Vagg

Yeah, I'm with you, Chook. Wouldn't be at all surprised to see that as the bench. Would love to see Cheney squeeze back into the line-up, too. But, doubt it'll happen this week. Won't hurt Scully to have a run in the 2's. He just doesn't seem to quite be up with the pace just yet. But, I'm sure it won't take him long.

Excellent post, Dandeeman! Well said...! Go Dees!

Just do WHAT to you...?? (Sounds naughty! LOL) Tell me how to do it, and I'll happily oblige. (Just don't tell me Missus!) (Sorry. I'm a bit of a novice to all but the basics on this site. Might Host it, but wouldn't have a clue how it works! LOL)

Yeah, okay, Deb. You drive a hard bargain. Count me in...

Yeah, I too saw a much more committed Newton these past two games. He really looked like he wanted to be there, and make an impact, unlike so many of his appearances in previous years, where he seemed to run around a bit like a headless chook. But, for his size, he should be presenting as the leading, marking forward, and kicking goals. Would love him to really turn the corner and become something special. Here's hoping...!

Good to see Johnson back on the track, too...

Can probably add Cheney to that list, too...

Not sure about that in the case of Jimmy. Undoubtedly HE preferred to be the sole ruckman. But, have to say I reckon Melb was a MUCH better team when Strawbs O'Dwyer and Jimmy went into the team together. Strawbs was a great knock ruckman, while Jimmy was great around the ground. Think when they were both in the team together, we won more games than we lost. (At least that's the way my fading memory recalls it...)

Not sure if this has already been touched on. Apologies if it has. But, I couldn't help but be impressed with the versatility of Frawley & MacDonald. I've always considered Frawley to be a big, KPP. But, if I understand it correctly (only having seen the game on TV), apparently Frawley played on Medhurst pretty much entire game. I'd think Medhurst would be considered "small, crumbing forward". Yet, our big man completely blanketed him, and pretty much kept him out of the game. Not bad for what I'm sure many would consider a mis-match that Medhurst would be expected to win. Wha's more, Joel MacDonald was on Leigh Brown for much of the game. In his case, he gave up several cms and considerable bulk, and yet outpointed the big man on many occasions. With Garland to return, also reknowned for his ability to play both small & tall, me thinks we should be pretty happy with that part of the ground. (Not forgetting Rivers & Warnock...)

Yes, Bobby, well said. That near miss with the goal post was a close thing. Yeah, I kinda think my name sake (the REAL one!) would be happy to see Jamie line up in his old spot on the half forward flank again next week. Go Dees!

Very easy for us armchair "experts" to accuse the kid of "shirking it". I'm not convinced that's what happened. Just because he didn't take the mark between the Collingwood players doesn't prove he chickened out. He was very good yesterday. Give him a break, and leave the belittling of our players to opposition supporters!

Good post, Powser85. Couldn't agree more. Like everyone else I was gutted at the end result. BUT, what I saw yesterday gave me great heart. What killed us was the basic, skill errors. But, that will come in time. And, to think, even with the skill errors, we still out-played the early premiership favourite for pretty much the entire 4 quarters! The boys gave their all yesterday, and showed a great deal. I also feel Bennell has been treated harshly. He added a lot to our forward line yesterday, and that incident where the "experts" claim he shirked it is a rough call. Could just as easily be put down do a skill error. He went for the ball, and he failed to mark it. Shirking or a basic execution error? Personally, I'll give the kid the benefit of the doubt. Anyway, as I posted last week, we have a LOT to look forward to...!

Yeah. After all the hype about Jolly's big arrival at Collingwood, was great to see Jamar take him apart. Not only did Jamar kill him (and Fraser) in the ruck, he also killed him around the ground. Think Jolly had a single, solitary kick, and that was because another player had to go off with the blood rule and couldn't take his kick. In contrast, Jamar did some very good stuff around the ground. Just a pity he didn't nail that goal. Would've brought the house down! Jamar stood tall, yesterday, and was clearly the best ruckman on the ground, by a country mile. The Russian has arrived!

