dee-tox

CHF

Back flank or run with midfielder.

In Ratten's only year at MFC, he had a fit Scott Thompson as our No 1 midfielder and Jeff White as an AA ruck slaying the opposition. Its easy then the midfield coach looks good but in reality how would you know. Thompson went injured, White tired in R18 and MFC were crap. he had an armchair run in the midfield relative to what recent midfield coaches like Rock have had.

Ratten has had such vision at CFC he is 0 and 10.

Our midfield was the worst in the comp because aside from Junior and Jones our best midfield was not on the field.

One player (Thompson) didn't make Melb's midfield. It came from good coaching. Rock and Williams have not been able to replicate or even come close to Ratten's year much the pity.

Thats exactly what I said. Can he actually teach them what he knows? Inspiration is a secondary consideration, but its a consideration nonetheless.

And I know, it's a footy interview. These blokes aren't employed for there linguistic skills and wit. But even so, with some coaches you can actually get a sense that they think about the game a bit differently, perhaps a bit more astutely or with a more innovative approach, just by listening to them speak. Williams doesn't give that impression, but as you say you can't always judge from an interview.

Like I said, he deserves an extra year, but he will need to turn potential into results to win a new contract.

Diablo,

You are spot on again.

I too have doubts as to whether Williams has anything to offer.

First-year coaches need to have a vision, like Brett Ratten did in his one and only year that the players' follow. Last season our midfield was probably the worst in the comp.

Knobs:

Adam Hunter - Perth bogan

Hedland - it's all been said already

Lloyd - once again it's all been said - remember that 'double goal' against us

Tredrea - that bow in the prelim...

Williams (Hawthorn) - deliberately falls over in front of defenders so they give away the free, dumb celebrations after goal

Cooney - soft frontrunner

Aker - first class [censored], thank god we didn't get him, he's shot

Good blokes:

Buckley - genuine good guy, modest, like his style on 3AW

Riewolt - gets targeted every week and really tough, modest

Richo - the most human footballer out there, gives his all

Robert Murphy - classy and has half a brain (a rare commodity in the AFL)

Jonathan Brown - coloussus, straight shooter, seems like a good bloke (you wouldn't want to be on his bad side)

Over-riding factor for me is modesty vs ego-maniacs

If we're doing good blokes then:

1. Brett Kirk - committed, courageous, humble

2, Robert Murphy - son of a preacher man!

3. David Wirrpanda - won awards for helping indigenous community

4. James Bartel - made a good impression Brownlow night

5. James Mc Donald - determined, disciplined, hard working, modest.

slightly off topic, but is anyway able to tell me exactly where the ground is in bendigo where we'll be playing?

many thanks

Well worth the trip to Bendigo. Only an hour and 15 from Melbourne (car and train). The QEO is a superb ground. Come into centre of Bendigo (Pall Mall). Turn left at the historic fountain, go up the hill for 500 metres and you are there. The pub opposite the ground, the Rifle Range, is one of the best pubs you'll ever go to.

Along the lines of the top 5 most hated clubs, Who are your top five most hated players (all teams)?

Mine reads as follows:

1. Dale Thomas - His arrogance gives me the s**ts

2. Chance Bateman - Can't explain this one, perhaps it is because he always plays well against

3. G-Train - That tackle of Carroll's in the 2006 Final is my favourite piece of footage

4. Barry Hall - Even when he has the advantage of umpiring he still has a whinge

5. Dale Thomas - Just because i hate him so much

Lets go:

1 Matthew Lloyd

2 Campbell Brown

3 Spider Everitt

4 Scott Lucas

5 Cam Mooney

You forgot Moloney... Whelan and Rivers are obviously stuffed also...and of course Bruce is out before a ball is bounced

Lucky bunch aren't we

Ah well another rubbish season coming up

The common theme among the injuries are those players (McLean, Whelan, Moloney, Rivers, Bartram and Neitz) who enjoy the physical aspect of the game are regularly injured. The only exception is Junior who had his fair share of problems early in his career.

Is it conditioning that allows the likes of Brett Kirk, Simon Black and Daniel Kerr to stay fit, or just luck?

Lets be honest with ourselves, what can we actually expect from our beloved demons this year?

I am sick of hearing how bad we are compared to everyone else.. and how we have nothing..... i wanna see the boys pull something out....... we have talent.... we just need them to show how good they actually are.......... Do we have any chance of proving ourselves?

We won't be the best but we won't be the worst either. All three lines, defence, midfield and forward line worry me. The return of Rivers, Moloney and a fit and firing Yze will help. However, question marks still hang over Whelan, Bartram and now Bruce. I'm expecting big things from Bate, McLean, Sylvia, Garland, Dunn and Petterd but we need 22 hardworking contributions every game.

Mark us down for nine wins, perhaps a couple more if Neitz and Robbo steer clear of injuries.

I remember reading in the newspaper years ago about a bunch of Dee supporters who meet annually and award the “The Andy Moir Medal” for the worst performed player.

Does anyone know of them or if they still exist?

Andy Moir was a decent player!Wore number 29 from memory and burst onto the scene kicking five in only hissecond or third game. A new award i needed!