Cards13

It's a strange list actually. I don't know how they define "tough".

Ditterich and Lockett - I don't think of them as tough. They tended to dish out the pain rather than put themselves in a position to be hurt.

Flower - Courageous, but not necessarily tough.

Ablett, Brereton, Carey, Archer and Matthews were all tough primarily because of their physique.

Tuddenham - Probably the toughest on the list.

Pound for pound, the toughest player I've seen is Ken Hunter.

I remember watching Locket just choking blokes and ragdolling them silly and cheap shotting Caven at the SCG but don't think of him as tough.

Didn't see Dittch at all besides the glorious 80's videos.

Albett was a cheap pr! ck too, I remember him running through blokes backs more than anything else.

Dermie and Arch for mine. Dippa was a tough bugger. I used to play in a yearly charity event for Asthma charity and Dippa joined in each year. Ten pin bowling, 9 holes of golf followed by a knock out tennis tournie. The footy would come out during the tennis and Dippa to this day still smashes the biggest blokes we put up against him, his dislocated a finger one year, he popped it back in and kept going not a worry in the world.

No

Fantastic analysis of the match mate.

I was at the ground and didn't manage to see any tv footage so it is nice to hear someone's thoughts....

Bruce was everywhere as you said and no-one can question his effort.... It is just those "kick around the body without looking" moments that [censored] me off.... Once our younger mids get a bit more game time and he can be released into the forward line he will be worth his weight in goals!!! Very smart footballer!!

As for McLean..... WTF is going on there??? All everyone keeps saying is how good he is and how he is our best player and how he is our next captain..... I am sorry, but what drugs have you all been taking??? The bloke has been telling us how fantastic his pre-season has been and how he is ready for a big year..... Brock McLean from what I witness (apart from 2 or 3 games) is a slow, unaware and unskilled bloke who should count himself very lucky to have been a Top 10 draft pick!! Prove me wrong.... Please!!

As for the positives I saw on Saturday :

Stef Martin = Very impressive.... Knows where to position himself in a contest and can take a grab

Miller = Hits it up like a charging bull.... Just needs someone closer to goal to kick it to

Petterd = Classy player who could be a very handy forward once he puts on a bit more size

Cheney = Looks to be a really honest, hard at it defender.... Will improve greatly with more matches under his belt ie. decision making

Bate = Needs to string a full season together and he will show us how valuable he will be forward of centre

Spencer = Loving what I am seeing from him.... Keep persisting with him DB.... He is gonna be a ripper!

Just a few of my thoughts..... Now I will sit back and wait for the abuse from Brock's legion of fans

Yea bruce did a couple of those, what I hate is the long high floaters he kicks, puts undue pressure on the players upfield and we generally have few blokes to crumb the ball. When he is on the run he generally finds a target. Then again he had shocker in the 2nd were it looked like he stubbed his toe and the ball just rolled along the ground

Yea look McLean is that tyoe if footballer, he is not hugely skilled, he is slow but he works his tail off as well. He is a contest after contest type, problem is the game is moving so fast and there are fewer contests he struggles to get the number of situations he excelles at. It is only 2 games in so give him at least half the season to see how he goes too KJ.

Pettard will always be a 3rd forward and should play some decent games there until/ifhe builds up a bit more. He got monstered a numerous occasion when the ball was bombed long against Pies.

Bater I thought must have had a shocker but he was one of our best by far, was moving well up to the wing and centre, took some nice marks and generally hit a target with a pass. As RFPC said when the ball is moved well into our fwd line then they can grab some of it. BUT he was also leading a lot harder than from what I saw in rnd 1. He needs to keep that work rate up and he will be a better than ave player for us, if not his lack of pace and jump will hold him back.

Over all better than I thought from peoples postings, lots of improvment from rnd 1 and hopefully builds some confidence.

Watching the MFC vs Filth replay now.

1st qtr:

Wow the ball movement is great, fast, direct and accurate. It was like circle work for both teams.

- Our defense dominating Pies forwards during whole qtr. Warnock, Martin and Rivers all taking marks over pies direct opponents. Stef in particular was good.

- Millar and Bate were both leading up really well. Millar around fwd 50 Bate up to the wings and centre.

- Our skills (dropping mark in centre sqr, turn overs) lead to Pies shots on goal. Needs to be a lot better from us.

- Spencer while not doing to much showed glimpses he can develop into a good ruckman. Has decent pace and will improve his skills.

