The O

6 - Brad Green 5 - Colin Sylvia 4 - Mark Jamar 3 - Lynden Dunn (ripper of a 1st half on Watson) 2 - Colin Garland 1 - Cameron Bruce

With Spencer out injured and no Fletcher or Pears, I think Bailey may use a combination of Jamar/PJ as resting forward pockets when not in the ruck with both playing the majority of the match on the park. Having been slaughtered during the last 3 weeks in inside 50 entries, I see a few slightly different tactics by the FD being employed this week to combat this problem. I wouldn't be surprised to see both Bate and Watts played much further up the ground as HFF's playing almost off the wing, with PJ/Jamar and Jurrah being used out of the square. As crazy as it sounds, I'd like to see Davey and Sylvia play at CHF (well from a positional aspect) taking the handball from the likes of Bate/Dunn and Watts as they push up to the wings allowing Davey to use his pace and footskills to advantage to deliver it to Jurrah, PJ/Jamar and whomever plays as the small FP. Have to disagree with you're statement Davey Gravy about PJ showing nothing prior to suspension. I personally thought he was our BOG (and most pundits at the game would say he was in our best 2) in that disgraceful performance against Williamstown. I'd like to see him play a similar role to his 4th quarter role against Willy.

Thought I'd raise an interesting point, in that Jack played a fair bit of school footy last year at PAC in a midfield that included both Jack Trengove and Luke Tapscott. If (and more likely when) Jack joins the MFC via the F/S in 2012 draft, he'll have no shortage of help fitting into the MFC environment.

6 - Jordan Gysberts (another outstanding effort with the clearances) 5 - Mark Jamar 4 - James McDonald 3 - Brent Moloney 2 - Jack Grimes 1 - Nathan Jones (only 1 great quarter, but got things happening in the 3rd)

The interest may not be as big as it will be for their initial period, however if some of that interest in seeing Falou and Hunt play can develop into these people being supporters/followers or ideally members of the AFL, then the AFL will have succeeded. If the both fail to get a kick and spend their entire AFL career playing reserves, so be it. However if there is even a small number of supporters/followers who take more than a passing interest in AFL arising from having two elite NRL players play AFL, then the money will have been well spent. Not only will there be a signifcant interest from NRL followers in the GWS and GC, I'd content most sports lovers will take more than a passing interest in watching and following these clubs/players. Whilst they may fail, what if they succeed? Imagine the possibilities.... Both are elite athletes, are extremely competitive, have sure hands and are both quick. With enough development I'd content they could be more than decent players.

TD - How do these clubs create a supporter base? Even if one of these clubs created a list with Ablett, Franklin, Jurrah, Riewolt, and Frawley they aren't going to achieve what almost everyone (AFL and most supporters) hope they achieve. That is - followers/members of the game of AFL. How else do you attract people to the game that is AFL? It's taken 20 years for the Sydney to develop a following, 3 premierships and millions more for there to be interest in Southern Queensland in AFL. If you think it's a waste to spend $3mil of 3 years on each, I'm guessing you probably think it's a waste to spend $250mil building new stadiums at Carrara and Bankstown. Hell the AFL could have left Carrara as it was and played games at it undeveloped and saved itself the money. The $3mil is a drop in the ocean considering what the AFL is investing in each of these regions.

Agree with you're comments 100% Enforcer. Having lived in both Sydney and most recently returned from spending 4 years on the GC, the level of interest in these new clubs from general "non AFL" followers/supporters will be significant increased as a result of the signings of Special K and Falou. I think Voss's comments and others like his fail to grasp the reality of these regions. They are inherently strong NRL regions with no apparent AFL links, with little understanding or significant interest by many in the community in the AFL game. This is the inherent difference with the establishment of clubs such as Fremantle, Port Adel, etc. that they weren't trying to create and develop supporters interest in the game of AFL, rather get them to follow their club. People seem to focus on the fact that we should be giving these millions to young players such as Ablett, etc or focusing on the development of our young players, but this is narrow minded. The signing of Falou and Hunt from a promotional and marketing aspect of the game that is AFL, far outweights the nay sayers. More young players, supporters and followers will be drawn to the AFL from following other sports (not just NRL), who over time will grow to love the game as the rest of us do. By paying big $$$ with the majority of their contracts for marketing purposes to these 2 elite NRL players, the AFL gains what cannot be achieved without spending tens, if not hundreds of millions - that is instant recognition and interest from young (particularly) and old sports lovers with someone they recognise. Whilst Sheedy can spout headlines and jump up and down to create interest in the GWS, the signing of no current AFL player (Ablett, Judd, Franklin, Martin, or whoever) to these new clubs can create the interest that can be achieved by poaching a marque NRL player. I guarantee you'll have 5 times more young supporters in the regions requesting signatures, getting jumpers and merchadise associated with Special K and Falou. I personally think it's a master stroke. Instant recognition with someone the community already follows, or has an interest in. With over $250 million being spent on the GC and GWS new stadiums and another $50+ million on junior development, the $3mil over 3 years to each should be commended not put down. By "splashing the cash" at these players and marketing the game heavily in the regions, will not just have significant benefits to the AFL but all clubs. If moderately successful, the development of these regions have the potential to add $000's of millions of dollars to future TV rights deals.

