iv'a worn smith

Someone on another thread, used the word "hysterical" about this issue and I think a lot of commonsense has gone out the window. Let's see how Jack Watts compares to the early part of Nick Riewoldt's career. I would suggest that many Dees supporters would be looking at JW to play a similar role to Riewoldt. Riewoldt was a priority pick #1 in 2000. In 2001, Riewoldt played 6 games and kicked 2 goals for the season. Of the 6 games he played, the Saints won one game and were flogged in the others he played in. In 2002, he played all 22 games and kicked 21 goals for the season. In that year, the Saints won only five games and the Dees beat them in their two meetings. In 2003, he kicked 30 goals and the Saints won 11. As you can see, Riewoldt's rise was not meteoric and his improvement was incremental as was his team. A reality check is need for some, I think

If Petterd is fit, he plays in my opinion. He adds some versatlility.

matter 'o fact...............I'm having one now

Clay Sampson..... Seriously, the Duke was far more valuable than he was given credit for at Melbourne. Even on a down day, he was breaking packs and blocking for other forwards. Also, if only we had Warren Dean in 1990, along with Duke, who knows things might have been difference.

May I say this kid has his head screwed on properly, works hard at it and is no bludger on the track, unlike Jako. He is also younger and his fitter body will recover better with the added hard work and improvements in physio and core strengthening programs. While any back injury is a worry, especially if it occurs more than once, Jack is better placed to make it than Jako would ever have been. Let's hope so anyway.

Nice work............. and so polite too!!!

Other than the "go home" factor, a coach rarely lets go a player he truly wants to keep. With this in mind, I think Axis' analysis is pretty much spot on, keeping in mind what DB's plans appear to be for the future.

A little disappointing the numbers seem to stall leading into Christmas, but given peoples' minds would obviously be focussed elsewhere at that time of the year, that is understandable. The pre-season comp has been a bit of a jinx for a number of clubs that have won it over the last 10 years, in terms of the season proper, but from a membership drive perspective and overall marketing impact, I just hope this year, we use the NAB Cup to showcase some talent and progress beyond the first round. I think this will really optimise our membership numbers leading into the season proper.

No, it's a reality for many a young man. Once again, in the spirit of robust debate, we agree to disagree. To my mind, Woewy rates as a Melbourne footballer and it was no surprise to see him win his Brownlow. It was thoroughly deserved and I had a nice collect at the lucky shop.. Those reasoned friends of mine who barrack for the Pies, albeit begrudgingly, recognise Woewy's short-lived, but significant contribution to the Collingwood engine room.

When Woewy was cut by Melbourne, he was gutted. Despite the fact that you say, “he was only just in the club’s best 22”, when he was at the filth, Buckley won his Brownlow, albeit he tied for it. Coincidence? Perhaps Buckley had the luxury of having the close scrutiny diminished, simply by Woewy’s presence, that he had not experienced before or after that time. However, Woewy’s heart was always somewhere else, and to some extent, he was a lost soul at Collingwood. Before Woewy was forced to leave, he was, in a very prominent sense, the marketing “face” of the MFC and in fact featured on the front of membership tickets. To me, Woewy was unfairly maligned in some quarters, particularly while he was with the filth. I have very fond memories of his Brownlow year and goal of year. In my opinion, Woewy was much better than an average player, without being a superstar and even better, he was a great Melbourne man.

