Deeoldfart

Agree jnr. Insightful article from Jolly, and it points to a path we must take if we are to get out of the current mire. I very much like your point about the two Jacks. It's tough going for them at the moment, but I think (hope!) they have the where-with-all grow into the captaincy role, and establish standards and expectations at our Club, the likes of which we have not seen before. It will be a long journey (and severely test the patience of many), but if we can pull it off, the rewards will be worth it.

or, roughly equivalent to the amount of hair I've torn out during Dees games this season.

Based on a few cameos earlier in his career, I would have thought Ricky would be a 'perfect fit' for the Neeld game plan, but he hasn't got out of a trot this season (and on occasions has looked disinterested). We might get a late draft pick for him, but most likely PSD imo.

Well done Sam! As Neeldy said the other day, you have come a long way, but there's still a long way to go. ps. we all know that you have pace to burn, but please don't get too far ahead of yourself.

My memory is getting a bit hazy with the passing years, but I seem to recall the great Norm Smith telling Bernie Massey (I think that's who it was) that he wouldn't be playing on Saturday unless he got rid of his 'tache. Maybe Neeldy has had a similar discussion with Dunny, or maybe Dunny has just taken it upon himself to smarten up his act now that he finds himself on 'the List of Eleven'.

One of footy's great characters, and a legend in his own way. RIP Slug.

Three for me. The future looks rosy for Sam.

That's correct Nasher. IIRC Kel returned to Perth for a while in his first year, but we persuaded him to come back to Melbourne and give it another go. I have no doubt our club would have surrounded him with support, but unfortunately it just didn't work out. It's a pity, because he has talent. I hope his career blossoms now that he is back 'home'. Good luck Kel.

Sam has come a long way as his confidence has grown in the second half of the season, and is starting to show why he was an early draft pick. I look forward to him developing a tank, and working around contests created by Clark and another KPF.

Another example of the AFL being too smart by half!

6. Blease - Gave us something to pin our hopes on (glimpses if what he could be if/when he develops an engine). 5. Spencer - Best performance for MFC by a mile. Keep at it Jake. 4. Jones - Not at his best under a close tag, but still a class above most of his team mates. 3. Dunn - Generally showed good composure and used the ball well. Didn't do his prospects of a new contract any harm. 2. Grimes - would have rated higher if not for 'iffy' disposal. 1. Jetta - Played with hardness and courage (Neeld would have liked that!). Needs to win more ball, but can be cut a bit of slack given his injury ravaged season.

Thanks (not) for twisting my observation in post 109 to suit your very weak logic tonatopia. Your argument is not sustainable, and I reckon you have reached the 'clutching at straws' stage.

Having heard Greeny make the point about player 'buy in' several times in his retirement speech, makes me wonder who on that list has / has not shown that they are prepared to 'buy in' to the Neeld way.

Thanks for many great memories Brad. You should feel extremely proud of your career at Melbourne.

I agree 100% with your first four paras C&B, but I disagree 100% with your last.

Couldn't agree more Ron. Roos saying that he almost fell off his chair when McLean responded the way he did almost made me puke. I had enormous respect for Roos as a player and coach, but he has lost me completely as a footy comentator / panellist.

To me those two misses said more about his awareness and decision making than his kicking. Should not have blazed away when there were other players open in a much better scoring position.

It's great to read a few posts that are based on facts instead of speculation, heresay and innuendo. Thanks Ben (post #39,It's Time (post #43), Wheels (coincendentally post #45) and Cudi (post #47).

After quarter time yesterday we were very disappointing imo. Clearly we are a long, long way off the standard being set by the top teams, and I reckon this is what Walls was alluding to. I also think Bennell and Ablett were probably best and second BOG. We won because we had a more even team performance than GC, who fell away sharply after those two. I am definitely not a Walls fan, but I find it hard to argue strongly against his assessments on this occasion. Edit: typo

Agree with that assessment. Tom has loads of potential, but needs a fair bit of work on his disposal. Couldn't get him into my top 6 in an even team performance.

6. Jones - another great four quarter effort. Work ethic has always been outstanding, but now plays within his limitations (which are becoming fewer, btw). 5. Green - shades of Brad in his younger days. Fantastic attitude, despite the set-backs over the last couple of years. 4. Sylvia - Good game Col, including plenty of run and hard work. More of the same next week please. 3. Tapscott - best game for the year. 2. Grimes - Slowly working back to the Jack Grimes we all want to see. 1. Dunn - Much maligned, but was good today imo. We need more in the back half with his kicking skills

Yes, a pandoras box that very much implicates some of the AFL's most cherished love children, Carlton, Collingwood ans West Coast.

Move to the alternate universe.

I agree wyl, and it's pretty obvious the coach does as well. Good luck Barts.

Surely this can't be for real! Melbourne is being made the scapegoat for the misdemeanours of entire competition. If these penalties are metered out, it could sound the death knell for our great club. We must not take this lying down! Where are McLardy and Schwab when they are needed? They must stand up now, or never! Great effort pants.