Yes, a glorious victory, against all the odds, over the old enemy would, indeed, be a fitting way to crown his 200th! A wonderful servant of the club over many years...!

Miller has shown heaps of potential for several years now. Brings back memories of both Steve Smith and Gary Hardeman. Both floundered around on the half forward line for interminable periods of time. Both showed heaps of potential, but nothing much more. Then, they were switched to the back line (Smith to full back and Hardeman to CHB), and they both became champions of the club. I would so love the same story line to play out for one Bradley Miller.

Thanks, Jumping Jack. Nice to know I'm not the lone Ranger...

Traitors all! Rotten to the core! It is time for men (& women) of honour to stand and be counted. (Oops! Guess they have, and at last count it was a mere 27%!! Oh dear...!)

Good man! Honour before riches, I say! (Andy, take a leaf from this noble person's book!)

Andy!! Of all people! Our fearless leader... You tipped against the Dees...??!!! Shock, horror, and SHAME, SHAME, SHAME!!! Obviously no loyalty around in such a cut-throat, win at any cost mentality! (LOL)

There's gotta be a reason why he's still on the list (albeit as a Rookie). Obviously, the Football Dept sees something there. I, for one, would love to see the kid finally get it all together and make a positive impact in our team. Still dreaming...

I've got a good feeling about this kid. Does his attack on the ball remind anyone of Matty Whelan?

Yeah, Redleg. In spite of all the doom & gloomers, I still reckon the future looks good...!

I’m with Inner Demon on this one. Yes, the team’s performance on Saturday failed miserably to live up to our expectations. It was, indeed, a bitter disappointment. But, to imply our boys did not put in “minimum effort, intensity and professionalism” is not fair on the boys. Certainly, they did not match it with the superior Hawthorn outfit. But, I have no doubt they all put in the best they could. That wasn’t good enough. We expected better. And, I have every confidence they WILL get better. I also have every confidence that any player who deserves a good kick up the rear will receive it. In spite of the disappointment, I refuse to join the ranks of the “sooks” who can’t stand the bad bits. Unfortunately, life (and footy included) chucks up both the good and the bad. In my close to 57 years of following the Mighty Dees, there have been a whole lot more bads than goods. But, I have NEVER walked out on the team before the final siren. In fact, living most of my life away from Melbourne, I’ve had few opportunities to attend a live match. And some of those I have been able to get to have been very sad occasions. But, I never remotely thought about leaving early. I also have never turned off the TV before the end of a game. I support the Might Dees through thick and thin. Always have. Always will. So, yes, the sun rose again this morning. And, in a few days another challenge awaits our beloved Dees. In fact, it’s the old foe, Collingwood. I have every confidence the team will rise to the occasion. And, I expect us to win. (Yes, I expect the Dees to win EVERY game, no matter how bad they have been performing in the previous games. That’s just the way I am…) Sorry about this. It’s just the ramblings of an old, sentimental fool (albeit a passionate Dees supporting old fool!) GO DEES!!!!!

True. But, if all six players I have named above in the forward lines were fit, had another 50 games experience, and played to their full potential, I reckon we would be in for some real excitement. I guess only time will tell. In the meantime, it's nice to be able to speculate about what's (or is that "watts" lol) possible...!

Just for a bit of fun, I thought I would throw together a line up based on the players on our list who are NOT in tomorrow's 22. Personally, I think this "other" team shows that our side has heaps of potential, and indicates our depth will be good, going forward. Would love your thoughts... B: Garland McNamara Cheney HB: Bail Martin Bell C: Gysberts Morton Blease HF: Jetta Watts Wonaeamirri F: Jurrah Johnson Maric R: Meeson Tapscott Sylvia Int: Gawn, Fitzpatrick, Bartram, Newton