H_T

I will keep an eye out for you. I will ask- what was the bet out of interest??

Correct.

Let's see them against Richmond this week before we say they've put the cue in the rack.

Good call. Unfortunately I don't think it would register.

Good post Dappa & Roost It. I love these threads. Dappa, I've read Crompton's and yours. After losses such as these, we all re-evaluate players worth to the team and club. As Cards put it, each week, our opinions change depending almost on the direction of the wind, or in more relevant terms how competitive our team is on a weekly basis. In terms of our foundation, I believe the building blocks are in place, the foundations are there; we're just waiting on more materials... Look at Roost It's side below......The structure looks good (if it comes to fruition and potential becomes reality) and its something to be excited about...no doubt. PS. Roost It - where's McLean by the way? FOUNDATION No.1 - BACKLINE Our side still lacks games /experience. I look at Warnock now who is 25yo. He's played 32 games for the Dees. Has the confidence to take on anyone standing at Full Back. Seems like he has been around a while. Yet, 31 AFL games?!!! Rivers is 24yo and has played 80 games. Martin - 22yo; 17 games! Garland - 21yo; Just 20 games! Frawley - 20yo; 30 games! Cheney - 19yo; 5 games! Bennell - he turned 19 on Sunday; 9 games! Buckley - 22yo; 21 games! Grimes - 20yo; 6 games! McNamara - 19yo; yet to play Strauss - 19yo; yet to play ANALYSIS: - The Demons through their recruitment and footy department have already taken major steps in building what looks to be a solid foundation of a strong backline. A young but notably competitive backline that will mature and play together for some time. As they say, a strong backline is the cornerstone to premiership success. By maintaining and developing these kids along with Rivers and Warnock, it should ensure stability down back as the Dees look to mould their midfield and forward structure to compliment the team. Some will mention Petterd (20yo; 20 games), although I believe from the list above - they're suited better in regards to strength & accountability. Whelan (29yo, 144 games) is a hard back pocket player for the oppositions small elusive forwards. Been very serviceable, plays hard. Turns 30yo in December! Won't be around for the resurrection. FOUNDATION No.2 MIDFIELD & RUCK Many questions remain within Melbourne's future midfield. IMO this needs to be addressed first and foremost come Draft day 2009. Melbournefc desperately needs an A grade midfielder to take it anywhere it's beloved fans want for their club. A Flag. The current midfield, TBBH (to be brutally honest) won't cut it. Granted that Blease has not taken to the field yet, he would be a welcome addition in 2010 along with what looms as another very important pick or two, come this October. The likes of McLean (23yo; 86 games); Jones (21yo; 61 games); Moloney (25yo; 80 games); Sylvia (23yo; 80 games) and Morton (19yo; 30 games) are the current engine room for Melbournefc along with pinch hitter Aaron Davey (26yo tomorrow!; 108 games) who has been 'utilised' down back and occassionally at half forward. Of course AA James McDonald the skipper who has amassed over 226 AFL games at the age of 32yo also contributes to the midfield as does stalwarts Bruce (30yo in September; 195 games) and Brad Green (28yo; 193 games). However, I see Morton as more of a Robert Murphy type role. His height and mobility is unique, as is Bob Murphy's. Hard to match up on accross half forward, one that can float and utilise there pace to create and finish well. McLean, Jones and Moloney are all "in and unders", they're hard at it and worth they're weight in gold in tight in the hussle and bussle. Although at times they let themselves down in their disposal by hand most of the time, sometimes foot. Sylvia whilst in form, is the X factor, great finisher, can rotate through the midfield, tackles well and can play forward, can roam the flanks - a good one for match-ups in that he is multi-dimensional. One Bailey would love to have up his sleeve. I'll say it again, 'when in form'. At the moment he is delivering. Other than that Melbourne's midfield list options include: - Bartram (21yo; 52 games) Dunn (22yo; 45 games) Bail (21yo; yet to play) Valenti (22yo; 10 games) Wheatley (29 yo; 132 games) It's fair to say Dunn & Bartram are battling away. Bartram is a competitor and gives his all, he's not the best with the ball leaving his foot. He can tag and can be accountable. Dunn has been playing the run with role, optional up forward at best. Rohan Bail is yet to be seen. Shane Valenti has yet to impress and butchered the ball numerous times in his one and only game this season. He may yet get another chance this season for obvious reasons, however, I wouldn't be surprised if his papers are stamped. Paul Wheatley, the super goal king is probably on the wrong side of 28 to be honest, hasn't played this season and we're at the half way mark with him behind the eight ball in terms of fitness. He faces an uphill battle to regain selection in the seniors, but it's not beyond him. Can be utilised down back as well accross half back although he along with Whelan now have some stiff competition. If Bailey sticks to his guns regarding the "rebuild", they might want to seek other options if given the 'nod'. Of course down the track the likes of Grimes could impress within the midfield, however for now I included him under our Backs. I just love the way he floats accroos in front of a pack for an overhead mark. Leo Barry eat your heart out! Overall the midfield needs an injection of streamline pace. SOLUTION: IMO we are in need of a 'A' grade midfielder injection, we've never really had one. With the addition of Blease from injury I think it will compliment some of the current in-and-under type we already possess. RUCKS: - Jamar (25yo; 68 games) Spencer (19yo; 2 games) Johnson (24 yo; 54 games) Meesen (22yo; 6 games) Jamar is our most mature ruckman, he's developed and has the confidence to take on opposition ruckman and is advancing in efficiency. I thought he was surprisingly sensational against the Saints against two quality ruckmen. PJ has the body to compete, although his rucking at the stoppages......the team needs much more from him. Spencer is a work in progress, shows alot of promise and at 19yo is worth pursuing. Massive frame. Meesen....impressed in one or two games to show the club he may have something to offer. Whilst the ruck is an important ingredient to success, this foundation for the Mfc requires a little tweaking IMO. FOUNDATION NO.3 - FORWARDS Almost non-existant. The AFL ladder tells the story. See "Points For"... Miller (26yo next month; 120 games - 71 goals) Robertson (30yo; 220 games - 410 goals) Watts (18yo; 1 game - 0 goals) Maric (19yo; 11 games - 7 goals) Jurrah (20yo; yet to play) Bate (22yo; 59 games - 54 goals) Newton (22yo; 18 games - 25 goals) Petterd (21yo; 20 games - 15 goals) Jetta (19yo; 5 games - 3 goals) Wonaeamirri (20yo; 18 games - 24 goals) It's a sorry sight to be honest, at the moment. Whilst other than Robbo & Miller it's youthful and inexperienced and it's no wonder we've kicked the least amount in the competition. Compounding the problem is the woeful form of Robbo & Miller in front of goal. So too Newton earlier in the season. The injury to Wonaeamirri has also contributed. Leading goal scorers for the Dees at present are Bate & Sylvia. All we can do at the moment is perhaps give Newton another go, but I'm not exactly jumping out of my skin in saying that.....for that's how much we are struggling. SHINING LIGHTS: - The debut of Watts. The potential we "read and see" regarding Jurrah of late at Casey. Maric looks dangerous at times and will improve. Bate's form is on the up. However, we need a stong key forward with poise in front of goal. I agree. I think when you look at our defensive options, it starts there. We're quite young back there and if the club can get what is well spoken about in October. It will not only improve our weaknesses which are evident but strengthen our core. Remember the side is still young and developing, the occassional bad day will still happen this year....let's not panic....have patience.

