rpfc

What is the ultimate achievement? Two flags? Next year we should be better, of course, it goes without saying. But our best players will still be toddlers. The next part isn't directed at BB, as such. 2010 could be 12 wins or 7 wins, and let's not be daft - it matters when those wins come. If they come early he will get an extension quickly. If they come on the middle of the season, Bailey will fight off some pressure and get a couple more years. And if they come at the end of the season, Sean Wellman will be coaching those wins. One year to go from the spoon to respectibility with a young group is a lot of pressure. Give him 2011 aswell. Give him an extension before 2010.

We need elite players. People can make their own judgements about those we have on our list but Prendergast has to forget about 'needs' and go with the kids he reckons can be elite.

Fair enough. But I wouldn't be surprised if (hopefully only) 3 good wins in the final 9 games earns a year extension. Call it intuition, but I can see it happening.

And what if we get an artificially tough draw like we have from Rd 6 on (and this is what I was refering to BB59): Geel, WC (Subi), WB, Haw, St K, Coll, Ess (Etihad) and BL (Gabba)? It would slam pressure onto Bailey because it is 8 losses in a row in a contract year. It would effectively force the issue and he would be gone - improvement or not. It is only a year extension. A number of you think next year is make or break for the MFC, I don't believe that at all. Our talent is out of the last two drafts and this one coming, they will still be developing in 2010.

A dominant Watts would be a short-cut, but I agree. I don't know whether Moloney, Jones, and McLean can play in the same team (difficult to say now because they get no help in the middle), but we might, and I stress might, look at trading Jones. But I doubt it.

Good detective work. He must be 50/50 proposition. Hasn't been great, his delivery forward has been especially awful, but I don't believe the coaching staff is ready to rule him finished just yet...

I don't. He is 19 and has had a quiet last month, but would be in the top 6 in the Bluey right now... At 19. Why can't people just enjoy the development of our young players? I wrote off Garland and look at him, same with Frawley... They will look awful at times, and yes Freak, they will kick poorly at times, but Morton has shown more than enough at this stage.

Will we? What if we got a horror run like this year from Rd 6 to 12? We've given him 3 years, just give him a year extension at the end of this year. And I don't post this often: RR is absolutely correct in post #76 in this thread.

You, and GC17, may think that but with the inability to give contracts until October 2010 there will not be as many OOC, and therefore, as much talent as they would like. And I believe Petterd to be a very good prospect. Broke out in his first season on a HBF and has been tried everywhere since. Kicking hasn't been great this year, but I think he has got better in him. Put him in the midfield.

But was three years ever enough to turn around the list he was given? I have already said that finals aren't out of the question next year but also 15 losses isn't out of the question. This is why I believe another year should be put on his contract at the end of this year. I just think that, with the best talent being out of the past 2 drafts (Morton, Grimes, Maric, Cheney, Martin, Watts, Blease, Strauss, Bennell, Jetta, and Jurrah) and the next draft (possibly Scully), 2010 shouldn't be a make-or-break year. As good as this talent looks, they might not begin to impose themselves on games until 2011. That is not to say they won't contribute, but 10+ wins requires this group of players to do more than contribute.

Oh, OK then. Didn't know... He's got the Frightened Footballer gene in his DNA... Maybe a plasma transfusion will do it...

Leigh Matthews Nixon - "What I'm saying is if Leigh Matthews says it, it's not stupid." If you didn't get that joke, I understand.

I believe we average 32 clearances to the oppositions' 36. So we are doing ok in that department, but the delivery of the mids, and the crippling lack of run - manifesting in the 3rd quarter - is why the midfield is the greatest concern - over and above our forward setup.

Good for you, CB. You're on record here, too. It'll be bumped the next time either has a shocking patch of form but I have to say I was pleasantly suprised with the ability of both players to calm down and think things through. Jurrah should have had 3 if others knew how to shepard and Watts could have kicked a couple more if he hadn't gone unnoticed. I really think, at this early stage, that Bate and Sylvia kicking to Jurrah and Watts can make a very productive attack.

You have to give credit to Leigh though. Not many would sit down with H.

He's played only a handful of games and has started as well as any small backman at the Dees since Wheels. Smart, strong, neat kick. I just don't see what you're seeing.

With respect to Lloyd and Jones, I doubt anyone would take their views seriously. As for Gleeson, this passage grates with me on several levels - "The question is whether Melbourne was actually playing to this game plan in recent weeks, or if, because of the shocking skill level displayed, it is fair to even presume the Demons know what their game plan is." This is blatantly editorialising in his 'news' story, and feels the views of Lloyd and Jones require some oomph in the form of a strange attack on the players ability to understand what Bailey wants them to do. Poor skills = Unknown Gameplan - Gleeson Poor skills = Poorly skilled players & poor decisions - rpfc

Agree.

I reckon Cale being placed in the forward line is a tad premature, he doesn't have the build for it at the moment and we really cannot afford to have Watts and Morton in the same forward line. I do, however, believe that when his body fills out he could play a 'Richo' type role running to both ends of the ground and kicking a few goals and stopping a few goals, rather than what wingers do these days - being a simple link player across the midfield. Martin could also be groomed for this, if a position in the backline isn't there for him.

Just one thing: Every show that mentions his 'readiness,' or lack thereof, show the clip of him being brought down by Alwyn Davey. Experienced men get taken down by Alwyn Davey... I saw it as a positive when I saw the picture that showed Jack getting a handball away as he was being tackled. Showed a bit of strength and a quick mind.

Yes, AND players willing to run and risk to get the ball forward. They seize up so easily in the third and Bailey has to get his senior players to do something about it or look past them and put the responsibility into the hands of players that will try to win the game rather than avoid losing. We can make our own judgements about which players don't shrink when the opposition is pressing.

You are either of the belief that he is seldom wrong, or that he can fuel the media narrative. Or you're joking...

I don't want him coddled. If his schooling is piling up, by all means give him time off. My personal view is the Lions game will be tough but then he will have G games against WCE and PA. He will be more comfortable, the fans will be on his side and he can be coddled that way. Play him the next three games, rest him for Geelong and Sydney and bring him back if appropriate (managable schooling and form).

I think you mean 'drivel.' In terms of games, I think you're asking far too much, far too soon. If we are talking wins, then 2010 I hope (and believe) that 7-12 wins is a possibility. If we are talking playing the gameplan properly you should get a copy of the Richmond, WCE, WB, or the first half of the Saints game to see how well this young team can move the ball throught the corridor with daring and precision. I am not a pessimist but I know we are the worst team in the AFL. I beleive we can make significant strides in the last 10 games with fixtures against WCE, PA, Rich, Freo, and NM being winnable (if not wholly desired wins), and in the summer to build some bodies, get over some injuries, and bring in some more talent.

Not a useless stat at all, it's very enlightening. Our third quarters have been pathetic. My view on this, as I've posted many times, is that we seize up after HT because each player doesn't want to be the one to take the game on lest he screw up and it hurts the other way. What that does is give the opposition the upper hand with our lack of run and daring play; leaves us (the defence) constantly under the pump and they give up goals. I really want to see more confidence in the older boys eyes after HT when they run onto the field and instead of a mantra of worrying about your direct man, tell the players to go out there and win the game and get to the footy before their direct opposition.