BLWNBA

Stupid call, bad call. Basically you're saying that every player that gets a contract extension should be played? That was one of the most farcical posts I've ever seen.

Apologies I know that FWD line threads have been done to death but thought I'd give this a post, some may find it interesting, post your opinions etc. Not sure if anyone has been following this series of previews on the AFL website but here's what the staff at afl.com.au say about our set up: MELBOURNE HF: Brad Green, Brad Miller, Colin Sylvia F: Addam Maric, Liam Jurrah, Ricky Petterd With Matthew Bate, Jack Watts and Austin Wonaeamirri in doubt for round one due to injury, Melbourne may re-jig its forward line with a smaller set-up. Miller and Jurrah will be the taller types, with versatile big man Stef Martin another option on the bench. Green and Sylvia are likely to push inside 50 to help with goalkicking options; Maric has been earmarked for a small forward post. And with Petterd kicking four goals against Essendon in Saturday's NAB Challenge loss, he now looks to have secured the sixth spot here. Personally I think this will be close to spot on, especially for our Round 1 clash. On paper our smaller players look capable of kicking some valuable goals (Petterd, Sylvia and Green), but in reality as we have seen it can be a different manner. Only thing that's been stated about a million times before is concern of lack of height and big bodied players. Only change I think could be Wonna replacing Maric. Here's the link for those after the full story http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/90071/default.aspx

Easy turbo! I'm not asking for a certain amount of wins next year, I believe there are much more effective means of measuring success with a young side rather than just with a win/loss qouta.

Can someone please post a link? Cheers!

"The bodies that contain so much hope and potential remain still too adolescent for them to make significant inroads this year. But by next year there is no doubt the wins should begin to equal the losses." Hear, hear!

As KS said a lot will be rectified with time however in terms of the specificity of what needs to be improved I believe it comes down to this: Rucks- Need our senior ruckmen ie Jamar/Johnson to be fit and upfiring. Playing one of this players and teaching a younger player such as Spencer will be invaluable to our long term success. Spencer/Martin need to learn not only to ruck but to also be able work around the ground and when the ball goes wide push hard down the ground into the goal square. Our younger ruck stocks will also improve as they gain more game time. Forward Line- Despite what many think our forward line is starting to have some structure towards it, however it is lacking a big bodied player that can stand up as a power forward (think Lloyd, Neitz, Rocca etc). With the addition of a player like this it can allow players such as Bate, Jurrah, Miller or even Green to play to there strengths as hard leading flankers being able to place dummy leads or as a second or third tall option. Hopefully down the line Watts or Morton will be able to become these players. In terms of crumbing players we do have some talent ie. Petterd (I think he can play this role well), Jetta, Davey (if played down forward) and Wonaeamirri. Senior Players- Though it can't be expected that everyone of these players will stand up and shine in every match of the season they do need to show some heart and ticker, and also footy smarts in matches. Actions on a footy field are infectious and if one player stands up then so does another, and another, and another, and so on and so forth. On Sunday I found it to be a major difference between the two sides. Fremantles seniors (Hayden, Pav, Sandilands, Duffield, Haselby, Hayden) were fantastic while our seniors players at times were outdone. I'll be looking at the game this week against Essendon hoping that there will be some improvment in these areas. I'm not expecting miracles, especially in terms of the fwd line, however I believe we are a much better side than what we displayed against Fremantle. Looking at Sundays side on paper it really appeared to be a team that would could have brought more to the game.

Haha honestly it's really not that funny....I think I should get some much needed sleep! http://xml.afl.com.au/swf/live_stats.htm?gameID=10270108

Haha, trival I know but for those that look at MatchCentre suss out Stefan Martins photo. Midly humorous

Disagree mate. Freo played some of their best senior players tonight ie. McPharlin, Mundy, Grover, Headland, Duffield, Hayden, Sandilands and of course big Pav. These players had a serious contribution to their sides win. It also helps when your side has their first choice ruckment up against a second and third year player. Won the last quarter and our players did actually appear to run the game out, though the scoreline isn't indicitive of it.

Dissapointing showing by our boys today, honestly would have thought we would have bought more to the game. However in saying that we were massacred in the centre by our lack of experience and big bodies against Sandilands. Really thought Martin and Spencer struggled against experience. Also thought the output of senior players played a large part in how the game played out. Also our lack of experience was evident in the forward line was clear. Whilst it is concerning, I think it needs to be noted that apart from Miller, we do not really have players old enough or with enough experience to be able to stand up and kick 5 or 6 goals as a powerhouse forward. I suppose you could say Green could be that player, however it needs to be said that he probley lacks size and it's become clear that Bailey sees him more as a utility. I certainly do think that Jurrah will become this player in time. I thought the Scully and Trengove played well, and only got better as the game progressed. These two look promising. Macdonald was good pick up by the likes of him, liked his game. Also thought Morton did some good things, as did Bennell, Green had some good possesions too, and Jones was impressive with many of his second efforts, not to mention impressed with his sleeve Thought Davey was dissapointing and Pettered just wasn't on his game. Will be interesting watching Melbourne in the Challenge series, anyone know who we're up against?

No, no and no! Pick 18 for Dawes is a joke

Some of the posts about trading etc are absolute crap. Trading all those players away is ridiculas, you can't build a premiership side by constantly trading for picks on a yearly basis, this core group of players need to be retained in order to be successful.

Saw him play against Casey in the EF. Awesome player with silky skills and pace to burn. Would love to have him. Reminded me of Rodan in some ways

Hounestly Robbo should be able to say what he likes. Sure most of us will not agree with if but he is no longer a servent of the club, nor connected to us apart from being a past player. Though he cops a lot of criticism, I actually believe what he was saying has some merit.

Apologies if this has already been reported or posted, but I've heard (only through word off mouth) that we could possibley recieve Yarrin & pick in exchange for Mclean. Anyone see any merit to this deal? And could this actually be true?

Given a full preseason, which McLean has had issues with over the past few years, he will appear to be another player. And consequently become a vital cog in our hunt for a premiership

Jeff Kennet style!

T Mac is in

First thing I did after the game was buy a McMahon badge, 100% not joking

Positive mate

Sylvia is playing for Casey this week.

Sorry if this seems ignorant, however is anyone aware of what position German will be given at the Mfc next year? Having already been given a full time contract by the Mfc I'm quite curious as to what his role will be.

happy to admitt i was wrong about that then mate. From what i heard they'd left but i'm only going on what i've heard out of Casey. I'm positive about Valenti and Cheney however.

Valenti and cheney will definately play. Mckenzie has flown over as well but can't confirm if he is playing.

Can't say any of this is a suprise really! Wouldn't think that Jordie will play though, however I guess we'll just have to wait and see! Exciting times ahead!