Vagg

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

The only worry is the small, speedy defender. Even though Medhurst was held very well by Frawley, it would be great to see one of Bartram, Bell, Bennell, Jetta or Bail step up to be an absolute first-rate small defender for locking down the dangerous crumber. I've not included Strauss as I'm thinking more of that lock-down than the attacking defender role I expect will dominate Strauss' career.

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

Funny thing about ruckmen at Melbourne. They all seem to do better going solo as Jimmy and Jeff White did before the Russian.

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...)

Hi Vagg, we champion half forward flankers must think alike! I don't think Bennell shirked it. I believe he heard a call from Newton to leave it and as a result he half pulled out of the marking contest. That's how it came over on foxtel anyway. It seems everyone has forgotten about his very COURAGEOUS mark in the goal square where he could have easily head butted the goal post. No, no mention of that one from his knockers. He had a quiet first half, but in the second he was very, very good. He will be a great player for us.

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!

I think to expect no mistakes from such a young, inexperienced side is a little harsh. They played their guts out on Saturday and it was good to watch. The skills and decision making will come in time, but you can't teach determination. Sure, be upset with a loss, but take heart in the fact that even at the start of our rise, we're taking it to the better sides. I can't wait for next week.

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!

200 games. Well done Brad Green. Timed it well for Collingwood.

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.

Good post ,Barrie Vagg. It doesn't worry me when ephemeral supporters throw in the towel after one game . Such fickle people will shamelessly jump back inboard when we have a surprise win! And that might not be too far off.

When our moment of triumph eventually comes,the faithful, loyal supporters will derive more joy than those who mercilessly pan our young team in adversity.

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

73% of us tipped the Hawks this week.

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...!)

I'd have got 7 (I never tip against the Dees)

Good man! Honour before riches, I say!

(Andy, take a leaf from this noble person's book!)

I would have gotten 8.

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...!

If the players arent going to play with pride and put in the minimum effort we expect then why should we pay them the respect of staying and watching the rubbish they serve up. No one expect us to be world beaters but we expect minimum effort, intensity and professionalism. I have no issue with supporters leaving early from a game like Saturdays.

I suppose you expect people to also clap the players off the field after such a weak effort? We as supporters are not here to soley serve the players, we deserve some respect in return for our emotional and monetary contributions.

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!!!!!

... Forward line is the obvious question mark.

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

Obviously, they think Gibson is twice the player Croad was or they've given Gibson a licence to cover a great deal of the Hawk defence to compensate for the fact that the cops took away his driver's licence .

Love it!

While we're on a trivial note, I see 10 of our 22 have first names starting with "J". Add to that "J"amar, and fully half our team are "J"s. Significance? Absolutely none. Just thought I'd throw it out there.

On a serious note, I reckon, on paper, that's a pretty good side -- at least heaps of potential. Kinda feel the three emergencies are all stiff to miss out, as is Cheney. And, given the number of walk-up starters who are missing due to injury, there is definitely a healthy competition for the spots.

Now, just to turn all that potential into some winning form!

Go dees!

Quite the bravado there, sir!

We'll see who forgets to put their tips in the most come seasons' end....

Forget to put your tips in...??!!!

Me thinks that might be the tipsters' version of tanking! LOL

Just joined, and expecting to finish stone motherless.

Good news, Dr!! As I've joined, you'll now get to be SECOND last...! lol

Ok. I'm in.

I'm really hoping Beamer will have an outstanding, injury-free season, leading from the front in the mid-field, and will put his hand up at the end of the season as our logical next captain. The guy absolutely loves the red & blue (has done so all his life), and is already an acknowledged leader at the club.

Mind you, I wouldn't be too upset if either Davey or Rivers got the nod, either, as it would mean they had a standout season 2010.

But, Beamer's my sentimental favourite for the job at the moment...