Robbie87

So much more to captaincy and leadership than being a promising, young, even good, player. Needs to have a lot more going for him than a cult following on here...

Slow, small, not strong overhead (which doesn't stop him demanding the footy despite having taller opponents), can't kick over a jam tin - a small fwd who doesn't score. His only woods are defensive pressure and score assists (maybe). A sign that we are looking to progress will be Charlie not being on the list.

Big bodied mid/winger, not overly quick but good game sense, brave, takes a big mark - Angus Brayshaw anyone?

Howe marked everthing back there largely due to our inability to bring the ball in to our forward's advantage, and because we were pushing a forward up to the contest, leaving our forwards often in an outnumber (compounded by persisting with long bombs into the arc). We continually overlooked changing the angles and using chains into the 50 to disrupt the Pies defence. When we got some mobility and addressed some of those issues in the last quarter, we actually did enough to have won the game - bar the aforementioned brain fades. A lot to like, but not nearly as likeable as beating the Pies on our biggest day of the year and moving within striking distance of the eight.

Given his career trajectory, I have nothing but admiration for Tmac, his longevity in the game, and the outstanding player he has become - seemingly better year on year. He had to endure the horrors of beginning his career at a Club that was a basketcase, struggled on, moved forward, won a flag, then back, and now is probably our most reliable defender in all aspects of the game. I remember going to watch him at an early preseason training session (which might have been at Sandringham) after being drafted, and he looked like the worst kick of a football I had seen for some time (and that was saying a lot in those days!). It was like watching a kick in slow motion, and very few hit the target. Thought he was a dud pick - mind you he was a regular misser of targets game day for some time and a leading generator of groans from the crowd. But fast forward and he deserves his current lofty stats status... not bad for a kid from Edenhope!! Congrats Tommy on your resigning.

JVR stiff - our forward entries hardly encourage our fwds to lead. Fritsch dropped for Turner is a week too late. Fullarton also should have played last week. Let's play some guys with some evidence of form. Johnson should have been a consideration last week too. Goody says we are not going hard enough at it, not enough fight - AJ has a serious crack and unsettles his opponents, and does a fair job giving Max a chop out. I vowed I was not going to watch a team with Spargo in it - what is the ongoing love affair selectors have for Spargo - surely Laurie or Brown have more attributes? Come to think of it, I think I do! Spargs has the Coach, selectors and half his teams mates (those who keep kicking high balls to him when he has an opponent) hypnotised.

Whilst not shying away from the increasingly regular and signicant woes of our midfied (continuously losing clearances is a major recipe for defeat), no-one seems to really consider our long injury list, and how that might have played into our game style plans for this year - we are some way from optimum in terms of available players, and the consequences of having to shift players around who trained a different role over summer to cover holes. We have had around 13 on the injury list most of the season so far (second only to Carlton and Geelong) - not all stars or walk up starts admittedly, but eg losing McVee and probably his understudy in AMW had the magnets coming out in the defence and most likely shifted Rivers and even Lindsay to the backline. And there should be no underestimating the effect of the loss of a couple of our senior 'spiritual' leaders in Brayshaw and ANB - not just leaders but warriors who knew how to do a job and respond when the chips were down. Pickett's absence has highlighted our lack of x factor, highly skilled players. All this instability while blooding young players and trying to implement a different method of ball movement must be a coaching nightmare, and it doesn't take much for confidence to evaporate. Not feeling good about tonight's game....

Billings is no certainty from there...good chance for out of bounds on the full.

Totally agree - there was no need to draw attention to Max's issues - the press didn't instigate this one. Nice of Goody, but not very wise IMO.

Apparently he has indicated he wants to play midfield - may not be a match.

Depends on where you coming from AoB - if you are coming in on the Craigeburn line and don't want to hop trains at North Melbourne you might go Kensington or just continue on to North Melbourne station - 10 minutes walk also.

There is also Kensington Station (Craigeburn line) - both are about a 20 minute walk, but I would suggest Kensington Station might be a slightly easier and more straight forward walk, plus I also believe trains don't always stop at South Kensington...check that.

Great Melbourne man - he and Arthur Wilkinson guarded the change room door like their lives depended on it - should be nominated for the Defenders of Team of the Century! Barry had a gruff demeanour when on duty, but was a lovely bloke. Worked out along the way that he lived just near me on those days, so used to give him the occasional lift home after a game, and got to know him a bit better than just his doorman duties. Generally, Barry took public transport to and from games, making for very long days for him, especially in his later days. One of the old-time good guys, Melbourne through and through. RIP Barry, and condolences to friends and family.

Fritta probably still recovering from last session's Clarrie tackle...

Thanks Ghostwriter - should be a nice day for it...