Damo

It looked to me as if the "Fire Up" speech of ND's was made at 1/4 time and not at 3/4 time. We got on the front foot and made the running as opposed to catching up. It seemed that simple to me!

Just so you dont think you are Robinson Crusoe, Monoccular, I agree entirely. I dont understand who's dog he kicked on the selection committee, he just may be a Jonah.... Ferg gets pole-axed with criticism but a few others are seen to be B&F material, who in my jaundiced eye are not footballers. I did think there would be a few others to come out and support Fergy. But then I must confess I like Godfrey, so I guess that limits my judgment

Well said. We have had a very good run with less injuries than most Melbourne clubs for a couple of years. Many players will be seeing this as the chance they are waiting for. Yes it will be a big challenge. Yes we wont see all our "stars". Dont forget this is the type of game we may win against all odds. We have done it before. Dont forget also that this is the very type of game that Geelong may choke in. If we do get up, you will wish you were there!

I hope Godfrey plays. If Baker is in the middle we need someone just as tough. And thats Godfrey. I dont understand the negativity against Simon, but everyone has their favorites.... I always think he is good value especially if it is going to be wet and windy. Because then of course, it will be the conditions that we can blame not his disposal. He can get the hard ball though and I rate that higher than less or softer possessions with excellent passing. Go Godders.

I put the bet on in Jan. on sportingbet.com

OK. When exactly? He is looking to have a career damned by O.P. Same as last year, if he plays at the end of this year he will be frustratingly hamstrung, without showing all his wares because he has not been able to put in a Pre-season. It must do his head in... I wouldnt be at all surprised if Ben Cousins plays more games this year. FWIW I will be happy if Brent Moloney's season is not overshadowed by Osteitis Pubis. I feel sorry for Colin and hope Im proved wrong.

Thats how I see it Jaded. Word coming from St Kilda City F.C. (not far from the Junction) is that the demon players truly believe they are MUCH fitter than their Saints counterparts. Not just opposed to MFC but I heard they think the saints are seriously under done. There is conjecture that the moorabbin boys and staff are also keenly feeling the loss of one Grant Thomas. Almost to the point of not being as focused as their professionalism should ensure. I must confess to only hearing "word of Mouth". Easy to believe when it sounds so good!

I've put $10 on Sandilands to win the Brownlow at $81. Apart from Brock, ($61) my only bet. I think Burgoyne is value too at $31(I think). I reckon it is the best list Sheahan has put together for a few years. I'm sure there are plenty who would have Colin Sylvia and Daniel Bell in, going by the exuberant urging going on here.

Well done JJC! Very Observant.

Yes, Thanks Alpha. A great get for those that missed. A generous gift.

OK. I am ready to eat mine. And I will have fries with that thanks, if I have to... as it will be good news to me for the club (but obvious to the Bell band wagon) But put up...BellBandWagoners What is a reasonable outcome in the Saints game for Bell and say, Ward? Assuming, and I am, that both will play? Its not good enough to disparage everything one player does, and heap praise on another. Im not saying Ward is the same type of player BTW, Im just of the opinion he is a better footballer and his positives outweigh the negatives. Go Wardy.

Not quite as strong as that, I do believe he set up Spotless to have a captive audience that had all footy fans paying above reasonable prices for food. It is my understanding that most of his decisions that counted, either benefited him in (1)his role as majority shareholder in The Spotless Group or (2) the Essendon Football Club in their large share of Telstra Dome.

Well good on you for all that travel it sounds like you have access to Reg ansett's chopper... i believe it will be SE by Sunday at the Beacon Thirteenth

It may seem Glass-Half-Empty but I have a feeling both teams will be eyeing each other off quite closely. It would seem time for us to make a genuine submission to win by this time of the year. Even if we were having a "late start", I cant believe any one at MFC would be happy to tank this one. I reckon it will be a belter of a practise match (if Im right and there hasnt been a deal done to go half hearted) I almost wish I wasnt going surfing...

Williams didnt play well or Bell beat him, your choice. Carroll hasnt been lauded far and wide unduly, he has built his reputation on many great games in in important matches. He had to work hard to get support on this site. Bell hasnt had that hard a run. I believe Carroll's tackle on Fraser Gherig saved ND's arse and burnt Grant Thomas's. How important is that? Another debate.... If you want to compare how many good games Carrol has played against Bell's, you may well win as you would have many happy campers agreeing with you and you would spin a fancy tale. Whether it had a semblance of truth or balance may not be the point.

I dont agree. Sorry.

I wonder why I cant see Daniel Bell in the same league as Jones and Johnson. Two players who can play the game as if they are having fun. Many valuable possessions and few disposals to a contest, against many hard fought disposals more times than not, delivered to a contest. If his disposal is one of his best assets, I dont think it is special. Bell is a hard at it pick 15 who has never shown polish or timing. To rate his game as good as Chris Johnson is biased.... Also if he is in our best 22 then we wont be top 4 in my opinion. It seems Im pissing into the wind and I try to keep an open mind, but Ward and Brown must be above him in the real world.

Too often leaves his man to go to the contest. It cost us dearly. I admit Im not on his bandwagon, but think it is silly to see him defended incessantly.

I agree. Its not worth the grief to mention Bell and Miller.

Thanks Hards and DemonPates.

Excuse me for asking a dumb question but if Foxtel gets the rights, will all games (including the FTA) be shown on a "footy channel"? If Yes to the above question, Will they be shown anyway (without winning the rights) but just not "live"? Or is this still as unknown as the rights issue? Thanks

Imagine if Richo had been fed correctly out of the centre. Imagine if he had been discipled and taught by coaches who had felt they would be around for a while and could weather a big colt learning the game. Imagine if he had had another tallish quality forward to help share the load. He then would have been Carey like imo. Just on Carey and his "best" opponents, Im tipping he wouldnt have Neiter in his top three over his career. He may have said it once or twice, but it was relatively early in both careers.

Ahh that old chestnut! I like your side A31, but there has to be more to getting a game than hanging your hat on two goals from outside 50 in 5 years. And it is just the NAB cup where he has put them through nine points or not... I think we should be trying a few newer bloods than Paul W.

It would seem to me that it would depend on matchups. If you think you are a good chance to win most positions, you would play godfrey. Meat and potatoes. Will generally be worth his spot not withstanding some goofs. Wont win the game. On the other hand, If you knew White was on for example, Sandilands and Carroll was on say Lloyd, you would have to try to find an exploitive move. A risk would be required. A tactic to unbalance the other coach. You dont win a flag without taking chances but you do try to minimise them. Col may win you the game, but its risky. Coaches see things differently as well. So if John Kennedy was coaching, I think he'd play Godfrey. I reckon Sheedy would play Sylvia.

I was there that day. It was the greatest display of football Ive seen. He played on the HFF and got his own ball most of the time. It looked to me like geelong were given the team instruction to kick it to FF where Excel was. Ablett interrupted that ploy, and I dont remember him being fed at all, by Couch, Hocking etc.. Ablett was the best Ive seen with Matthews second, and and I was pretty young then. Then daylight. Just My Opinion. I used to think Alan Johnson was the pretty near the best in his time, but after watching his great game for WA with Buckenara in the late eighties beating the Vics, I realised that Bucky was everything Johhno was.... plus bigger, stronger. Bucky was probably in the top ten of his club at the time. This made me reflect where we were. Although we won games we couldn't beat Hawks and Blues when it counted.