Deeoldfart

May not get the recognition of Scully and Trengove, but will be every bit as important to the success of our midfield as we go forward.

And Aaron Davies. Double pathetic!

First Saturday in June ie. the w'end before QB clash against the Filth. Now wouldn't they be two nice scalps? .... and based on current form, not a totally outrageous proposition!

Agree Swampy, bit it could get there ...... and if it does it will be even better because of the pain and deprivation we have endured since 1964.

I thought we had a slender hope of a small victory against the Lions, but if last night's form is anything to go by, we have progressed far more quickly than I expected. I thought we might win 2 or 3 games in the first half of the season, and 5 or 6 in the second half ...... but if we can maintain our present form and intensity for most of the year(which is probably unlikely given our youth and inexperience), we could press for a finals spot.

Yep ... but it's all part of the game. The great point for me was that it didn't seem to phase Benny one iota, and what's more, he put his body on the line plenty of times during the game.

Great crowd. I hope lots mon-members signed up last night, or plan to do so during the week.

No need to apologise Roost. I think there are a lot of us who are justifiably pumped about our potential.

Agree. Our game last night showed similar flair and confidence, but the 2010 version is more talented.

Absolutely! What better way to recognise Jimma than with a magnificent TEAM effort.

Magnificent team effort ... almost seems unfair to single out a few players. I'll have a go at it anyway, with apologies to the other 16! 6. Moloney: Workrate and leadership outstanding, and his ball use was the best I've ever seen from him. 5. Frawley: Magnificent. Kept one of the AFL's best and most important players to zero influence. Fantastic focus / concentration for 100 minutes. 4. Warnock: Not too far behind Frawley. Did a great job containing Fevola's influence. Loved the way he was continually in Fev's ear. 3. Bate: One of his best games. A key link between defence and attack. 2. Jamar: Tapwork and work around the ground wwere again exceptional. He just keeps racking up highly credentialled scalps. 1. Trengove: Someone will have to play an outstanding game to keep the Rising Star nom. from him this week!

Agree re Blease. It's inconcievable that he would play unless the medicos were 100% confident that his leg was 100% right.

Well speaking personally, this fan has a bit more trouble sleeping at night, and his stomach churns a bit more on match days. Re the article: I dunno where it's coming from, or where it's heading. Maybe the 'intellectuals' among us can provide an interpretation.

You are correct stmj, as is my usual habit, I responded to your initial post as I was reading my way through the thread (and I type at a pretty slow rate, especially with my <2yo grand daughter wanting to 'help' me). Anyway, I am pleased that you have 'settled and agreed'. As for my use of the term 'masterstroke', I would argue that LJ's selection has already proved to be a major coup for the MFC, both on and off the field. I hope you are happier with those words. PS. my grandaughter is very bright ... she has a toy sea-horse named 'Jurrah' and already knows the words of the Grand Old Flag with very little prompting. I suspect that she will be singing our song a great deal over the next decade, and barring injury, I'm very confident that LJ will be a very important part of the reason why.

What a silly comment!! If you really believe this, you would have to argue exactly the same point about each and every recruit ever drafted by any AFL club. LJ has already provided great enjoyment for Melbourne supporters and generated a heap of positive publicity for our club. After only one season and a handful of games, he is one of the 'faces' of our membership campaign, and is regarded with the likes of early draft picks Watts, Grimes, Scully and Trengove as critical to our on-field future. Further, he is widely seen as the sort of player who will draw people through the gates, and dare I say it, boost our membership stocks. His recruitment was a masterstroke, and the way the footy club has supported his transition from Yuendumu to Melbourne, and from outback footy to the AFL is magnificent. Congratulations to everyone involved at the Melbourne Football Club.!

Agree. I reckon there's a fair chance he will match-up on Brennan, and I couldn't see Marto getting that assignment

Of course! Can't see that not happening.

Exactly ..... its part of the culture we are building. Players will want to play for and remain at at Melbourne BECAUSE we are Melbourne.

Now that would be great, especially if we can manage a win as well!

Seconded!

I feel certain that we would not be picking three or four players to cover perceived weaknesses in our list (which is what you are asking me to do). IMO the first couple of picks (at least) should go to the 'best available' players. If two potential draftees are rated equally, and one of them happens to be a rangey midfield / KPP type in the mould of Adam Goodes or Cale Morton, then that's the way I would go. You cant have too many quality players of this ilk IMO ...... but I acknowledge that they are hard to come by.

Wow! I reckon we might just knock off a couple of better teams sometime this year (we came within a whisker against C'wood remember)and there's a very slim hope that it could even be Brisbane on Saturday night. However, I think your travel plans are fairly safe in 2010. You will need to be prudent in making bookings for 2011 onwards though.

I don't want to steal RR's thunder on this, he will undoubtedly have his own views ........ but IMO we currently have most if not all bases reasonably covered with 'known quality' players or 'good potential' players. Obviously its too early for us to be making judgements about how well a lot of the 'potential' will turn out, but we should have a much better idea in a few months. Based on what we know right now, my view would be to stick with the old adage of 'best available' ...... but if I was forced into a corner, I would say a quality utility (eg. Goodes) would be fantastic, but who's to say Cale Morton won't end up filling that type of role with distinction?

Agree with all that Rhino. Re your third point, we need to add Fitzpatrick to the list of talls who might potentially play forward or in the ruck.

That may or may not be a good thing IMO. I love Benny's pace and run out of defence, but for mine he will need to become more accountable for his opponent, and make fewer errors under pressure, before I would rate him as a strong half back candidate. There's a fair chance he will get there with experience, but on form this year, he offers much more as a forward than a defender.