CHF

I was not really surprised that we delisted Fitzpatrick. I look at it a little differently. With the introduction of the sub rule teams had only 3 interchange players for the bench and the sub. This lead to the demise of the second ruck as a role. There was a need for a standing to take the rucking duties when the No1 needed a rest. This lead to a lot of trial and error as to tactics. Ritzy at 200cms and able to play either end of the ground fitted the bill pretty well and was being developed as a versatile tall. With the axing of the sub and the lowering of the number of rotations I think the game will evolve in a different direction. With the sub rule the game changed, some of it for the better and I can see coaches realising that and adapting the use of the new situation to use what came out of the last couple of seasons. Hence the return of specialist big men to a degree and the need for well conditioned runners. Bad luck Pig-Dog. Bail was given a good run at it but could not make the step up. MacKenzie did his job when required but has a step behind the level required. All the best to all four of them. You are all,part of the rich history of the club.

I hope at least one of our coaches went with him to get some information on the work these guys are doing and why. I would like to see the notes Christian is taking. I hope he comes back with a whole bunch of them and there is a complete de-brief.

If what Jay Clarke said is correct, that we are looking for a forward partner for Hogan, would we look at Tomlinson from GWS? Good size, 22 and a Melbourne boy. I understand they have made some sort of a pact but if you are not getting game time then the pact would not be all that strong. With the players on our existing list I still think Pedersen and Fitzpatrick can fill a hole for a while. Dawes needs to have more impact on the scoreboard for the amount of games and time he gets. Patracca in the forward line for the next couple of years rotating into the middle and then after that reverse it with most time spent in the middle. Hogan to get a long term big bucks contract and then build around him. 

My god. This is like watching someone shoot puppies.

Murdered in the middle and theBulldogs too fast, sure and accurate. Roos need to earn his money this afternoon.

We seem to have managed our contractual position with the players really well with a majority of those that we have question marks over out of contract at the end of this season. Jamar - I would look to resign on a 1 year contract. with the change in the Sub rule coming up and restricted interchange numbers I think we will see more of 2 rucks playing next seaso and if he retires it will leave us thin on the ground unless we can see a value for money pick in the draft. Garland - I think he migh benifit from a fresh start at a differnet club. it might be best for him and MFC. Howe I would like to retain if possible as he is just 24 and I thnk he will develop further and be valuable in the future as a player with good depth of experience at both ends of the ground. Pedersen - retain. He is not just a depth player but someone that can act as a very decent foil for Hogan Fitzpatrick - Retain depending on what might be offered at the trading table. Given his season he looks to be very coachable and did a decent job when asked to. Cross - sign him up for another season Toumpas - I have no doubts on this kid. sign him for 2 Of the rest out of contract this season I would upgrade Harmes from the rookie list, give Hunt another 2 years to develop, Retain either MacKenzie or Bail and trade/delist whomever you do not retain. Minchie and Riley to go if there is some better value to be had at the draft/trading. King White to be re-rookied. Terlich to be paid out if there is no future for him at the club. afterall, if he did not get a game to date this season then he is just taking a place on the list with no return. 

KC, just a quick thank-you for all of your posts with regard to the Scorps during the season especially the gameday posts. They are much appreciated by me. 

nah.... not Baldrick... he was the smartest one of the lot..... not like robbo

The Thread of the Living Dead...... Zoombifield....... can nothing kill it????

Thanks deanox. Interesting that we are the highest uses of this rotation. I wonder where the stats are that support the 'elevated adrenalin' risk factor.

Mono, I don't agree. I think it is just that there has not been a position for him to play in recent games. I have been watching a few of our games from this season back to back. an early season game and then a later season game. It is an interesting way to see the development throughout the season. Last night I watched the bulldogs game and in that game Fitzy stood out as one of the impressive defencive unit. I would like to believe that he, along with all of the players are getting development coaching the whole time and the coaches would not put a line through anyone at this stage.

Looked at the Casey team just now and it looks like one Jake Lovett is playing as 23rd man. Will be interesting to see how he goes.

Seems like no one can give a convincing answer. Personally I think it is foolish to pull them off after a goal. The team is pumped after scoring a goal and the kicker is up and running. if anyone can get an answer for a coach, let me knwo. 

Independent AFL Comission... Now there is an oxymoron for you. it is a bit like " an intelligent Collingwood supporter" or " A balanced Essendon supporter".

I have been watching a few of our games over the last week or so and the measured way in which Jack has been playing has been great. He is developing into one of those players that seems to have a lot of time with the ball in his hands. He uses his burst of speed well. Not sure that we need to see it more often. He is using it well and at the right times. The step up in speed catches the opposition on the wrong foot. Have watched a bit of Toumpas' game as well and he will develop over the next couple of years into a good player. The coaches will get into him and I think he has great basic skills to work on.

Akum, Most likely right, But I am sure the Ned Kelly beards will last longer than this fad.

Skuit, I think I would have called BS on that.

Maybe, but it is not only the forwards that get pulled after kicking a goal. even the mids get a seat on the bench after kicking a goal.

Firstly, my apologies if this is addressed elsewhere. Can anyone please explain to me the rational behind benching a goal kicker after they have scored? Over the las few weeks I have been wat5ching replays of a number of games and I just cannot see the effectiveness of this. It is not just melbourne it is all clubs that are doing it. Last night I watched a replay of the St Kilda game and after Hogan had kicked a goal he wa benched and did not look happy about it. 

Loved this win. Very much a team win with our blue collar midfield beginning to look a force to be reckoned with. Loved the pressure all over the ground and they obviously we're told to play on quickly as much as possible. Feels damn good to beat this team.

Please.... Someone....anyone tell me why we always seem to get the worst of the umpiring decisions....

Looking at the team named and at our injury list i rhink that this team is just about the best we could muster this week. Given all the adversity and the fact that the game is at Kardinia Park (it is not a stadium in any way, shape or form) The team goes there with nothing to lose and I would expect them to concentrate on doing the small things right from minute to minute during the game regardless of the scores and the game situation. Not expecting a miracle, but will be disapointed if we drop our pants all together.

I do not have a problem with this team given the injuries we have at the moment. I can also see Roos looking through the list with his selections in recent weeks to see what we might have there. I have no problem with Terlich being given a run or two at this stage of the season for that very reason. It is a chance to see how he has developed if at all. Final bench for me would be Grimes, Terlich, Minchie with ANB as Sub. Would like to see ANB abd Stretch in the same side but I could see that one of them would need to be sub to replace the other in the second half. There is a lot of flexibilty in the team with a lot of playwers that could be given a run through the middle. Ruck to have Gawn backed up with Fitz in the back half and Pedersen in the front half. Watts sometime third man up.

how can the mark be out of bounds?

We will hold on for this one.