Ah, I know what you mean here - it's not so much "Enforcer Tough Guy", it's 'footy smarts'. The longer players play with each other, and develop, this will come. You will notice Swan, Lockyer, Davis etc create blocks at stoppages to create paths for their teammates etc. Guys like Whelan are good at this - on occassions. The youngsters need to take note and apply what they learn as they mature. Guys like Bell just seem to ball watch and lay a mis-timed tackle........frustrating.

We'd make a great team. I couldn't see it, you couldn't hear it...

Televised?

He walked off ok though. It was when he sprinted and chased down Marty Clarke (irishman) - just after that. He was holding his groin, and kneeled down after the siren. Might not be anything, but it was of some concern I thought at the time. Minor strain perhaps?

Sorry but..... Did you see that game against Adelaide Freak? In all seriousness, I 'hope' Newton improves out of sight and becomes something for Melbourne. However, I cannot see it happening at the moment. If he had no flaws Freak, he'd be playing for Melbourne and not spending a significant amount of time at Casey to work on .....his flaws!

I thought he was under some cloud all last week. Bartram could have been another alternative. Dunn played well the previous week at Casey. Might not have been much of an improvement, but at least we would have had 22 fit players yesterday take to the ground.

Good explanations as to why we received a 66 point drubbing. PJ's skill errors directly resulted in goals. Failing to handball correctly - perhaps as the result of some pressure by Collingwood - is unforgiveable. I don't see any Enforcer Tough guys at StKilda. What I see is a team that is well drilled, that keep their skill errors to a minimum, and their attack on the ball and their attack on the opposition with the ball is currently second-to-none. They set up well down back and are effective within the midfield with Ball and Hayes leading the way. They have some handy mature KPP's in Riewoldt and Kosi (can't be bothered spelling his surname) and two very experienced ruckmen in Gardener and King. As has always happened this season and last. Our skill errors and turnovers through lack of 'nous' and application costs us. Ten-Fold at times. We have a midfield that is average. We lack genuine break neck speed in this department and more importantly lack enough skill to be effective enough to hurt opposition. FCS give me a Scully and put in a fit and well Blease with games under their belts, let them blend in with some of the current midfield and watch us blossom.

