Lord Travis

The match showed that if we have the cattle on the park, we will be competitive. We played with the intensity and passion that was present in 06. Those hard tackles, the niggling, the direct play, that's what got us where we were last year when we beat the Saints in that final. The team out there showed that if we have the cattle, throw in a new coach, and something to play for, we are a dangerous team and are capable of anything. How much better do we look with Travis out there and fit. Whether he is weaving magic, or copping the #1 tag, he is important to us structurally, and the midfield functions better with him out there leading it. How much better did Robbo look after the rest? I havent seen Robbo covering so much ground and playing with such vigor since 2005. That game would be up there for him possession wise. And did you see the way he got on with it quickly? He knows what it's like as a forward, you want the ball to come in quickly so there's room to work with and opposition dont have a chance to flood back. As soon as he got it he moved it on quickly, and it worked a treat. Played a really good game. Add back in Rivers, Bruce, Mclean, Whelan, Batram, Bate and a whole swagger of others, add a FIT Neitz who is hindered by a dodgy knee and a top draft pick like say Cotchin, and we will be top 8 team next season barring horrible injury like this year. Infact, I'll most likely be putting money on us for top 4, because our odds will be amazing value. It's not all doom n gloom. 08 will be a good year for us. 150 celebrations. New coach. Clean slate. Exciting times!

Ferg is a 26 yr old with the body of a 19-20 yr old. He should develop further, but won't because he is too old. He is a 26 yr old who hasn't even cemented a place in the side. By this age he should be established in the side, and in the prime of his career. If we can get a trade for him, then i'd take it. Anything. If not, then he will either be kept as depth, or delisted, depending on who else goes at the end of the season. You cant fault the guy on his courage and application, but unfortunately he simply just doesn't have the body or skills to cut it.

I'd like to win every match left, except Rnd 22 (assuming Carlton dont win another match before then). It would be brilliant to be in control of the match, then in the final minute kick rushed behind on purpose, really ridiculous ones from like 50 out, to hand them the win, thus robbing them of their priority pick, and granting us a higher pick. That way, it's a win win. We get a better pick. We were better than them, and handed them the match despite the fact we were in control. The AFL would then be forced to changed the drafting rules.

Moloney is severely hindered by OP. He cant take off and stand up in tackles as well as he should. Go watch 2005 clips, and you will see that behind Travis (who won the Bluey), Moloney was our second best midfielder and had a consistent good year. He represented Australia in the international rules series against Ireland, and was picked due to his long kicking and PACE. He is hindered at the moment, but people forget that when he is up and going, he can work up quite abit of momentum and smash right through tackles instead of being caught. I mean it was only the start of this year he was having an impact. He was amongst our best for the first few weeks until his groin flared up. We need him to get over his OP, because he could be a really useful player for us. But you'd think if his battle with it doesn't improve over the next year or two, that he will be traded off or cut loose

Was brilliant on the weekend. He usually gets kudos for his skills, as he rightfully should, but another pleasing aspect of his game was the fact he had 7 tackles, the most of any player on the team! Lead disposals, inside 50s, and tackling. Great game. We are a much better side with him out there, whether he is performing miracles or not.

Good to hear Buckley played well. I've recently become friends with someone who's been friends with him since they were kids, and she says he lives and breathes footy. Was a die-hard Melb supporter, and has made playing in the red n blue his life. Apparently he is insanely hardcore compulsive about it, doesnt go out pubbing etc, and trains himself into the ground, whether with the team or on his own. Was sad not to be playing this weekend, but will continue to work his ass off to be able to pull on the red n blue. It's always good to hear about players who have a real passion and pride for the jumper

Good luck to the old fella next week. I still have fond memories of his entire 2002 season. Was an absolute monster up forward. Another special mention to his match vs St kilda last year where he kicked something like 5 goals (from 8) from outside 50, and set some kind of record. Was great that day with his long kicking!

No need for any big changes. Bring in Mclean or Bate if fit. Out goes Frawley injured, replaced by one of those 2.

Great news man :D I'll cya before u go. Gonna be lonely at Melb games without you You will be missed

Sylvia COULD be better than Brock. He has the potential to be a real star player, but until his body lets him, we wont see that happen. We've already seen the difference with his OP being more under control. He has been able to shrug his opponents aside and burst off on several occasions this year. My favorite moment of the year so far, and it may seem stupid, was in the Queens Bday match where he literally tossed some Pie player aside burst off, and drilled a pass into the 50 which set up a goal. That moment showed what he is really capable of. Either way, I'll be happy to have both these guys in our side for 10+ years :D

I went to the game and watched him really closely. He was getting to the right spots, just not getting as much ball as he should have. The team didn't have confidence in him (as he's a first gamer), and therefore didn't pass it to him when they should have. Much like what happened with Sylvia in his early career. I think Buckley showed he has really smooth hands in traffic, and has pretty good pace to boot for someone his size. If he can get used to the speed, keep up the fitness, and gain the confidence of the rest of the team, I believe he could make it as a midfielder, back pocket, or tagger.

Get well soon Ricky. You've been great in your debut year, and we'll be glad to have you at the club for many years to come.

Nice poll. I think Brock's the obvious choice at this stage, but any of those top 4 listed could be star players. Brock we dont even need to talk about. Jones is tough, determined, a bash and crash machine. Fix his kicking, and he will be a stand out ball winner in the Sam Mitchell mould. Sylvia is the wild card. Great mark for his size, great leap, strong, aggressive, decent pace; he is currently a more than handy half-forward who could move into the midfield once he gains fitness. He has the attributes to be a star of the competition, just a matter of whether his body (and head) will hold him back or not. Bate is quickly becoming one of our most reliable players. His hands have glue on them. It's amazing seeing some of the marks he takes when he is so stretched to grab the ball. He has good pace, good work ethic, and he could become a great CHF IMO. Been great this last month and abit. Great to see his confidence on the rise. The rest of the group, bar probably CJ, Buckley and Garland at this point, will all be solid players for us for many years to come.

