Go the Biff

The worst thing Robertson did today in my opinion was kick a goal in the pocket instead of passing the ball to morton free in a better position 40 m out from goal. Morton did everything well to get the ball to Robbo in the first place - ran to create space - pleaded for the ball and was ignored. I just hope Morton does not thing this is how he needs to play (ie. like Robbo). Sure Robbo kicked the goal but how rewarding and motivational would it have been for the young bloke. Remember RObbo - it is about the team.

FTR - I like Robbo and he does try his guts out each week. I just think he has become considerably more selfish.

Don't think you've read that right & I had a good view. Morton's work was terrific in getting the ball to Robertson but then he stopped. You could see Robertson looking to Morton & I reckon he wanted to pass the ball off to him but the kid was static (then again, passing or handballing to a static team-mate often seemed the orger of the day). Had Cale moved 7 or 8 metres towards goal the pass was on. By the time he did, a Bulldog had moved up from the goalsquare, effectively covering him.

I was happy enough with Robertson's work-rate in the first half. Pisses me off when he flies against Neitz though - he should be front & square. Our whole forward structure pisses me off in fact & has for years. I'll save that rant for another time.

How about we blame the players... I was at the game and it was a disgraceful effort. Here is a few of the issues I noticed:

- our players after half-time did not put any defensive pressure on when the Bulldogs were running the ball our of our forward line or through the middle... prior to half-time, we were okay in this area.

- our zone set-up for us kicking out has merit, because it works for other clubs... but it will not work unless people burst free from this zone, and sprint into open space that was created. There is no point having all this open space on the flanks if the players are just going to jog half-pace into it. SPRINT INTO IT... if you get a 5metre break on your opponent, the bloke kicking out should be able to hit you lace out... if not, then the wrong person is kicking out!

- on the two or three occasions we ran the ball up the middle today, we didn't look to bad at all... and hit Robertson and Neitz on the chest from these set-ups. Why do we revert to playing on the wings when going up the middle was a successful ploy? Okay, if it gets turned over whilst you have run it up the middle, you will get hurt more on the rebound... but that is a defensive mind-frame. Back yourself in... run it up the middle! It worked on most occasions that we did it today. One play stood out for me, Bruce got the ball (either from a mark or free-kick) and immediately looked to the wing for a target... and completely missed 3 blokes in the guts who had as much chance of winning the ball as the blokes on the wing did... bloody back your team-mates in!!!

I was so frustrated watching today... seriously!!! There was NO EFFORT after half-time, and it doesn't matter who is on your board, or who is in the coaching box, or who is taping the ankles in the room... IF THE PLAYERS DO NOT PUT IN EFFORT, YOU WILL NEVER WIN!!!

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Although your username sounds familiar I note a post count of 1. That is a pretty useful first post. Welcome.

i love Col Sylvia and im constantly getting crap from mates for having so much faith in him.. i do think he could be a superstar and would be shattered if we traded/delisted him regardless of what happens this year....

however if he kicks 6 goals and lays 11 tackles then ill shout him the first round and a lappie at the Spearmint Rhino!!!!

As long as you get him home by 1.00 am. Hate to see him suspended after 6 goals & 11 tackles

Certainly a lot of time and emotional energy has been pumped into the Rectangular Stadium proposal. But I wonder how much money has been (by MFC).

A relocation to Casey Fields as an admin & training base (and possibly a future boutique stadium for some small drawing fixtures) would still see the Demons as primarily MCG based for matches .

Two separate issues. Do the deal for a summer training base, for at least the next two years & then review the arrangement when Olympic Park comes on line. It may be in the club's interest to have the summer arrangement ongoing. If the club wants to develop a presence in the area, get out there a few times this year to start it off. Put on a few clinics during the next school holidays. Send players around schools in the region as well. Have training at times where kids can come & watch & maybe, have a kick after training with some of the players. While the area is growing rapidly it's also got more than its fair share of families battling "no deposit" mortgages. If the club wants anything more than a training base from the exercise, the first thing they should be trying to get is the hearts & minds of potential young fans rather than making a quid.

As for playing games at Casey, we should steer well clear of any involvment. That's a council / AFL debate which, if it ever gets legs, will escalate to State govt level. It will be all about infrastructure and given that after 150 years we still have none, we should leave the interested parties to it. It will be a money pit.

We made him look better than he should have. There were times when others could have helped out Carroll by cutting across the flight of the incoming pass, but I'm guessing they shirked it cos they might have got hurt. We just weren't desperate enough

That's the area we miss Rivers most of all - his ability to read the play & cut off forward thrusts from the opposition.

You might not like his "confidence" but Franklin can seriously play. Flashy & can drift in & out of a game but I don't subscribe to the frontrunner view. YM if Franklin were on the "G" in a Melbourne jumper you'd not only change your username but you'd have a crack at yourself til your head caved in.

Can anyone tell me why we are now talking about Casey Fields when were about to move to Olympic Park. Is it just while were waiting for them to finish Oly Park ??? Anyone Know ? Thanx.

As I understand it, Casey Fields is being looked at as a summer pre-season training venue rather than hopping from ground to ground. Olympic Park is still on as our home & our training venue during the season.

I have been a supporter all my life, but have only recently moved to within driving distance at least. So for 2 years, I have been considering becoming a member.

Slight correction - from what you've said you've been a barracker all your life, not a supporter. Two years considering becoming a member ? FFS, Luke Williams was a better decision maker than you.

