Damo

Their work eithic (sic) is impeccable? What makes you think so? Both of Their recovery planning looks amateur to me. My belief is that they could have managed both soft tissue injuries better earlier. If they are back in 2 or 3 weeks, fine. Im wrong, but I dont believe it.

Come back to me again at the start of next year when he has played another 5 or 6 games. Thats more than I expect. Your typical simplistic response will probably be the same. To spell it out for you I dont believe he prepares himself correctly. It would have been known that soft tissue injuries following his Lisfranc was possible. The foot injury was apparently finished well before summer. It is both the club and the players' responsibility to train and recover in the best possible fashion. Look at Hawthorn players making a pact on the night of winning a premiership to come back in excellent shape to attempt back to back. Does Clark (and possibly Dawes) have that work ethic?

It's a big deal of money. We have ahistory of bad returns from players we recruit from other clubs.Many here have deeper pockets than me but I pay membership each year and enter auctions etc. yours iis a very lazze faire position to take. You have deeper reserves of patience which I envy. We haven't won a game yet. If we lose to the saints it wil be because we missed these two.

This is Clarks 3rd season. He is getting $800,000 a year. He is out of contract at the end of September 2015, I think. He has played 15 games for Melbourne Football Club. please someone tell me Ive got it wrong.

Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it.

Ive heard he bought a camera....

yes Friday Night footy with the Dees. Already looking good, just got to keep a couple of Cats supporters from trying to come over to watch my telly.

Im actually more excited to see Jack Fitzy. Im impatient to see if my fragile hopes have much basis. Im hoping he isnt mainly kept to rucking duties and starts at FF leading from the square.

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.