Redleg

The problem is that PJ is not a ruckman. We all assume he is a ruckman because he is big. He is in the ruck because we have no one else, if we did he would be played elsewhere. He is no star but he adds a lot with his height, pace, kicking and improved marking. With the way our forward line is at the moment he has to get a game. At least he has the pace to get to a contest and the size to contest. I could imagine Aussie and Maric at his feet feeding off him. The best news for me is that Meesen who I had given up on, is apparently starting to show some form. I hope he keeps improving and becomes a senior player so that our trade for him is not a total disaster. They do say some ruckmen take years to find their feet in the AFL, maybe he is one of them.

First the Gold Coast only get into the main draft next year. They do get access to the 17 year olds this year. Correct on the second point. 4 wins or less and if we are on the bottom we get the first two picks in this year's draft.

Obviously not all Pie fans can be tarred with the lout brush, but today there were three middle aged guys sitting a couple of rows behind me and my wife and ( adult ) kids. One of them swore non stop and would have used the F word at least 20 times in the first quarter. An elderly lady ( Pies supporter ) sitting behind me and in front of him asked him to stop. He then changed the swear word to a lesser one and did not stop screaming the whole game. This was in the AFL section. As for security one cop walked down the aisle once in the whole game. I don't think we should be blaming Collingwood for these thugs who assaulted Nathan's dad, but I do agree they should be banned from football, jailed and if the Pies are serious about their image have any membership revoked for a long time if not for ever. All in the community, including foremost the legal system need to send a message to all that violence will not be tolerated. Everyone including the old and the weak should feel safe when going about their lives. Otherwise it will become a jungle.

You could be my daughter.

The answer is simple. Sign anyone at risk to a contract beyond 2010.

Nothing, if he wants to go.

Thats funny.

Not last sunday.

Don't forget that the MFC was except for the last 30 years a section of the MCC. We are just returning. Also what is good for the MFC will be good for the MCC. MFC successful=bigger attendances=more income for MCC.

Then put him at Miller and Bate's feet, he will see plenty of the ball.

I can remember how much I loved seeing Alan Jakovich play for us with his miracle goals. Maybe Jurrah will be the next player to excite the Melbourne fans.

I spoke to Kelly O'Donnell at the game on Sunday in the old coaches box in the AFL section. Kelly is our development coach and had a few of the young guys watching the game with him and learning about AFL football. I saw among others Watts, Blease, Jurrah, Strauss, McKenzie and I think Bail and Healey. He was very happy with the way they are coming along and said that we have a great bunch of guys at the club who are being taught what AFL footy is all about. He was genuinely excited at the talent on our list and the future for the team. He said they all get along well together and that was evidenced when Watts and Jurrah shared a joke and hugged each other. I was outside the box at this point and don't know what was said. Kelly said that Jurrah does some freakish things on the ground and that we are all in for a thrill when he finally plays. He is settling in well and to my eyes was mixing very well with the other guys in the box. Kelly said we need patience for him and the other young guys but like Cheney, who he is a wrap for, he said many of them will make it. When I left the box I was pumped and it carried me through our last poor quarter as I thought of better times to come.

I hear bits of his show sporadically and I have noticed that he will never admit he is wrong, on anything. He will argue even when the reasonable person would concede. He comes across therefore as extremely arrogant. For him to walk out on an interview in these circumstances would have him on notice if I was his employer that a repeat performance will be taken as his resignation and accepted. For a media person to put his own personal agenda before his job shows what he values more. In this case it is his hatred of all those involved in his dismissal from the Tigers Coaching job. Bugger those that may have wanted to hear him ask Cameron a few questions. He has never heard of the phrases " move on'' and " get over it". He is to be pitied.

Correct.

To be fair to the guy, he was a late draft pick recruited as a half back flanker. Now we are all going feral because he is not a star key forward.

We have a pedestrian mid field, weak ruck division and no forward line. Now that we all agree lets work out how we adapt to that scenario. If our key forwards are being beaten and outnumbered why do we not have a system where an unmanned loose forward gets on his own and we kick it to him instead of to Miller who has three opponents. To my way of thinking it is dumb football not to create the loose man and look for him. Whether it is the Coach's fault or the players' fault it needs to be fixed, or we will end up with a repeat of last years night game against Geelong where Aussie was our only forward playing on Milburn, Scarlett and Harley all at once. We need a forward structure that can adapt to the main targets being beaten with plan two. Aussie, Maric and Sylvia may help but it is the structure and game plan that needs fixing until we get better forwards. That said I thought we were competitive today and if not for poor disposal would have finished much closer to the Roos.

Your best post.

You are not alone. Plenty of our posters wrote off Cheney last year and he is in the side this week. They may still be correct, but time and opportunity have changed many a (sporting) career.

Danny Hughes is, I spoke to him at the AGM and he said he would miss a few games in the pre season. Hopefully he is close to playing again. Don't know about Rhys.

It would need a lot of work.

I can see where Bailey is heading but note that Martin and to a lesser extent Dunn are stiff. Hale will play full forward and is a giant and the obvious choice would have been Martin. Martin could also have a spell in the ruck or up forward if needed. Dunn has bulked up and could have gone forward. With Aussie and Maric out we needed a quick small forward and hence Jetta gets his chance. Bennell gets his because of Thomas and Campbell . Cheney deserves his chance after a good pre season. We are a bit quicker with this line up and it will be needed against the Roos.

Pretty good mistake. The guy has played for over 10 years 181 games and 125 goals and carried the ruck at 3 clubs.

So obviously I and others have no idea about football because we disagree with your opinion on Sylvia. Just for the record could you tell me how many times he has been our best player in a game. How was his pre-season this year? Another poster has mentioned his goal kicking stat of .07 goals per game, do you think that is a good one for a player who plays up forward? He is not a midfielder because he doesn't have the engine, so where else do you see him playing? Lastly, based on what statistic or performance do you say guarantees Colin a place in the team every week? I actually think he is a player of potential rather than performance and has largely wasted his first 5 years of AFL football.

Ultimately the Coach will cop the blame. What I am saying is that senior AFL footballers can kick and handball yet when they consistently bugger it up it is not just coaching. Last year they finished with a real bang. Where was that side tonight? There is no doubt, no finals no Terry. However I am sure that the Tigers are not that bad.

That's the point, he isn't. He should be, but he isn't. Maybe he should apply himself to get there. I am more upset about Aussie, Grimes and even Maric not playing.