Doggo

Hey Cameron the Bruce... nice avatar

I'll tell you why Frankster.

Much like the greatest and most strategic board game in the world - chess, football games are won by the teams that make the least mistakes. Sure, Godfrey has some boxes ticked, as has been recognised on D'Land, and they're plain for all to see, but his weaknesses; ie lack of class, pace, skill, as well as the numerous turnovers, are too detrimental to a team's well being and reduce the chance of his side winning.

Pressure, perceived pressure, tackling, strategies, turnovers, set plays, one percenters, etc, are all designed to cause the opposition to fumble, make poor decisions, poor execution, and allow one's own team to enhance their scoring opportunities. Footy scribes often speak of the best 'team' in the league as opposed to individual brilliance. Great teams work for each other, pressure the opposition into 'mistakes', and capitalise by superior movement of the ball. In essence, the good teams make the least amount of 'mistakes'. It's not measured by the clanger count, but mark my words, the team that wins will have made the least mistakes. The better gameplan will lose if the mistakes are too many.

I'll remember Godfrey as a fine servant of the MFC. A player who eeked out the most of his ability. But going forward, I want to start turning this list over. If it means two steps back and one step forward and closer to the only thing that counts (a flag) then I embrace it. And there's no better time than now. The time of good honest servants is over for me.

Agree totally Hannabal.

I guess the very fact many people believe him to be in our top 5 B&F this year further confirms your points.

We are going to finish in the bottom 3, again.

Much like 2003, Godfrey's other good year..(He finished 5th that year, didnt he?).

When he is in the side and is playing well, we generally are not.

Anyone see what was said?

Matt Maguire remains unsigned.

I think the last thing we need is another undersized key position player. Who will no doubt be over-priced...

Robbo has been my favorite player since the day he kicked 4 and dominated the half-forwardline on Glen Jakovich at Subiaco, in what was a huge season turning performance and subsequent win, way waaay back in 98 as a fresh-faced youngster.

I also remember keeping a close eye on him in the ressies that year and thinking 'this kid is gonna be a star!'.

I've watched him grow as a player and also as a league personality, been there thru the high and lows, and have appreciated every minute of heart and dedication he has put in.

I've also spoken to the bloke plenty of times, and each time i'm more and more impressed by his passion and love for the club we all hold so dearly in our hearts, the Melbourne Football Club. He has been as good a clubman and ambassador as anybody has in my time following the Dee's, the captain included. He may not be the most consistent player going around, but those are the cards youre dealt when you are a 185cm (makeshift) KP player. His durability and ability to play carrying an injury has always been admirable, and we all know what he's capable of when fully fit (see 2005 season).

Congrats on a fantastic journey and a great 200 games... may there be many more goals and speccies, a 100% injury-free run, and hopefully successes for the man (and team) that deserves much more for 2008 and beyond.

Why is it that everytime we went into 50 we had to pump the ball high and long? Have they not heard of making space for each other and spotting up leads????

Its not like we were putting it in high and long with fast ball movement either, just slow, predictable high and long ball to Robbo and Davey?!

One being one of the better marks for his size in Robbo, but lets be honest, is no monster Key Posi forward, the other a small crumbing forward with major deficienices overhead.

No wonder we only took something like 5 or so marks inside 50....

Our midfield just needs to be a bit smarter coming inside... it was just terrible. And they kept doing it all night...

Just dumb football...

Can i add PJ to this group?

Maybe not as young as the rest in terms of age, but in terms of games played he is very much in the early stages of his career.

If a bit of faith is put in him by the new coach and he can nail down the #1 ruck possie, i think he has a massive scope to become a star at AFL level. Maybe not as an out-and-out dominant tap ruckman, but something in the mould of a bigger, stronger Jeff White-type follower.

With more game time and confidence, he could be anything, and is the kind of player who after some big games will be noticed by the wider football public (and the umpires) because of his size, agility and skills. He won a Liston at VFL level, who's to say he can't win a Brownlow even?? In a few years obviously, but his scope for improvement is massive...

Very exciting young player.

Having said all that, i voted for Juice. He's got that something special about him... you just know (or greatly hope) that he can become a marque player of the league in a few years time.

He is not a proven AFL ruckman.

He is a proven VFL ruckman who has played games at AFL level. Big difference. Across his career he averages 9 hit outs and 4.6 disposals around the ground. This supports the observations that he is a decent tap ruckman who struggles around the ground. He has done nothing to warrant a spot in the last 2 years except being tall. PJ has come ahead of him in leaps and bounds. Neaves is not ahead of him yet because he is 5 years behind in development. I think the excitment about Neaves is because he is showing the potential to be a much better all round player.

The reason Simmonds and Jolly left have been discussed on this board frequently. They were not 'disposed of'. They chose to leave to chase glory and white was a better ruckman, and in many opinions still is.

Jamar hasn't developed into the ruckman that either Simmonds or Jolly is and there is daylight between him and Jeff White.

Spot on deanox.

Agree totally. Good post.

