Damo

Its not about the injuries for mine. Its no surprise Chris Dawes is not fit. I cant see why (financial) supporters cant be fully informed of when players are realistically expected back. I can understand playing your cards close in big games but MFC isnt known for keeping us up to date about how the players are going, fitness wise. was there a time when it hasnt been this way? Nup, so its at least consistent. Are other clubs being kept in the dark by our "ready to go" lists? Not likely.

Its no big deal. We went out and won the 1st. Good, but the tigers looked a different outfit yesterday. We need to have a decent outing and not lose by too much, but if the cats are cruising, then go for it. At this point Im looking to St Kilda Round one and hope we play a few cards close to the chest. None the less I will be scaring the dogs barracking.

I would like to keep playing Spencer and see if he is better second up. He doesnt get to string many together. Keep Gawn for later on. I reckon many remember Mark Jamar as a good ruck but forget how slow/stiff he is. He also doesnt win many in the ruck, just negates the other ruckman IMO. Having said that, because we have so many on the bench, NAB cup is perfect for him to only play 20-30% of the game, as I doubt if he can go much more. Spencer has a red hot go, and its good see a big man ready to get low for a ball, not stand around waiting for it to come out.

The only surprise in the commentary team for mine was that Alastair Lynch had some interesting comments. But that may have been because of the inability of Brereton to quickly inform and the lazy arrogance of Dwayne. Brereton also has the unlikable habit of repeating himself if some-one agrees with his long winded observations.

Till at least 5 minutes into the 1st quarter.

Mitch Clark is over halfway through his contract. He has played 15 games. You arent nearly as much Bitter as you are optimistic.

Cheers Old Dee. I pays my dues so I takes my chance. If I wasnt a member I wouldnt feel I had the right to pi55 and moan. Im hoping for good news, but dont expect it.

And that topic is... Mitch Clark and the spin released from the MFC about how he is fine but his niggles may mean he will miss a few matches. At the start of the year.... I just cant swallow any more BS. Im at saturation point. I have no belief this pre-season is any different to the last 5,6,7. Everyone all firing, club so happy. We're all meant to believe it. I dont. Im not looking for an argument. Im not a true believer any more. Sick of bad pre-seasons and players that are forever 4-6. Maybe I should change my moniker to Hanrahan.

Yet you were instrumental in removing him.

Do you doubt Clark will not play much this year? Im not trying to horn in on old arguments but its not looking good.

I read it as manage your expectations. Clark not to play anytime soon. I thought earlier 4 wins wasn't hoping for too much. I also believe winning against st kilda round one may have been achievable and a huge fillip for the club and it's supporters. I wish I knew more about Mitch Clark. much of my meagre expectations revolve around this extremely expensive contract.

... there are known knowns; there are things we know that we know. There are known unknowns; that is to say, there are things that we now know we don't know. But there are also unknown unknowns – there are things we do not know we don't know. Then there is demonland. unknown knowns.

Youve always been a c0ck-eyed optimist

I love the sound of 9 wins. I dont see how we can do it. Unless one or two clubs have the ars# drop out like we did, I will be marginally satisfied with 4 wins. Every other team is/seems to be having quite a good pre-season, although many may not have noticed. The round one game is unfortunately one of our biggest games, if not the biggest all year. 4 Wins may not "sound" good but would be a real turning point and would mean we have been competitive for the whole game most of the time.

A long, long way ahead. Hoping for a big uninterrupted year.

As are windbags

Szondy was a peoples man. Now Ive heard everything.

How good Clark is as a Tall Forward when fit is not in dispute. Its obvious (to me) he is having a bad pre-season and wont be ready to go Round one. Its too fanciful to think Paul Roos is keeping all our Talls "under wraps" to unleash them on an unsuspecting AFL. Yet it seems there are those that think this is the story. I believe Dawes and Clark are again or still (you choose) injured. Most Magpie supporters say Dawes is always injured and only had one good year. I have no faith in either their ability to be injury free or Melbournes ability to get them to put niggles behind them and play to win round one.

Im surprised how many people think there will be more than a 10% improvement under Roos. Footballers are like sausages, you can fry them, grill them, bake them, theyre still footballers. Allan Jeans The other issue I have is that nearly every other team is expecting a better year than last year. Exceptions maybe Saints and Lions. So we may need a 15 - 20% improvement to look like a real genesis. If we can beat the Saints round one I, dont care if we lose the next 7 or 8. So to do that we need our best side on the park. We have paid $100,000 a game to Clark so far. GWS have better value out of Scully. My message to MFC, is get him and Dawes on the ground for this game even if 90% fit.

So how bad does that make the selection committee? You cant really have a go at someone who accepts a challenge in the work force that hind sight tells us was not the right fit/achievable. When standing next to Mick Malthouse and telling the MFC representative on the phone that they need to confirm his appointment because he has another offer, I cant really blame him.

good one [censored].

I'm doubtful. I was thrilled when we got RDB back in 1980. We had come from a bad 10 years and with peter Moore and kelvin templeton signing on we had just what was needed to make the 4. I think we won one game but I may be wrong. Those days still sting. I hold bad feelings for who ever checked templetons bad knee. So I'm jaded from false starts. Luckily we enlisted slug Jordan and my thrills came more from the under 19s and then the reserves, the kids finally blooming under Northey. I will wait and see. Hope springs but not eternally.

Agree button

I don't think comparing col Sylvia to nat jones is fair. He seems to be doing well despite his environment. Most players whom have left us after bailey especially, have struggled with fitness at other clubs. Rivers hasn't but plays in a position that doesn't need elite fitness and was never a good trainer at Melbourne. And to be honest we got about as much out of col as we have out of watts grimes and Trengove IMO. Or are we still waiting for them as well?

I don't get the hope he fails. He could have done better but he also had bad luck injury wise and was here when we were in our cups. Good luck Col.