godees

I think a lot of people really underrate how good TJ was for us. He wasn't traded because of what he did on the field, but what he did off. Having said that, I do believe he under achieved with us. He is NO BETTER at Brisbane. I don't know where this belief is coming from but TJ has had some good games, some match winning games, and some bad games this year...exactly what he did with us. There is no majical 'mathews factor'.

I'm not surprised about the Swans. I live in sydney (moved from melb 3 years ago) and a lot of people follow the swans (as in at least watch their games when on tv, know players etc). It has really caught on up here and I think even though the swans play ugly football at times, they are the perfect team to have up here because they are successful and so dependable (ie. consistent). They don't disillusion their supporters with pathetic performances, like some other teams (!!!!). AFL also gets more free to air coverage (sat arvo, sun arvo, and fri/sat night if swans play then) here than NRL (fri night, sun arvo) and super 14s (fox). Its probably pretty similar to the way soccer has gone off since the a league and the world cup. Unless you are so die-hard AFL that you feel you are betraying it by supporting the other code, most people have an interest in the a league and socceroos. But then again, no one really cares that much about sport in sydney.

Pretty sure sylvia played for Sandy and i read somewhere that rivers said at an after match function he will play this week. Yze and CJ must be big chances also after a few good weeks at sandy. Possible outs: Frawley, Valenti, Bell?, Bartram?...

That should be enough to bring Yze back next week. Maybe even CJ too. Did whelan play?

"one of the worst teams in the last decade" It is absolutely true that the performances of the team in the first 6 rounds were that of one of the worst teams in the last decade. I have no issue with what he said

The boy loves playing freo that is for sure.

May bag the rising star nom this week.

It's ridiculous. There's is not much that annoys me more than reading, "..... did well today. We could probably get a top 20 pick for him if he keeps it up" Thankfully, I don't think the club thinks like that.

As someone has already said, the good thing about Frawley is he has the attributes. I think his kicking is nowhere near as bad as some make it out to be. I like him with the ball in his hands. Has some dash and backs himself. He is seriously fast and something I noticed last year was he was often right with his man on the lead he just struggled to get the spoil in - which is something relatively easy to teach with good coaching, and he did a few very good ones on the weekend. I was quite impressed with him on the weekend. He also looks to have bulked up over summer (as would be expected for a 2nd year player). He will be at least a good player for us. I wouldn't go talking Scarlett, but he'll be ok.

Well said

MELBOURNE v CARLTON Sunday, 1:10pm AEST, MCG MELBOURNE B: Whelan, Carroll, Bell HB: Wheatley, Rivers, Bruce C: Green, McLean, Bartram HF: Morton, Robertson, Sylvia F: Davey, Neitz, Wonaeamirri FOLL: White, McDonald, Jones I/C from: Jamar, Johnson, Dunn, Frawley, Moloney, Garland, Warnock IN: Frawley, Garland, Moloney, Warnock OUT: Miller (suspended) CARLTON B: Jamison, Thornton, Russell HB: Scotland, Waite, Bower C: Carrazzo, Murphy, Gibbs HF: Simpson, Fisher, Stevens F: Betts, Fevola, Cloke FOLL: Kreuzer, Hadley, Judd I/C from: O'hAilpin, Pfeiffer, Bentick, Hartlett, Bannister, Armfield, Grigg IN: Armfield, Bentick, Hartlett OUT: - NEW: Dennis Armfield, Selection No.46 in 2007 NAB AFL Draft, from Swan Districts

They would take Bruce to the goalsquare though and I don't think that would suit us. I'd rather Rivers on him if he's in the goalsqaure and Bruce further up the ground.

Possible match ups Wheatley on Jones Carrol on Thompson Bell on Edwards Rivers floating or on Petrie if Forward or Jones if Wheatley doesn't work Jmac, Bruce or Bartram on Harvey Miller at CHF

Roos Ins - Ross, Smith, Lower Outs - Hale (inj), Harding, Swallow Hale out cancels PJ somewhat. Who will be their second ruck?

I agree. Robbo on last chance

MELBOURNE B: Matthew Whelan, Nathan Carroll, Jared Rivers HB: Paul Wheatley, Brad Miller, Daniel Bell C: Brad Green, Brock McLean, Clint Bartram HF: Cameron Bruce, Russell Robertson, Colin Sylvia F: Aaron Davey, David Neitz, Austin Wonaeamirri Foll: Jeff White, James McDonald, Nathan Jones I/C: Mark Jamar, Chris Johnson, Lynden Dunn, Cale Morton EMG: Brent Moloney, Colin Garland, James Frawley In: Whelan, Jamar Out: Paul Johnson (hand), Colin Garland (omitted) Ecstatic to see Whelan back. Has been a long time fav of mine and I'm looking forward to seeing him prove the doubters wrong. There is plenty left in him. It is such a relief to see the names RIVERS and WHELAN in the backline together. Would have liked to see moloney in for CJ but other than that, pretty happy. I'm very confident this week. Can't wait!

I cannot believe Garland is in the team after last week. The only explanation is that we are already tanking but that is ridiculous. What is the point of playing someone who so out of his depth? I'm not big on bagging our players but I have never seen a fringe player play such an atrocious game and get picked again the following week. Garland isn't even our best youngster in his position (frawley). Just staggering. I'd be very interested to know how they justify this, as well as dropping Moloney and Buckley (who I can kind of understand but certainly don't support his omission). I simply don't understand what the coaching staff are trying to do. Incredibly frustrating.

Davey injured looks bad. knee

There is no point putting them in when they are nowhere near ready. It won't help him at all, just trash his confidence. Bulldogs finally putting it together like a good afl side. 51 points *shakes head*

My main point is he shouldn't be playing. I have seen him play better but most of his work today has been ugly. Neita finally goals and didn't we need it.

Disposal is equal to the umpiring. We are not being rewarded for our tackling and pressure, so many missed throws and holding the ball - and it has been very costly with many frees/missed frees resulting in dogs goals. Confidence is a big issue. Garland = liability. I won't say never, but definately not now. Better pressure than last week but similar problems when we have the ball. Bulldogs aren't very impressive except murphy who is, as usual against us, having a good one.

Cannot believe Moloney was dropped. What is the match committee on? (I can only hope this is some attempt to manage his OP by not pushing him too hard too early) Rivers not in - are we tanking already...

How can you defend the players after their "effort" today? I wouldn't hesitate to tell them to their face what I think of them and they would take it because its the truth.

Bate, Rivers, Bartram, Dunn, Sylvia, Whelan - still got a fair few out.

Absolutely yes. He has played 2 games for Sandy which although a limited preparation is enough to justify him playing about 60% game time. He should be able to handle 60% game time, given his 2 previous practice matches, without over-doing it. And Rivers playing 60% game time is far far more valuable to the team than whoever would replace him if he didn't play (eg. Morton, Frawley, Buckley, etc).