- Sylvia had a decent 1st qtr was getting some of it in the middle then up fwd.

- Two easy misses to Millar and Sylvia should have been goals! Goes back to our skills needing to improve.

- We need a crumbing fwd ASAP.

2nd qtr:

Things are starting to turn around early. We still look good and are playing the same quick movement, accurate passing game but Pies are getting the ball more often and having shots on goal.

- Our 1st goal in 2nd, Morton had it 3 times and Bruce 3 times from fb to ff. Looked great.

- 1st 6 goals have come from marks in the fwd 50!!!

- Starting to bomb it long into fwd 50, not finding targets up fwd as we were in 1st qtr. Again missing the crumber.

- Cheney horrible kick out but can be forgiven.

- Bate good mark in centre, just a stupid handball to Green who was slammed in a tackle as soon as he had hold of it. Bate is playing really well still leading up to the wings and centre though.

- Davey great run down but leads to a turn over in fwd 50 gggrrr.

- Didaks goal 5 mins to go in half.... far out you could see it coming a mile away he was going to run around. Not one player positioned himself near enough to put pressure on him.

- Martin still dominating in the air. Pettard playing well.

End of the half, Our midfield was on top besides in the ruck. Bate and Bruce our best, with Davey, Martin, Morton and Millar all good.

Best half a footy we have played since I was at the Freo game last season. Winning the ball in tight, finding players by hand in close, lots of run with the ball, our fwds leading up really well just our goal kicking was the only real downer from that half. We should have 3 more goals on the board 2 from set shot and one from Jones out of bounds on the full in the last 30 seconds. Also how was Moloney not rewarded for the tackle on Swan with 40 seconds to go for Swan deliberately handballing out of bounds??

3rd qtr (not looking forward to this bit!):

-Bugger, goal in 1st minute to them... Pies already applying a lot more pressure espcially up fwd.

- Rivers crunched, great work by the man and he didn't break in half!

- Pies zone has tightened right up not allowing us the space we had in first half to run.

- Rivers giving PJ a spray for allowing Fraser to so easily slip away, mark and goal. No where near good enough from PJ, needs to improve his awareness if he is to play further in the ruck.

- Gtting mown down from behind now, not sure if it is the voice dropping or running out of gas 13 mins to go in 3rd.

- Anyone who says Bruce should be dropped has no idea about football. The bloke is all over the field, inside, outside, running past.. He does has shocking skill errors and that will not change but the amount of work he does is exceptional. He has 3 turn overs so far ,one from PJ allowing Fraser to out mark him. The other two resulted in shots on goal. As he just misses a shot on goal running into 50!

- Mclean is unsighted, Syliva has gone missing. Davey excellent out of the back half. Bate is killing them.

- 8 mins to go in 3rd, we are battling to stay in it but running out of legs. Martin is playing fantasticly well in the air down back. PJ plays on at left fwd 50... smothered... got to be better with it there.

- Inside 50's 14-5 pies way.

End of 3rd... Running all over us. Midfield has disappeared. Back line is holding back the tide. Fwds not getting enough ball and when they are it is being bombed in now instead of early when we were finding leading targets. Pies zone has much to do with that.

4th qtr...

- Not much to say so far bar we are playing very tired footy, turning the ball over by hand so easily.

- since qtr time 45 inside 50's to 12 with 6 mins to go.....

- Midfield has stopped unfortunately, Pies dominating around the ball.

- "McLean of of Melbs best you'd have to say". Not sure what game that commentator was watching.

Overall:

Our defense was really good again, holding back the tide really. As a group they defend the high ball so well.

Fwds were good when the ball was delivered quickly and on the lead. When we started to bomb it long a bit from the 2nd qtr onwards we were not able to mark it and had noone at there feet at all. They just didn't get enough of it after qtr time/half time at all. Can't fault them for that.

Mids died a slow death after half time, Pies got on top. We could not stop them and then ran out of gas completely.

Looked really good early but need to keep building on the first half and finishing in front of goals when we do get the chance as we will have less inside 50's than most teams this year.

Can someone explain the rationale of having Aaron Davey running around the backline racking up posessions with 15 metres chips that generally went around in circles ?

This is the same sort of junk that Travis Johnstone used to do on occasions.

Aaron needs to either play forward & kick goals or else be an on the ball where we were badly beaten after half time yesterday.

Just watching the replay and have got to say the 1st qtr it was executed brilliantly! Davey was used as the link between defence and mid's/forwards after marks. We looked fantastic when it was working well. Keeping going with it I say.