Was wondering if we had a nickname for everyone on the list? Would be good if we could compile a list of all the nicknames, and also decide on some for players who havent got a definitive one. Also, my friend pointed one out to me on the weekend that I particularly liked. Paul Johnson (PJ) looks alot like Rufio off the film Hook. They aren't te best pics to compare, but if you knew the movie, you'd see the similarity between them. Chanting RUFIO! RUFIO! when PJ got the ball was tremendous fun! What do y'all think?

Brock is a star. I love watching him play, especially alongside Jones. He had a good game today, and was unlucky with that free for throwing the ball down, and then the 50 for arguing. He lead well as always. When we were 3 points up, being over-run, it was Brock who lifted and had a big last quarter and was directing our players around the ground. We've got some great young talent for the future. Brock and Jones in midfield. Bate and Sylvia across half forward. Bell and Petterd across half back. What we need now is to fill the 2 last lines with the KPP...

I love this kid. He is just never gives up. He tends to pull kicks up and under abit, usually later in games when he is tiring. If he can fix his kicking, he will be one hell of a midfielder for us. Jones and Brock combined = unstoppable.

Last year I thought Jamar was better. His ruckwork was solid, but he was having little to no influence around the ground. PJ last year was horrible in the ruck, and was either going to develop as a big forward, or just plod along until he was delisted. He has such a big body, but seemed so timid and unsure how to use it. This year, Jamar went backwards, and PJ has got his shot and taken it. He is now a far better player than Jamar. Not only is his ruckwork much improved, but he's learnt where to run to to fill spaces, how to throw his body around, and how to influence games. He has strung a few games together now and his confidence is growing every week. He will only get better, and is still very young for a ruckman at 22. We should keep Jamar, purely because we need backups, but we should still be drafting a good ruckman soon, as White only has 1-2 years left in him.

Glad Miller had a good game and will have gained some confidence. Still don't see how he will fit back into the current team, as Bate and Sylvia have been switching between CHF and doing a really good job, both amongst the best and both influencing games. 6 goals fro Miller is as much as he usually kicks in an entire season at AFL level, so don't read too much into that. Newton has kicked bags of 5-6 consistently for weeks at Sandy now, and he hasn't even played at AFL level.

Not sure who has the biggest vertical leap at the club, but Sylvia would be up there. It was a set play. Just watched the replay i taped on foxtel, and they had a close up of Davey talking to him before the ball up, and they exchanged a few words and hand signals, Sylvia gave a thumbs up and patted PJ on the back, Ball got balled up, Sylvia goes up and hits it over the back of the pack where Davey was running past already but fumbled and there was too much congestion. Set play definitely. Worked pretty well too IMO. If the opposition aren't paying attention, Davey gets a free shot on goal basically.

Nothing in it. He'll be fine. If he gets done for that, then the world has gone mad. I'm more worried about Daveys ability to control his temper. It gets the best of him too easily.

He just provides a perfect contest for those big forwards, and always seems to spoil their marks one way or another. And without strong contested marking, what use is a big gorilla forward? Dutchy was good again today. Killed Rocca the lumbering deadsh*t. Holland managed 11 disposals, while Rocca had 1 kick, 1 handball, and 7 frees against. FANTASTIC STATS FOR BIG BOOFHEAD ROCCA THERE HAHAHA I agree Hards. Keep him in to battle against his old teammate Richo. Should provide a good contest.

We did beat Essendon last year. Poor quality match at the dome, wasn't a big win, but we got the job done. We could, and should, beat those 4 teams.

Bell - well rounded game Carroll - did his job Holland - shut down boofhead Ward - traded bodies with davey today. Best kicking Ive ever seen from Ward. Bizzell - decent defenders game Johnstone - influential before injury Bate - vice like hands McDonald - usual reliable junior Davey - traded bodies with ward. Worst kicking Ive ever seen from him Bruce - crap goal shooting Sylvia - great flankers game (how good was the shrugging opponents and running off them to drill it onto the chest of leading forwards! That passage to Bate was simply magic!) McLean - another great game Neitz - is captain courageous Robertson - robbo of 05 White - average rucking game Johnson - steadily getting better Petterd - not as good Frawley - looked abit lost Green - quiet, strong mark though Jones - continues to impress Wheatley - fantastic field kicking! Godfrey - what a goal!

You got me. I love the ninja, and he never gets used. Poor little bugger hahaha It will be different to an ordinary Saturday; I'll be wearing pants with my scarf. Or maybe the other way around. I forget... Backline looks about right. Here's hoping it takes Roo a while to get into a groove after being out so long! Welsh is the worry there. He always tears us a new one, and is in good form. Bizzell isnt the most accountable defender. Well we have FANTASTIC percentage, and definitely look like winning 11-12 of the remaining 13 matches, after losing 9 in a row... How depressing! Sure they could. Holland to take a gorilla forward, Rivers to take a lesser built forward or play the 3rd man up. Happened all of last year to good effect. Now all we need is Rivers back on the park. Don't mind about Holland missing at this point...

A fit Moloney is amongst our best players. He has played hindered by injury this year, and still done better than nearly everyone else we have. Also, the fact that he is suffering from OP means clubs wont be willing to give anything decent up to get him.