Demon Disciple

It's only not a bad week to miss if you aren't normally in the starting 22. We need to have our best 22 out on the park as often as possible, if we are going to improve at a rate that would be deemed acceptable.

It was actually a result of Howe taking that high grab against Richmond. Poor Nev got the knee in the face and will now miss 2 games for being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Our midfield still needs a lot of work, but we still lack another quality KPF and Ruckman too. Jamar ain't getting any younger and no-one is really stepping up to take over his spot.

if he wasn't a former #1 pick, he'd already have his papers stamped.

when the calibre of their journo's is the like's of John Ralph and Jay Clark..........well.....................

Plus many want to be a part of the game and have ego's bigger than most of the players'. They are meanty to officiate, not influence. Something that they more often than not feel they have to do.

What i like even more from his post-game interview is that he is hurting from the loss. There would be quite a few on our list who wouldn't be hurting, or would let the loss go too easily. He isn't the best disposer or decision maker, but if he sticks to his strengths and limits his weaknesses (as a smart player should), he will quickly rise up the AFL ranks, as he has begun to do. PS - His intercept and overhead marking has to be up there with the best in the league. He has very safe hands which is bloody reassuring given the ball seems to go in there a lot more than the other end.

Yep, we basically swore to his family that if available, we'd pick him with our 2nd rounder. Whoops. As for the other one that got away..............it simply has to be Ollie Wines. He's a dead-set gun, whereas Toumpas is about to be fired out of one.

It might just be that in the first half we had a very lenient umpire at our end, whereas at Freo's they got a strict one (that would pay 'near enough good enough' frees). I remember against the Suns in round 1, Umpire #10 (i think) was pretty harsh on us for most of the day, yet another umpire was more than willing to give us a fair few frees. The problem with the umpiring (and it has been an issue for quite a while) is the inconsistency during games. Greater umpire numbers will only further enhance it.

He needs to build a bigger tank. Sure he's had a few pre-seasons under his belt, but continually playing AFL games is another step-up entirely.

Agree, he's the first to hop on when the going is good, but is easily tossed aside when the going gets tough. I wouldn't classify him as a culture changer/builder, he's more of a follower like Watts (fyi, not saying this is good or bad). What we need right now are culture builder's that set the standard, like Jones does. Shiel or Prestia would be the one's i'd be going after (even though both would be just about impossible).

Drop and keep in the 2's until he is tearing down the door (which will be never). Unfortunately for Watts, he had most of his apprenticeship with an insipid culture (which has clearly been ingrained into him). That and his natural aggression (virtually none), and competitive football just simply isn't his go. He's not the only one who displays the culture we are trying to rid ourselves of, but he is the poster-boy for it. Move him on at year's end. He's had enough chances and is definately not a part of the foundation that needs to be strong and resilient. He's the class that adds the finishing touch, but we are not there yet. No point wasting his talent as it will never shine at the MFC unfortunately. Would be best for both MFC and Jack for him to move on. A big and tough call, but i'd rather have a 60/40 win, than a 40/60 loss.

Need to come out hungry after half time, or else Ross the Toss will just shut the game down if they continue to hold a comfortable lead.

You seem surprised? I would be more surprised if the number of other clubs chasing his signature is less than 17. Whilst it's still early days, he is something special alright.Doesn't come out of contract until the end of 2017, and you can bet like hell that we'd ensure that he sticks around for the entirety of that contract (unlike GWS). When the appropriate time comes, we'll give him a massive offer in both $ and years. Fear not chook, this one's a stayer!

Yeah, but would he go again and again, as is required in finals?

Agree 3Dee. Thought he had a great game. Quite a few of his touches and involvements stopped Tiger goals. Won't be on the highlight reels of the news, but will no doubt be during the MFC game review.

To hell with Howe. The cash we save can go to Hogan's next deal.

I'm sorry but neal............HA. There is no-one on Freo's list that would be deemed as sufficient compensation. But that's not having a go at Freo or their list, because i believe that no player from any team's list would be deemed as sufficient compensation. Not even a fully fit Gary Ablett would be enough to tempt me................far from it.

Tonight for mine, Watts was off in some of the non-negotiables. He just didn't seem interested most of the night and only started to do some constructive things after wewere well and truly on top. Hogan (in only his 4th game) throughout the night showed fantastic endeavour, whereas Watts (now in his 7th year) really lacked the desire we ask for all players' to bring when in the team. Granted it wasn't a great night for talls (aside from Hogan), but he has lost the hunger (not for the contest - he has never had an appetite for it), but for effort and endeavour. Give him a decent spell at Casey, as there are a few guys playing down there that would dearly lovea chance to be recalled back to the 1's.

Howe aside from his usual highlight reel moment, doesn't do a great deal to help the team. There are more important players for us down back, and when up forward he is very limited in his output. Under Paul Roos' mantra that everyone is tradeable, if a high-mid first rounder is put up for Howe, we'd be pretty silly not to consider it, given his hurt factor isn't that high currently (or throughout his career) and if he were to leave. His loss could be covered and managed easier than say the loss of our former FB.

For all the Jack Watts bashers out there, i'd advise that they lay off him for a just a couple and focus their anger on Dawes. The way he started last year was fantastic, which shows he has the ability to do so. He's done SFA for the last 2 rounds, and was meant to be in the best shape of his footy career. Well it's time for him to put up some runs for the MFC. Hogan is putting him to shame indesire of the footy. We need Dawes to stand up tonight more than Jack Watts, because at least Jack (besides a couple of brain fades last week) does something with the ball when he gets it. Dawes needs to be a big target leading up from CHF, or else we ain't gonna have much chance tonight. Hoges can't do it all FFS (well he can, but shouldn't have too)

Is there a wind advantage?

I think you'll find that anything to do that is MFC related, the last place that will let you know will be melbournefc.com.au. They say that those who are working on the site are always swamped with a huge amount to do. Here's an idea...............employ another person to help out! I'm pretty sure Peter K would gladly throw his hand up, plus his photos are always great!

Uhhh...............that's what the filth's oval is for. Just drop trou and away you go.

It's too early to be talking about all this speculation