Roost It

2 things. I really hope we have different midfield set ups and 2. I think you should go to bed earlier. It'll help keep you fresh for tommorow's postings!

Absolutely. I didn't realise we were that far behind in terms of staff. What are the current numbers.

Good defence, which I believe Melbourne has, takes care of this espcially with a fit, developed midfield that can push back and cover zones in the back half. This also increases the chance of turning over the ball. There is no reason why all our forwards need to push back. Thus when we either out mark or force the opposition into a turnover we can then have midfielders and back flankers peel off and push forward before kicking to a leading forward. Using zones in this way still enables us to have a functioning forward set up that can then receive the ball and kick those goals. Of course to execute this you need good skill by foot, pace and you also need to know exactly what your teammates are upto. It's from back flank to forward flank where the zones will be. To get through this you need precise, quick ball movement. This will take several years to develop. We are also hoping that Bailey is developing a set of tactics that are new and supersede the current plans. Time will tell but I reckon he's got the talent to pull off some pretty special football.

I'd have to agree that our substandard training facilities haven't helped. The Junction Oval is a joke and the sooner we are into our home at Olympic Park the better. We've been amateurs playing in a professional comp for as long as I can remember. In saying this facilities don't excuse lack of effort. Collingwood seem to get every last drop out of a pedestrian bunch of players. Is it their facilities, I think it helps. Of course it's by no means the whole reason.

You sound dissapointed that no one listens to you Rogue

I also liked the day for the increased appetite for the contest which is something that appears to go lacking from time to time when you have a young group. We really need Bate and Watts to start playing some football. It won't help Jurrah to be left forward on his own. The 3 of them along with Petterd, Morton, Davey and possibly Tapscott are the nucleus of our next forward line. It's going to take time to develop these guys into a cohesive set up. I'm confident that are back 6 and a our midfield is going to be well strong enough. I would like to see one of Garland or Martin play forward. At the moment I'm leaning toward Garland. He came to the club as a forward and we seem to have the numbers down back at the moment. I really hope Jamar can stay injury free and that one of Spencer, Gawn and Fitzpatrick become valuable bigmen. There's at least 2 - 3 years in development before any of them are ready for serious AFL. Once this team settles in the gameplan will come out more clearly. At the moment we have to be happy with little snippets and the odd win. I still contend that we can win 8 - 10 games this season. People need to chill. We have the nucleus of the next great side but so do West Coast, Hawthorn and possibly North. The next 10 years are going to be one hell of a ride. For the record I don't think Johnson, Bell, Bartram, Newton and Meesen will be on out list next year.

My tongue is in my cheek if you know what I mean!

The gameplan many don't see is evolving. had you been at the Dogs game last year I thought that was our best game for the year. We showed glimpses of what I'm sure will become our gameplan. More time into players is required. There's a long way to go. The club aren't kidding when they talk about 2014.

Rather than make me read this can't we just replace the coach with Lyon, bring back Robbo, delist Maric, Jetta, Strauss and Bennell, trade Morton in a fire sale and make Watts play regardless of whether he's fit or not. Then can't we just go back to kicking it long and see what comes up?

Which is exactly what this club can't afford to do. By not signing him you increase the speculation. As a club we must be unified and we must back our coach. I agree the effort on Sunday was poor but look what he is working with. The thing I find most ridiculous about all these threads that had we won none of them would exist. Too many putting too much weight on a practice match.

Rubbish. He was run all over the forward line by their backs. He's not a stand alone FF and in his 10th game after 1 preseason he is still coming to grips with the game at this level. The fact is he was buggered from all the running around in circles he ended up doing. This will improve with time and experience.

Chances are we'll lose most, if not all our first 5 games. When this happens if Bailey isn't already signed the media and half the football world will be calling for his blood. Sign him now and behave like a professional club. We lost a F@@@ing NAB cup match for god's sake Stop being drama queens and look what Bailey has to work with. No club in my memory has recovered in 3 years from the sort of clean out that has just taken place at our club. It's not an excuse it's a fact. By half way through this season you will see some good signs, there's too much talent not too. If you want consistency cryovac yourself and I'll cut you free in 4 years when we're tearing it up.

Go and lie down

How are you going to feel about the mounting pressure and bad press that falls on our club or did you forget to think that far ahead.

Sport seems to lag years behind technology. It's absurd that goals kicked after the siren are still allowed. It's kind of like Jumper manufacturers hand knitting each garment. it's the same with goals that are points such as hawkins point in the Grand Final being called a goal. It's time we used the available technology to make a professional sport upto date.

