Vogon Poetry

Glenn Lovett deserves a mention but his career was cruelled by hammy issues. Tingay played elite games, far in excess of Viney and Jones, but again a career ruined by a slip in the bathroom! In a "normal" career he'd be my pick as the best since Robbie. I agree with PD. The mids we now have coupled with the excellent development they'll receive will give us our best midfield since 1964. I also agree with PD. Wells was a champ. If you want "political decisions" just ask yourself why Sean Wight got into our hall of fame ahead of Laurie Fowler who was a three time best and fairest winner. It's probably just a coincidence that he was Irish and was admitted in 2008 when Jimmy became Chairman. Sean was a very good player, but still.

You've done remarkably well DJ.

Never put you in that group BBO, although others (groups) come to mind. We are 52 years without a flag but the period 1987 to 2006 we were very well performed for much of it. 2007 has been dark but there is a light now that only the nuff nuffs can't see. If a flag is your only happiness in supporting then I'd give it away. On average we'll win one every 18 years but given the inequities of the system we might not win one for a long time. If that's the journey it doesn't worry me, I just love watching the team play. Having said that I do want some finals success along the way. A GF would be a welcome bonus.

I don't. I read it here and responded. In retrospect, I should have taken my own advice.

Who's upset? Schwarz is a professional football commentator. If I want irrational venting I've got all I want on Demonland. Commentators who let irrational passion get in the way of sensible football analysis are of no interest to me.

You and Ox are very similar in some respects Stu.

Chris and ProDee have hit it on the head. I'm always surprised how people like Ox, who have played so much footy and work in the industry, have so little understanding of list development. I'm confident that in most games this season we have fielded a team that has less experience in terms of games and has been younger than our opposition. History shows that when you do that you are at a disadvantage. We've won seven games. That's a good result in those circumstances and is grounds for much confidence. Ox is just looking at a small spot in our journey and is frustrated. Roos has been exceptional in his rebuilding of the club and will leave it infinitely better than he found us. I don't like the man but credit where it's due and I thank him for what he's done. Ox is mouthing the frustration of the nuff nuff's who don't understand the journey we are on.

Thanks for sharing.

Settle jnr. I don't know if his statement is right or wrong but at least he doesn't make up stats to try and prove a point. You do. You're not in a position to criticize.

How predictable. Group 1 - the Grimes isn't up to it group. "He won't make it, he can't improve, he can't kick, he can't play the game plan, I know he disposed at 90%+ but you can't take any notice of stats, he won't be here at the end of the year." Group 2 - the Grimes is up to it group "he has learned under Roos, his kicking has improved, he has a role to play, he's showing the doubters up, I love him". Group 3 - the realists "enjoy the moment, ripping bloke who has been faithful to MFC through dreadful times, played a very good first game back last week, lets hope for more, nothing proved". Well you get the drift anyway. Group one ignore his game in Darwin, group two embrace it and group 3 just wonder (and probably hope). Me? Guess.

WGO you are the only one who has said "congrats, but I gave you hell, I was wrong". Kudos. But IMO being a fan is supporting when a kid is on a learning curve and recognize that the path isn't easy and in Jack's case was particularly hard. Being a "fan" is not giving someone hell when they aren't producing and praising them when they are. Just a view and I'm not "hot", just making a point.

I note H misses again. I've watched the Richmond Casey game and there was no sign of a serious knock but with the bye last week he'll miss at least 2 on top of the extended break he had earlier in the season - again from no obvious heavy knock. If he's that seriously hurt I hope he calls it quits and preserves his health. It all seems pretty strange to me.

I know I should leave this alone but something just doesn't sit right with me when people make these sort of comments. It's like the bully in the school yard who picks a fight, loses and then wants to be friends. WGO I have no problem with critique. What I hate is "gave the kid hell". You've recognized you were wrong in your judgement (as we've all been on issues) and I just hope next time a player disappoints you you'll stick to critique and refrain from "giving them hell". You'll have lots of opportunity to practice the skill - as we all will. But that's just me. Credit to you for honestly stating your position. BTW, friggin fantastic that he's found his way and looks set for a meaningful second half of his career with us.

1. The Mac 2. Dom Tyson 3. N Jones 4. N Jetta 5. Hoges 6. Maxy I don't gives votes often and started this post to give votes to Jack Grimes. In the end he didn't deserve them really but it was great to see him back.

Damp morning a good thing with Darwin coming up. They may notice an increase in temperature though. Many thanks WW.

In his one game for Casey before his last bout of illness he played mainly midfield. It was the most impressive game I've seen him play albeit at VFL level. I'm hoping his fitness allows him to move from HBF. His clearance work for Casey in that game was an eye opener for me. He hasn't had a run at it at all yet. Hammy's ruined last year and illness this year. Everyone outside MFC tragics have forgotten him and in a good team he will be even better. I hold high hopes for this kid, I think he has it all.

Love your avatar Pro!

I'm not going to put much effort into it but Collingwood have suffered with Freeman and Scharenberg. Suns have lost Swallow and O'Meara (Prestia). McCartin, Ahern, Cockatoo have all had injury. Boyd, Billings, Sheed from the previous year have suffered. Young bodies trying to play a game against mature athletes suffer. We've not been lucky by any stretch, but others have had injuries as well.

Hunt - will be something.

My observation this year is that we have been involved in a lot of high tackling games, more than other teams but I don't have either the expertise to check this online or the time to do it manually. I have checked our stats for tackles. We have won the tackle count this year 5 times (GWS, Rich, Suns, WB and Brisbane). Our aggregate is +24 over those 5 games (ave of 4.8 per game) of which we've won 4. In the other 9 games we have lost the tackle count by 228 or 25 per game. Where we've lost the tackle count we've only beaten Collingwood. Does anyone know if our games are higher tackle games than "average" and can anyone throw some light on why this might be. Is it coincidence? Are we easier to tackle because we are young and not as strong as other teams, is it because we play a more contested brand of footy, is it decision making that means when we handball we do so to someone in a poor position meaning they are easier to tackle? I've watched a fair bit of footy this year and there have been a lot of "bruise free" games. We don't seem to be involved in our share. When we get a chance to use the ball we do it well and I think the key to stopping us (and a lot of other teams) is to pressure and tackle. It makes me think we've been a bit stiff to strike other teams when they are "on" (Essendon after their call to arms, Adelaide, Swans after their GWS flogging to name three). I'm interested in others thoughts.

I'm disappointed Grimes isn't getting a go but if he's not seen as in our best side or part of the future fine. What I'm saying is that if that's the case the rhetoric from the club should reflect that. It doesn't. It's poor PR in my opinion. In your effort to defend the club you've completely missed my point but thanks for the lecture anyway, I hope someone got something out of it. I certainly didn't.

Nicely said Dazzle.

No you're right, he doesn't have to and he's showing that by his actions. All Roos had to say on Jack is that it's difficult to fit him in with the competition for the spots he can play but he hopes he'll get a go soon. Not this platitude of "I want him to be in really good form to give himself the best chance". He's been "in really good form" and he hasn't been given an opportunity. If he isn't in our thinking then that's fine but don't tell us one thing and do another.

There was a terrific article in the Age a few weeks ago but when it outlined her family situation I thought it highly unlikely she'd choose Melbourne. I hope we get another woman to replace her both as coach of the woman's team and as an assistant for our men's team. Good luck Michelle, you sound like you're a terrific person and you've done a wonderful job.