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Too slow and too predictable.

Moore rotates midfield does he? FMD Pies could handle losing a mid easily, they did quite well without Adams who you conveniently missed. It doesn't mean those players you listed arent good it means they have more good options for cover. That's the point.

I knew Dunstan was injured this week (wasnt sure how long though) but really, this week, week after it doesnt matter the point still stands. Re: Pies, if they copped injuries they have genuine options to swing quality players inside or out on gameday as well as week to week management. We arent in the same situation.

This. Gotta feel sorry for them because they play their hearts out every bloody week for this team whilst they slowly get grinded into the ground. The secondary issue is depth and it's going to catch up with us very soon. Now, Dunstan is a candidate for a call up next week but the bloke has hardly played a senior game in 2yrs. He'll get done by the pace of senior footy as well as a lack of real match practice of playing with Petracca, Viney & Gawn. He'll get hung out to dry and it's all due to those dopey bastards in the FD. Brayshaw (currently) is not mid standard, Sparrow tries but cant make an impact. Jordan needs work and isn't quite fit for purpose. I also wonder which youngsters we have in the wings who are genuine mid material. Last few drafts have been a bit underwhelming. Meanwhile Collingwood can rotate about 7 top mids. We're looking into the midfield abyss over the next few years.

Next month will be a shambles and a window into the next few years unless Goodwin wakes the [censored] up and recruits another top mid in trade period.

Petracca, Oliver, Viney... cliff. That's our midfield depth. Doesn't matter who we bring in for Oliver (if required), they will be substandard. A legacy of Goodwin riding the same players into the ground year after year and not developing our other mids. Dunstan can get the pill but not sure about ball use and speed - evidently, Goody recruited him to play for Casey anyway. Hope Clarry pulls up ok.

Rivers has had a very solid month. His attack at the contest and reading of the play has been impressive. Confident and has good vision. I'll allow the odd mistake here and there when he's having such a positive impact.

It's been the issue for the last 4 or 5 yrs. Our midfield depth is deplorable and it's a serious issue, not just this year but beyond. We leave Petracca out of the midfield for a while and we get towelled. Huge eye opener. 40 odd list spaces and only 3 decent mids who Goodwin will run into the ground like he did last year. Gun midfielders and a decent running half back are critical this coming off season, be it trade or draft. Pies midfield depth is ridiculously deep. Lions as well. [censored] Goodwin is dumb.

Obviously will need Casey time to develop and fill out a bit but there seems to he enough there to work with. Some similarities to Watts more so than Cook for mine. Build, goal kicking action, confident but laconic. Seemed slightly quicker than Watts though. I wont get too carried away with a highlights package but marking seems to be a strength. Good hands, timing is good, protects the space against similar types and can leap. How will it translate to AFL level? Watch this space.

We definitely didn't do enough experimentation and it's unforgivable. I think you're off on Brown however. He regressed this year but he was definitely better when TMac was playing. Not only was he likely getting 2nd tall defender but also less likely being double teamed. No TMac also took away one of his strengths which was leaping into packs from the side to take grabs. This year he was under them. Further, when he was struggling last year he built up his confidence and worth by coming down the ground and taking grabs and opening up the defense knowing we were anchored with TMac. Not only were there less opportunities to do that this year but on the odd occasion he did, he had his own entourage. Edit: one last thing. Brown was also completely buggered by year's end at shouldering the key tall load. Having to continually present to marking ontests and getting crunched for most if the year takes its toll. A fit T Mac would have taken a fair bit of that load and given Brown a breather.

A true supporter is honest with themself. A lot of our players busted their guts for 6 months to snare a top 2 spot only to fall short in a demoralising manner. The coach has a lot to answer for. Gameplan, player management and forward setup all hopelessly inadequate. By midyear we could see the team was starting to lose steam as players got more banged up and worked painfully hard to enforce a taxing and (at times) counter intuitive gameplan. We can't even say we blooded some promising up and comers to give them some momentum into the pre-season. It was an utterly wasted season in the end.

It does and the players have been feeling it more this year than last year IMO. As much as we won the first 9 games last year, we had Burgess and we didn't quite bed down the game plan until later in the year. This year we've been replicating that (as best possible) from round 1 and it shows. Mid year we were probably the most knackered team. Our pressure, tackling (both in number and effectiveness) and 1 on 1 standards have dropped all over the ground. Forward 50 is leading this but it affects our whole dynamic.

I know it is very early days but does anyone know how we're tracking atm with membership numbers?

All the best Nev and thanks for your first class service over the years.

Andrew "Coxy" Cox - Melbourne

Sounds like you've gotten over any inhibitions of pride you may have had. Truth be told, I never bothered with the TS thread because I have NFI on the scenario and any possible pov that could have been expressed was. I'm saving my energy for future draft discussions which will inevitably go off the rails one way or another. Expecting Jurrah to dominate this week just quietly.

I suppose it will have to by the sound of things. True, I feel legitimate now.

I haven't posted once in the TS thread, do I win a prize or something? How about free membership for a year

I missed the Fulham v Liverpool game, was Torres substituted (at 1-1) because he needed a spell or because Benitez got ahead of himself? I know Torress has a bit of an injury cloud but Liverpool make me laugh. They manage a win against the mighty Red Devils then follow it up with a loss to Terry McCann's lot lol. Liverpool truely are a joke.

Any fellow ManU fans out there with worries about Owen? How he didn't go for a sidestep around the goalie in his last attack was beyond me. He's lost a yard which is expected and the club has been a bit prudent with the wallet but still expected better instinct there in an experienced player. Makes me ill just thinking it but I reckon Chelsea will be the team to beat this season for the LC.

Hi all, I too am a Dees tragic. On the wrong side of 30 now and looking at a career change (dangerous). I live interstate but am looking at moving to Melbourne some time this year. I have been following the red and blue since '87 and have had country membership for the last 8 years which will soon become a proper membership. Looking forward to a productive 2009 season and beyond.