Hazyshadeofgrinter

Too old. Shame though. Freo should bite the bullet and get what they can for him.

I'm not going to get into an argument about Bailey in this thread, suffice to say that on this issue I think that a 2 year deal was the wrong option. Given that he was drafted in '04, I'm not surte that Newton counts as a first, second or third year player by the way. Morton's kick was not great, Newton did not try hard enough to make the most of it. I assume the running-back-with-the-flight-of-the-ball mark that you are talking about is the one where he is facing away from the kicker and can see that "Bubba" the lifer is not standing behind him? It was a good mark but not really even contested. Certainly not worth the courage points of a conventional running backwards style flight-of-the-ball mark. As is always the case with these things, it would be great to be proved wrong - he didn't do it last Sunday though.

Hey Y_M, Quite aside from the inaccuracy of your prediction, I was just wondering if you, and others, had revised their opinions on the attractiveness of the Cousins draft prospect. Cheers

Looked like he had a chance to me - just not enough commitment. If he half as good as some of you are making out he could have marked it with ease. Either way, my case does not hinge upon this single example. It's funny how two people can watch the same game of AFL and come away with completely different impressions. The impression that Newton gave me on the weekend was one that has become familiar: A new inmate at H-Block looking for a wall to push his arse up against. Clearly the Football Department thinks differently to me - otherwise they wouldn't have give him a 2-year contract. Given that he is on the list, and that we don't want to win games, I guess that there is little harm in playing him - provided that he gives 100%. All of the young players should be busting a gut to get and keep a place on the team, and Bailey should be encouraging this mentality by picking accordingly. If a fringe player like Newton isn't trying hard now, what will he be like with a comfortable spot on the team? Our kids should be taking their cues from Miller, not Newton. I do not agree that Newton's problems are easy to fix. The structural argument is interesting and has been mentioned a few times now. Of course, this should not be confused with an argument for Newton. If all people want is a target then we may as well have an inanimate carbon rod for people to kick to - at least it wouldn't clog up the list next year.

Which way was he facing?

Thank-you. Why is it that indigenous players can only ever be compared to other indigenous players? At least no-one has referred to Wonaeamirri's supposed "blistering pace" or "flashy x-factor" in this thread yet. I think Austin's a bit over-hyped anyway. I can't wait to see Addam Maric get some time up forward this year.

Knock it off guys - the only reason that the match was "special" is because we won it. The main reason that we won it is because Richmond were atrocious. Does anyone honestly think that last Sunday's match would have been at all exciting to watch for those who do not support Melbourne? Good performance from the team, yes. Objectively "exciting", "colourful" or "special" game of Aussie Rules? No - not unless you count ending Wallace's career.

No

2004 AFL draft pick 43. As I have pointed out - he is older than Matthew Bate. If you have the replay, check out the moment I metioned earlier where the ball sails over his head because he is too scared to run backwards to mark it (even though he has acres of space). From memory, it was a kick from Morton in the first quarter.

Let me make this clear - "loathe" was not my term. The only reason I didn't put it in inverted commas in my post was because it was originally misspelt in the post that I was responding to, and I didn't want to look like I was taking a cheap shot. I do not loathe Newton. Having said that, I stand by my assertions that he did not want it enough. I also think that he has had enough chances (17 now since 2004?). If he was better he would have played more games by now. Certainly, a 2-year contract is far too many chances for what he has shown us so far.

3 insightful contributions. Is it always like this, or do I simply bring it out in people? Happy to disagree with you demoniac. I can admit that he does have some talent (especially in the air), and that last week was his best game so far. Unfortunately, he isn't showing any signs of improvement where he most needs to (guts, commitment etc.). I also think that he is getting a little long in the tooth to hide behind the age excuse. Cheers

I refer to your sig.

true. Poor Pavlich. edit: P.S. I think I'm overdue for climbing aboard your bandwagon.

There is no malice in this, just poor taste. Bock dishing out the Irish sunglasses ought to be of much greater concern, but even then I think these things should be matters for the courts, not for the AFL.

Newton is no good because he hasn't played enough senior footy? OR Newton hasn't played enough senior footy because he is no good? You say that when he was drafted, it was questionable whether he could put it together at AFL level. I think that he answered that question prior to his last contract renewal. Unfortunatley, the club did not see it the same way as me. edit: Just read the linked article. Some highlights include: "I played a couple of games in the pre-season and I was unlucky to miss out early" No, a place in the team is not your birthright. "I've just got to be more confident with my goalkicking – that's the main area for me to work on" Wrong again. "It was good to get my hands on the ball inside 50" It was good that I didn't have to make my own opportunities. Finally, those other bozos gave me the chance to show how great I am. "Personally, I ran out of legs a little bit, but it was good the boys were able to finish out the game...I had a pretty good pre-season and I didn't miss much at all – if any" I'm actually even better than you think - it's just that I am not fit enough (which is why the final quarter was the worst for the team). I am not fit enough because I don't train very hard. "I feel comfortable if I'm working hard" I do not work hard enough to make myself uncomfortable. I'm happy in my comfort zone. (Yeah ok, pretty harsh)

So let's give Weetra another 48 games?

He has already had a few years. He was drafted in 2004. If he has not played many games, it is because he showed what he showed last Sunday - he doesn't want it enough. This is the primary explanation for why people loathe him. That, and also because our forward line is weak, he teased us with a good mark in 2007 (which is why the nuff nuffs all love him), and we haven't won a premiership since 1964. Travis Cloke was taken at pick 39 (father/son) in 2004 - is he old enough to criticise yet?

Like I said, last Sunday was his best game. That deserves some grudging recognition even from a "cynic" like me. Unfortunately, in Newton's case, "best game" does not an "impressive game" make. You could line me up against Adelaide next week and I could play the best damn game of my life but it would still look woefully inadequate. (On the other hand, I would at least show some modica of courage and commitment).

I see. Well let's make it perfectly clear: Newton played his best game for Melbourne last weekend. It was still nowhere near good enough and his usual shortcomings were all too obvious. This is not even taking his poor accuracy into account. The fact that it was a personal best is, in many ways, more a cause for indictment than for plaudits, particularly as he showed about 1/10th as much effort/commitment as Miller. But yeah, it was his best game so far. So, well done Newton, I guess. If that's still too ambiguous for some, then they can refer to my earlier "ghost train" comment for further edification. P.S. Newton is older than Matthew Bate and was drafted in the same year (albeit 30 spots earlier).

Sorry mate - did you have a point to make?

I don't agree that players should be immune from criticism when we have a win, but I do have to admit that it was Newton's best game to date and that he should get credit for that at least. Unfortunatley, team effort or no, Newton's was still a poor display in which his fatal flaws were once again clearly eveident - and I'm not talking about his accuracy here.

righto...

Nice work.

Hope he recovers soon - we need him back on the ground so that he can continue to be the great example of guts and endeavour that he is. (Not to mention that having a broken jaw probably isn't great for Green either). P.S. What's up with the posters who are trying to turn Jones into Ted Striker? Shirley you can't be serious?