Melbournepotter

Nice easy training run for Freo. Fullarton couldn't have done any worse than our current rucks. This is just embarrassing.

After quarter time, this game was generally a disappointment, mainly from our defensive unit. Ive seen Hore play really good games at VFL level but today wasnt one of them. He was outmarked and outpositioned numerous times, although he was also often without support. Howes also made poor decisions, one being when he kicked the ball over his head straight out of bounds on the full. I would expect players trying to get into the first team to show a lot more. While Brisbane are having a good year in the VFL , i would expect our players to at least be able to pass the ball 20 - 25 metres to a team mate, not the opposition. As for Hunter, what is the point of slowing play down and burning leads from players that are in the clear...to then kick it long to a pocket where the forward was outnumbered in a contest. Just dumb. We were missing quite a few players, I get that, but most of the MFC listed players did not show the skills, smarts or effort required in my opinion.

Embarrassing effort from most mfc listed players. It's a game of opinions I guess but McAdam is about the only player with his hand half up for inclusion in the seniors.

I went to the game with my main interest being in the forwards, to see if any were putting their hand up for inclusion in the ones. The three main players in my opinion were Fullarton, Jefferson and Kentfield. We kind of know what to expect from the smaller brigade (ie McAdam). It was not a day for Kentfield. The conditions didn't suit him so much and the delivery was a bit average. He did (from memory) hit the top of the goal post with a shot from 50, but also dropped a mark he should have taken after working his way into a good position. He has a big body and tried to use it but at 18 years of age, I think he still has a bit of growing into his body to do. I would persevere with him and see how he goes with a full pre season. He tried, but couldn't quite get into the game. Jefferson is improving and he seems to be starting to believe he belongs, certainly at this level. He moved around a lot and contested marks, clunking a few and is now starting to show some presence. He has good speed, seems accurate enough when shooting for goal and is starting to really become a target. Fullarton rucked most of the day and I thought played really well. He lost a little ground in physical battles as he had an opponent who was a very solid but did well in the sloppy conditions stamina wise. It would be interesting to see him play if Petty is injured. He seems to only candidate to replace him if Petty doesn't come up. The down side is that the Northern Bullants have only won 2 games this year, so it would have been better to see them against a higher placed side. Anyway, just my opinion

Ben Brown was sat in the grandstand near me...along with a stack of senior players and Goody.

He said both clubs had been good to him (Melb and GC) and it was basically up to Kalani to decide. Kalani has apparently switched to forward, after playing defence. He mentioned that the draft for Southern states re academies needed to be fairer to Vic clubs (mentioned that re the no access to top 40 pics for academies - paraphrasing there). No real indication one way or the other where Kalani will choose.

jeff white about to talk on 3aw footy nightline about Kalani now....

I'm not sure if BT knows which way is up sometimes. Last week he was asking why Dees supporters were booing Maynard.

So..Maynard can do what he wants high ..ok ..

Laurie [censored] himself twice in 10 seconds

Laurie [censored] himself twice in 10 seconds

I think he has really improved lately and seems to be gaining more confidence in himself. At one stage against Coburg near the boundary he took off with the ball, looked over his shoulder to see a defender bearing down on him, put on the afterburners and fended him off, and ran towards goal and tried a banana/check side shot which didnt quite come off. He flew for a few marks but still may not be quite there physically to drag them in....but I believe it's coming.

While I don't think anyone is really pushing for inclusion in the ones, I didnt think Fullartons game was as bad as has been made out. He lead well and kicked well for 2 goals which was how he came to the club, not necessarily as a ruck, but a forward. He couldn't do much worse than Petty up forward and Fullarton is supposedly an actual forward player. Casey put out what appeared to be a very young side and while White tried hard, Coburg appeared much more organised, fitter and certainly faster around stoppages. The Kolt tried and tackled hard all day but wasn't able to impose himself. Jefferson did well I thought and seems to be growing in confidence in himself and ability. He could have had 4 again but a couple of wayward shots (one after a great run and fend off on the boundary) undid some of his work. He needs to get stronger but he appears to be improving. Verall I don't think will be tall enough to take the number one ruck from Max so we really need someone there. The rest were a bit average. Mids were too small and not fast enough to break away from stoppages. A very disappointing result and effort from Casey.