Akum I think it sums up how even it was from the players across the board, where most of us could have listed 10 names with no apparent "stand out" player. It really depends on what elements each person considers having an influence on the game. For me Jetta was BOG being our leading tackler for the game (out tackling McDonald), having a quarter of our entire team assists, leading the inside 50 count and running second to Trengove for contested possessions.

Agree with the above 100% Titan. I was amazed to see how good his hands are in close, highlighted even further by the conditions of Darwin. I have been particularly impressed by his efforts when out of position (or outnumbered) to reach the contested mark and his ability to create a 'prescence' on the opposition causing the ball to fall to ground level, negating the oppositions advantage whilst still holding his feet.

6 - Neville Jetta 5 - Jamie Bennell 4 - Brad Green 3 - James Frawley 2 - Aaron Davey 1 - Jack Trengove

6- James McDonald 5- Jack Grimes 4- James Frawley 3- Matthew Warnock 2- Mark Jamar 1- Jack Watts Anyone have any idea who was on Priddis? He destroyed us! Contrary to the stats I thought we got slaughtered in the clearances. Very disappointing pressure and performance from the midfield brigade.

I personally think Bate attracts way too much critism from fans. Whilst he attracts regular comments about him being slow (his poor turning circle) and poor below his knees, last nights game really highlights the apparent flaws in such critism (particularly in a wet contest). He's deceptively quick and shows considerable pace when in the clear of his opponents. I'd suggest that he would have kicked at least 1/2 his goals this year running on the move ahead of his opponent. I've watched him particularly closely over the last 18mths (as he's one of the favourites of The O) and it's his continual presenting and running to space that I think is his greatest strength. He's certainly a good lead, but its the almost gut running where he will often present 2 or 3 times on the lead to attract the footy that is just so pleasing to watch. I lost count of the number of times last night he attracted the footy leading up from CHF, where he would often spoil the attempted mark of the Dogs or 'break the pack' of players and allow the ball to fall to ground level. His endurance to present, chase and tackle when the opposition has the ball, is what modern football is all about. Mark my words, his best is still to come. Gary Lyon wrote a great article recently about the new modern forwards required for the game, highlighting the mobility of Matthew Bate. Watching his development and confidence in his game grow certainly is a joy to watch.

6 - Tom Scully 5 - Jack Grimes 4 - Matthew Bate 3 - Matthew Warnock 2 - Cameron Bruce 1 - Jack Trengove

Would really like to to see Rudy get a game this week. Reckon he could provide good mobile target.

I think that changes for next week should be based around rectifying this weeks inept tackling and applying pressure across the ground. This was what killed us yesterday. Players looked pedestrian and so often I spotted players standing still or failing to help a teammate out by chasing or providing a 2nd effort. Where was the gang tackling, the constant harassing to prevent turnovers? A large part of why we were playing good football up until yesterday, was our tackling pressure and putting our opposition under pressure (particularly in the forward line and across the middle). For me our back 6 was way too tall at times yesterday, and not mobile enough to create the run that we desperately needed. Unfortunately there was very, very little effort at applying pressure to force turnovers. I'd like to see the following changes made for next week based on the above: In: McKenzie, Newton, Cheney Out: Petterd (inj), Martin, Rivers With the following changes: Davey to spend significantly more of the game across the half forward forward line and when he is rotated, I like to see him rotate with Grimes across the half back flank (rather than Davey go into the middle) with Grimes being pushed into the middle. Whilst much has been written about Newton, I think he's our most effective tallish forward at applying pressure and chasing. Whilst his skills let him down, I believe he applies much greater forward pressure than Martin & Miller and is effective at providing a forward rucking role. With Petterd out injured, we need someone who is going to present, chase and apply pressure and I don't think Miller or Martin are up to it. Cheney to come in as a smaller backman to provide run, tackling pressure and a better match up against the Doggies.

6 - Brad Green 5 - Clint Bartram 4 - James McDonald 3 - Mark Jamar 2 - Tom Scully 1 - Aaron Davey

Good point Roost It. It certainly ain't ideal. I was simply trying to suggest that if we've got to play games at Dome (which of course we do as an away team) maybe we could get some benefit out of them.

