Doggo

There are a few who score very well. I've had Hamish McIntosh since round 1, he's been averaging in the 90's, and guys like Cox, Sandilands, Fraser, even Jolly, etc all seem to have done very well this year in SC. Kreuzer has been scoring pretty consistently above 80 this season also, a great bargain pickup. Agree though, lets hope Russian comes back soon for our own sake, not SC. His form had shown remarkable improvement on previous seasons in his 2 games.

I could see him playing another year or two and being of some use. Just not at MFC. If he were to be delisted come seasons end, I wouldn't be completely surprised if another side pick him up and try to utilise his 'super-boot' like the Hawks did with Dew. Maybe a side like Sydney might pick him up to play that Kennelly role, given he's left, and Malceski has shown nothing like his pre-knee injury form. Paul Roos has also been known to pick up 'servicable' type older players (Rhys Shaw, Everitt, etc etc). At 28, Wheaters might seem a good fit. Possibly. I think a future at MFC seems very unlikely, as does a trade, unless it were a 4th rounder or later.

Jamar and Supercoach... two words that don't go together. They didn't nickname him doughnuts for nothing...

LMAO Agree with you Rogue. I've always enjoyed his long booming kicks, but unfortunately his kicking efficiency isn't anywhere near as good as some would have u believe, and too often last year his disposals consisted of mainly "short and wide" kicks. He seems to be constantly injured or in the rehab group during preseasons, he's not the strongest one-on-one player or even a particularly good overhead mark given his height (189cm but plays small), and guys like Grimes, Davey, Cheney, Bennell, Strauss etc, are all capable of playing his running back role now, and for many years to come. Unfortunately, the future doesn't look too bright for Wheaters. I think he'll have to be playing some amazing footy for the remainder of 09 at Casey if he wants to remain on the list next year.

I disagree. You are right about his pace, but other than that, he is VERY similar to Godfrey. Barty gives his absolute all every week, but has major skill and decision-making deficiencies, and this ultimately will hold him back from being anything more than solid at best. I understand he has a role in the team and on the list, but i honestly can't see him being a regular player when the club has it's next flag tilt, unless he can dramtically improve his use of the ball. That said, there were a couple of hard team things he did on the weekend that impressed me. But then again Simon Godfrey used to impress me regularly with his courage and selfless team acts.

I liked it. To me, the red one looks just too plain, kinda like a training jumper.

Not far at all from where we were sitting. I was probably only one or two bays to the right of where you were, maybe a bit closer to the centre, and definitely further back. Row 'x' is actually the back row at Etihad. First time i've ever sat in the back row of any stadium, ever. I literally could touch the roof! Was kinda nice not having anyone sitting behind me though, LOL... Agree re Martin up forward. Kicked a very nice goal, and overall looked pretty comfortable there and also the Martin/Miller comment. I wish they would just settle him down in one spot, although being so new to the game, every match he plays is a learning experience for him. So no doubt it will make him a better player for the future. Has the potential to be anything really, except probably a ruckman... watching Hooker and Martin ruck against each was pretty entertaining. Two raw young athletes, both new to the game. They kept looking at each other with a "what do we do?" kinda look in the centre contests And PJ did alright too, though yes, his disposal at times still wasn't great. Won some contested footy and used his body a lot better tonight though, looked like he got a few lessons from the Russian over the break. Did the 'big man' things that normally aren't his strength pretty well, like blocks for his midfielders and hitting to advantage. Had one real shocker of a kick coming out of defence that came straight back in for a goal, but overall wasn't the worst in that regard. Green, Bruce and even Flash and Grimes butchered it quite a bit too. Clint Bartram's ball use and place in the AFL absolutely mystifies me. Can't ever question his endeavour or guts, but gee... he really is the new Simon Godfrey.

PJ only turned it over directly once from memory (that rushed kick in the defensive 50). Martin made a few clangers, but i thought the positives of his game outweighed the negatives. We all know he's raw and still learning the game. How nice was his goal?! Thought Frawley was great, didn't concede a goal after quarter time, and 2 of Lloyd's 3 were pretty fortunate. Bennell had a shocker for mine, hardly sighted and well beaten by his opponents. Not strong enough to have a consistent impact yet, but i think he'll be a good player for us. Just need to be patient.