The sad thing is that there are thousands of pea-hearts with an attitude like yours who will take yesterday as an excuse to decline supporting the club with their finances & their attendance. As if we don't have enough down-hill skiers in this club.

When the going gets tough you find out about people. Have a look at yourself Mono, chances are you won't need a full-length mirror.

If you want to be a supporter, join up & turn up.

All the best Paul

Can we get Sharapova as the no 1 supporter? :

I'd prefer this : http://www.anaivanovic.com/index.php?path=...detailpage=1036

A senior player who is on big bikkies. We need 100 % devotion and dedication. Surely some singing rubbish cant add to his 2008 preparation and planning. 2 reports in 2 weeks, and we are not looking real flash.

Get fair dinkum Robbo.

Am I out on a limb or do others feel the same way? Do this cr@p when you are retired mate. Just concentrate on kicking goals and being 100% focussed.

Rather he did this than sit on his arse all day playing Playstation waiting to go to training. The 2 reports are irrelevant - both thrown out at the first stage of inspection.

He's about the only decent media we've got at the moment. Wouldn't mind seeing the jumper get a bit more air-time though - the red & blue, not that shite thing we've been parading in the pre-season.

LOL @ people writing off players (ie Jace Bode)

Incorrect YM. Based on what I saw last year. Good games against the likes of Carlton going at half rat-power shouldn't get you on the senior list. I was surprised he was promoted.

Hope he proves me very wrong though.

Loving your optimism as always. Have you got the leopard-skins ready for a R1 victory over the Hawks ?

Bode is too one sided for mine. He'll struggle at AFL level if he can't do anything about this part of his game.

I know what you mean. I look at Jace Bode but I keep seeing Luke Williams !

Why would you be resting a developing, young guy like Frawley? Surely he has to play every senior game possible this pre-season to further his development. I can't buy any excuse about him not playing other than he's injured.

Frawley was injured - a foot/ankle sprain which blew up a bit. Should not keep him out of action long.

Miller had a hamstring twinge - rested on Saturday as a precaution

This has been a ripping read but WTF has Page 2 got to do with Rhys Palmer. Mods, is there any chance of moving the CAC/drafting discussion. I think it deserves its own thread

Is that, like, as in V.C.R? Aren't they steam powered or something?

Pedals & crank-handle

I'm feeling old

Same here.

Somewhere I think I have a videotape of Melbourne game where K O'D was BoG. Connolly might have been playing as well. ABC coverage I think with the Doug Heywood post-match interview. Not making myself feel any younger.

Now I'm waiting for one of the Blu-Ray generation to ask "what's a videotape ?"

Actually, Ferg did well on Richo in his first ever preseason game for us.

That said, Richo was W-O-E-F-U-L. I doubt that he'd have run more than 80 metres for the whole game.

And that was about it for Ferg. What a false dawn that turned out to be. In fact in all the time he's been here there are only two games that have caused me to wonder whether he had a future. His first appearance you mentioned in a pre-season cup game when he did an excellent negating job on Richo and the Broadbridge game against Essendon when the footy just kept on finding him. Ferg is courageous but his skills are moderate, his strength in contests inadequate and he loses his feet far too often. He is an excellent footballer at his level and that level is not the AFL.

If you go to BigFooty here (hope this works) : Meesen you'll find that some Crow-supporting chap has kindly put some pics of our new recruit in action playing for Norwood. He looks a big unit.

The Crow / Norwood supporter is a Meesen fan - he appears to be very much in the minority among Crow supporters but I guess that's to expected. Everyone instantly becomes a hack when they leave your club.

how the hell does dean bailey do this?? this guy is a freak!! i wanna have sex with him

D'you reckon that'll help you get drafted ?

Vanlo,

Warnock's contracted for next year. More importantly, his "little" brother comes out of contract next year. Matthew's possibly got an additional advantage if there's a long term plan to try to prise Robbie away from Freo.

Jamar - correct, just signed a 2 year deal.

Ferg I think is out of contract & of your three, will likely have the biggest battle to stay on the list. He would have been quietly hoping that someone had put in a bid for Carroll when he was declared available

You are clearly a close follower of the game.

TJ's 2005 was so ordinary that he won our B & F by an absolute mile and came 3rd in the Brownlow.

Have another read NW. I think you'll find he was referring to Woewodin in that part of his post.

scott is said to be the worst of the lot. No thanks

Trevor Chappell ? Dean Waugh ? Zeppo Marx ?

Shaw at his best is not a bad player. I actually admire him for the way he got his career going again after the GF incident & the knee. He doesn't add anything to our squad that we don't already have though and his kicking is questionable. Even with Brown, Ward & Godfrey gone, we still have too many players who are crap kicks. No way known should we be getting another one.

If we are to lose Johnstone, which appears likely, let it be for a player who adds to the skill level of the group. Otherwise we are cutting our nose to spite our face.

Definitely agree with his assessment.

I don't. The interview to me seemed to smack of a bloke making excuses. While I'd love to see him do well, being a son of a player I greatly admired, I can't see it happening. He's shown nothing.

I would like to select Jaded's "get over it" option.

Failing that, a "sod off Clint Bizket" option would do.

Why is it when learned posters try to engage you in meaningful discussion you refuse to take the blinkers off.

Perhaps Daniher should have instituted a plan of simply bombing it long to Clint Bizzell in the goalsquare.

Would that have made you happy ?

You know what else gave me the shits ? I am 95% sure that Grant is a goat-rooter (Essendon supporter) and he failed to even acknowledge that they got the arse as well. Very selective. It was that rather than his cheap shot at Melbourne that [censored] me off.