TheVoice

Could be saying the same thing about gaff in a year or two. Davey is in big rut at the moment and needs to find something but trade? Come on! The guy wasn't offered a 4 year contract for nothing. He can play. How bout we chase some quality midfield talent to complement the skills we know Davey possesses and stop looking at speculative young players to trade our proven yet unsupported performers out for.

Gaff played well today but that was by far his best return for the year. He has been the sub probably more than any other player in the league this year which shows he has struggled to hold a spot in their side albeit in his first year and in a top 4 or 5 side. Morton was also taken at pick 4 and despite his schoolboy frame was able to put together some impressive performances in his first couple of years, I would say more so than Gaff. Davey, aside from this year (which he has largely missed through injury) and probably last year ( where he was heavily tagged and offered little support from such a young team ) has been one of our most important players. In other words, I would want to see a bit more from Gaff before we offered WC our 2007 pick 4 and one of our best midfielders. If the kid wants to get to us then I would want to talk but not for more than he is worth.

Nothing to do with bad attitude from the supporters mate. Do you seriously think our boys deserve to make finals? What kind of message does it send to our young men if we can perform as badly and inconsistently as we have this year and still make finals? They have to earn that right. Finals experience will come when they can perform consistently at a level that warrants it throughout the season. As for the supporters, well we have been beaten from pillar to post in recent times. Making a finals series we have no right to be in and getting thumped whilst putting out another sub VFL performance holds no excitement for me and I'm sure many other supporters. I wouldn't think that attitude would be too different to the majority of supporters from any AFL club and I couldn't give a [censored] if it did.

Bartram - Horrendous ball use Frawley - OK. Low intensity. Rivers - provided good rebound Blease - showed real promise Garland - no left foot Tappy - senior guidance required Davey - still no impact Moloney - influential in patches Scully - rarely sighted. Disappointing Howe - contiuous brilliant efforts Watts - worked hard. Tried. Petterd - high work-rate/initiative Dunn - showed real desire Jamar - Tried hard. Beaten Morton - FFS Martin - good early. OK Sylvia - what's going on? Trengove - always works hard Jones - worked within limitations McKenzie - grunt, poor disposal McDonald - required mongrel provided Nicho - little opportunity. OK

1.Howe 2.Petterd 3.Trengove 4.Blease 5.Frawley 6.Rivers

Thanks rpfc. Was a little unsure of the football director duties. However it doesn't change the point I was trying to make. The footy manager position (Connolly's job) is occupied by a man with no premiership background. The footy directors job is now potentially being offered to another man who has no background in performing such a role in any atmosphere of success. Can we not pursue a football director from another club who may have been in place during a successful premiership campaign? For what little added advice and guidance such a person might offer, surely it is that extra 1% that can't be achieved by appointing one of the boys. I would happily love to be proven wrong in a few years time. I just feel we need every possible foothold we can get in these appointments.

I have no real issue with appointing Greg Healy football director however my only concern is with the appointment of another 'Melbourne man'. Again I'm sure Greg is more than competent of filling such a role but what football success has he enjoyed through his career? Surely whilst we are assessing the inadequacies of the club through G.Lyons appointment, an outside perspective from a suitably credentialled individual would be the wiser choice. Why are we not trying to poach or appoint someone who has been around some recent success and knows how to achieve it and where we are currently going wrong? With no offense to Chris Connoly, he is a prime example of where we currently may be going wrong. Chris never tasted the ultimate success as a player with Melbourne nor as a coach with Freo. If we are to break the near 50 year drought of premiership glory then perhaps we need to employ some outside knowledge of someone who knows the direction to take.

I tipped us. But I'm no-where near the top.

Totally agree! 1. Hard, uncompromising footy from every Player from the mould of their coach, one Todd Viney. 2. Relentless tackling (same if not better than Richmond game ) and pressure. 3. Team solidarity. If there are scuffles and I'm almost positive there will be, every player to a man needs to have each others back and represent the jumper. No more incidents like the DUNN/CHAPMAN one. We are not a good footy team yet but the one thing we can do well is ensure no one in our team is treated like that. After the week this club has had we need to show we stand for something (each other) contrary to what the rest of the footy world thinks. 4. Senior players and those that aspire to be, to take control out on the field for the whole game. When things are not going well, turn the tide through action or direction and set the standard for the rest of the team. When things are going well, do all to ensure it stays that way. 5. The Midfield to at least break-even if not win the clearances and give our forwards the opportunity to win the game and our defense the chance to recover.

[quote name='hangon007' timestamp='1312083612' post= Supporters trot out this "effort/intensity/grunt/output/passion/pride" it just rubbish & insulting to our football club. Sorry ... Its all about recovery, coaching, skills, preparation, peak performance,drafting & trading, game plans which can only be delivered by $$$$$$$$ inside your football department.

At the risk of over reacting green must go. He too must recognize his short comings as a leader and see the need for a fresh start for the group under a new coach. A vibrant young leadership group must take the reigns of the group and command their own destiny. As has been said in other threads, Greens actions of leadership over the last few years have been unquestionable but his ability to lead this year has not eventuated and his performances have suffered horribly as a result. Free your self up Greeny and pass the Batton to the next generation to lead. You may still have an impact on leadership on the ground without the burden of captaincy and let's see you once again display the actions which earnt you the honor in the first place. Trenners (capt), Grimes (VC), Frawley, McKenzie & Watts. Let's make an uncharacteristally bold statement MFC and appoint a budding young man to lead this group forward because it's not going to come from anywhere else.

