Whispering_Jack

For the first half of last night's game I couldn't help thinking that Carlton looked very similar to Melbourne in the opening game of the season last year against Brisbane. They had problems at the stoppages, skills poor and they couldn't score going wide into the forward line. The commentators were kind to them with most saying that the team needed time to adapt to Mick's altered game plan. At some stage in the third quarter, all that changed and the game became an open shoot out which suited Carlton's more experienced players like Judd, Murphy and Gibbs who all came to the fore (luckily for MM, he's got the cattle for that sort of thing) and they ended up pushing Richmond all the way. In doing so, Malthouse compromised the game plan he's trying to instil into the team so it's ironic that some of the commentators were talking of how well he coached. He certainly nearly got his team up for a win but next week, he's back to square one.

It's frustrating for those of us who would like to see him on what we perceive as "the straight and narrow" that we don't even know what's the right thing to do or whether we're even entitled to give our opinion without sounding patronising. Every time I read something about Liam, I see him more and more as an exile who would be far better off in Melbourne with people like his (former?) mentor around him but I don't know if that's right either. However, it seems to me that as long as he remains in Alice Springs or in Adelaide, he's always going to remain exposed and prone not only to trouble but potentially to tragedy as well. They say that he still harbours dreams of playing AFL but everything he does while living over there ensures that the dream gets pushed further and further away with every passing day. Former AFL footballer Liam Jurrah arrested again in Alice Springs

Can anyone see the team lining up as selected?

The game is being played on Sunday so I would imagine the squad will contain 25 players, three of who will be left out as emergencies. Therefore the 7 new players "record" may not eventuate.

I would have nominated Dean Bailey as coach of that team but I believe he's unable to carry out that function for some reason.

I was surprised the Tigers didn't pick Vlastuin (their first round pick) because, from all accounts, he was travelling well. They also have a handful of players from other clubs who they picked up this year and haven't selected which indicates they're hoping to use that depth later to overcome the inconsistency in their performances last year at times when injury struck. Carlton, on the other hand, barely did any recruiting at the end of last year due to salary cap issues. They're hoping that the new coaching regimen will swing the necessary changes to get them back up the ladder. If Carlton win I will completely lose faith in the law of averages. As for the MFC, I understand that it's as rare as hen's teeth to see teams win in the opening round if they have more than four new players. We should have at least that number.

Somebody should tell Peter Gordon that the AFL's first language is telling porky pies. His comments are refreshing and honest but go against the grain of what leadership in football is all about. He should listen to the AFL's explanation of the outcome of the tanking investigation to get a handle on how leaders in this sport should communicate. On the other hand, I think Neeld steered a fairly middle of the road path, telling it more or less how it is without exposing the warts. As always, the bookies who have us pegged at the bottom four or five have just about got it pegged right. If he can lift us above that level this year then he's steering the ship on the right course.

Looks OK to me. You realise that if RR replaces the Mike Tyson pic in the OP with this banana custard pie, it could swing the entire poll in favour of Voldemort.

I've decided to go for the Pie in the Face option - and you can add me as a contender if you think I've spoiled your fun I do understand completely that there was no malice meant in the original name and that it was all a bit of fun but I think we do have to acknowledge that for victims of violence, particularly against women, punches in the head are not fun. Of course, The Ox who has a big role to play at the weekend might have something to say about pies in the face but that's what swayed me to the Pie in the Face option in the first place. If our football team can concentrate its aggression at the football and its opponent on Sunday in the same way that The Ox focused his aggression on that jerk Newman on TFS all those years ago, I just reckon we might win Round One and thereby stick it up some of those critics for who some out of date and off creamy custard on their noggins is well overdue.

Kent cleared at VFL tribunal

That just about sums it up. It's the opening game of the year and we'll be going into it with plenty of new faces anyway. Of the young recruits, Toumpas and Viney are a fair way ahead of Kent.

Thanks for your contributions. They've been as immense as the quality of the pictures you've taken. Hope you get a chance to go to Casey Fields during the season to take some snaps of Jesse Hogan.

Folks, I have no intention of voting on this poll and I understand that it's most likely being treated in light hearted spirit but some of you should have a think about what you're doing here. Punching people in the head is a violent act and we shouldn't condone it. The thread is straddling the line of unacceptability. Any further and it gets closed down. Happy to hear other views on this. Thanks.

Very much doubt it for round 1 but he will get games in 2013.

Dean Kent has been cleared by the VFL tribunal after being reported at Casey on the weekend.

And the third language of the AFL is media incompetence which makes that guesswork even more hazardous.

Those who have the time to check out the progress of the players returning from injury can check out open training from 9.45 am tomorrow at Gosch's Paddock.

What bloke?

No need to apologise. That's not only what we do but we also get paid handsomely for doing it.

That trio were putty in the maestro's hands. Loved it but still think he compromised himself over the course of this saga.

You're a champ six6six!

Instead of apportioning blame isn't it time that there was some apportionment of credit in favour of Melbourne for standing by Liam when things got tough instead of running away like Port Adelaide did? I haven't read anything in the media about the club sending its welfare officer to be there in Alice Springs. Why is that? Because Wilson and Robinson are spiteful people who don't have it in them to write a feel good story about Melbourne?

I like the sentiment. I hope we can stand up for ourselves when the challenge next presents itself and, the indications are that it will happen at some stage of the journey.

Actually, I couldn't give a stuff about the colour of the shorts C & B. It's the anaemic white "away" jumpers that annoy me a lot more. I know it's a little thing to some but given that Essendon wore their home strip against Adelaide in an "away" game and not some white or gray atrocity demonstrates their strength as a club (whether drug induced or not ) to get away with these things while we meekly accept such things because we're told to do so.

I commented elsewhere that it would be a risky strategy if we play too many players who lack match practice. I doubt we can go in with both Clark & Dawes after their limited time on the ground in match practice. Agree on ruling a line through Sam Blease's name and you can add JT to the outs as well.