Goodvibes

And if you think there's no logical reasons why Newton wouldn't be a gun at AFL level then you seriously under-rate the value of the skills above the neck.

Does that role exist in modern footy? If there's one of our defenders I'd consider trading at the end of the year, it would be Rivers. I can't believe I've just said that. In all seriousness, I fear for the longevity of Rivers and I'm not referring to his injuries here.

And Godfrey didn't deserve to be de-listed. Selections are never about the future when you're on the bottom of the ladder are they? Wonder if Rioli would still be playing at Box Hill if you were on the selection committee at Hawthorn.

Mousey would you believe I booked flights at the start of the year with my closest Melbourne-following mate to go and see the QB game (as I regularly do) only to discover a couple of months ago that one of my wife's closest friends is getting married that weekend. I transferred the flight and went and saw the Hawthorn game a couple of weeks ago. I'm not spewing at all now that Watts is debuting!

I feel like I've just spotted Elvis at Seven Eleven.

I'm pretty sure there's a few Gold Coast-based Saints fans saying the same about me today. They're just way too easy to bait.

At one stage in the third quarter, Cameron Bruce marked the ball 60 - 70 metres out from our goal. He had 4 options. Firstly he could try to pin-point a pass to a leading forward. Secondly, he could kick the ball to the top of the square and hope for a Melbourne mark or a decent crumb. Thirdly, he could play on and try to create some 'run and carry'. Finally, he could chip the ball 15 metres sideways. He chose the fourth option. I'm not bagging Bruce for the decision he made but I found that one moment to be symbolic of where the team currently finds itself in terms of its development. The player he passed to was Bennell, who immediately played on. By taking the game on he immediately created some space. He attempted to interchange handballs but his final handball went slightly astray. The youngsters in this team have confidence and class but just aren't there yet. In a couple of years that Bennell handball will find the target and create a goal. Some of the older leaders in this team are playing very very safe football and that is a completely natural response to being a member of a team that has won very few games over the past 3 years.

Cheers Jack - you've got me pumped for the game. Just about to leave. I often travel to Victoria from Queensland to see us lose only to return home and see us win a couple of weeks later. Hope the trend continue on the Gold Coast. Beautiful and sunny in Brisbane at the moment.

Because the two guys at the centre of this both enjoy the respect of a great many posters on this site.

I don’t know Michael Coglin particularly well, but on the rare and brief times that I’ve had the pleasure of his conversation, I’ve found him to be wonderful footballing company and feel compelled to add my name to the small minority of posters on this ridiculously simplistic thread that are prepared to explore both sides of this story. Michael Coglin possesses an incredible passion for the Melbourne Football Club and like everyone here, is no doubt excited by the future of our talent-laden list. He certainly doesn’t deserve the small-minded slander that is on display by the vast majority of posters in this thread. Was he right to go to the media with his concerns? Maybe not, but I’m astounded by the unwillingness of people here to at least explore his motivations with an open mind. Why would someone who loves his club as much as Michael Coglin, be prepared to firstly risk the ridicule of former colleagues and fellow supporters like ourselves and secondly jeopardize potential damage to the brand of the club he holds dear. Is he bitter? No. Does he miss the limelight? No. Is he driven by ego as many here have suggested? No. Does he possess an unnerving commitment to the issue of gender and football? Yes. Not unlike many posters on Demonland at the moment, I’m excited about the current direction of the Melbourne Football Club. I respect the importance of the very public role Jimmy Stynes has played in helping this club re-establish itself as a competitive unit on the field and a sustainable one off it. He’s brought many elements of the club together and seems to be working with the all important approval of the heavy hitting thugs of the AFL, but that doesn’t mean that he doesn’t make mistakes and it certainly doesn’t mean that he’s above criticism. His comments were a clear slap in the face to the previous board at a time when he continues to emphasize the need for unity. Let’s not forget that first and foremost, Michael Coglin is a fan of this football club and a man whose principles dictated that he must take serious action to ensure that the record and position of the club he served was represented faithfully in regards to the role of women. I have nothing but respect for someone who takes a course of action not because it is easy or popular but because it is believed to be right at the time.

It wasn't long ago that many a respected poster around these parts argued that you could only fit one player of Aaron Davey's stature into a modern football team - the argument went something along the lines of him being too light. We could seriously do with six Aaron Davey's right now. Two attacking off half-back, one on each wing and a couple closer to goal. He's in career best form and a certain All-Australian candidate if he maintains form and fitness. When does Mike Sheahan bring out his next Top 50 list? There's nothing better than seeing a player who has been on the list for quite a few years take a significant step just when you thought his development had plateaued. A little of the same from Colin Sylvia and then we're seriously in business.

Great stuff WJ. I think something is happening here too. The wave of optimism evident on 'Demonland' right now is almost unprecedented.

Confirmed.

Unfortunately for GC, Cale is a little too tall and doesn't fit Clayton's criteria.

Did you just hijack your own thread? Impressive.

Courtesy of saj_21 on BigFooty: Just some stats to back up our improvement this season (to round 7); 2009 Quarters Won vs. Lost 11 vs 16 (note 1 drawn quarter) Avg losgin Margin 33.3 points 2008 Quarters Won vs. Lost 5 vs 23 Avg. losing Maring 60.33 We managed to win twice as many quarters and almost halve our avg losing margin, supports my theory were are more compettitive early in the game and stay compettitive for longer.

I'm waiting for the game to come, hopefully about two thirds of the way through next year (when we may well be in finals contention) but more likely the year after and DB gives his young team the mother of of all three quarter time rockets. Think Neil Craig a fortnight ago. Think Barassi and Zantuck. This rocket will be significant. It will be our 'line in the sand' game where a group of young kids will decide they're ready to do more than just compete with the big boys but instead, knock them off. The team will realize that whilst the Dean Bailey driven education will continue, he thinks that they're now good enough to make it and will no longer accept competitive losses. Dean Bailey Mark 2 will emerge - focused, driven and ruthless. The young team will know that it is time to make their mark and take a step towards finals. They will respond, beat a fellow finals contender and announce themselves and their coach, ready for September action.

As Daniel Kitson would say, "I think we're in the presence of a maverick". Careful DD, all this positivity might have you pigeon-holed as a 'happy clapping, glass half-full, strawberry fields-loving optimist". Keep it up!

I feel exactly the same way. And I hate myself for it.

Great stuff Kane, cheers for the report.

This is a serious premiership hangover. Stomach pump required.

Jaded, please tell me you've never dated a Port Adelaide supporter.

I take it all back - they were advertising us at 3 and now they're doubling up the Sydney/Richmond game on fox and free to air - craziness.

I feel your pain. It comes on 7 at 3 and then they give us a delayed telecast of the 2nd quarter and then almost live for the rest of the game. Bloody motorsport!

Maybe, but it's not a bad start. Sure, the 21st and 22nd best players in the premiership teams of the past may not be pivotal and in some cases barely AFL standard but comparing the most influential 12 - 15 certainly is an exercise well worth the time.