Nasher

52% TOG though. Again I raise the question: why bother? I know we're not inundaded with talent in the VFL at the moment, but surely there is someone that they have the confidence in to give them proper midfield time. I can't see how this does Viv or the team any good.

Yep. The cool head under pressure has been a feature for the last month or so, but the charging forward like a maniac was a new thing. Confidence is a wonderful thing.

How about seeing him stream through half forward for a shot at goal from 40 at full tilt? He missed the goal unfortunately, but the intent was amazing. Would have lifted the roof off if he'd drilled it. He's playing with great confidence now, and took it up a level with his intensity today I thought.

Got to say that I genuinely shot my eyebrows up at this comment. I'd be interested to know if I give others this impression from my posting style. Believe me, I don't think it could be further from the truth. I'm like the rest stmj, I die a little on the inside and spit it on the outside every time we lose badly like we did, and I couldn't give a stuff about the players beyond basic human decency. Particularly this group. I've said a lot of times that we've got always got too many inadequate players playing in the team at the same time, though I don't see that as being their fault, so I don't personalise it. I just don't deal in hyperbole, that's all, and I try not to lose perspective. I thought this thread was hyperbole, particularly given who wrote it. You didn't. We'll leave it at that. Edit: Apologies for bumping a thread that had already died of natural causes. Been offline for a few days.

I haven't seen one ever.

Bottom line is that we had close to our best 22 in last week, it just so happened that they played like poo. I don't mind only having the one change; there's nobody else at Casey that adds anything to our side at present. Glad Michie got a reprieve from the revolving door. I hope he is not the sub this week.

We will win.

Impeccable.

Looking at the list, Hunt starting to show something and Harmes' form throws a spanner in to the works re: list management this year. At this point, I have lines through Jamar, McKenzie, Fitzpatrick and Bail. I re-contract Gawn and Cross. I'd like to elevate Harmes; King retained as third year rookie and White as second year rookie. That's only a net 3 changes to the senior list; not enough turnover. Someone out of the players who I would prefer to keep (in order of most to least merit) - Pedersen, Toumpas and maybe Riley, will have to go if Garland and/or Howe don't. I'm not as dead set on retaining Garland as I was earlier in the year now. Having Terlich on a lengthy contract will hurt us this year I think. Is Michie being contracted until 2016 correct?

For a fella who I reckon is one of Demonland's more knowledgeable posters, you sure act like a dolt sometimes. I'm not content with being average. I merely don't ride the roller coaster of "we'll push for finals" to "we won't win another game all year" that crops up on here from week to week. Surely you can see that describing this week as the "tipping point" is nothing but rank hyperbole? Jeez, it wasn't even the worst we've been this year, let alone in the last 5. We knew we had a propensity for being crud when we shouldn't be. We knew that our effort and intensity are inconsistent. I don't know why we carry on after each loss as if it's something new. And it'll all be forgotten when we win again. Until we lose again, of course...

Just giving this thread the quality of contribution I thought it deserved.

It's going to be hilarious on here when we beat Collingwood next week.

There's always one.

Would you prefer that they didn't try?

We are unwatchable. It's not the defensive focus or the rolling scrums, it's the fact that you just know with every movement forward, we will torch the entry in to 50 and lose it. It's just so bloody frustrating. Stretch, vanders, Brayshaw and Harmes - these young blokes all add something at their best and have really bright futures, but there are too many of them in our side and when they all fail at once, it leaves too much for too few. It's not their fault, it's just how it is. I expect to see Matt Jones, Bail et al reappear and finish the season out shortly. It sucks, but that's why they're on the list - to take punishment instead of the valuable youth. I don't know why the selectors bother picking Michie. I'm not particularly a fan, but he is being set up to fail, or so it appears from my bean bag. Bernie, Jones, Cross, Dunn (if I'm generous). Thank God for these guys. Carrying the side on their backs at present. At least it's not poor old Jones on his own now. I don't forecast a bleak future based on my most recent memory like many, I've seen plenty to remain optimistic this year. The risk for me is that I die of boredom waiting.

Hah. Ol' Bronwyn ruined it for everyone eh?

Considered catching a helicopter, Song?

It's only you and every other non-North supporter on Earth. That he's a great player with impressive longevity isn't in dispute though.

Only 4 kids, Bub. Is that enough to qualify me for comment? And yes, I know it sucks to be the only loser MFC kid in the school when everyone else goes for a good team. I was that kid once.

<--- appreciates Bernie (Edit: Me, not Gus and Christian, though they probably do too.)

I have to say I'd love to see someone decide to be a smartarse and take a place kick after the siren from half forward one day.

I reckon the pull of bonding with Dad outweighs a kid's want of success, and by the time they're old enough to care about success they're too entrenched to change. I've changed my tack with my kids lately and it's improved their interest 200%. These days it's more "yayy Melbourne, go Demons, yayyy! Oh never mind, we lost by 80 points again. Let's have icecream." It's very different when I'm watching on my own!

Knowing our luck, Hogan would fall over it and do a knee.

If I were going by myself I'd agree with you - get the best angle and enjoy the luxury of winding the buggers up should the chance arise. Not with my 5 year old son though.

I'd sit with the MFC people. If you want to successfully brainwash the boy, it's a no-win situation sitting with the Freo fans. If we're losing/getting thrashed, it's going to be hard work sitting there glum and grumpy while you're surrounded by a rabid euphoria dressed in purple. If a miracle happens and we're winning, he'll miss the great atmosphere and bond you get with other supporters when your team gets on top. I doubt a slightly different perspective of the game is going to be the difference between winning him over or not.