Doesn't sound as if there's much more material for promotion to the Dees.

Garland at a pinch might replace Petterd.

Moloney probably needs a few more weeks. Ditto with Byron and Ben Holland's chances depend on availability of match ups as always.

Could be interesting if Bruce doesnt pull up this week. I'd like to see Garland come in for Ricky and maybe try him out as a 3rd tall in the back half... He's been named in the bests a couple of times since moving to the back line. Let's see what he can do! He's tall and versatile...

Bring on the youngsters! (and besides that, is there actually anyone else to pick?!?!)

coke with extra ice- the benny cousins special

Or spiked with Horse Tranquilisers. The Daniel Kerr... "Special K"

Wasn't bad in his debut... Not at all.

At times early on he looked a bit lost at the pace of the highest level, but he'll pick that up as he gets more games in the seniors. Seemed to get more comfortable as the game wore on. Fluffed a couple of kicks, but overall seemed to have tidy disposal, a real nice turn of speed and is a very good height for a midfielder. Not as 'outside' as has been suggested, won a bit of contested ball and overall didnt look out of place in AFL.

Didn't get to see him in an overhead contest, but i'd imagine his height will hold us in good stead in the future, ie. Midfielder with the ability to push forward and stretch a defence with, or go back and play taller than he is. Overall, did look like a very likely type, and will get better with time. Didnt set the world on fire like Ricky P did with his debut, but wasnt our worst today. Just a nice, solid debut

Like all of us here, Bucks has been a mad Dee's supporter forever... and he lived THE DREAM today. Debuted on the G against an old rival in Carlton, and got to sing the Grand Old Flag after it all... How sweet it is! Really exciting day for him.

Congrats to the young man!

Great win in a pretty ordinary standard game!

My top 6:

6: Wheatley - best game this bloke has played.

5: Bate

4: Sylvia

3: JMac

2: Jones

1: Robbo - 5 goals is 5 goals

Apologies to plenty

Thats pretty much spot on for mine. If i were to have done some votes i would have given it exactly like that... with Robbo just nudging out White for the one vote.

Good work

It definately feels like that when it happens, i assure you. Its the kinda pain you wouldnt wish on your worst enemy, let alone one of our up-and-coming stars!

He'll be alright! I've had collapsed a lung before... it hurts like you would not believe, and at the time it feels like youre going to die until they reinflate your lung... But he'll be alright.

Will most likely miss the rest of the season though. But, will be red-ripe ready to go come pre-season time.

Good luck Ricky, who knows, maye with a speedy recovery he may be able to push for selection again later in the year, though i doubt they would risk him. Bring on 08...

Thought he was very good today, though I'm puzzled as to what his true position eventually will be, it seems they want him to be an Embley type player in the midfield now after playing him at CHF last year.

Yeah, i'd say they probably would like to mould him into that tall HF/Wingman-type player like an Embley or O'Keefe from the Swans. He looks like he has all the skill sets to get there one day, and will only get better as this season comes to an end.

Heres my take on it:

Brown - not bad game

Carroll - amzaing courageous mark

Bizzell - better 2nd half

Ward - some bad decisions

Miller - just plodded along

Petterd - bad luck son

Wheatley - B.O.G by miles

Dunn - will get better

McDonald - prolific as always

Bate - hardest working forward

Newton - made FF his

Jones - hard little nut

Sylvia - good game altogether

C. Johnson - needs more time

P. Johnson - great 2nd ruck

White - dominant. 44 hitouts

McLean - struggled shaking tag

Robertson - cameo 5 goals

Davey - was not sighted

Frawley - tried very hard

Godfrey - beat Carrazo's influence (after qtr time)

Buckley - tidy first game

Pretty satisfying game overall. Definately many more positives than negatives.

Davey really struggled, had one of the worst games i've seen him play-- but probably kicked one of the goals of the year. Robbo also seemed to struggle a bit but still managed to boot 5!

CJ and Buckley looked a bit lost at times, but it was to be expected that the step up to AFL level would take some adjusting. Not a bad first game for Bucks to ease into AFL footy though.

Ditto Dunn, needs more time at the top level, but kicked a ripper from 55m out off two steps.

Frawley tried really hard but got beaten IMO, though will be better off for the experience and ground time.

PJ was fantastic in the ruck and around the ground. Our ruck division dominated (as expected) against inferior competition. JW was back to his best.

Jonesy is just a little machine.

Really bad news about Petterd, but means he'll be red-ripe to go and have a huge pre-season and prepare for 08.

Wheatley had the best game i've ever seen him play and has gone from being one many believed was on the way out next year, to an extremely valuable and versatile component of our team.

Bate just works so hard around CHF, and has the talent and long kicking to back up his hard work.

Newton looked great outta the forwardline without Neitz in there. Really is looking like the way to the future for us post-Neitz.

Biz looked good at times, but also made some terrible decisions at times. Ditto Ward.

Need more from Miller. He didnt quite look like he was working that hard, but used his body well at times. Must admit he definately looks more at home at AFL level in the backline.