What the Feck is with Whelan's 8 week calf injury.

Far out

Termed an old mans injury, unfortunately once you start doing calf muscles as a footy player they are very hard to get over and tend to reoccur often. Might not see much of Wheels again which would be really disappointing as I love watching his rugby style tackles and bumps!

Cant wait for Strauss!!!!!!!!!!!!

Not good that Grimes started off with only probably being out for 3 weeks now listed to round 5. Really is a bit of a worry

Considering he missed most of last season with similar injury I'd be very very surprised if he is back that soon. In fact I'd be surprised if we see him until very late in the season if at all.

Doesn't that show the state of Melbourne's leg-speed?

sadly too bloody true huh

'Cards13', he's a nice little player, isn't he. Loved that classy play & goal last week.

He is on the Davey Scholarship isn't he? Will be interested to see how he progresses over the season with Casey.

"Liddle, 19, played for the Northern Territory Under 18 team at the past three national championships, last year as captain"

http://www.scorpions.com.au/news/seaosn-20...ig-arrival.html

Love the idea of the Davey Scholarship too.

Casey Scorpions 3.2.20 9.5.59 11.5.71 16.10.106

Coburg Tigers 4.2.26 4.5.29 11.9.75 12.11.83

Goals Newton 3, Dunn, Jurrah, Liddle 2, Collins, McLeod, Robertson, Silvagni, Stockdale, Valenti, Waite

Best Meeson, Bail, Liddle, Dunn, Wall, Matthews

Liddle is one who seems to be playing some good footy at the moment. He was a standout watching the Casey 2's a few weeks ago and has been good from others reports over the last 2 weeks in the 1's. Might have potential to be picked up in the upcoming draft.

McKenzie.

Good to see The Age is in fine form again, picture of Daniel Bell under the heading "Pies Storm Past Dees" on the Age online website.

Maybe wait and see who performs for Casey. No point in bringing in players who are playing average games in the 2's.....

That is great news.

Being able to put more money into our off field football rescources is something we have all been waiting to see for a long time. Someone overseeing the "....list management decisions, including developing a five year football plan. He will also develop and manage long-term TPP/player-payment strategies, and facilitate sound decision making for the Club's recruiting strategies. National Recruiting Manager, Barry Prendergast will report to Tim, and will continue to be responsible for the Club's recruiting and decision making for the National Draft." (from http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/newsart...8/default.aspx).

Hate to say it but pies by 40 points

Demon_Tingles is indeed correct. Although I'm not sure about him being out for the season.. I was told to keep it as quiet as possible as well and I was told that we are probably looking at 12ish weeks..

We should be glad the docs found it now, otherwise it would've been Matthew Eganesq and that would be a disaster.

.......... kept very quiet so far

I think and i emphasise think that it is a stress fracture. He couldnt say as it was wednesday night and the afl hadnt announced it. Surely you understand that because if I was to talk to someone and a reporter or journo heard me the club would not be happy.

Thanks DT but don't be pressured by the mob. Keep it under cover for your mate.

Very disappointing news but gives someone else a chance off the rookie list if it is a LTI. After watching the one Casey game I'd hope Jordie McKenzie gets a promotion IF it is Garl is out for awhile.

Also where oh where is Tom Mc at the minute? Not on the injury list, is yet to play any games for the season....

OK, our forward line was dysfunctional at times, I get it...

Bate deserves an extended run at FF, it will make him a better fwd in a few years when JW is the man.

No change.

Few years, hmmm... do you think he has a few years more on the list? I have had high hopes for the Bater but think he is one of the blokes who has reached a level and is struggling to get over the hump from potential to showing it on the park. Seems to lack pace, maybe stamina too and is poor below his waist. Dropped a sitter in the forward pocket that would have been a shot on goal in the 2nd term that cost us when we were on a run too. Needs to improve for mine to be around in a few more years. I do hope I am wrong and hope this is bumped if so!

Onwards and upwards.

KC, any ocmments on where jorie mckenzie is at compared to valenti? both inide mids on the rookie list, and while valenti showed some promise last year to me he seemed depth at afl level. what is mckenzies pace like?

From seeing them the previous week, I have only witnessed the one Casey game. I would say he is an upgraded version with more strings to his bow. he is taller, with a bit more pace (not really quick by any stretch), skills are a touch better and he does the give, go, recieve again really well. He will be in and under dishing out one minute then looking to recieve the handball off the next where as Valent's seems to be in and under only. Has a good engine at this stage and hopefully this will improve. Has decent skills. He can take a mark too.

