Doggo

IMO... just a couple that came to mind after watching a tape of the replay... Carroll - Better than Miller P Johnson - Better than Jamar Yze - Not too bad Petterd - Boy can play !!! Johnstone - So completely frustrating Davey - Was very good Miller - Showed up forward Moloney - Back at best Godfrey - Was not worst Bruce - Skills are shabby White - Need more from Jamar - Should be dropped (but wont becuz of lack of height) McDonald - Uncharacteristically without impact Other than those... i agree with most of what has been said of the others.

I thought Jamar was absolutely deplorable on Saturday. Paul Johnson looked much more effective in the time he spent in the ruck against Everitt and Jolly, and should probably be persisted with in that #2 role.

Spot on. If he has done well there so far, why not persist with him until he fails?

I still have the fondest memories from that game... definately one i would call a 'famous' victory! We were down and out late in the 3rd qtr, when Paul Johnson's effort to clear the ball from defensive 50 to the vacant wing, follow up his kick and put his body on the line against Leo Barry(i think?) to force the ball over the boundary, then take the ruck throw in with a dislocated shoulder, turned the tide for us completely, not just in the game, but for our season.... Inspirational footy! And when Bruce got that goal from the nicest slick little handball from Doggy Brown u've ever seen.... OHHHH!!!!!!! YEEEEEEEAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!! Ahhh... what a great game! Let's hope tonight is a bit of the same... GO DEES!

I have to disagree on this one. Whilst i like Hille as a ruckman, i dont really see a whole lot in Laycock. I'd be interested actually to know what Ash's opinion is regarding Laycock. I think Paddy Ryder will be a very very good player, but at this stage of his career he still could be anything (KP forward, back, or ruck). Also... of all this talk of our ruckman and in particular Jamar... not one mention of Paul Johnson? I know he has been playing back recently, but could his strengths equate to him being more effective than Jamar as the #2 ruck? PJ's strengths are Jamar's weaknesses and vice-versa... i'm of the opinion that had PJ not hurt himself in this very same game v Syd last year, he would have kept Jamar out of the side for the majority of '06. Jamar played 22 games without any competition for the 2nd ruck spot, and whilst he did show some very good tap work, his nickname of 'donuts' is well justified. I guess the question begs to be asked... what is more important to us (ie. will get us closer to a flag) in a number 2 ruckman? Height, tap and overhead marking ability, with clear deficiencies around the ground (Jamar/Jolly/Seaby/Street/Campbell)? Or, a natural football brain, good skill sets and ability to hurt the opposition at ground level, with deficiencies overhead and/or in brute power and grunt (P.Johnson/Longmuir/Ryder/Darcy/Fraser)? I know Darcy and Fraser are #1 rucks, but i think they clearly represent what i mean by lack of grunt. And Darcy took a long long time to learn how to mark! Rembmer early in his career he was useless in overhead and contested marking situations (much in the same way as PJ is now). Great discussion post so far! The talk of dwelling on past players can be a bit rubbish at times, but when lookin at it relative to our current list, i think it is a good conversation. I dont have much time these days to get on here and post, occasionally just come one here and read, but i think this is a really good topic. Peace, Chris

I've been away for a few weeks and have not had the chance to see Melbourne play since round 2. I just have one question... PJ in defence?? Whaa? Seems a real strange one to me. How did he go? And also where did he play last week against the cats?

I agree. Had PJ not put his body on the line, it is likely that we would not have won that match. His influence on that game, in just 60-odd minutes, with his 2 goals and that aformentioned 2nd effort was massive. (And that's more influence on a single match than can be said about Jamar's whole career). However for Paul, it also was the one single piece of team play that ended his season (he re-injured the shoulder in the VFL ressies in his 1st game back i think?), and allowed Jamar to play 22 games without any competition. For what it's worth, i believe had Paul not hurt himself, last season would have turned out very different for both Johnson (who would have played the majority of the year), and Jamar (who would now be classed as our 3rd ruck). I hate to be a 'Jamar-basher', but the gulf in skill sets and potential to become a 'good footballer' between the two players is huge, IMO.

Met Troy Broadbridge in the supermarket once. Was a very fine fellow. Very nice and happy to chat answer any questions i had (it was during the 2004 pre season) about training. Kicked the footy and had a really good chat with Robbo at TBO i think at the end of 2002 family day. It was my 18th bday that day and he had some very nice things to say and also some solid advice for me. I dont think i've ever been 'snubbed' by a player... but i remember Andrew Leoncelli staring at my ex-girlfriend lke there was no tomorrow once. Fair enough, she admittedly was very attractive, but we were 17 and he basically needed someone to pick his jaw up off the table... thats how much he was staring... in hindsight that really is funny. lol

I'll be there. Just PM when it gets a bit closer to the ddate... i'm def in!

I think i prefer Johnson. Had he not hurt himself against Sydney in round 4 (doing an extremely selfless team act), i think things may have panned out very differently in 2006.. Jamar was very lucky that things turned out the way they did, i suspect. IMHO Jamar is a 'battler' type: He will never have the ability or class to make a consistent impact at AFL level. His tap work is good, but as a footballer he leaves very much to be desired. And while his tap work and marking may be better than Paul's at this stage, what attributes Johnson does have, you cant teach to Jamar... and thats how to naturally win the footy and use it well by hand and foot, as well as his good ground work and ability to become another midfield link, a la Jeff White. I see the upside to Paul Johnson's game as being far superior, along with the hunger he will have gained from spending the majority of 2006 watching Jamar get a game without necessarilly being made to earn his spot... But as many have already said, only time will tell...

Bad luck mate... I've broken ribs running back with the flight of the ball and getting taken out by a big fat FF in a VAFA ressies game... was not very pleasant. i knew when i'd coughed a bit of blood up that it wasnt a good sign... Seriously though, breaking ribs in an inter-forum friendly game is some serious bad luck... all the best in ur recovery.. cheers

I know what u mean man... had to walk up the stairs like 5 times today at work (not to mention the stairs at home), and i was taking every step very very carefully & slowly... by the 5th time i was walking like a geriatric...i'd been ignoring the tightness and pain the first coulple of times and trying to walk normally, but the the end i could no longer just hide my discomfort...i looked like needed a walking frame! people were looking at me funny. Nice to know i'm not alone in excruitiating agony... wise.. thanks for the avatar mate..

A bit late with this post i guess...but... how good was sunday?! I'm still sore as... but yeah, that was heaps of fun and good to get a big win and be... THE undisputed inter-forum champs... challengers welcome... Anyway, gotta cut this one quick, but just wanted to thank everyone involved for a great day... Alot of hard work must've gone into the day, but it was well worth it. And that rendeition of Grand Old Flag... ohhh, brought a tear to my eye! haha I look forward to the next game! Bring it on... Cheers, Chris P.S. robbo24, hope the knees alright mate. P.P.S. Saw that photo of me takin a swig outta the 'Big Carl'... any way of reducing it and makin it into an avatar? I'm not down with the computer tech stuff... so any help would b great!