wisedog

Because instead of fighting out the play or suffering the consequences of the team's error, they attempt to fool the umpire to win a cheap free kick.

At this stage of the game I felt aggrieved for just about every free paid against us. But I was more [censored] off at Monfries than the umpire. He just dropped as soon as he took possession, and it didn't look as though there was a whole lot Green could do about it. That's how it seemed at the game. I'm probably wrong.

Weak decisions made by inexperienced umpires. It's easier to make the decision, when a huge section of the crowd applauds you for doing so, or boos you when you don't. It would be intimidating, but a more experienced umpire wouldn't be sucked in. Just goes to show the importance of crowd support. Not just to lift the moral of the players, but in getting our share of the decisions.

Practically speaking yes. But the jumper design of the Melbourne based clubs are so unique and historic. Clubs don't have a real home ground or territory anymore. Players come and go, but the jumper is one of the few things actually linking past and present.

Well if we were to play Essendon, and it was our home game what would happen? All Essendon appear to have in the way of a clash jumper is a broadened red sash. So why aren't the AFL holding them to the same standard? I don't mind that jumper, but to my eyes, there would still be a clash with St.Kilda. The inverted red and blue design seems like the best option.

It was pretty funny, only because it was so unexpected and out of character.

6.9.45 freo 7.4.46 melb 2 to Miller... So good to seem him kicking goals

Probably won't be on the list next year, but he's been a great player for us. He would be a great depth player to have for a team like the Bulldogs or the Swans, they've had a bit of luck with their mature age recruits. Or Brisbane, another classy forward to get the ball in to Brown and Brayshaw... Maybe Trav can put in a good word. I'd give him a 40-60 chance.

Couldn't agree more, Mono. Personally, the embaressment of winning the wooden spoon, and the damage it would do our culture and our public perception far outweighs whether we finish 16, 15, or 14. To be honest, I wouldn't mind that decision being made for us. It's looking like a three horse race anyway.

haha I had a feeling I'd be seeing this thread again...

It looks good. But why is grey used in the title background and not blue?

Great idea. Good to see the dees get some recognition.

I think Houli or Palmer will win it, but Aussie will be close behind. I actually think he's overtaken Cyril in recent weeks... Love to see Garland do well, but with all the Nathan Brown fanfare, he hasn't had a lot of recognition. Cotchin and Ibbotson will be up there.

He's shown a lot of heart to come back like he has. If Daniher was still the coach, he may have been traded or even delisted. But despite all the criticism, he's been able to take his game to a new level. Still I'd want to see him play out the season consistently, before I considered him as captain.

Last year there was talk of trading him to St Kilda for a low, low draft pick. I knew we hadn't seen his best yet.

Let's just let it go, and talk about the win.

Well I think there's no better indication that the drafting system needs to be overhauled if a Melbourne supporter, after the year we've had, can't celebrate a 1-point victory.

That's just really disappointing to read.

Shame Wheatley couldn't take advantage of that interchange violation.

Listening on the radio.. Sounds like there were a couple of goals from Bradshaw and Brown from pretty dubious free kicks.

If the shoe was on the other foot, and the proposed merger was to become the Hawthorn Demons, I sincerely doubt the Melbourne members would have passed it, and I wouldn't be at all surprised if the Hawthorn members did.

Great post Inandunder. You're spot about the importance of tradition. Changing the club's moniker is an interesting idea, but I see it less likely of happening under Stynes’ leadership. Before I looked into the reasons for the change, I thought that MelbourneFC was just a transitional phase…. I actually had the Dragons in mind too. If a change was made. It could only happen if the club was ready to make a stand, from the players through to the supporters. There’s no point slapping on a new label, if it’s just more of the same. I only started following Melbourne in the mid-90’s, so I can only imagine that what was shown in the 70’s and 80’s was enough to disillusion a lot of people. I remember reading a Herald Sun survey that showed we have the highest supporter turn-over of any other club, which doesn’t surprise me at all... A 23 year finals draught! So much damage was done in those years. Imagine if Carlton had to languish at the bottom of the ladder for another 16 years...

On the AFL website they have Frawley going out instead of Bell... In: Bode, Carroll, Jamar, C. Johnson, Morton, Rivers Out: Russell Robertosn (achilles), James Frawley, Simon Buckley

Going by the Herald Sun SuperCoach rankings (which are obviously focused on Victorians with computers.) There are 8,400 users who support Melbourne, 10,277 who support North Melbourne, and 7,958 who support the Bulldogs.

I suppose the only positive is that it frees up Valenti to play out the rest of the season...