Nasher

This is so good. Doggies just red hot. Couldn't happen to a nicer bunch in Geelong.

Good point.

I don’t reckon his cards are marked, just that form isn’t warranting selection. I don’t reckon “marking” happens that often. The most blatant times were James Magner under Neeld (not selected after a 50 possession game in the VFL) and Dean Terlich under Roos (0 games in 2 seasons, with every other also-ran getting at least one crack).

Hi old dee, I know first hand of occasions where things being said on the forum have made its way back to a player. In one case, years ago a former moderator on this forum got collared at the footy by the parent of a player who was demanding answers about why we continued to allow false and damaging information about his son to be published. If you reckon Demonland is a neat little box where we can say whatever we want and it has no real world consequences, you would be dead wrong.

I understand people are frustrated by his form, but I draw the line at accusations that are 100% conjecture with no basis in fact. Don’t make things up when you have no idea if it’s true or not. You might think it harmless, but it doesn’t take long at all for someone’s speculation to become the common wisdom.

I’d confine Frost to stopping roles only now, ie only plays if OMac is injured. I know it feels like a bit of a waste given his athletic traits (huge, strong and fast), but unfortunately he has the footy IQ of a tree. I’ve given up on the notion that he could be a damaging weapon in attack.

The idea of resting him was always stupid, but I was in favour of dropping him on form this week. I thought it would be Jeffy in to avoid a forward line restructure, but can see the logic in adding midfield grunt. Smith or Weideman for Pedersen was inevitable.

Unless I'm missing some obtuse joke, classifying Sylvia as a red head is a definite stretch of the definition.

No mate, it’s what sorts the history buffs from the non-history buffs.

Weird post. Of course people could use Google to look him up, but that requires knowing the name first. Skuit said he had never heard of him - that makes Googling him a challenge. As for Norm Smith: I grew up a Melbourne supporter by choice rather than indoctrination, outside of Victoria, in the 90s. I was an adult before I knew Smith was a Melbourne player, because how else would I have known? Through my English father or mother who only followed local footy? And sorry, but I just don’t understand the obligation to know the ins and outs of ancient history regarding the club. I was born 19 years after our most recent premiership. It’s nice that the older generation are able to reminisce about past glory - I envy the heck out of that, but ultimately I don’t really care. It’s irrelevant to me. It’s also a tad hypocritical - I don’t read too much about the heroics of whoever in the 1900 grand final.

Last played in 1956. Nobody under the age of 60 would have seen him play. Ridiculous to expect people to know much about him.

I wouldn’t bother. I think we’re past the point where we retain decent but undependable players just in case they come good. That’s definitely where I’d put Kent. Seems 1/3 in form, 1/3 out of form and 1/3 injured. At this stage I’d say he’s most welcome to explore other opportunities.

Loved the interview. All these interviews have been great; because they come from the perspective of the die-hard MFC supporter, they allow questions on details that would be lost to the generalist footy reporter. Thought Roos’ perspective on the “same old Melbourne” was great. I have, for quite some time now, have a confidence and trust in this team that I haven’t had probably since early in the Daniher era. Losses still happen; I put the most recent one down to meeting a team that has hit its straps and we were 1% off; my belief hasn’t budged. I have noted that many of my fellow Demonlanders haven’t caught on that we’re not the “same old Melbourne” any more, but I understand the emotional pain that has lead to that skepticism. Props to @Demonlandfor introducing Roosy to the term “MFCSS”! Also, would turn for @Supermercado if the voice is anything to go by. Nothing against Andy or Grape, but the guy is a natural.

Watts gets a hard time because he’s obviously got god given talent that could make him a genuine star of the game. That’s why he gets more heat than Joe Average on the fringe of the side. You can’t use the “only 22 spots in the side” here; if Watts delivered on his talent then he’d still get picked if there was only 5 spots in the side. That to me justifies the intrigue around him, but it doesn’t justify why people used to wail and get nasty as if they were personally affronted when Watts was disappointing. For some reason he doesn’t have the drive or competitive edge to really take the bull by the horns. So be it, many don’t.

I just meant people who want to criticise him. Didn’t mean to suggest you hated him, I was just too lazy to try and find the right words, so I just used the first that sprang to mind.

Petracca playing well when we’re up and poorly when we’re down is one of those dumb circular things where both sides use it to suit their own argument. If you’re a hater he’s the cause, and if you’re a fan he’s the effect.

De Goey played the best mid’s game I’ve seen from any player in any game this year. Cox wasn’t even the best forward on the ground (hello TMac), let alone the best player. JDG should have one Danners trophy on the shelf.

In: Garlett, Weideman Out: Spargo, Pedersen

This poster was also famous for “I’ve had enough of Tom McDonald” a few years ago. If you’d run a book on hardest bundle dropper I’d have wagered the house.

I can’t answer that jumbo. Just seems like Clayton’s logic to me, and I don’t mean Clarry. We were outplayed, and it was a big occasion, therefore we were outplayed because it was a big occasion. Dunno how you could draw that conclusion unless you were inside the players minds. That said, I did see a number of fumbles and unclean disposals from young players like Smith and Spargo, but I don’t blame them for that. Collingwood played out of their skins, that’s for sure.

Alternative theory: we’re not overawed and it had nothing to do with the occasion, and was just down to footballing less good than Collingwood today.

Question for those who claim we still “haven’t beaten anyone”, what would you expect from 8-4? More of the 8 to be against good sides, and a bad loss or two against poor sides to make up the 4? Anyone who says now that they wouldn’t take 8-4 at the start of the season is flat out lying. We’re an imperfect side that put in an imperfect performance, against a team poised to smash us with it on the day. We aren’t going to smash everyone all the time. Nothing but a speed hump for mine. The impact on my belief that this is a good, capable side is negligible.

There were two sides on the park, and one of them was awesome. I’m disappointed but I’m not ready to call us pretenders yet; Collingwood’s pressure then outside spread was immense and we couldn’t match it *on the day*. Losing our only tall to concussion when their big forward was already on top definitely didn’t help. Our streak was bound to end eventually. We hit the break, dust ourselves off and hit the back half of the season with vigour.

Pies heat not going to last and ours to step up. Will be a totally different game in the second half.

It’s a huge opportunity for him, because if he steps up, the job is going to be available to him all year. I reckon with the team in form and the rest of the backline settled, the stage has been set to give him maximum chance of succeeding. I’m excited for him.