rpfc

I don't think that Bailey could have done much, such was the poor effort of his players. But it won't matter who is to blame if it doesn't get better against Freo down here and the hapless Dogs. If I had to make the decision right now, it wouldn't be good for Bailey or our leadership group. Luckily for all at the club they have 11 games left to salvage their pride and positions.

Point number three contradicts your last line. We harassed the bombers and created turnovers in our forward 50. But we didn't the hunger against the pies. Just on what Bailey said - he mentioned he is most disappointed with the fluctuations with the application and effort of the players from week to week, shown in the contested possies. A different coach may engender more consistency. But that doesn't excuse Green and our senior players.

The plan to isolate Rivers was helped by the 40 more Inside 50s... And Garland will help that structure quite a bit.

He signed an initial three year contract instead of the regulation two-year contract that Scully signed. He still comes out of contract next year.

Or he doesn't have to give a crap about nervous supporters? If he stays I don't care if he makes the decision tomorrow or in October. Distractions are best not looked at.

Please... I don't care about finals, we wouldn't win one so who cares? I want to work through this rollercoaster in the latter half of the season and set-up 2012.

I'm hard on Morton cause I know what he can do. Bennell played a defensive game today, and that's great. But being a selfless team player means helping out in attack too.

Yeah, that's the go. I hope Jamar is fit... Morton and Bennell have to do something against Fremantle.

Can I just say that the fans calling up having a go at Schwarta were infuriating. They asked him rhetorical questions, surrounding his loyalty to the club. Ugh. I would like to know something he won't answer - and that is about his sources. He mentioned people at the club - if the club were convinced of Tom's decision to leave, they would not play him. He mentioned people at GWS - those who have a vested interest in having a figure like David state the 'truth' as he put it. He mentioned some people in the AFL industry - I know some people in the AFL industry, they know little, and give contradictions in the space of a week (ie. Maher and his 'trying to get out of a HoA' rumour). If people are swayed by David, I really can't see why. I'm sorry, I just trust a 19 year old more to tell me about his life than the soft, alluring voices on the other end Schwarta's iPhone...

The guy can't play, or at least hasn't shown any form, as a mid/winger this season. If he is to stay in our best 22 (I can't believe I am writing that about our captain...ugh) it will be as a forward. Simple as that. And the worst thing is his body language - FCS, Brad, get your head up, stop playing for frees and demand more of yourself and those around you. And get Brent to shut up at the breaks or give him the captaincy - there is no room for more than one voice with this group.

So who do we believe, people? The kid? Or the unnamed, impeccable sources that have no agenda?

Another leader coming from a low base. If he continues his form then that is great but as he concedes - he isn't a natural leader. He is contributing and I hope it continues.

You can't replace your best players. Garland is down, and where is Warnock? There is your answer. And Wonna is vulnerable sure, but he is a talent and should be given more time.

If we keep Warnock as depth (ugh) then who do we delist? Bate, Dunn, and Warnock are vulnerable and on the list. Remember Newton is a rookie. Other vulnerable players are Maric, Fitzpatrick, and Strauss. And Nicholson and Evans are pushing for spots...

One of our own? He's a half-journo (the half is because he doesn't actually find out anything, but he talks a enormous amount... there's plenty around). And Nasher is alluding to this pathetic call to 'look at compensation because he is gone' mindset that is purely designed to lessen the blow if he decides to leave. And is there such a thing as an 'isolated rumour?'

Damaging the club? It's just damaging the nervous mindset of Melbourne supporters, and I don't really care about those Melbourne supporters anymore. They can doubt a 19 year old all they like, but they should know that the are the ones hurting their club by buying into the BS.

This is the mindset of a confident Melbourne supporter. Everyone should calm down and ask themselves whether they believe the person they hope will be a great of this club. Do you believe in Tom? I believe.

Yeah, we were. And when the siren went we didn't have the priority pick... It's amazing how Melbourne can wring their hands so hard over a few experiments in one game against Richmond that Jordan McMahon won after the siren...

I really hope no-one thinks this if we win on Monday. 'Lack of depth'? Jeez... They have no Jolly, Swan, Thomas, or Beams. You cannot replace your best players. That is why we have a chance, not because our 'so, so special depth.'

If you are not strong enough to take a person at their word, that is your problem, not any of ours who still think we are a chance to keep Tom at the Dees.

More rumours? Great. Still not going to call Tom a liar. He says he hasn't signed anything, I expect him to sign for Melbourne.

Here, here. As for the OP, I really don't know how someone goes from not rating a bloke and then saying he played a good game, and then saying the game against the premiers rests on his shoulders. Strange brain logic.

Scully and Trengove will win a few flags together I reckon. And what will that make them? Big. Damn. Heroes.

Smart boy. He would be seeing a smaller contract than a 4th year no.4 pick would normally see. Let's hope he gets a better contract handed to him in September because it will mean he has turned his form around.

I realise that this is one game in but I liken Howe more (on how we moves) to a lead-up CHF/HFF. See him more as a smarter version of Miller with better skills. I think the Dunn, Bate and Newton experiment may be drawing to a close. Bate is paying the price for his lack of pace and fluctuating confidence, Dunn is paying the price for doing nothing for approx. 5 years of his stay here, and Newton is paying the price for being Newton. Moving back to Howe, if he can do that role, as he did very well last week, Watts is freed up to do whatever it is that Bailey wants him to do - hopefully not loose man in defence...