The 50 against Johnson was ridiculous. The player was off, pure and simple. Scott McLaren is a joke.

Bate - did quite well Morton - career worst game I don't know what people expect from Bate. I thought he was quite good and one of the only forwards who worked continually hard to present and looked dangerous. Took a couple of good contested marks, kicked 2 goals in a day where we got smashed, and generally worked his arse off. In a side with better delivery he would've been a handful, because his leads were sharp, although he never really got it to advantage. Morton... well... he was just terrible today. Squibbed the contest on more than one occassion, and just couldn't get into the game. Off the top of my head, it was easily the worst game he's played, and i would not be surprised to see him dropped for next week.

JUUUURRRRRRAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH....!!!!! Just watching him tonight made it worthwhile. Very good debut.

Sitting up in the clouds, (row 'x' high enough for you? I could touch the roof!) I noticed the same thing over and over. Fat side switch, over and over again. Whatever happened to manning up? The third quarter really just broke my heart. After such promise in the 2nd, to come out after half time and see that lack of intensity... very very disappointing. What is going on in there at half time? It's almost like the drinks they have during the break are laced with Valium! The team just went to sleep, and the body language was all wrong. As an aside, i've been as big a fan and admirer of robbo since 1997, but sad as it is to say, he's finished. Lack of 2nd efforts, continually losing his feet, and generally just looking lazy and not interested. Not to mention zero leadership. Very sad. And Scott Lucas is done as well. God he was shocking for them.

6. Davey - easily our best kick. Turned it over a few times, but is our only creative link 5. Frawley - beat Lloyd, unlucky to have conceded 3 goals. Keeps his feet better than anyone at the club. 4. Moloney - just because i like him. (+10 clearances) 3. Green - worked hard and had the better of Lovett. 2. Jurrah - for his goal and the smiles he put on all our faces! 1. Watts - only because no-one else really deserved one Honorable mention to PJ, who showed he can ruck very well, and Bate, who tried so hard but was not helped by disgraceful disposal inside 50.

LOL I know where you're coming from Benny, but i think Dappa Dan makes a good point. In PJ's month prior to his last 2 matches, his form had been pretty good (see Rnd 7, 8 and 9). His first 5 games before that were indifferent, but i thought he made up for his poor start in that period where he was playing lone-ruckman. 2 poor games later and people want to end his career. Don't get me wrong, i thought he was dreadful on QB, although after watching at the replay i noted that his ruckwork was very good. His errors were massive, as i already said, but beside those errors, his game wasn't bad. I'll reserve judgement until at least the end of the season. P.S. Are you coming tonight? I sent u a txt, call me. I reckon Rivers will go to Lucas, with Frawley starting on Llloyd. Martin will probably play on the resting ruckman, probably head-to-head with Cale Hooker, who's been used forward recently as well as short stints in the ruck. When Hooker swings into the ruck, Martin will do the same, as when Ryder goes off for a rest, so too will PJ.

Here here. 100% spot on Dan. After watching the replay, i didn't think he was actually as bad as i initially thought. Besides his 3 (monumental) clangers, his ruckwork was pretty good, and overall he was alright. I look forward to seeing him go around as the sole ruckman again, although it is hugely disappointing for Jamar, who was starting to show some form.

Come on LJ!! :D Be interesting if he plays on Cale Hooker at some stage during the game... LJ Hooker, you're the best.

No way will we win 5. I'm tipping us to finish with 3 wins, 18 losses and a draw! 4 wins maybe, but definitely not 5.

That really is big news... Go LJ! I wonder if Robbo might be a bit worried, Jurrah might just usurp him in the next few weeks!

