rpfc

THIS is how you average 10 posts a day... Jeez, HT. Come on. Sylvia in the Leadership group?! WTF?!

You really need to read the first line of that quote of mine. Jones, Moloney, McLean, and the rest of the midfield need to work on kicking the ball to the right side of contests, this can be rectified in training, and certainly over the summer. It is interesting to look at who are the most effective at kicks into the forward 50: Jones has 43 Inside 50s and 8 assists. Sylvia has 42 and 11. Moloney has 41 and 7. Bate has 36 and 16. Davey has 31 and 15. McLean has 28 and 8. So while McLean's ratio, in turning thrusts forward into scores, is not as good as Davey or Bate (add to that his 14 goals and it shows him in a much better light than popular opinion) it is still better than Jones and Moloney. Needless to say, all three have to deliver the ball better.

Making a decision in Sept/Oct will bring the distraction of endless speculation. High Tower wants a decision early in the year, but what if the decision is to move on. Bailey does the hard work, puts up with our crap and leaves a much better list than the one he took over? Footy doesn't care about fairness, but I don't three years is long enough to garauntee a cull, rebuild, and drastic improvement. I think 12 wins is possible, but equally 6 wins is possible, how many wins, and to what stage, has Bailey earnt another contract? My personal view is that he should get a year extension at the end of this year. Giving him two years to show that the last two years of rebuild were worth the pain.

I am much less concerned with Bate and McLean than the rest of you. McLean must improve his delivery to the forwards but his output has been fantastic in the last three games: averaging 12 kicks, 12 handballs, 4 tackles, 7 clearances, 3 Inside 50s, and 10 contested possesions in that time. Bate over the past month has also been very good: averaging 17 disposals, 7 marks (2 contested), 2 goals, 7 contested possesions, and 5 Inside 50s. They both have had quiet patches this year - Bate recalled his to ABC radio after Monday's game, denying to Parkin that he has had a good 2009, describing his year as "up and down." These two are quickly turning their 2009 into a positive year if they continue their recent form.

Except one of those kids is fearless, selfless, and is a leader of men. Oh, and he just cleaned up the best kid... I think even he forgets this sometimes, we all know we do - Brad Miller can play good footy. Besides being a forward in our team is not easy; the mids don't get it down there enough and don't deliver it well.

I don't like it. The players will have FA soon. That's as much change as we can handle at the minute.

I just hope that everyone understands (who agrees that '4 or less' is the way to go) that Bailey will have won at most 7 games from 44 attempts, and will enter the last year of his contract. As patience is already leaking away, I hope that everyone here who is hoping for the '7 from 44' realise that you can't just lose 54 games from 66 attempts and suddenly become world beaters (putting aside the fact that I have already predicted 12 wins in 2010). What will earn him another contract? When will it be renewed (end of 2009, midseason 2010, end of 2010)? Questions to ponder...

I am with Hannabal, I have no idea whether Bailey can coach. Our best players are toddlers. Add to that the fact that our midfield can be selfish (with their run) and stupid (with their delivery) and you have the worst team in the AFL.

This was mentioned on D'Ology and I think it has some credibility as a thought: With all of Essendon's indigenous boys, the Dees could make it a special night by recalling Bennell and Jetta, and giving Jurrah his debut. I understand the desire not to 'give' games to players but I believe all three could claim to improve the selected side (not that difficult after Monday I guess). We could use some speed across the middle - Bennell, and some speed up forward - Jurrah and Jetta. Jones, PJ, Maric, and Bell out for the three boys and Miller. Let's showcase some young talent on Friday Night Football...

Adding to my previous post, and touching on Hannabal's post slightly: I still believe, even after the debacle of Monday, that we can win 12 games next year. The players have improved their ability to perform the gameplan considerably over summer, and with continued improvement on that front, and non-stop skill work, I think we can return to the finals in 2010. There is no real point in coming out and saying this, other than give hope to those who have heard nothing but doom-and-gloom from many posters, friends, and family members.

Wow. I think some of you are disconnected from our immediate past and are overreacting to an awful display on Monday. 2008 was filled with Monday-esque performances and we are much, much better than we showed on Monday. The Dogs game was the soon-in-the-future norm and Monday was the slip-back-into-bad-habits shocker that always hits teams in our position. McLean will a good player. He has averaged 7 clearances over the last three weeks against great opposition. Bate is still improving, and everyone in the forward line will get better when the delivery comes in with more quantity and quality. The midfield needs to improve that. That improvement will come from the improved form of Morton, Davey, and Jones and the improved delivery of Moloney, McLean, Green, and Bruce (all of whom have delivered the ball better in the past than they have this year). The improvement will also come from the inclusion, over time, of potential long-term First 18 players in Buckley, Batram, Miller, Petterd, Garland, Meesen, McNamara, Wonaeamirri, Martin, Jetta, Spencer, Bennell, Valenti, Strauss, Blease, Jurrah, and McKenzie. The sky is not falling. It fell in 2008 and its still retreating upwards, althought it stalled momentarily on Monday afternoon.

You are on the money with everything except the part about Newton. He will be here next year and he will get his opportunity but Miller showed on the weekend with his dominant display after a slow start that he isn't as skillful as Newton, but he is a far better player. If Newton came in I would give the same reason for his underperformance that I give to Robertson, Bate, Petterd, Jetta, and Miller - the ball is not down there enough, nor is it delivered well enough. About 20 less Inside 50s than the Saints, 15 less than the Pies, etc. Newton is lucky he is not in the team at the moment, he wouldn't get near it as a deep forward (Sylvia has had to push up hard to get his many touches). If he was playing I dare say it would only serve those of us who think he isn't good enough.