With time on my hands over the Christmas/New year period, I picked up my copy of the “Red Fox” and re-read it. Over 750 pages were read in 4 days – must be because it was just me and the missus this year and no-one else – and enjoyed every word of it, even more than the first time. I went from feeling elation at the wonderful feats of this club legend, to anger over the way he was treated and ultimately sacked by the club – wounds that never really healed – and shed tears on reading of his death and the eulogy given by the former Melbourne player and Minister, Ken Melville. But most of all, I marveled at the man’s football brain. While it is now a long time ago, Norm, together with his more sedate brother Len, were masters at the game and arguably the architects of the foundations of the modern game. Some of the facts that are worth remembering are that Norm was born in the working class hamlet of Dennis, within the city of Northcote and later he settled with his wife Marj in Pascoe Vale, where he spent the rest of his life. I hate to say it, but Norm was a mad Collingwood supporter before he was recruited to the Dees and would regularly catch the train from Dennis Station to Victoria Park to watch his heroes train under Jock McHale. ----------- So, so much for the “toff” and “silver tail” tags. Norm Smith was born and died a Northern Suburbs boy, although his heart was always with the Melbourne Football Club and in particular his players. As hard a nut as he was, he loved them and despite the sprays they received, the players loved him. While not always the most talented side in the competition, the playing group rose to such heights because they would crawl over broken glass for him. Such was the devotion to the man. Norm Smith played or coached in 10 of our 12 flags – 4 as a player and 6 as a coach. The Melbourne Football Club still remains the only VFL/AFL club to twice have a hat trick of premierships. When Norm retired as a player and then narrowly missed the coaching job to Allan La Fontaine, he spent a brief period coaching a struggling Fitzroy, a club his older brother Len would later coach. While his success was moderate, he had a struggling club reach the finals for the first time since 1944. He left Fitzroy with the respect of his players and staff intact. After his departure from the Roys, Norm returned to his spiritual home to begin his now legendary coaching career. Norm had inherited an ageing list at Melbourne and began a re-building phase – sound familiar? However, no-one; not even the great Norm Smith, could have anticipated the meteoric rise to premiership greatness, in such a relatively short period of time. Every Melbourne supporter –young or old – should read this fine piece of history. Sure, it’s a large book, but if your heart has ever waivered, during our lean times, this book will make sure it beats true for a long time to come. In a lot ways the demise of Norm Smith was tragic and the MFC should be at pains to never let that part of our history repeat itself, but in the end, reading the Red Fox makes you bloody proud you’re a Demons supporter. Go you mighty Demons.

There is a difference between hope and expectation. I hope he makes it and fulfils his potential, but I don't expect it. Footy teaches you some hard lessons about life. I remember watching Leigh Newton play a game (I think against North from memory) and I thought, gee, how good is the kid going to be. Injury cut down Juice and unfortunately we never saw his true worth. But that's just footy.

Unfortunately, not transferrable. Save those pennies mate. It could be well worth the investment.

Just received an email from the club for the "Before the Bounce" package. A great initiative!!!! I've subscribed. Maybe RR and I could sit in together and exchange cliches.

Was I imagining it, or did the club indicate, when it released the Christmas Cards, that a video was on its way? The big day is only just over a week away.

Still Waiting for Godot? Mea Culpa, Mea Culpa, Mea Maxima Culpa.

Just confirmed. Scully = 31, Trengrove = 9

Your entitled to your opinion, but crap is as crap does. I will leave it when others do, otherwise, as some one else said on this very forum, it will be a case of "pots, kettles, black." I will not be condescended to by anybody, regardless of their designated role.

Agreed, but we can only offer our opinion based on "limited" knowledge, unless we are in the inner sanctum. Recurring hammys are a problem and on face value, some modification of his program may be warranted.

Melodramatic????????? What you have written is precisely my point, but simply said in another way. I used the word "condition", that's all.

I'm certainly no medico, but Wonna's body shape and condition has changed dramatically since his truncated first debut season. He has replaced puppy fat with body mass and muscle and this may have something to do with his overall condition adapting to his changed body shape. I trust the "experts" at the MFC are monitoring this closely, but certainly, it would appear from the outside, some modification to his program might be needed. And to borrow a line from Paul Simon: "Still a man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest".

Give me a break.

That's the point. No need for a war, just some common courtesy will do.

Once again RR has the last word on this aspect. "Discussion" and "Challenge" is one thing. Condescending put downs and bagging are totally another, especially emanating from a "moderator" who constantly "interjects" and more often than not, far from constructively. Perhaps the tenet you have just tried to apply to JCB's posts, you should apply in equal measure to yourself. Clearly, from my perspective, you don't

And so say all of us.