MadAsHell

Absolutely! I mean look at how few people head into Melbourne on Labor Day, Queens Birthday, Cup Day. I swear i've seen tumble weeds down Bourke Street....I'm convinced after only two men and a dog turn up to the parade the Victorian Government will resign out of shame and never compete an election again.....

And given Andrews said last year while in opposition that they would be bringing this holiday in, business owners had the chance to factor it in this year already. Liberal Party (federal & state) are poison in Victoria at the moment, not helped by our lack of federal funding for infrastructure and the state libs signing a guarantee to east west link group while in care taker mode, i imagine it will be in for awhile yet.

And being a public holiday, businesses don't have to operate if they choose not to.

Forgot about our win over Essendon last year when 33 points down in the 3rd quarter?

Is this based on anything?Or just an assumption based on speculation?

Below is an e-mail I sent a St Kilda supporting colleague of mine who's been having a go at me for several weeks now about Melbourne's lack of improvement under Roos. This is my response to those claims and anyothers out there: Alright so you've been stirring the pot for the best part of the second half of this season now Nixon, Every time there's a bad loss, which admittedly, there's been more then I'd like, all I hear is how big a fraud Paul Roos is and the lack of improvement or slow progress of that has been shown since he came in at the end of the 2013 season. So it got me thinking to myself if there has been enough improvement when taking into account what he took over and how far back the team is coming from compared to any other team we've seen in the competition. So I decided to do some research last night to get an idea on how the team is tracking compared to other teams. First I haven't included Gold Coast or GWS for obvious reasons, and comparing them to Fitzroy also isn't a proper indication, given what went on in their final years. So my first task outside those three teams was to find the last team to have a 2-20 or worse season with a percentage of 54.07% or worse. Last team to go 2-20 in a year was Fremantle in 2001, however they had a much more respectable and competitive percentage of 72.02%, so they weren't coming back from as far as the rabble that was Melbourne 2013. I then noticed that a team I'm not taking into consideration, Fitzroy had a more competitive 2nd last season (1995) then Melbourne did in 2013. The Lions went 2-20 with a percentage of 58.17%, so again this helps get an idea of where the Demons were at. But finally my search came to an end when I came to the 1993 season that saw the Sydney Swans (mind you only a 20 game season) go 1-19. They had a more healthy percentage still of 63.32%, but given they had less wins, I decided this was the best team to compare Melbourne of 2013 to. Now the man who was responsible for the Swans rebuild was the great Ron Barassi, arguably one of the 5 greatest coaches the game has ever known, so there were some interesting comparisons to make. SYDNEY 1993, Barassi's 1st year go 1-19 @ 63.32% 1994, Barassi's 2nd year go 4-18 @ 78.07 (Percentage jump of about 15) 1995, Barssi's 3rd & final year go 8-14 @ 100.65% (Arrival of Plugger, percentage jump of about 22, doubled wins) MELBOURNE 2013 Year before Roos comes in go 2-20 @ 54.07% 2014 Roos 1st year go 4-18 @ 68.37% (Percentage jump of about 14) 2015 Roos 2nd year currently 6-13 @ 76.40% - Games v Carlton & GWS in Melbourne to come. (Arrival of Hogan, current percentage jump of about 8, potential double wins.) Now I'm not saying that Roos will have Melbourne playing in a Grand Final next year to mirror Sydney of 1996, but the fact is no coach has tried to bring a team back from as far behind as Roos is with Melbourne for 20 years. And when you compare how Melbourne is tracking with Sydney of 20 years ago, they're going along reasonably well. The percentage jumps haven't been as high, but Melbourne's percentage was further back then Sydney's to begin with. The main point being that to say another coach would be doing just as well as Roos is flawed, given the last coach to do something similar was Barassi. Sure it would be nice to be at a stage where we could coast along and underachieve like some other clubs have over the last 10 years when they should have been winning Grand Finals, but we're still getting back to a position to where we can even underachieve. The administration during the Bailey era and then the appointment of Neeld has cost this club a good 5 years +. We're only just getting back to where we were positioned probably about the end of the 2009, 2010 season. While the win column keeps ticking up and the percentage keeps ticking up I'm satisfied with the improvement, despite the odd horror performance post the Darwin game as happens every year. But with a young midfield (Viney, Brayshaw, Petracca, Salem, Tyson, Neal-Bullen, Stretch) and spine (Hogan, Gawn, McDonald) at our disposal, I'm as optimistic as I've been since about 2004 that the future's looking alright . Just need some outside run! Anyway that's where it's at for me. Everyone entitled to their opinion. But while the wins and percentage tick upwards, then the improvement's there. The goal for 2016 should be for finals. 10 wins as a minimum.

Think it's Essendon, but only just. And that's because you know Silvagni will start towards turning that list over from the end of the season.If Hird's still with the Bombers, he'll probably want to top up for a tilt at the premiership!

Agreed. Think we should be a lock for next week now.

Michael Jamison refused to shake Mitch Robinson's hand at the end of their match. Never a great look, but clearly Jamison's hurting after yet another terrible performance.

Don't forget Jamar.

