Melbournepotter

I heard/read the stat that we had more AFL listed players in our Casey team than Footscray which is dissappointing considering how one sided the game looked.

Kentfield is still only 18 and has come over from the west mid season. While he hasnt pulled up any trees here yet, he surely deserves a pre seson etc to see how he goes next year. The delivery has been generally deplorable at Casey this year which hasnt helped. Id like to see how he goes with a pre season under his belt and him growing a bit more into his body.

While there are good reasons for your exits, the only issue I see is that it leaves us light on for experience if we start getting injuries. Hore and maybe Melksham to stay for that purpose, otherwise, a good start. The playing style/system needs looking at. The forwards need a system to create space and we need a better method in the centre to take advantage of Max while we can.

Nice pass from Tomlinson to set up a Footscray goal.

damn...I thought it was on Saturday and was looking forward to getting to it. The AFL really dont have a clue how to run the game do they. Why schedule games at a time that drastically reduces attendances ?

We really need to develop some forward movement to advantage, especially when we have the ball around 70 metres out from goal. So many times we have players looking to pass and all they see is a static half forward line standing in the same space that they should be vacating to allow the big boys to lead into. They should be working to create more space and clear a path for the bigger bodies guys to lead into....and then run over any defenders that get in the way. Maybe that's too simplistic but the alternative of just bombing it long to a contest gets a bit predictable.

Sparrow showing the desire to get back into the senior side. Something id like to see more of, from other mfc listed players.

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.