Vulnerable players (A quiet last month): PJ, Macca, Bell, Morton, and Whelan. Inconsistent, but good of late: Bate, Jones, McLean, and Maric. Don't jump down my throat about Morton, he has had a quiet 3 weeks and may need a break or a run for Casey. OUT: To play for Casey in the bye - PJ and Bell. Against Essendon Chances to come in: Miller, Dunn, Jurrah, Newton, Petterd, Jetta, Bennell, Batram, and Martin. Wholesale changes are unlikely... My guess 10 days out... IN: Miller, Dunn, OUT: PJ, Bell,

But we have not been as bad as we were today. We are the worst team in the comp but we are half way through the season and we have had 1 of "these" games. Last year we had about 6 or 7. We are not what we showed out there today.

The only positive is that there have been few days like that this season. And this is why I keep telling some of you that we are the worst team in the league. Took a couple steps backward today, but we are ahead on the year.

That's what journalism used to be filled with - quotes, facts, etc. Not opinion and the following statement which will call the Mark Robinson Dysfunction "There are people who say..." Or the lazy sh!t that is done from time-to-time where the 'article' is a simple dictation from the tape of the interview - Robinson also does this. Off track slightly, I just think that there are many people trying to get a position like his and he remains in his position by the grace of an unholy god that cares nothing for standards or karma. Vent over.

We are last. No-one is being carried, there are no lifters - we have won one game. And if there are lifters, you can count them on one hand. It would be one hell of a clean-out to get rid of those 'who are being carried.' I want Miller to show Watts how to be a professional footy player. I also believe Miller can be a good HFF in a good team, which is what we all hope we may become soon.

That doesn't make sense. But Bailey is giving him a go to see whether his PS form meant significant improvement. Both Valenti and Bell will find it difficult to get a contract for 2010, but Bell would be behind Valenti at this stage. And BTW, Bailey royally screwed Valenti with his one game a few weeks ago. He's doing a good job IMO, but that was pointless. Give blokes a month to have a look at them in our state. Even Newton.

Just because Miller got dropped does not mean the Dees don't think he can 'cut it.' Petterd was dropped but I think he can be a great midfielder. I really think people see being dropped as the worst form of rejection in the AFL; 'a kick in the guts' it may be, but not the end of the world, or career...

I doubt Colin could write an article... It's what she got out of him that makes it a good article. If she didn't quote him it would be an op-ed and there are too many of those IMO. As for Colin, I'm glad he realises that it is a work in progress. Many here have already lauded his 'return' after kicking four goals against the Hawks. Miles to go before he sleeps...

You're right. He has good pace in a straight line, which is why he is good on a lead. But his lateral movement is limited and that is why he cannot play on a wing, or at least should not, before Morton, Davey, et al. Persist with HFF - even FF - while we are developing but forget about him being a midfielder.

I believe that some of you need to look at a nuanced view of particular players in regard to our flag tilt. Miller and Bate are NOT good enough to play CHF in a flag. That is a true statement, but they are certainly good enough to play roles in our forward line as we chase that flag. Each player has his weaknesses and positives: Miller - He isn't a footballer, but is a leader of men, and his work ethic is second to none (don't patronise the term, some show it more than others). And he is good enough to play at AFL level. If Watts learns from Miller to develop his body and give as much a Miller does off the ball he will become the kind of player what we all hope for. Bate - He is a tweener. Neither a KPP or a wingman (due to his glacial pace), but he is a footy player in the way he thinks and moves. He his a fantastic lead up player, but requires very good delivery to kick his three or four goals a game. Newton - He is a taller Robbo without the determination. He is slowly turning that around with a solid month of footy (tackling and chasing) but his body is what worries me. He is not cut at all, Bate is bigger than Newton in the arms and spent his first few years in the midfield. I cannot see him usurping others mentioned to be apart of our forward line in a few years time. Jurrah - He is a promising prospect and chasing and tackling looks second nature to him. I hope he embraces the summer gym work and if he does, he will give himself a chance of being an importnat part of our forward line. Robertson - This will be his ultimate, or penultimate, year at the MFC. He won't be around for a flag. Watts - He is in the same boat as Jurrah with regard to summer gym work. I really hope he looks to Miller and develops the same desire to get the most out of his body and himself.

Anyone who gets 8 clearances against the Hawks and then backs it up against the Saints with another 8 is a very good player. A captain needn't be the best player - only someone in a position to affect a game and his teammates. As an aside, many of us have gotten past the idea of 'McLean as Judd' meme that has permeated the minds of Dees supporters since his promising 2006 season. He, as you said, is valuable for his accumulation of possessions and his inside work. Both, of late, has been exceptional. He is not our dynamic inside/outside midfielder that can run the lines and go forward and kick a goal. And that's OK, we will find one somewhere else. I'm looking in the direction of Maric, Petterd, Bennell, Wonaeamirri, Buckley, Jones, or perhaps someone in the next draft?

Casey scorp would probably say that looking for games in Casey is a good way of expanding but, I am not sure about that. What I am sure of is that there are no families in the city. No kids means no future members, which means it is pointless to spend time with the Melbourne City Council.

I believe we have had a few threads on the subject of Casey in the past year... This is a god-send. Even if we never play a game out there, the benefits of getting involved in the area are something we would not have by embracing our traditional home at the G and the city. There are no kids in the city, no families, and that is where you maintain where we are at, and begin to grow to where we used to be - by winning over kids and families in a growing area of greater Melbourne. The facilities are a bonus, and casey scorp can reel off (as he has done a few times) the fantastic set-up that Casey have already got down at Casey Fields. The future of the MFC has some sort of security with this foothold in Casey.