RalphiusMaximus

Well, I can't speak for others but the reason I hate Carlton is that they cheat in other ways. I have no issue with Tanking as such, but the fact that they now have official approval for breaking the salary cap just sucks. They have arranged deals to lure top players from other clubs outside of trade week, offering them massive under the table payments in the form of makework jobs with Visy, such as Judds $700,000 a year job as one of Visy's "Environmental Ambassadors." They have bought their last two captains in Nick Stevens and then Judd which is a huge slap in the face to every player who has been with them since they were drafted. And let's not forget the fact that they took Chris Johnson off our hands for no compensation by once again arranging a deal outside trade week and agreeing to draft him if he refused to re-sign with us. All in all I think it's safe to say that Carlton are a disgrace and should be removed from the competition. However, they have Demetriou in their corner, so at the moment it's anything goes at Visy Park.

There was a lovely article last year about Melbourne not understanding how to Tank properly. It went back to a mid-season match a few years ago when Melbourne for no apparent reason decided to get up and beat Brisbane at the Gabba. This resulted in us getting one win too many that season and in the end cost us the priority pick with which to pick up Kreuzer. It's beginning to look to me like things might be heading down the same path again. Our supporters are desperate for hope and want us to pull off a win against one of the decent sides in the competition, but in the long run to do so would cause us to lose far more than we gain. Imagine if we had won last weeks match against the Bombers. We would then be looking at three wins after beating the desperately tanking West Coast, with matches against Fremantle and Richmond to come. Not a good outcome. While I do desperately want to see our team show something and get a couple of wins on the board, I don't think it's worth it in the long run. We have waited too long for the premiership window to open again. This time we have to do things right and maximise our chances for 2011 onwards. The club has done the right thing off the ground. We have a great president and board. All we need is to stick to our guns and build a list to match.

Very good article. I'd love to see some footage of this kid to compare with the likes of Butcher. As they say, he could be worth a Rookie spot. Perhaps in Zomers place.

I've always liked Wheatley, but once again what we need to ask is will he play in our next premiership? This is what the experts are talking about when they use terms like "list cloggers." He is a player who has come along nicely, is reasonably popular with the fans and can certainly hold a spot in the current team. However, he will never be a significant contributor to our next premiership and sadly that is the basis on which all of our list must be judged.

I'm not sure why you want cheney gone. He didn't do too badly this week. I agree that Robbo looks a little stale out there. He could do with a chance to run riot at Casey and get his mojo back. If Watts is on the side, Miller has to be there to play big brother for him. Especially if it's up in Brisbane. Without some muscle there to protect him he'll be targeted all game. Out: Robertson, Bartram, Whelan, Morton In: Hughes, Jones, Warnock, ? I'd like to bring in one of the rookies for the ?. Perhaps Valenti to give us a little extra in the clearances? I'm not too sure on this one.

He did it again later about 35 out directly in front and got the free. Shocking call. The umpire had a clear view and you could clearly see Frawley's are pinned to Lloyds chest.

I agree we were demolished in the middle free kicks or no free kicks, but to have three soft (perhaps legitimate, but still very very soft) calls result in the first three goals of the match is wrong. It took the game away from us before it had even started. To then have Watts tackled without the ball three times in one passage of play in our forward fifty and not have a call at all is a disgrace.

It's hard sometimes to remember that Bennell is a first year player. He has less that ten games to his name, but his skill and poise make him look so much better. To be given the job on Davey and more or less pull it off is a huge feather in his cap. Even if he wasn't a standout last night, he was not disgraced either. He is going to be a superstar one of these days.

I said it in another thread, I think this guy will turn out to be one of the best recruiting moves of the decade. I don't think anybody saw him coming, but he's showing us every week why he was picked up. He will be a champion no matter what position he ends up playing.

Even so, a case could be made that he actually marked the ball. He took it on the first grab and clearly had control before he was hit. The ball was jarred loose after he was hit. It's just another example of the shockingly one-sided umpiring we saw last night. Does anyone believe that had it been Lloyd doing the same thing he wouldn't have been given the shot on goal?

If there's any justice in the world (of football) Green will be captaining this side in 2012 when we start hitting the finals and shaking things up a little.

While we all understand that Watts needs time to develop, I don;t think it's worth playing him in another senior match for a while. Too often he looks lost on the field. It looks to me like he isn't sure of his role yet, and maybe needs to learn the game plan a bit better. Time to go back to the reserves for a month or two, then a big finish to the year.

Interesting the comments about Whelan. I thought he was vastly improved over last game. Give him a couple more and he may surprise you. Watts has to go back to the reserves. He looks lost most of the time. Doesn't seem to have the gameplan down. Grimes is, as has been stated, a Gun. Loved that goal. Martin may prove to be the best recruiting move of the decade. He is amazing.

I'm seeing a small hole in the Melbourne defensive structure. It's about thirty meters out, directly in front of goal. Seems that nobody is allowed to run into that space or something because the opposition always take uncontested marks there. I went into half time today thinking good thoughts. We were playing well. Three players had kicked their first goals. We were in touch. Sadly, during the long break some fiend stole all of our team jumpers and put them on a flock of sheep and let them out on the ground. They ran around in circles and looked understandably lost, while the opposition kicked goals at will (I often feel sorry for Will, but today i'm too sorry for all Melbourne supporters to bother with him). It was possible the worst quarter of football I have ever seen. All in all I think it's a good thing we aren't planning on challenging for a premiership until 2012-2014. It'll take at least that long to fix this rabble.

Very happy with Jurrah's first game. Would have had three goals had his teammates been able to get off their backsides and put on a block in the goalsquare. Loved the one he did get.

I'd love to make an intelligent comment about this, but i'm too busy giggling like a little girl. Can't wait to see him run out in the red and blue!

West coast already have two big strong key forwards. Why would they waste their top pick on another? Morabito is their best bet. They need to replace what they lost with Judd and Cousins. Plus he's a local lad.

I'm amazed that North Melbourne are taking such a short-sighted approach here. Laidley has done amazing things with an average list. He's consistently played in finals with only Harvey anywhere near being a top shelf player. Who do they think they;ll get who can do better with the players they have? Especially when they're all but broke and can't afford an established coach.

Grimes for captain next year huh? Don't you think we should let him settle into the game a little first? Perhaps give it to one of the older guys for a couple of years?

You wouldn't have taken Kreuzer?

I'm more leaning towards Fitzpatrick at this stage. A Ruck/Forward is a good thing. We are still desperately weak in the ruck area, and if he can push forward like Ottens or Fraser and be a legitimate threat even better.

I can't see him out-wrestling anyone's full back at this stage, but can you see any of those full backs matching him on the lead? From the little I saw on the TV a couple of weeks ago, he's lightning.

I'd not just love to see Jurrah playing for the rest of the season. I'd like to see the future forward line all playing in the same side. Throw in Watts, LJ, Hughes and Maric and see what they can produce. You'd nee dot keep Miller in there to act as general/enforcer, but it would be great to see what the kids could do.

How about we be sensible and say that if Nic Nat is looking more ready it's hardly surprising given that he's most of a year older and has been with the club full time. Wait 'til this time next year before you even think about making comparisons. Even better, wait ten years and see who's career is more impressive. I believe the club made the right choice.

Agree 100%. He's tearing them apart at VFL level. Time to see what he can do in the AFL.