Redleg

Yes.

This thread is sad but true. Both sides supporters are praying for a loss ( and a Richmond win ). With all of the crap flowing about this game and the selections that will occur and the coaching on the day, the AFL will have to seriously look at dumping priority picks. This is an unhealthy situation and makes a mockery of the true sporting contest. Again I repeat, the players on the ground will try, it is the club's officials who will not, both in selection and coaching. My real fear is that Riley might want to win while Ratten clearly does not. This might be the last chance we have to secure an early pick in the national draft and pre season draft plus a bonus pick after round 1 in the national draft. Teams can be rebuilt quickly with this type of advantage. Please Melbourne, please, LOSE.

Get your bucket ready.

Jarred Waite has just been ruled out with a headache that starts sunday afternoon. Marc Murphy has just been ruled next week as he has to buy panadol for Waite. Carazzo has just been ruled out as he has to drive Murphy to the pharmacy. Gibbs has just been ruled out as he has to tell Carazzo where the pharmacist is. Betts has been ruled out because he cant stand to see anyone with a headache. Whitnall has been ruled out because he might want to buy some jellybeans at the chemist and ruin his diet. O'Hailpin has been ruled out because he is upset that Whitnall can't have his jellybeans etc.

It amazes me that some people just plain don't get it. If we win we lose a priority pick before round 2. That can be used on a fairly good player or as part of a trade deal. We will also lose pick 2 and get pick 4 instead. That could be the difference between a Judd and a Fiora. We will also lose pick 2 in the pre season draft which if Richmond declare their pick, can be used to get a couple of players by the threat of taking them for free if they are not traded. The same way we lost Farmer. On the other hand we could get a win over a club that has no interest in winning at all. Then we can watch our club lose the advantages of a loss with its picks gone and the club set back on its recovery. What is so bloody hard to understand? Jarred Waite has just been ruled out with a headache that starts Sunday afternoon. Marc Murphy has just been ruled next week as he has to buy panadol for Waite. Carazzo has just been ruled out as he has to drive Murphy to the pharmacy. Gibbs has just been ruled out as he has to tell Carazzo where the pharmacy is. Betts has been ruled out because he cant stand to see anyone with a headache. Whitnall has been ruled out because he might want to buy some jellybeans at the chemist and ruin his diet. O'Hailpin has been ruled out because he is upset that Whitnall can't have his jellybeans etc.

A little bird told me you may be having a little celebration, if so have a great time and all the best from Redleg.

The trouble is that we are far dumber than Carlton and they will conspire to make us win. After the year we have had if we lose pick 2 and the priority pick, we deserve the hindrance to our improvement it will cause.

Hope Neitz' final season is not affected. Rest Robbo next week, there is absolutely no glory in winning next Sunday.

Good idea except that Carlton would not call for a count.

In my opinion Melbourne has a duty of care to injured players such as Neita and Robbo, to rest them before a serious injury may occur. An injured player and particularly an older one is more susceptible to injury and in their case it could be career ending. Carlton has acted responsibly in resting Thornton and Fevola for the last few games, allowing them to start their recovery now and be in tip top condition for next season. I urge Melbourne to do the same with Neita and Robbo.

I thought Collingwood looked switched on in the first half.

My prediction is that Carlton will pick a team that can't win. If by chance it is winning, moves will be made from the Coaches box to ensure defeat. I also subscribe to the theory that players don't tank they may just not be at their best. My hope is that we pick a worse team and make even worse moves to not stuff up our future development. Who the hell wants to beat a club that is not totally totally committed anyway, is there any glory in that? This is so much more important than a meaningless win. I am sure we will stuff up and win and set ourselves back.

Agreed.

Agree Fan. I have had a bit to do with Chris and feel he will be a loss to the club. Good luck for the future Chris. With Hawthorn's Tassie connection and Chris coming from there I think I can see some symmetry.

Miller was a low draft pick up and I like the guy, but at the moment I just can't cop guys who can't kick. If he was traded for a player for example a Charman from lions I would be happy. I would however not delist him for nothing.

I do.

One major difference with the Moloney case was that it was accepted at the tribunal that he didn't make contact with the victim. He got three weeks because Judge Jones directed the tribunal at the hearing that if a player caused another person to fall and hit the ground because the person thought he was about to get hit illegally that was sufficient. He made new law. In the Bell case there was deliberate severe force applied to the head of a player that was bending down for the ball. Realistically it would have to be 6 before any carryover points are added ( an extra week ) and then a week or two off for a guilty plea. Probable result 5 games.

Any Melbourne fan who saw Carlton lose today should call for the delisting/trading of those players at Melbourne who have no skill (can't dispose of the footy). Carlton lost because of the turnovers of players like Walker, Blackwell and dare I say it Gibbs. I lost count of the number of times they went near goal only to turn it over and see a goal come on the rebound. That being the case I say goodbye and thanks to Ward, Godfrey, Brown and Miller.

Fev was the worst player in their side. He was not good enough to be called pathetic. At the break he was looking into the stands instead of at the coach. He argued with the umpire while the ball was in play near him. Incidently the playing of a second gamer on Lloyd all day was probably the most significant aspect in the loss and if you believed in tanking, that is some proof that it is done outside the arena not inside it. Players are like horses they try to win, it is inbred. They can't of course control their jockeys or coaches.

Agree. I was just metres away from the Long/Simmonds hit and I was actually frightened he had killed or paralysed him. I had until that day admired Long but thought it was one of the most revolting acts I had seen on a football field. Long charged at Simmonds from about 15 metres away, braced to hit him with a shoulder and arm while Simmonds was head down trying to gather the ball. I lost all respect for Long at that moment. He should have got a season. It severely harmed football in my opinion and was as cowardly as a king hit from behind. As you can see my rage continues. Just as a side issue I knew the game was over as only the Ox came in to deal with Long and even he was pretty mild. It was a grand final and we were shown to be weak. Essendon were tough and aggressive. Don't forget Greens deliberate neck/throat injury and the elbow that cuased it. Oh by the way, who coached Essendon?

Bate was also limping during the game and the skipper is clearly on one leg. I also noticed Bate showing an unacceptable attack on the ball for an AFL player several times tonight. I am sure this didn't go unnoticed in the Coaches box either. He would be dropped if I was coach but severe injuries to team mates may save him. I would drop him anyway as he must learn what is expected of an AFL player if he wishes to improve. I would then make him watch videos of Brown and Bell attacking the ball, though maybe in Bell's case not the third quarter tonight.

Having just watched the 7 news which showed the hit from two angles and replaying it several times, I agree. Bell's head was over the ball and Johnson changed direction and came in to lay a bump to the head. It was clearly deliberate and extremely dangerous. He could have pulled up or run to the side of Bell but chose to lay the bump seeing the players head down. As brave as Bell was Johnson was cowardly in my opinion. If it was Byron it would be 8 weeks. The minimum will have to be 4. Cant wait to hear Eddie say it was an accident and that in fact it was Bell's fault.

Tonight was fantastic. Pure guts.

I think Grant Thomas is right on this one, many Coaches are picked before the process even starts. The process is then window dressing for the membership to show that an extensive search was undertaken.

Thanks for the teams Barry. I will have to try and get along to see the boys this week, don't eat all the sausage rolls.