Jonesy I think it's a great idea to create another option for MCC/MFC members, as we've got approx 1/3 of total members who are MCC/MFC and most (like myself) consider this a donation to the club. If we are able to get more $$ out of members and attract more members to the club I'd be all for it, especially as it would cater to a vast number of MFC members. I'd certainly take it up, as it would allow all MCC/MFC members to see all our home Vic based home games (whether at the G or Dome) with the $$ going to the club and not the AFL. Long term (say 20 years) if the MFC does end up establishing a training/administration base in the Docklands area, I believe such a category would go a long way towards creating a ready made supporter base in the CBD area. A spin off from such a category of 3 game membership (at the Dome) created for MCC/MFC members, could be that the club create a 3 game away membership category specifically designed for those people who live and work in the Docklands/CBD. If we can tap into the CBD/Docklands market (especially given the Corporate support that could be obtained for a Docklands training base/community facility which would include gym/fitness centre & training field). There's enough corporate support there to suggest that in 10 years time we could have an admin/training base that rivals the Lexus Centre in terms of Corporate sponsorship for such a facility. Ideally I'd love to see the MFC request to play the 3 away games at the Dome on a friday night and see a greater push for the MFC tap to into the corporate market located in the CBD/Docklands, who could watch the game as part of their friday night drinks.

6 Brent Moloney 5 James Frawley 4 Matthew Bate 3 Mark Jamar 2 Matthew Warnock 1 Jack Trengove

Agree with the above comment 100%. Bruce does create run and provide movement from the backline, however his disposal by foot has been deplorable during the last 3 weeks. From watching our games this year I reckon that I yell in frustration at least 3-4 times more at Bruce for his errors and failure to hit targets by foot, than any other MFC player. Unfortunately for Bruce, I believe that with the game developing into your ability to hold/keep possession and hit your presenting targets by foot I can't see Bruce fitting into our best 22 from 2011 onwards. Whilst it may be harsh, I see players such as Morton, Strauss, Bennell, McNamara and Cheney preventing Bruce getting a regular game during next year.

Benny the jury is still out and will be for at least 4-5 years as to who will be the better pick. Very harsh to say that we DEFINITELY got it wrong. If we had to take the choice today between Watts and NicNat, I'd be very confident the MFC would still take Watts over NicNat. Why? Because of the obvious, we're in desperate need of a KPF who can tear a game apart and someone that we can build our forward structure around. In this era of modern football where the ball movement and speed of the game is ever increasing, we need a mobile tall target with the athletic abilities to back up his football abilities. Watts has these in spades. He is ridiculously mobile and quick for a KPF, and I feel that part of his development playing across the wing and HFF in the VFL is designed to adapt to the style in a similar manner to Riewolt, Brown and Hall (when he was at the Swans) as a mobile target who can push up to play on the wings. In the event that we had of drafted NicNat we would not have seen Jamar display the form we currently are, who is thriving on the opportunity to ruck it ALONE. Further we would have failed to take arguably the best KPF during the last 2 years, when it's clear to blind freddy that's what we so desperately need. On a side note, was at the Adelaide game with a good mate of mine (who is a Melb based recruiter for the Crows) who said the Crows rated Watts as the best young KPF they had seen in the past 4 years, and that despite NicNat's form they would still take Watts over NicNat without any hesitation/

6. McDonald 5. Moloney 4. Sylvia 3. Jamar 2. Scully 1. McKenzie

6. James Frawley (BOG by a mile) 5. James McDonald 4. Mark Jamar 3. Jamie Bennell 2. Jack Grimes 1. Brad Green Honorable mentions to Trengove, Davey, Dunn and McKenzie Great to see the improved defensive pressure in the F50, especially how hard it was for the Crows to clear it out of defense.

Score: Melbourne 13.7.85 Def Hawthorn 11.14.80 MFC leading Goal scorer(s) - Maric 4, Green 4 MFC Leading ball winner - Jack Grimes 27 Possessions Possessions Scully V Trengove - Scully 21 - Trengove 18 (5 tackles) Number of Times Bailey says competitive at after match press conference 9 Crowd 48443 Biggest surprise from the match - significantly improved forward 50 pressure stemming Maric, Jones, Davey and Scully

I agree with you that Miller has good mobility in leading up the ground. However once he takes the mark or possession, he all to often stops and handballs far too much to players under pressure. The area of mobility I was refering to was being "mobile" with the ball in their hands. Dunn (most specifically), Green and Bate all seem to me far greater at taking possesion of the ball whether from a mark or a contest, and then moving the ball quickly to advantage using their pace/run to advance the ball effectively into our F50 breaking the oppositions zone or structured defence.