Not sure about Judy up forward to be honest. I just think he's too good a backman and his physical attributes too important in defence, with his exceptional pace and leap. As an aside though, and I've brought this up many times in many different threads, how do people feel about trialling Rivers up forward? We all know he's an exceptional reader of the play and a strong pack mark, but his lack of pace has made him look suspect in defence of late. I think he's too good a player to leave out of the side, and with Warnock, Frawley, Martin and Garland looking good as the core of our backline for the next decade, he needs to find some more tricks, and quick. It doesn't help his cause at all that he's the oldest, slowest, and most injury prone out of our defensive tall stocks. His ability to read the play and general footy-smarts are something we could definitely use from a tall forward (see Miller, Bate etc), and his contested marking is up there with the best on our list. If there is one thing that is probably against him in regards to a shift forward, it's that his kicking can look a bit awkward at times. We haven't seen him forward at all in his career, so who knows what his set shot is like? I'm probably beating a dead horse here, but i think he could give us something as a forward option. Might as well try it out, this season is all about 'list management', and at the moment Rivers seems to be falling out of favour in defence, so why not? If it fails, at least we tried.

Well, that gave me a chuckle.

Agree. Although i don't see any reason why they couldn't address both issues at the same time?

Fair enough, it's your call. I wasn't singling you out and I'm sure you're as passionate as anyone here on this forum. 40 years is a long time and i'm sure you've bled for the club thru good times and bad. But i'm sorry... i still think it's weak to not come because it's a "rip-off" or because "you don't agree with the stadium". Not calling you a weak supporter, just think it's a weak excuse. How much is it gonna cost you to get in? 5 or 6 bucks (with a 17 game membership)? I only have an 11 game membership this year (due to financial constraints), so i pay full-price to see every away match played in Melbourne. Yeah, i feel like i'm being ripped off when i have to pay to see the Dee's play an away match at the G, but i cop it on the chin. But yeah, as i said earlier, no offence intended. My comments weren't directed at you or anyone in particular. It's just a pet hate i have- going to away matches and being completely outnumbered in our own town. Yes i understand we don't have the biggest membership numbers, but that still doesn't stop me feeling the way i do when i'm outnumbered 3 to 1 at a match. Obviously my situation is different to yours, and maybe if i had spent $650 on a membership, i might re-consider also. But come to think of it, i probably would still go. But that's just me... I wasn't trying to be abrasive and if any of my comments were perceived that way, then i apologise.

I might be alone on this, but i quite like the white clash strip we used in the pre-season. Definitely more than the red thing we've been wearing this year... Looks like a bloody training top. Obviously i prefer the home strip, but i won't be disappointed if we wear the pre-season strip this week.

I'm of the opinion that every MFC supporter (living in Melbourne) should get out to see the Dee's when we play in Melbourne- regardless of where the match is played (G or Etihad), or if the food and drinks are too expensive etc etc. I'm sorry if this offends anyone, but i reckon it's weak to not come just because of a dislike for the venue. This isn't about the venue, it's about the two teams playing, of which our beloved Demons are one of them. That should be incentive enough, surely? I'll be so [censored] if the crowd split is 80/20, which, unfortunately, it is likely to be. We were lucky to have a 70/30 split at the Hawks game this year, and that was at the G! Come on Dee's supporters, get out there and support your team! Food too expensive? Be prepared and bring something with you! Drinks cost too much? Have a few before and after the game instead. It's only mid-strength anyway... Unless you've got something else on or are in dire financial strife (which i consider myself to be in on my Centrelink student allowance), then there's absolutely no reason to not come to Etihad on Friday. I'll watch my team play in the pooring rain at the shittiest old suburban ground (yep, even Vic Park), if that's where we are fixtured. I'll trek out to Casey even, just to see my team play. And i'd hope most of our passionate supporters would be there with me- rain, hail or shine. One thing that is for certain at Etihad- at least we won't have to sit out in the rain!

All good ideas. I think everyone agrees that changes need to be made, although at the moment i think the league are more concerned with the GC17 and WS18 ventures. Once the new clubs are finalised, a lottery pick system for at least the first round should definitely come into play. Really like RR's weighted lottery. Can definitely see that one working in the future.