MFC (huddled fetal position in the corner of the lounge room for anyone who's wondering). Thankfully the players had better emotional contol than I. Again in retrospect, we really pretty much controlled the entire second half, because even though GC opened up the lead early in the third, even that was somewhat against the flow of play and it was just them making the most of the opportunities they had. Though GC are hardly a high quality team, it was still a good win by the team in many respects - I'll take it. It's a Grand Old Flag...

Apologies if I'm repeating (I've read some of but not the whole thread). A few quick observations: 1. In retrospect, I'm not sure we were playing all that badly in the first half. We were winning our share of the ball but were slaughtering it in front of goal; 2. That intercept of Bernie Vince's in the third quarter turned the game some what, as I'm not sure we would have come back from 36 points down; 3. Jones, Watts and Harmes purple patch mid third quarter was sublime.

Great way to finish the game

You are a MFC supporter though, that has to be even more frustrating, but hopefully we're done with our share of pathetic

Time to order Pizza for dinner... and a few celebratory beers!

A well earnt bag to Jeffy and in indigenous Rd won't he love that. You rock Jeffy

After last week and the first half we had, this is making me very happy - Go Demons

Pile them on now Demons, leave nothing to chance. About the only good thing Trac has done today. Gee Lewis is fummbly

Go Demons. Bugg's goal kicking continues to frustrate, but his competitiveNess has been good.

Got to kick one soon buggy

The Nibble strikes. Almost makes up for the horror shot in the first

They all count for 4 points, it would be sweet and needed to keep us in the hunt this season.

Great comeback quarter (premiership quarter), but can't stop there. We have all the momentum, just must close this one out.

What a well timed siren

Great skippers goal. He has lifted significantly this quarter