layzie

Here's my question: Umpires have always been part time but why could they bounce it a lot better in the past than now? When it comes to set shots and goal kicking you can possibly use the excuse of players being full time and prioritising other training, what is an umpire's excuse for this one element of the job that doesn't need interpretation but just a lot of practice?

One of the great footy metaphors!

I'd imagine there is something to this speculation though. Not sure how much or how little can be attributed to it but there seemed to be two sets of MFC fans and their reactions around me on Fri night: - Those that were extremely unhappy with the skill errors, getting angry at the team and constantly wondering how this could be. - Those who were somewhat frustrated with the skill errors but had accepted that this could be the case due to fatigue and confidence being down lately with execution (This showed with the indecisiveness in our play). What they cared about was doing the things that make us what we are and that is great defensive shape, intensity and pressure. I'm thinking the coaches were thinking like the latter.

I actually do Roy, they're that kind of club.

Yeah I don't like how they have over-simplified this part of bumping. You can brace yourself for contact in a totally defensive way and still have that that little jump off the ground when absorbing the contact. It's not right. And don't get me started on the commentators spreading confusion about it.

We're not letting Lingers near a barbershop let alone a microphone.

Makes sense, any other day it's a 6 goal win.

Your point is a good one DC but this is how it's being adjudicated. If you elect to bump you are liable and if your feet leave the ground you lose control, may not be right but it gives the MRO an easy decision.

That's about right. Two key forwards, didn't pull the Hawkins lever. I'm good with it.

See I reckon Daicos might be the most important player to their team's chances right now, the number of contests he's able to keep consistently getting to is completely insane and it directly impacts the way they setup, if you were to take away his influence they would still be a decent side but significantly less menacing and minus the death by a thousand cuts he's able to bring over the course of a game. Yes those sides would be a lot weaker without those players but Daicos' input is just that beneficial in my view and if I were a Pies fan I'd rather lose Pendlebury or Sidebottom.

I've given Collingwood their credit and they are the media darlings at the moment. Far enough, they are a good side. But there's one question that I haven't heard or read from anyone: What happens to Collingwood's game/strategy/chances if Nick Daicos gets injured?

Our defence was fantastic and not just in our back 50, we also denied them easy entries into there and this suggests to me that our defensive structures from midfield did their job too. Just the 37 I50s for the Blues.

It's an interesting observation. As DD said above I kind of feel it's the the directive to keep things in close and not have the ball ping out into dispute in a bad area of the field. But I'd love to know how often the umpire pays frees when the ball gets knocked out as it definitely does happen.

Darn it.

It's not going to be about who is the fittest or toughest, it's going to be about who is the fittest and toughest the longest. As at stands I would have Melbourne as a good but not great side but we all know damn well that this could change in the back end. 4 main contenders with a smokey to come from somewhere. I can see the Bulldogs doing some damage from outside the top 4 again.

Great chart. Our run is still not easy but no-where near as hard as the media lead people to believe at the moment.

Watching it back I would agree with above, if JVR doesn't get the rising star this week I'd be rather baffled.

It would be nice if we could get a proper week off during the bye one year and see what this allows them do with the fitness program.

We need to get in the face of that big American. I'm sick of him getting a free run at our guys it's about time we made him a bit uncomfortable.

Couple of decent ones that could be in the mix like Knevitt from Geelong but I reckon this is the week for JVR.

What's his club again? Something in the South Yarra area?

Thought Nibbler was better than last week but can still do more.

Pretty ridiculous but great for the mother of two kids playing for different teams or even the mother (Not as die hard as yourself WCW) who has two sons who barrack for two different teams and just wants everyone to have a good time! My first encounter with something like this was in 2000 when I went to watch a Sandringham game against St Kilda's then stand alone VFL side at Beach Rd. I remember the late Trevor Barker's father there wearing a half St Kilda half Sandy jumper and I just remember thinking that was the best and sweetest thing ever.

This is the stone cold truth. While Essendon's playing style and delivery does suit him a bit better and his confidence has grown, I don't see dramatic improvement there.

Good teams produce reasonable ex players.