I heard something about it pre-match over the speakers. They should have put something on the screen, you're quite right. Seems simple enough.

It was clearly tongue in cheek......he also mentioned Andrew Obst.

To see all those flags behind the goals and on the wing as the players entered the ground prior to running through the banner sent shivers down the spine. Felt great. It was our home ground. If we could get the same support for our home games as we do on Queens Birthday, it will inspire the players. It's intimidating for the opposition - Magpie supporters mentioned it too me before the game Ie. Saying, "looks like the Dees day today". "well organised", "they're ready". Of course that all changed 20 minutes into the first quarter. I recommend that "Walk to the G" should happen more often in a season. Ie. 3-4 times a season. It's great seeing all those flags.

WORST EFFORT 'RILES' SYLVIA My toast to Col. I thought Jamar worked hard and was serviceable. Agree. Over the last 3 weeks. In terms of form at present, Sylvia is. <<<<Pshhhht (sound of opening of stubby whilst reading this thread...) Finished stubby. Not so sure about that statement. Further consistency will be the key. Davey would have a sizeable lead. I think he was banned from 'Ology' for life recently....- reason 'continual player bashing' after coming back from suspension.....unconfirmed.

Just moved on from Crayons to the keyboard have we? Why get rid of someone who is arguably our best player at the moment? Good call. Enough said. Do you think our new sponsor 'Kaspersky' can implement filters to shield us from these types of posts that make us sick?

I thought Dunn might have come in for him. McDonald, for all Queens birthday clash intentions, should not have played IMO. Yesterday he was a shadow of his former self, clearly struggled with his knee and the pace. The football to him yesterday resembled a bar of soap. As it did for several others.

The crowd in the StK v Melb game at Carrara was 9K. Watts will be better for the run. It was his first game, in front of 60,000 + there is no better introduction to AFL. At 18 years of age and a light frame (86Kg) for his 196cm height. Against a strong outfit in Collingwood. On occassions when leading straight he was ignored for other much wider options. His presence in the future will allow us to become more direct instead of skirting around the arc. Patience sports fans, patience.

Yes, perhaps a cooling off period. Say 72 hours??

That was to be expected when we were 1 and 4.

Perhaps he can handball it to PJ after todays game.

Rivers? v Essendon B: FRAWLEY, WARNOCK, GRIMES HB: BENNELL, RIVERS, CHENEY C: MORTON, McLEAN, BRUCE HF: DAVEY, MILLER, SYLVIA F: MARIC, BATE, WATTS FOLL: JAMAR, MOLONEY, JONES IC: ROBERTSON, MARTIN, DUNN, GREEN 5 changes: OUT: Bell, McDonald, PJ, Whelan, Robertson IN: Miller, Dunn, Bennell, Martin, Jurrah Note: Saw Sylvia pull up at the end of the game holding groin after he sprinted just prior to final siren. May be nothing, keep a watch out.

The first quarter was abyssmal. The third, just as bad. I sat through the whole game. What I would like to mention, that I haven't read in this thread was that Collingwood played exceptionally well. Their pressure and manning up was excellent. This effectively created alot of errors and turnovers on top of our own unforced errors. They came to play. The amount of short kicks through the centre corridor that got chopped off and turned over was just painful. Whilst Colin Sylvia was our standout best player for the day - even he was guilty of getting caught a couple of times and not getting the ball to a teammate. Not one player wearing the red & blue could honestly have come off the G, put their hand up and thought they had not turned the ball over from incorrect disposal or having created a turnover in some way. Bottom line is Melbourne, whilst let down by some of the senior players, are still quite a young inexperienced side. It's not every week they get to play in front of over 60,000. When Grimes-Davey and PJ were handballing to each other trying to set Davey free with a precision kick, it come undone by a S**t handball by PJ which gave Didak a goal. During that handballing "drill", they had 3-4 Melbourne players in the centre corridor free incl. McLean, Jones and 2 others. One of PJ or Grimes could have hit them with a tad more confidence. But they were set on giving it to Davey. Collingwood (and other AFL sides) are awake to this. They know Davey is our go to man out of defence. We need to use other options, players need to be aware when the "heat is on" Davey when coming out of defence.

Damn, missed the cut.......anyway fwiw 6. Sylvia 5. Bruce 4. Cheney 3. Jones 2. Jamar 1. Grimes.