Martin to replace Garland down back. HF: Bate Dunn Sylvia F: Garland Green Jurrah I'd give this set up a crack and then ease Watts into the set up off the bench. Miller is unlikely to make it although for some reason I hold a faint glimmer. (I think it's the effort he puts in) So roll the dice with Dunn. Give him 6 - 8 weeks and say "Lynden, if you want to play in a Premiership with this club you've 8 weeks to prove to us you can own a position" Oh and say it really loud to him so he knows you mean it. In fact grab him with both hands by the collar and yell it in his face! Used to work in the Under 16's

Give Bailey his extra year and than articles and threads like this will disappear overnight and everyone can go knocking on Freo's door. Personally I'd offer Bailey 2 years with some performance markers locked in. Bailey can start really coaching now. The list is young but relatively settled. He needs to be given the time to show whether he can meld this team into a winning unit. That will take at least the next 2 - 3 years. Thought for the day. Q: Had Melbourne won on Sunday would you be more likely to sign Bailey. If your answer is yes you are a reactionary type who needs to think more before they post.

3 time premiership captains rarely leave their club

Strauss is playing his first few games of his career. He was fine. We seemed to play like slightly hyperactive school kids at the beginning and when the sugar wore off we looked plain flat. The fumbles were poor and it appeared each time we got a run on an over excited umpire found Freo a free kick and on 2 occasions a 50 metre penalty. All probably legit but the timing was bad for us. Sandilands killed us in the centre and distributed the ball at will. I though Bennell, Jetta and Maric had a real crack but just couldn't find the groove. Cheney concerns me even though you can't fault his effort. I'm going to pretend Liam wasn't playing because in essence he wasn't. Morton clearly finds practice matches a waste of time. Anyone concerned with his form cast your mind back to his game on Goodes last year. He will be fine, please leave the hysteria alone when it comes to one of our truly talented players. Colin drifted in and out but looks strong and hungry. A big year awaits. In the back half Frawley and Rivers played well as did Macdonald who looks to be a handy addition. The forward line is a little bare and will be our weakness until Watts, Bate, Jurrah, Wonaeamirri et al find some form and consistency. personally I would have played Green out of the square and allowed Liam to do as he pleased. I was seriously impressed by picks 1 and 2, who looked at home and did some nice things. Jones was also another who seems to have continued his improvement and he had a solid game and showed a bit of pace at times. Stef Martin is an interesting one. Where do we play him? I think he has something to offer the team I'm just not sure what that is. We'll be a better team with Bruce and Jamar in the middle. I hope Tapscott can help the forward line because you can't have too much strength down there. Ricky Petterd looked lively at times and could well contribute to a functioning forward line. Couldn't fault the captain's game. Mckenzie may well just be a player. Seems to know where to be but he wouldn't want to get any slower. Fitzpatrick will play the year at Casey alongside Spencer. I want them to give Dunn a crack in the forward line. All in all a poor first up game. Do we need to panic, NO. Do we need to improve, YES. Possible forward set up for next week: Jurrah Green Wonaeamirri Sylvia Dunn Petterd

The natives are restless. This is the gist of what I'm reading. 1. Sack the coach. Popular method used by powerhouse clubs such as Richmond. 2. Appoint Gary Lyon. Host of Footy Show, coaches under 12. Now's there a CV he can be proud of. 3. Liam Jurrah has been ruined by the club. Player has bad game, blame the whole organisation. New approach but I like it. 4. We picked up duds with our draft picks. Strauss, Bennell and Jetta, all under 20 but with no future in AFL due to poor NAB performance. Hey it's getting better and better. 5. Demons smashed at the stoppages. Supporters bemoan poor centre square set up after last week's great win! I'm adding to my list of what I'm reading 6. Bring back Robbo. Now that's a doozy! 7. Cale Morton is a dud. I thought I'd save the best till last. However it won't be long until even this is topped.

That and CALE FOR SALE are the best ones of the day. I am presuming you are joking.

The natives are restless. This is the gist of what I'm reading. 1. Sack the coach. Popular method used by powerhouse clubs such as Richmond. 2. Appoint Gary Lyon. Host of Footy Show, coaches under 12. Now's there a CV he can be proud of. 3. Liam Jurrah has been ruined by the club. Player has bad game, blame the whole organisation. New approach but I like it. 4. We picked up duds with our draft picks. Strauss, Bennell and Jetta, all under 20 but with no future in AFL due to poor NAB performance. Hey it's getting better and better. 5. Demons smashed at the stoppages. Supporters bemoan poor centre square set up after last week's great win!

Who hasn't?

The Peacock in High Street Northcote. The Grandview Cnr Station St and Heidleberg rd Fairfield

Apologies