Exactly. I was at the game and it was a game between a side that was committed and played for each other against a team who appeared to see the game as a job and had a number of fill-in players not up to VFL standard.

He is still very young. Only turns 19 later this year so hopefully he develops quickly if he only has 6 months initial contract. I noticed how big King looked when standing next to May at the weekend against the saints. It would be nice if he develops into a strong key forward to complement Roo and Jeffo.

Zanker appeared to move into the middle in the 4th quarter and immediately started getting possessions against North. Too little too late though.

I'm not sure if I'm getting oversensitive in my old age but I can't watch any footy shows anymore. They are just rubbish and they generally just generate their own 'news' with opinion pieces. As for the match commentary, it seems the opposition get praised during Melbourne games irrespective of the score. Last week, Geelong's aflw team were given praise continually about how they were playing against Melbourne, yet we were 5 goals up and moving away and only got cursory praise. I'm not sure what we've done to annoy the media but seems we are paying for it.

Don't bother looking for it too much. The article mentions the usual suspects and then says they are unobtainable or not suitable. The only one that might be relevant was McKay and Lord. It was a nothing article.

I was wondering if Verrall could be useful at the other end. He is listed at being Ruck/forward in draft comments so I assume he has played there. I havent seen too much of him but I thought he looked competitve in a natural footballer way when he has played. Im not sure he is tall enough to be a fulltime senior ruckman but could develop into a key forward ?

So it has come this. I have to support Brisbane and GWS. The latter being one club I had despised since that smirking pr*ck Sheedy paraded Tom 'im only going up for a look' scully in a press conference. I had begun to admire some of Collingwood but after having to sit near their band of orcish supporters whipping themselves into a frenzied mob a couple of weeks ago they moved back on top of the hated list. Now joined by Carlton, whose supporters seemed to have one thing on their mind last week and that was to goad Dee's supporters into some reaction. They came down the aisle to wave their arms about, getting into faces and starting fights. Watch out if there's a Carlton v Collingwood gf .. Then the media hopped on the bandwagon. Please footy gods, do the right thing and have GWS play Brisbane in the gf and spare us all the local media hype garbage.

Get Langdon a pair of boots with better studs so he doesnt slip over all the time. We were down 4 out of our top 6 or 7 forwards tonight plus Gus (and possibly Harmes if he was to replace Gus) so we look better with them in team but we need: - a game plan that is not just kick it high and long to a crowded forward line - better discipline. Kossie cost us a shot at goal tonight and Roo was missing due an avoidable suspension. - bring in some new line coaches. Defence is ok but forward and midfield needs work. Not sure if the message is gettung through so might need a shakeup with fresh faces. - Recruit a big body forward or at least one that will grow into a big tall body - mix game day up a bit. we have got predictable.

Wasn't it a Collingwood function ? He seemed to stand up and announce ' Ladies and Gentlemen' then looked the other way and repeated the announcement...seemed he was having trouble finding either...

In hindsight, Spargo may have made the difference in setting up forwards. His delivery is usually pretty sound into forward 50. I'm not sure if that was the game for him though.

We have M52 seats and it's a great spot to watch the footy. Last night I was grumpy before I got to the game and when a Brisbane couple sat down near us I was more grumpy...this was supposed to be Melbourne area. When they started drinking I passed the limit and told them it was a dry area but got little response. I made it a point to yell louder in their direction on a number of occasions. They left at half time and didn't come back. I hate seeing opposition colours in that area. (I get that sometimes kids take Oppo supporting mates into the area) I'm getting grumpier as I get older. I've been supporting Melbourne for nearly 50 years and don't have a lot of patience at the footy these days 🙂

Wow...what a gutsy win. We just clawed it back in time. So many things contributed to the win but the coolness under pressure and will to win from the younger players such as Bowie, McVee and Rivers was great to see. Smith came on and dominated Gunston which gave us some spring off half back. Then....I noticed we actually went 'man on man' for the lions kick outs which seemed to stifle their exits. Brisbane went from picking holes in our zone defence to kicking to contests. I dont think Ive noticed that 'live' before. It's been a frustration to me that we persist with zone defence during games when it isnt working. Some teams are able to find their way through that and we need to mix it up in those games. Last night we did.