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Wow that sentence really struggled to make any sense whatsoever. Please inform me when 'infimate' is a commonly used word in the english language. Look pal. We are all entitled to our opinions. If you took your head out of the sand for one minute you would find that a vast majority of MFC supporters thought Brad Green was much more deserving of last years best and fairest then Cameron Bruce, not just myself. I accept that you are a big wrap for Cameron as I used to be. There is no point in arguing, I'll agree to disagree that Bruce is deserving of a spot in the 22 at present. For the record both Green and Bruce debuted in 2000 making them players of 8 years, not 10.

I think that is it Swampfox. We lack a genuine star and because Cam WAS that star up until the Guerra tackle he is the target of some supporters when both he and the team underperforms. He had just made the step up to the elite level in 2005 when his confidence was leeched by the shocking Guerra tackle. Such a shame.

To me last years B & F meant nothing because it was rewarding statistics not overall influence on a game ALA Brad Green who was widely regarded as robbed. Brad might have averaged two less possessions then Bruce in 2008 but his impact on most games was far superior. I have nothing personal against Cameron Bruce but my opinion is that of a supporter that watches every minute of every Melbourne game whether it be in attendance or on television. The question is, does Bruce's current output warrant selection week in week out? To me, it doesn't.

You are living in the past realist, are you trying to say Bruce deserves a spot in the MFC's starting 22 in 2009 because of feats he achieved in 2005? On current form (well current is an understatement, I'll say since 2007) he is only in the team because of his position in the leadership group and statistics that flatter him. What a farce it would be to include a player in a leadership group and drop them after 5 games, right? Obviously not going to happen. But not because he is playing well enough to guarantee him a game the following week.

You guys should quit arguing like schoolboys. Y_M is entitled to his opinion and although this hate of Bruce is repeatedly brought to the table I can see why he gets frustrated. To me, Bruce has no composure and shocking execution. Those two flaws combined are detrimental to the team to say the least. Players are constantly put under the pump by him because his passes either by hand or foot are pathetic and not well thought through at all. Watch Cam's ball drop, it is a recipe for disaster. Although Bruce isn't directly turning the ball over, I will hang my hat on at least half a dozen turnovers a match being a result of an infamous Cameron Bruce 'Panic Attack' handball. When is the last time we saw a courageous, team lifting act from Bruce? Brad Green is inspirational on a weekly basis, hell he even broke his jaw contesting a 50/50 ball. This is the kind of example we need from our leaders. A kamikaze attack on the ball should be a pre-requisite for being part of the leadership group. Not a half arsed, lazy ability to get the outside ball and deliver utter crap to teammates. Clearly Bruce cannot be dropped because he is held in high regard by all at the club and is a mentor to the younger players. But jeez, he isn't deserving of a game at the moment based purely on form.

Nail. Head. Bruce's disposal disgusts me. No matter how many times he gets it he isn't damaging at all. Even if over 70% of his disposals are effective, they aren't damaging, they are often to a player in a worse position then he is. He's got to go, if not in the near future at the very least the end of 2009. Blooding a youngster is much more valuable to the Melbourne FC then Cameron Bruce and his aimless use of the ball is at present. What type of leader is he? He panics under pressure, he is afraid to put his body on the line. I've had enough Cameron, your statistics flatter your output.

Quite possibly but Strauss has freakish footskills and Wheels would toughen that defence up. Two things we are lacking currently. You are right though, might get a game at Casey this week but if it was up to me I'd have them in.

MELBOURNE James Strauss (ankle) available Matthew Whelan (calf) available Simon Buckley (groin) 1 week Jack Grimes (back) 1-2 weeks Daniel Bell (broken thumb) 2 weeks Austin Wonaeamirri (hamstring) 2 weeks Mark Jamar (foot) 5 weeks Paul Wheatley (quad) 6 weeks Colin Garland (foot) indefinite Get these two in for Jetta and Bennell.