Good signs from the kids for the rest of the season... Who to bring into the side next week for Ricky P?

Whats in it?

2007 TRUenergy VFL Seniors

Tasmania 3.1 5.3 11.5 14.8 (92)

Sandringham 2.6 10.11 16.16 19.20 (134)

GOALS:

Tasmania: Derbyshire 4 Ross 2 Adams 2 Hall Stephens Moles Ling Hansen Moran

Sandringham: Poyas 4 Crowe 4 Holland 3 Ferguson 2 Valenti 2 Neaves Summers Pickett Jamar

BEST:

Tasmania: Stephens Thurley Koulouriotis Street Moran Adams

Sandringham: Holland Crowe Poyas Liddell Valenti Garland

Good to see Garland in the bests. Did he play back again?

Might be another candidate for a run soon under the new Riley-regime??

White and Paul Johnson were fantastic last night giving our midfielders first oppurtunity every time. Too bad our entire midfield was asleep all night.

I've never seen two ruckman dominate the stoppages so much (i think the final hitout count was something like 48 to 11), yet have such little response from their supporting midfielders. To win that much of the ruck and still get smashed in the clearances is completeing mystifying. Tuck must've sharked 10 or so clearances, and was playing to our ruckman. What the f*** was going on with the inside midfield setup?

And how does a dud player like Tivendale manage to carve us (or any team for that matter?) so severely? I mean.... faaark.... TIVENDALE?!?!

Ahhhhh.... i said i wouldnt post... so i wont go on.

Think i might just get drunk and watch season 2000 highlights.

his kicking is ordinary too.

He is about as good up forward as White is, minus the ability to take a contest mark and kick.

I dunno about that one Jaded... thought his kick for goal in the third from about 45 out on a tight angle was an absolute beauty. Do agree with most of what has been said here, but PJ's kicking for goal is not ordinary. Do i have to say the words... "Mark Jamar"?

What a [censored] game. I almost knocked some clowns jaw off sitting behind me when i got up at the 26min mark of the last to leave and he started taunting me. I only pulled out at the very last couple of inches. I sat thru more than enough tripe to deserve that.

Anyway... i've tried to stay away from posting this weekend. I'm just waaay too [censored] off to write anything constructive at all.

I'll see u guys on wed or thurs when i've calmed down.

Would also love to see the robbie and robbo show you made ash

yeah same...

They're all ones i'd like to see again. Robbo's shirtfront was a ripper!

Also been searching you-tube for Robbo's mark on Joel Bowden from the tigs game last year, but nowhere to be found. Absolute ripper mark.

You'd be surprised how many 'non-highlights' of Collingwood footage there is on there tho....

I remember, Round 4 '99 (i think??) at the 'G, when we got up by 1 point from a rushed behind thanks to a Robbo hitout thru the goals from a boundary throw-in in the forward pocket in the 30-something'th minute against the Hawks, my Hawthorn supporter mate cracked it so bad when the siren went a few seconds later, he kicked the concrete barrier next to us so hard and broke 3 and dislocated one of his toes on his right foot!

We still give him grief about it today!

What is outstanding with his game now is his balance and ability to create for his team mates. This fella has the potential to be as good as Greg Wells. He has great endurance, strength, vision and is reasonably quick for his build. His disposal is good on both sides and he is a team player not an individual. I reckon he will soon be a long term leader of our club.

Not to mention being pretty strong overhead for a man his size. How bout that contested mark and goal inside 50 a couple of weeks ago against the Kanga's (was it?). Smallest fella in the pack, and he took it like a KPP!

If he were a few cm's taller i would say he most certaintly would have gone earlier in the draft in his year. Is very much a complete package type footballer, with very few flaws in his game.

I'll choose to supress my boner until we can find a ruckman

Might be my PJ bias shining thru... but i reckon we've found a pretty good one in PJ. He will be better than most his size and weight, no doubt, and is ready to play AFL now.

A newly drafted ruckman will take at least 2-3+ years to fill out, pick up the speed of AFL footy, and develop his game. So while we almost certainly will draft for best available ruck come National Draft day, PJ will definately be ready to take over #1 duties by the time White's finished, probably even sooner, at which time Neaves (who is developing very nicely in the VFL) should definately be ready to take on the #2 role under PJ, until that newly drafted ruckman is ready...

I dont think Jamar fits into this picture long-term (or even short term), and will probably end up at Carlton next year (given Denis Pagan's obsession with picking up ruckman lacking in talent ). Definately will (or should) get picked up/traded to another club come seasons end though.

The more responsibility and opportunity PJ is given, the more he will rise to the challenge. He's shown that in the first half of this year, and i'm sure he will continue to in the 2nd half. Looks like he is going to be a real quality player post-Jeff White, injury permitting. At his current rate of improvement, imagine how the good the big kid will be after 40-50 games? A lot better than Jamar, thats for sure...

A big boy with skills, footy smarts and agility like his (as well as his much improved marking) are very rare. If all things go right, PJ will be around for a long time still...