pitmaster

Freo is welcome to R Lyon. It's far too early to be making a call on Neeld but I seem to remember that the overwhelming sentiment on this site when we took Neeld was that we had a keeper. So let's stay staunch a while longer. We welcomed his hard talk, his obvious displeasure at round one, his increased emphasis on contested footy and a strong defence so let's lose the panic mode. Most weeks this year we have seen improvement. Last week was a huge step back but we should also be conscious that Misson is training them harder mid-week than he has other teams (if his interview on the club site is correct) and that implies this year is essentially an extended preseason for 2013 and beyond.

96 points in our case, not 88.

I don't think anyone doubts that Neale had more favourites than Cadbury's - young players could not get a look in. Chris Lamb comes to mind as a promising full back who played in three flags for Sandy but was given no chance by Neale. We're still paying the price of his lack of development of young players - he persisted with White long after rule changes nobbled him as a ruckman. And he held on for too long with Yze - once my favouriter player but one who was allowed to play regardless of form or fitness. Jolly's not sooking I just think he is telling it as he found it.

He's spot on - and when he says someone needed to run through an opponent he's echoing what I was screaming Saturday night. At least let them know victory comes with a price - and the next time Stevie J goes Hollywood on us, belt him too!

One of the few promising signs in a dismal night

The effort was there early. It wasn't there when OKeefe was allowed to mark on the goal line, or when no-one shepherded through Magner's shot that was touched on the line -- by then they weren't thinking at all. But they started with intent I reckon but they are so easily beaten down now I wonder how Neeld can get them up even for a full quarter effort - real lack of grit in face of adversity.

I disagree - the opening minutes were the best of it. Had Howe kicked straight, and Davery's running shot streered a metre to the right we'd have been right with them. It was quite clear the players were trying to spread more than they have in those first 10-15 minutes. Don't want to think about what happened after that, after their fragile confidence was shot.

Needs a kicking coach desperately. A cantankerous old coot called Bluey on 'Ology labelled him Hookfoot Howe a ways back and if you watch his shot at goal in the first quarter you'll see how apt that is. He swung his leg across his body so dramatically it was never going to be a goal. If that can be corrected we've got a 10 year forward who will bag 50 a year, but right now we've got a bag of wasted opportunities.

I am as dark as anyone but at least if you are going to bag someone get it right. Watts was one of the few who did his job and was steady under incredible pressure, I don't know what game you were watching

Sickening. Disgusting. Embarrassing At least we might get J Viney with a second round draft pick.

The outs are right: Fitzpatrick is not ready for the pace of it; Bail has given very little this year which is a huge disappointment because where's the run without him? Bate has gone off the boil after a couple of terrific weeks so hopefully he gets the message And Petterd has been ineffectual. Jurrah is a must and so is Blease. Watts might be a tad lucky but I hope he fires on the wing or up forward. Greeny could be on his last go round. Can't complain too much although I thought Watts could be left out longer and might have been if Casey had a game this week. Hey WJ - do you believe that stuff they fed you? I hope they're right.

The Age reports today that former Premier John Cain, raised in a Fitzroy household, has bought a Demons membership because he wants to support battling clubs. (Remember how he fought to keep the Grand Final at the MCG? Obviously takes his footy seriously) I think it's fantastic that he buys a membership to support us. Sad that he feels he has to.

My guess is that we are now paying the price of Jack Watts having spent his time playing school football. He looks to me like it has always come easily to him and as a big kid he has not had to work too hard - talent and height gave him an advantage but at AFL level you need hard work and mental toughness to really succeed. Clearly he has loads of talent, is very good below the knees, a terrific kick and can take a contested grab. But there was a moment late in Saturday's game when Jack was one out against an opponent. He had body contact on the opponent and the ball was delivered to his advantage. He lazily (it looked like) stretched out one arm and... dropped the mark. As a kid against smaller, lighter opponents he'd probably have held it. Under Bailey he was promoted too soon, and has not had to earn his place. This has probably compounded the original problem of the game coming too easily to him. I reckon he gets a rough time, and I don't rate NicNat as some do here. NicNat is all icing, no cake. But if JW is to prove Melbourne to have made the right call he has a heck of a lot of work to do. The more urgent need is to inject some pace into the ones and for that Blease did his bit last week, and would have to be under serious consideration for promotion. I don't think Jack did enough against Box Hill to earn a promotion. He has to learn hunger.

Opponent Venue 2011 2012 Turnaround Brisbane MCG +11 -41 -52 West Coast Subi -54 -108 -54 Richmond MCG +27 -59 -86 (first meeting) Bulldogs Etihad -64 -21 (@ 'G) +43 St Kilda Etihad -20 -18 (@ 'G) +2 Hawthorn MCG -45 -66 -21 (first meeting) Sydney MCG draw Thought it would be interesting to compare year on year. Brisbane and Richmond aside how much worse are we?

Good signs from Blease and Nicholson 2nd quarter. Also Jurrah, Dunny and a hint from Watts.

you lost me when you said White should not have been moved on. the new centre circle rule cruelled him as a ruck - he had to be remade into a forward.

good call. my pick for the job

you're a drongo for going with them - here's something you can give them back though: we knocked them out in 1990 which stopped their tilt at the hat trick...cold comfort I know but that's what I'm reduced to.

\Gate 3 - and if you want to be sure of being in a sea of red and blue call the club to sit on the second level - it'll cost you but you'll be among your own,

For goodness sake you two can't be watching too many games! Rivers would be close to leading the Bluey just now. He has been a rock most weeks. Make it you three - that means you too Goodvibes.

Ditto Bate. Jury still out on both but signs are encouraging, although Bate was less effective than he had been previous weeks against yesterday's quality opponents. Yesterday was Morton's best game in memory.

So effin what? They'd just played in a big win, themselves. Maybe they were high from that.

Morton showed a bit which was a pleasant surprise. Bate struggled against strong opposition but still gave us a bit. Sylvia is short of a gallop. Really think Dunn should start on the ground - gives us a better target than Sellar who is really just a big body creating a contest. A big improvement - we are still building. Jurrah would bring so much creativity to the forward 50 that I cannot wait to see him out there. And hopefully Blease had a good one with Casey. We just lack dash. Bail can give it but I did not see much from him. Breakthrough is coming though.

Not on the take - just home town shite by amateur umpiring in a professional competition