Firstly, this isn't a reaction to the first two games of the season. I've seen this same midfield group struggle since 2007. Moloney, McLean, Jones, McDonald, Green, Bruce, Bartram, Dunn....and then there's Davey. The first 8 names are oh so slow, painfully slow at stoppages and around the ground. Their lack of pace limits our offensive pressure, and leaves our defenders out to dry because of no defensive pressure coming the other way. At least Green and McDonald can hit a target at around about 80% of the time on most occasions. Davey was moved to the midfield to curb this problem in the first place, he's quick, he's creative, he's line breaking. But what you put into one department you take out of another. It's no surprise that our goals have dried up significantly since he's moved up the ground (And Neita retired) Not only did Davey kick goals himself, he often set them up directly, or indirectly from defensive pressure on the oppositions rebounding backline. We dont get anywhere near enough goals out of our midfield. We will get 2-4 goals out of that previously mentioned group each week, on a good day 5. Add that onto the 6 odd goals our lackluster forward line contributes each week, and that's 11 goals per game keeping in mind that this is on a good day. Is it any wonder we will struggle to win games this season? This brings me to the next point. I know we don't have high expectations of the boys in regards to winning this year. All we really want is for the youth to have a real crack and give us some hope. As soon as James Strauss is available, get him straight in. The kid is dynamite plain and simple. If we can get Strauss, Blease, and Morton up and running in the next 2-3 years we will have gone a long way to solving our one dimensional, slow midfield. We've already seen glimpses of Morton's offensive capabilities. It will mean players like Davey will not have to be taken out of their natural positions to fill holes in the future. Finally I don't usually like targeting specific players but Dunn is such a useless player at the moment. He can't find a position because he is average wherever we put him on the park. Beyond crossroads. Will be delisted at the end of 09' if he doesn't play at least 10 excellent games. Cheers.

Does anybody know when the Hankook/Kapersky range of Apparel will be released? On our website megastore they are still advertising that ugly range that only features reebok as a sponsor.

I agree Clint. On too many occasions strings of handballs with no real forward momentum came undone because the players looked up and saw nothing to kick to. Unlike Geelong, we fail to have purpose when streaming forward with handballs, instead we look like chickens with our heads cut off, constantly handballing to players under the pump. A lot of it has to do with working as a team to move the ball forward, sheperding and blocking at stoppages/scrimmages.

Gee I reckon Sylvia would have been handy today. Bate and Miller were pathetic.

I too agree that we should give Cousins a chance, and personally would be ecstatic to get a footballer of his quality to be a role model for our kids. However, would he be happy to be picked up by a club not a realistic chance of winning a flag? Probably not. I don't want players that aren't 100% happy to be representing our club.

Although no source is mentioned, that is a pretty insightful little piece there Nudge. Would love to get Thorp or Pick 16 for Green, either would be a win in my opinion. Any pick below 35 for Jamar would be a massive win. And Sylvia should be untouchable, unless a first round pick is offered. Even then I would think twice about giving young star potential away.

Jones was copping a heavy tag for much of this season in the absence of Brock, and TJ being moved on. He, along with Bate are two young players who have a bright future at the MFC. Jones just needs to work on his skills and acceleration away from stoppages over summer.

*Cough* Daniel Rich *Cough*

It was a crock of sh*t. I felt like jumping the fence at the city end and punching umpire # 12 in the back of the head. [censored] off.

Stephen Tingay

Craig Nettlebeck

Cheers. So what do we already know? Neitz is gone, White, Yze, Holland, Macca are probably all gone. That's 5. Surely there will more then 2 delistings. Correct me if I've left out anyone that is above a 90% chance of retiring.

All this talk of a major cleanout at the end of the season with retirements and delisting dead wood; does anyone actually know if there is a limit to the changes that can be made to a list at the end of any given season?

Couldn't agree with that theory more, Chooka.

For too long now the MFC have been crying out for a quality goalkicking midfielder. I used to feel 'safe' when in their prime goalkicking midfielders Green, Bruce, and Johnstone were lining up in the guts, and when one of them was out I felt as though there was a massive hole in our list. Looking at 2008, I see Green lining up in defence, Johnstone playing for Brisbane, and Bruce gathering cheap possessions at will, many of which are clangers. So, look at our best midfield as it stands. McLean, so much untapped potential, decimated by injury. Jones, hard at it and honest, but not a finisher. Moloney, decimated by injury. McDonald, playing in defence. And then their is the up and comers Grimes, Maric, and Morton, the latter showing how much of a threat around the big sticks he can be in 2008. This lack of goals and overall delivery into the F50 from the midfield is really hurting the Melbourne FC. What do you all think?

Although in a sense it pains me to say it, finishing last is becoming more and more of a reality as the rounds go by. If we do finish last does anybody know the list of possible high profile players out of contract come seasons end? We would be able to negotiate an excellent trade with PSD #1 in hand.

I agree with you Yze Magic, put him in the square and say kick us some goals. He's got a huge vertical leap, strong hands and a thumping accurate kick. Why we haven't experimented with Col at FF during a NAB cup series at least is beyond me.