w00dy

Just a reminder that all 17 game club members need to purchase a seat for Friday night's game against Essendon, as it's a fully ticketed match.

Our delivery into the forward line will just sit it on top of his head... He'll have no chance, play him on the flank, let him run around, just like he has for Casey. He hasn't been playing full forward for them...

I agree they're different players. But it would be fair to say Tippett has benefited from the exteneded time playing for Adelaide, his footy has developed. The point being that although they same age, Juice hasn't been afforded the same treatment, and I think he'd be a better player if he were. What do we really have to lose?

so you expect a full forward to get 27 posessions a game? he's been averaging 15 the last 5 games, and getting up to 20 posies. Yes his kicking for goal isn't great, but we've seen a lot of great players have problems in front of the big sticks. That alone shouldn't exclude him from playing for Melbourne. And he wasn't given many chances, he was given 2 games, and our forward line looked far more dangerous with him in it. On a shocking night for forwards, in a shocking game of football, he had 3 shots on goal. More than any other player on the ground. He should've kicked 2.1, he kicked 0.3, laid 4 tackles, and he got dropped. Miller and Bate did nothing that game either, but Juice was the scapegoat. I think we're all expecting too much from Robbo, he was fantastic when playing next to Neitz, and he had games were he kicked bags holding down full forward on his own, but at his age, with where the team is at, I don't think he's up to it at full forward, and I can't see the club getting anything positive out of playing him at full forward. Put Juice at full forward, Robbo in the pocket.

I'd argue his form line would be equal or better of all those players, with Jurrah bagging 4 goals today, surpassing him... But unlike LJ, we know Juice is physically ready for the AFL. LJ hasn't had anywhere near the preperation Juice has. If i were picking the team next week, I'd have them both in. Here is his form line for Casey since he was dropped... I'd say without kicking massive bags week after week, that's pretty good form for a key forward... 27 tackles in 5 games... Point is he's in good form, and deserves consecutive games for Melbourne.

I really think it's important that we give Juice as many games as we can in the 2nd half of the season. Many, actually most have written him off. I really believe he's going to prove you all wrong. Here's a comparison I think is worth looking at for Juice... Now I'm not saying Juice is going to be as good as the player I'm comparing him with, but I think it's worth discussion... Michael Newton Vs Kurt Tippett How many of you would trade Juice for Tippett? I'd say everyone would, in a heartbeat. The first thing that really surprised me was that Tippett is only 2 weeks younger than Juice, however he was drafted a year later than Juice was. I gather we took Juice as a bottom aged player? Here are some stats for season averages for the two players: Newton: 2007: 10 games - 10.3 disposals, 4.1 Marks, 1.4 goals, 1.6 tackles 2008: 6 games - 8.5 disposals, 4.5 Marks, 1.5 goals, 1.7 tackles 2009: 2 games - 9.0 disposals, 3.5 marks, 1.0 goals, 4.0 tackles Tippett 2008: 19 games - 7.1 disposals, 2.3 marks, 0.9 goals, 1.7 tackles 2009: 11 games - 10.6 disposals, 3.6 marks, 1.7 goals, 3.1 tackles The point I want to make is, both are key forwards, both are about the same age, but both have tread quite different paths. Newton has been given limited opportunities, only 16 games in 2 seasons where we were absolutely appalling, and put up reasonable numbers for a young forward in a poor side. Whilst Tippett has been given lots of games in the AFL to develop. He almost played the entire season last year. Even though his numbers are less impressive than what Juice managed to do in 6 games, in a far lesser side. Now Tippett has some confidence, is improving on his footy, as he showed last weekend with his bag of 7... This season with Newton, we bring him in, he looks promising as a forward target. He misses some easy shots on goal, on an extremely difficult day for forwards, when most other forwards couldn't get the ball in their hands, and he gets dropped. He was made the scapegoat for that game, and unfairly treated in my opinion. I don't see what we have to lose by playing him, we all know he has the talent. He has improved the defensive side of his game, we've seen this at VFL level and at AFL level (4 tackles per game in 09)... Time to bring in Juice, and let him play the rest of the season. Unfortunately, his confidence is shot in front of goal, dropping him after Adelaide wouldn't have helped at all in this regard. I really hope he's given ample opportunity to get that confidence back for the Demons. I like Bails, and I think he's doing a good job overall, but I think this is one area he's dropped the ball in. Juice is contracted for next year, so perhaps they still have a long term plan for him, but I think he's been deserved of more games personally.