Overall from one viewing I'd say he is a bigger, better version of Valenti, just does more outside of dishing out hard balls.

No need to slag anyone else off under the banner of such great news. It is such a positive, lets just be happy with that and let sleeping dogs you know what.

I don't know why everyone goes on about needing elite forwards. Any team that moves the ball quickly in a systematic fashion, with equal representation of forwards to the oppositions' defenders, will kick goals. Unfortunately, we don't apply this theory.

So who are the elite forwards at the Bulldogs?

None, how many flags they won recently? How many forwards have they traded for over the last 5 years looking for a solution to what they percieved to be a problem?

As a preface, although new to Demonland, I do like to imagine that I have some 'cred' in having actually been at the '64 GF as a 10 year old and barracking for the Demons before then and ever since.

I've been in the first to say for years that Brad Miller isn't really an AFL level player.

BUT.

Obviously we haven't got anyone else that presents themselves as a better option. Now I say,

"Well done to you Brad Miller, you are doing as best as you can do and we should all appreciate that and admire you for it".

Meanwhile, as quite a few have said, we now need to have renewed patience. It's ridiculous to continue to complain about our KPP stocks when that deficiency has now most obviously and publicly addressed by the club most clearly with our no:1 draft selection. As suggested previously, we need more than one KPP (forward) and I'm quite confident that the football department is well aware of this.

Do we need the (assured) 'priority pick' as well? I think so.

There are only so many gun 17-18 year olds around and, ominously, this season GC17 have first dibs on twelve of the best 17 year olds in the country.

Carlton has shown what is required if you are serious about rebuilding towards a flag. Swallow the cr#p, bite the bullet, (and all those other cliches), and let the club rebuild and work on the list without the endless, moronic, constant carping of all you losers. I've been lurking around this site for a couple of years now and I know who you are and you know who you are:

FOR CHRIST'S SAKE , GIVE IT A BREAK !!

2nd the amen, still so hard to watch every week. Onwards and upwards.

I shouldn't need to point out the problem with that bolded sentence.

Miller and Bate are playing CHF (hardest position on the ground) and FF (second hardest) in the worst team in the comp.

Why don't those who are so abhorred by their performance go down to training this week and let their feelings known and give their advice directly to Bailey and co.

Rivers? Martin?

They'd be right to laugh at you.

We have nothing but time to give these guys, until Jurrah and Watts are ready to go. Why not give them a chance to prove a few wrong?

I don't think you did....

What have Rivo and Martin got to do with elite tall forwards on our list?

I never suggested dropping or getting rid of anyone, they are what the coaches have to work with. We have nothing but hope that Watts and Jurrah (??) will be elite for us too, currently we have no elite forwards. How can we say otherwise unless totally deluded by the current group of players we have.

Maric had 3 quarters only at Casey this week. He is not fit enough. He should definitely come in when fit though.

Yea at least two weeks you'd think, hopefully a full game maybe two then if form warrents (cough cough) he will get in.

Why is it that everyone thinks Martin is going to be an instant forward?

He is new to the game and his strengths are his athletic qualities rather than his skills and instinct.

He looks to me like a backman not a foward.

I know our forward line is bad and Im not saying we should not give him a go there at some stage but I think he is far from the instant answer and I would like to see him kick a few for Casey before he gets a gig there for the Demons in that role.

Why? Cause people are clutching at any kind of hope someone will be able to play a role as a forward for us who is elite.... I think we are few years off having one of those players, if he can develop into the player he could potentially be. No one else on our list is even close to being elite tall forward for us.

I think the coaches would like to see him do something, anything at Casey and they will put him in....

It is just a frustrating situation for us to be in as we are still so far away from being a threat of finals let alone looking at getting close to a flag and the "older" players we still have on the list will not get us there unfortunately. Even though we go every week hoping for something to "click" and win games.

Terrible news, after seeing him play for the aboriginal all-stars team I couldn't wait to see him on the park for us. There is an upside to that article though that Wheatley and Robertson are playing for Casey on the weekend.

cr@p, crumbs, damn! Sooo frustrating especially since he has come back looking so fit! Two hammies in a short period of time for a player who uses pace like he does is not good. Need to get on top of this quickly or it could really curtail his career with scar tissue build up.

hhmm not much upside for mine there, two players not improving at all (Wheater did have a good season last year) you would say at least a month off MFC duty.