Like your thinking Pipe, however I would replace one Tom Scully with one Jack Grimes but the rest meet the criteria. Nows the time for those who want to be here to step forward and if mister "I'm holding all contract talks to the end of the season" Scully can't put pen to f@$?ing paper this week and show his true allegiance then we don't need him on the list much less the leadership group. These young fella's all show tremendous pride in their weekly performances and that's what this group of young men need to see as the fundamental element of playing for this club. Go dees, F$&k the rest.

I for one am hoping to wake up to another Tom Scully fluff piece in the herald sun filled with rehashed interview snippets from anyone remotely affiliated with Scully. Please include any popular rumors with no factual standing about his future and add a touch of journalistic hype and imaginative story writing for good measure.

Loved his smother on the goal line on Jordan Lewis down the other end. Agree BTD, could add some real x-factor to the middle which is lacking at times. However his forward pressure and presence in our forward line would be sorely missed with him going to the middle.

Maric has played 20 games in 4 years which I find amazing as I would have thought around 10. Has had no continuity in his opportunities which would surely impact on a young mans confidence and ability to show his wares. I too see chinks in this kids armour such as his lack of forwardline pressure and attack on the ball, but perhaps this stems from the lack of role models in this area to follow within our side. I think Maric looks like he has some real fire in the belly but perhaps just doesn't know how to go about applying it at this level. His skills are OK and will improve with more exposure to the pressure and intensity amongst the big boys. He is certainly not the worst on the list and is worth another chance next year. The criticism leveled at Maric on here is a bit disappointing given his lack of opportunities and his tendacy to be the fall guy after losses (and sometimes wins). He needs the rest of the year at AFL level to gain some momentum and hopefully justify his spot on the list.

There have been numerous precedents of great tackles not getting 3 week suspensions throughout the year. Look where that got us!

I couldnt care less either. guess you missed the point.

I don't disagree with you dee-luded as far as our horrible record of player development goes, but how exactly does the Melbourne fan base influence whether a player falls into a comfort zone or not. Short of hanging over the fence and spitting at the players as they trudge off after another loss in the Richmond supporter tradition, (and we all know how well that has worked for them!!) how do I make it known to the player group that I am not satisfied with their performance. I have never accepted sub standard performances from any Melbourne team even over the last 3 or 4 years of development hardship we have had to endure. Even kids can give their 100%. Not me, any of my Melbourne supporting mates or the supporters I sit with on game day would swallow non effort. I think the majority of our fan base have moved past the painfully repetitive Stereotype of apathetic, snow going, range rover drivers that gets a run this time every year. What I do know is that the coaching staff and personell that are installed at any one time are given the responsibility of developing these boys and I would hope number one on thier list would be to make sure these boys give a sh#t and give nothing but 100%. If they cant do this then the rest doesnt matter. Bring in the next coach and off we go again. We have come close to getting it right too few times since our last premiership and i will keep dreaming and hoping of the day we do. If that makes me apathetic well then steer me in the right direction.

Great post.

I wonder what the AFL stats are this year for players that have had to be subbed for a corkie? . . . . Probably the first.

It may have taken a couple of years but I feel it necessary to formerly apolagise to Jordie McKenzie for my initial disgust at his drafting over Casey Sibosado (Still unsited) back in 2009. If I could be bothered finding my post back then I would, solely for the purpose of punishing myself to the extent that is appropriate for such an incredibly stupid opinion. Jordie is a gun and I think he is an integral part of our side going forward. The example he sets for his team mates with his work rate and intensity is invaluable to a young side and if we could find one or two more like him I think we would be better for it. Conscious clear.

Totally agree dee-luded. I watch Cale with interest each time he plays trying to forsee what type of player he will develop into. I am still confused. I see a young man with good pace, height and a large tank yet I think he could be so much more. The key elements missing in his game are intensity, lack of attack on the ball and his upper body strength. I have seen no marked increase in muscle definition in Cale in the time he has been at the club (Much like Bruce). What is their thinking in this regard? Are the coaches and fitness staff content with his body makeup? Where do they see him playing a role? I too would love to see him running off half back using his elite kicking and pace to deliver up forward as well as being able to expose smaller opponents with his height and marking ability. Sadly, right now he would only be a liability back there with the lack of intensity, attack and strength he currently possesses. I think with some serious hours in the gym he can rectify the strength problem, but the other two just dont seem to be there and without them I am a little lost as to where he fits in our or any side for that matter.

Tappy = chapman (with speed and aggression)

One problem I can see happening with this new rule is the interruption to a players formline if they find themselves as the substitute player. Say matty Bate has put together 2 or 3 blinders in the reserves and comes back into the side as the substitute player. Then say he gets all of 1 quarter or worse yet, no game time at all and therefore no play for that week because casey has played the day before. Who would want to be the substitute player in that scenario considering most interchange players nowadays get upwards of 70 to 80% game time per game. As said above, this major rule change requires a considerable trial run in the NAB cup before it is introduced into a game which is hardly in need of major change.

completely agree! Surely Bailey and his selection panel would not entertain the thought of including Miller in next weeks side. The team structure at present is working nicely with everyone contributing. Brads heart and efforts are in the right place but his ability at this level no longer cuts the mustard and im afraid our currently efficient forward line would be forced to take on a passenger should brad become a part of it.