montasaurus

Gee, you really set far too high standards if you're expecting any player, let alone an 18 year-old first season player to not miss any targets

Any one know what the AFL avg for effective kicks is? I'm tipping its no where near 100%. To expect a 1st year player thrown in the deepend in a insipid midfield is rubbish. There were many games last year where CM hit targets under pressure and when he had space. He also made errors like many other players around him did. Grimes, Pettard, Buckley are the big 3 for improvement this year and if Grimes can play close to 20+ games he is a big show for the rising star. He has guts and seems to find the right place to be and stands out when he gets it.

Meesen, No joke. I think he's a big chance to play round 1. Jamar needs a run and the clock is ticking.

I think this is a good thing. I would suspect that we did not take him as a project player therefore throw him in the deep end. Couldn't be any worse off then playing an underdone jamar.

I remember reading over xmas that he has bought prospecting rites for gold or diamonds in the NT that potentially could be worth anything. Maybe a big diamond on the jumper, but get used to more sunday games if it happens!

Crikey! Siddle and Hilf I doubt for Durban. That makes Bollinger, Clark , Lee and these two.

http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/rsavaus200...ory/393329.html

Hows your left arm looking these days rhino, you might get a call soon!

Maybe the aussies should be waring red and blue so the injuries make sense.

Good sponser to have,

I changed to their store a little while back only because their relationship with the MFC. Guess what - I actually save a bit of money there on dog food. As an earlier poster said go to them buy something and mention why!

Great win,

Missed this but a friend was telling me that siddle bowled 4 bouncers to stain in the 1st innings, followed by a "Get up you week ______" Great stuff for me, its been a while since we have had a fast bowler like this!

Johnson for me is close to becoming one of the MVP in the world. Lets hope hussey makes runs in the 2nd test and we are well on the way. Great win but i still can't believe we went into the test without a specialist spinner. Maybe I'm just old fashioned.

What he does bring is height and pace. This will cause some back's to panic and give away free kicks trying to stop his run at the ball which did happen on sat. Crossing everything that messen steps up to put a little pressure on the snr rucks

the other kid i wanted Beams who was selected at 29 was pretty dam impressive last night!

Looked like he had slept on a wet newspaper though. Fair arm of ink.

His mother was one of the gladiators in the tv show of the same name.

Joan Jones?

I wonder which jumper we will play in on SAT v Swans. It would have to be the red one otherwise there is a clash. Maybe our home strip will get a go for the 1st time this year

Good to see that nth are still sticking to their guns regardless of b.s. apology from the ANZ employee in question!

Stick it up them!

Yeah that's interesting. From what I read he did full training the other day and is not injured. A disciplinary thing perhaps? I cant see how he wouldn't make the team if he wasn't fit. They'd be wanting to get gametime into him in either midfield or a HBF, as he is one of the few we have with pace and strength to take them on, and will become more important for us this year.

Good to see Moloney is back. And good to see Strauss getting a game B)

Maybe just simply giving the kids a go before we ramp up for the start of the season?

Okay, thats all good... but...

What does this mean? Are we going to get TV exporsure? More warm and Fuzzies? Whats schuled to actually take place at this 'opening'?

Gippy

i wonder if this is co-inside with a sponser being unvailed to maximise exposure? Lets cross our fingers

Beleive when seen!

Why are we then still yet to sign up formally to casey?

There has to be more going on.

You can't accept the fact that he is a good footballer.

Careful, half a doz good games doesn't make him a good footballer. Potentially a good player is closer. I really hope he plays well at VFL level to put pressure on the list mid season.

2,000 plus memberships less sold this week?

You're joking aren't you, you honestly think we'd sell 2000 in a week? At that rate we'd be over 30,000 by Round 1 - Not going to happen. Carlton are playing the reigining Premier and I've hardly heard didley squat - You mustn't forget the game is being shown on Foxtel not free to air.

A win over the reigning premier is a win over the reigning premier. I would have included memberships sold on the night as well. We sold nearly that figure in a single week before xmas from memory. Maybe I'm a little over but I think it still a big missed oportunity for us.

I have to disagree, being the wooden spooners and unlikely to play finals this year I think we have had a heap of press. Stories during the preseason the equal of almost any other club, Drouble page last sat age. H/S had 2 articles as well. Had have we won on SAT there probably would have been a bit more this week as well. Fact is the side let a prime opportunity slip last sat. I would suggest that the loss probably equallys 2,000+ less memberships sold this week. Imagine marketing a Melb V Carl game this week.

Instead expect little exposure until RD1. Thats the way it is.

Re Cousins, to those who were against him, at this stage - we told you so! lets see where he and the tigers are at in 12 weeks!

Without knowing any of the details at all my guess would be more cash, they've already doubled their 'donation' this year and this move will probably put future payments in concrete.

The best thing about this deal is that we get our cups back

or do the MCC get their team back?

I'm all for it, but still a little suspicious until the details come out

Saturday, 1pm @ Visy Park (ex Optus Oval)

pls use the correct spelling.

it is spelt - Vi$y, ex Optu$

I can remember a game last year here a couple of opporsition supporters were getting into him before a ball was bounced. I guess thats a good thing

Are you guys suggesting you would not like to see NSW stripped of the 20/20 flag?

I agree its the shield that matters, but who wouldn't like to see NSW on the recieving end. Launch an appeal against their win!

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,2...91-2882,00.html

Give us the points for the 20/20 final! Bird was the difference in that game IMO!

He's training & also riding the bike, just a niggle I'd suggest, so he'll be right soon. too soon for a bloke with an battle scard body to enter the seson I'd have thought, if he wants to see the season out.

I agree, now we are out of the NAB cup play the kids that can win a spot for rd 1. Jetta and Bennel will be interesting to watch over the coming weeks.

Why don’t the AFL rationalise the cost of beers and pies at the ground and crunch the money hungry companies like spotless from draining the people supporting the game dry.

I would suggest that this is a venue driven agreement that would be rubber stamped by the afl to ensure the "right" food is served. So for the MCG, the MCC get an oportunity to charge a staggering rent or licencing fees to sell these goods. If this is the case keep in mind the $1m the MCC have "given" the MFC. It would be interesting to know about the vendors outside the "G" if they are covered by the city of melbourne in yarra park or MCC arrangements.

I wont go into the "Coll___" arrangements at TD being there is an individual involved that was at one time AFL, CLUB, Venue and catering interests all at the same time. i don't think this effects the MCG though

While we have started the year well, one thing I have found a little frustrating is nothing new in terms of roles for the players so far. The first NAB game was important so we had to play our A game with the A list. But now that potential tv exposure is behind us IMHO its time to look at Martin/Garland/Green who have played majority of time in the backline, maybe give martin a run even in the ruck. Good to see pettard/grimes in the thick of it though, but back to the forward line, especially now that wonna is injured, now is the time to start trying a few plan b's.

If miller and bate struggle at any time were in big trouble ATM. Also I like the idea of pushing one of our tall backs forward to capatalise any time we are playing well like the 1st or 3rdQ on Sat or to change things up a little. Either Dunn/Bruce/Green as a deep forward? We have a good base to build our backline. I think the blue print for the middle is starting to take shape but I am struggling to see the short term direction of our forward line outside of bate and miller as marking options. Even messen could be worth a try with his reported pace?

Zomer showed a bit in the intra club but will not play rd 1 as is a rookie. Newton's current development is well documented so hopefully on Sat we can see a few new things tried. This is assuming the club will continue with the rd 3 commitment of not playing during development/conditioning of watts and jurrah.