From what I understand, the 230 who paid their $5,000 last year aren't required to contribute the mandatory $5,000 this year, they get to attend the evening for free... The goal would be to get all these people in the same room again, and see what voluntary money they can raise... anyone who wants to attend this year, who didn't last year, will have to donate the $5,000 minimum to attend... So it's not necessarily going to the well too many times, we're not forcing, or putting a whole lot of pressure on these people to fork out big money again, just giving them the opportunity to do so if they wish... We're also allowing them to participate in another entertaining evening, as thanks for their support previously. I think it's the right way to go about it.

I remember Demetriou earmarked 60,000 as a rough figure we needed to keep the game, and I remember falling just short, somewhere around the 58-59k mark... definitely not 40,000

I find it hard to believe they've put a number on the amount of games he is going to play... Perhaps they'll give him a minimum of 4 more, then assess where he's at... But to say he won't play any more than 4, what if he starts playing well? You give him a week's rest if he needs it, but if form warrants he plays for the Demons...

I think if Col has turned the corner, this has a lot of merit. The fact is, Col has had a rough time during his AFL career. Yes he made his own bed, but if he continues to improve, on and off the field, I believe the experience of the turn around he's made gives him a lot to offer, perhaps more in many respects than those who have been perfect players since he's arrived to the clubs. You couldn't have a leadership group full of Colin Sylvias, but I think Colin Sylvia could bring something to the leadership group, that none of the other leaders around the club can. It could have an extremely positive impact on his football too, the extra responsibility could result him to work even harder. He'd know that he was in the leadership group, and he had to set an example, and I think this could bring the best out of him. Key word there is could, none of us will ever know, the players and coaching staff would have a much better idea. But if it happens I wouldn't be against it at all...

doesn't necessarily mean Miller will come straight back in... remember he's played every game in the AFL since round one... at his age they could simply be giving him a rest...

not a big thing for mine, like calling the western bulldogs, "Footscray" I wish he grabbed hutchy by the throat when he said "today was all about collingwood. Don't get carried away" Gaz had been speaking about Melbourne for about 30 seconds, clearly following the run down... Grub hutchy, grub

I think Cheney will be our next Peter Walsh, Bennell will be our next Whelan...

and the commentators know everything... David Schwartz was asked how juice was heading on SEN today... said that he still needs to improve on his 2nd and 3rd efforts... Those of us who've seen him play for Casey know he's definitely rectified this area of his game... Don't write of Juice, not saying he'll be a star, but I think he'll play another 50 games for the MFC...

Out: Bell, Whelan, Bate In: Newton, Miller, Bennell

woah dude, take a breath

6. Sylvia 5. Jones 4. Bruce 3. Jamar 2. Frawley 1. Grimes

I thought Jamar actually showed some improvement today on last year. I missed his game last week, but today he moved around the ground far better than I ever remember him doing. He got to more contests, and he wasn't afraid to use the ball by foot, and when he did kick, his passes were good enough for a ruckman... Not to mention he dominated with his tap work. But Bell didn't show anything today. He'll be given more opportunities to prove he's worth keeping, but I can't see him doing anything to justify his spot on the list.

lets do a Grant Thomas, and tell him he's no longer required mid-season

stupid post... be patient... we lacked hardness at the footy today, something we've managed to do most of the season... that's not completely the coach's fault... Bails will be a gun, don't you worry...

our worst game of the season... our appetite for the contest, which has been there most of the season, was non-existant apart from the 2nd quarter, which was really disappointing... Sylvia, Jones, Jamar, Frawley our best. Bruce played a solid game too.

no chance... his lack of awareness is going to be his undoing... i think he's the first one to go to be honest...

The London tavern usually gets a few drinkers in... Transport opposite Flinders St station isn't bad either, massive selection of beers. And it's only a 10 minute walk along the Yarra to the G...

to be honest, I'm not sure she wrote a whole lot of this story... Col pretty much wrote this one himself... but i agree most of her work is quality... this is really encouraging from Col... his footy has already improved, and no doubt will continue to improve with his current attitude...

i missed both interviews, anyone care to elaborate on what Bails actually said, rather than how well he said it? And what else did CC say apart from calling Hutchy a toe cutter? :D