Choko

Davey

Settle down and remember that what you're putting in writing is here for everyone to see and remember. How so many people on this forum are having a go from their armchairs at Cam Bruce is beyond me. The guy is not flawless, and that's why his name isn't James Hird or Michael Voss. But he was fantastic on the weekend, and had we had 22 Bruce's in the side over the past few years, we would be a very very good side. He also never shirks a contest, runs all day and plays selflessly - will go to full back and blanket Brad Johnson, will go forward and kick goals, will tag or play make. Get a grip. Astrodee is providing a balanced assessment. I actually think that at year's end, barring a GF, Malthouse would be perfect for our list - but would he want to go from Coll to Melb, no doubt for less $$? Calabrese - the only thing u said in your last post that is right is that people will laugh at it. Re Bruce, see above. Re Davey, he has had a handful of bad games in his whole career. Yze has been elite and did get dropped (and let me tell you, he was last week's scapegoat).

If Brown and Ward play on the wings, we are stuffed.

Wow.

100% right. Moloney does not have a huge engine, and moreso has a terrible defensive work ethic. The coaches know it about him, but he gets a game for the offensive attributes.

I think we will win, and comfortably. We were up against a class side last week, a side who wanted revenge. Sure, we played badly, but that doesn't make us bad.

When people say it's a disgrace that MCC members don't buy an additional membership, or in fact when anyone slams someone for not buying a membership, I can't help but think that it's counter-productive and also irrational. How rich someone is only one factor in their decision making. I think the world is a better place if that $40 goes to the anti-cancer council, Lifeline, depression, or Africa... Having said that, I buy 2 memberships each year and donate one to a member that can't afford to buy one, but I understand that that's not for everyone.

I think Bate has to develop a right side and a better engine (chasing, defensive running), but to say he is over-rated is a bit much. He is 19 years old and in his second year, and for that stage of his career, he is doing extremely well.

We are underdone at the moment - much less match practice into our good players than some other sides. Although I don't love rotations, Sydney does plenty of them, so does Adelaide. Not as sure about WCE. I think with a full bench, the bloke on the bench should usually be able to offer something more than a bloke who is on the ground and has been running hard. Someone like Nathan Jones cannot run out a game, and neither can Brock at the moment, so what choice but rotations?

I think Miller should be given 5 weeks to play CHF, and there should be some benchmarks set for him around marks, goals, work rate, etc... At the end of the guaranteed 5 weeks, I think we will have an idea as to whether he's worth pursuing or not. By offering him 5 weeks without the chance of being dropped, he may gain confidence. If he fails, I say we should try Dunn, Fergy, whatever, but Miller will have had his go, and he should have to do something exceptional to re-gain his place.

Without trying to be biased, I actually think that is one of the first sensible evaluations of how we will travel this year. I think we have been constantly improving in every way, and this article is one of the only ones to give us due credence. Compare that to the twit some of us call Dermott Brereton. He wrote in today's Feral Scum "Let's be honest, the Dees are not going to win a flag this year -- a 5-9 finish is most likely. If they drop far below that the board will jump up and down, but even then I can't see them making a change. They're Melbourne, they haven't won a flag for 43 years." http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/com...5004902,00.html Talk about ignorance and a lack of respect.

Interesting.... Agree totally re Bizz and Ward. In terms of drive out of defence, I think that's fine, with Bell, Ward, Whelan, Barts, and then other options in C. Johnson, Yze, etc... I like the number of quality midfielders in our side - crucial against the Saints. Remember that talls tend to be underdone early in the year and it may be wet, so I think we have a good balance.

I may be a bit biased because I am one of Cam's sponsors, but some people here really don't know what they are on about. I have to agree with Maximum_Bob. Cam works bloody hard at training and long after Green (who Im not bagging, it's just that he comes up here as captain) has stopped going in and getting the ball, Cam is running. He has also played some huge finals games. He also takes youngsters under his wings and it's obvious to those who are being fair minded that has the ability to lead those around him. Inspire, I don't know, but lead yes. On the inspiration point tho, Neitz was not inspirational when he first captained the club, he grew into the role. Sydney doesn't even have one captain, and they are working fine. Don't get my wrong, I love Brock, and I would personally marry him if my wife would let me . But to say Bruce can't be captain is simply wrong.

I'll take 5 easy ones!

Sylvia is 1 week like I'm 1 week!! Sylvia is closer to 2 months, despite reports.

For sure Deeangel. 100% agree. But gambling and betting on yourself are 2 different things. One is an addiction, the second more a choice. I think we are being quite forgiving of the choice Wardy made to absolutely flaunt the rules, and as many here have now said, the line is not that far away from this being a real issue. That's why I think the club should be pro-active.

I'm not sure that using recreational drugs out of competition is worse than gambling on games in which you're a player. I reckon it's a 50/50. I think it's a disgrace that the Sydney youngster was named. I do agree with Scoop that there are bigger biases and imbalances than this, but unfortunately, it's not really the point.

Yeh, I don't actually disagree that he did not match fix. What I'm saying is it is a fine line before it can have that appearance. Hypothetically, Ward could have had 50K on the game and gone out and belted Pavlich, Carr (who deserves it, mind you!) and Sandilands - maybe it would be worth it? AFL players have all sorts of insider knowledge, and I'm sorry, but any professional has to know that betting on your own team is over the line.

Sorry, but if what Caro in The Age says is correct, and Ward bet on games involving the demons, the club should sack him immediately. It's one thing, let's call it stupid, to bet on AFL games when you're an AFL player. It's trivial when you're a Sydney rookie and you have bet $10. But if Ward bet on games involving his club, our club, it looks like fixing, it's improper, it's an abuse, and we should sack him to deliver our own statement before the AFL delivers punishment.

I met Garry quite a few years ago, he came to our house when he was captain. He was terrific then. I met him in Perth after the final, and he was arrogant and obnoxious. Not impressed at all.