So appears Collingwood are front runners for Aish & Treloar acording to this article. http://www.news.com.au/sport/breaking-news/collingwood-is-hopeful-of-securing-adam-treloar-and-james-aish-during-afl-trade-period/story-fnect155-1227479263831 And I note that Paul Seedsman's name was thrown up, however Brisbane wouldn't accept him in a straight swap for Aish. Maybe Melbourne can get involved here? Maybe Collingwood can throw Seedsman to us with Howe then going to Brisbane. Maybe a swap of Collingwood's 2nd round pick for our 3rd also? I rate Seedsman, played really well v us on Queen's Birthday last year. 23 years old, 190cm, 87kg, nearly 50 games experience averaging 16-17 possesions a game. Outside wing/half back with pace and a long penetrating kick. Exactly what we need. http://www.collingwoodfc.com.au/player-profile/paul-seedsman We may not be able to land the likes of Dangerfield, Treloar, Prestia this year. But players like Seedsman could be the exact type that could help take us forward. The likes Paul Seedsman, Andrew Moore & Daniel Gorringe could be more valuable then people think.

While I agree about his handling/involvement re the Katich situation I couldn't disagree more with you Biffen. Like him or not, Clarke will go down as one of Australia's all time great batsmen. * He's made triple & double centuries. 28 Centuries in total. * Batting average just shy of 50. * Captained winning tours of South Africa, Sri Lanka, New Zealand and the West Indies * Captained a 5-0 Ashes whitewash victory. * Was a member of our 2004 winning touring party of India. * Has taken over 30 Test wickets. He's played some great innings along the way. Made two personal favourites being his debut ton v India in Bangalore in 2004. Coming in at a difficult time with us 4/140 odd batting first on a turner. Then two great partnerships, first with Katich and then with Gilchrist on his way to 151 saw us make a big total and go on to win that series. I remember the ball turning sideways with Anil Kumble bowling round the wicket and Clarke just dancing down to hit him straight back over his head for 6. Knew he was going to be something special from then, His other great innings IMO was his 27th ton v South Africa in the 3rd & final test of the 2014 tour in Cape Town. Series locked at 1-1 and Clarke in f form slump, he was on the end of one of the more brutal work overs I've ever witnessed by Morne Morkel. Got hit multiple times and alegedly received a fractured shoulder as a result. However he got through it and went on to make a brilliant ton and set up was was a memorable win. If you haven't witnessed it, you should! And that's only a sample! Him loosing the captaincy was always coming and rightly so, as sweeping changes should be made following this embarrasment! But I thought Clarke should stay on and bat at number 5 to provide some support for Smith/Warner going forward. I hope he does well at The Oval, and given the series is lost I actually hope all he, Haddin, Watson & Rogers all play (Rogers obviously will) and can bow out together with a win.. As for an XI going forward. I like the look of something like: Cameron Bancroft David Warner (vc) Joe Burns Steve Smith* Peter Handscomb Mitch Marsh +Tim Ludeman Mitchell Johnson Mitchell Starc/James Pattinson/Pat Cummins Peter Siddle Nathan Lyon *Bancroft is very young and has shown a lot of promise in the recent Shield season. He also recently made a patient 133 v India A in Chennai off about 295 balls I believe, so he can grind out an innings on difficult wickets. *Burns I think has the right balance of attack and defence to bat at number 3. It's why I'd probably favour him to giving the nod to Khawaja. *Handscomb I'm a big fan of. Very good player of spin and improving against pace. Was the leading run scorer in Shield cricket after the first 4 rounds until injury struck. Came back and batted well, but just not in quite the same form. Also made a 91 v India A. He can also keep, which would be handy for slecting a touring squad not having to worry about back up keepers. *While Mitch Marsh I think should be the main all rounder, I think that number 6 spot should become somewhat rotatable if we end up playing on raging turners, and this is where I think the Big Show Glenn Maxwell could find his niche. He could become a overseas tour player only just about in India, UAE, Sri Lanka & Bangladesh. He's also a very good player of spin bowling which could be handy. *For the keeper, I think it's time we went old school and just picked the best gloveman. After Nevill's scratchy glove skills and Haddin's drop of Root in the first test possibly being a series defining moment, I think we should just focus during this rebuilding phase of just having a keeper who takes every chance that comes his way and any runs he makes being a bonus. So this is where Ludeman comes into the picture for me. *Siddle should come into the XI once more IMO with the retirement of Harris. His control and experience will be valuable not just for the team, but especially Johnson. I don't think Mitch could be as effective during this series as his fellow bowlers (although not as bad as the batsmen) leaked to many runs due to lack of control. This is where Siddle should come into his own. *Final quick bowlers spot I'd give to whoever was in form/fit between Starc, Pattinson & Cummins. At the moment that would obviously be Starc. Other players to keep an eye on would be Usman Khawaja, Nic Maddinson, Jordan Silk & Travis Head as far as batsmen go. Marcus Stoinis would be the next seam bowling all rounder I'd be looking to after Mitch Marsh. Sam Whiteman is a distant future keeper to watch, similar to Ashton Agar as a spin bowler. While the likes of Josh Hazlewood & Nathan Coulter-Nile are by no means forgotten. When Suddle's time is up Hazlewood would be an obvious replacement. Sad series and a sad end for not just Pup, but several other Aussie players. After The Oval I don't expect to see and of Clarke, Watson, Haddin, Rogers, Voges, Shaun Marsh or Fawad Ahmed near an Aussie Test XI again.

Another collapse. 4 wickets in 20 minutes! Rogers going to hard at a swinging ball just outside off stump, Warner playing a stupid cross bat shot, Marsh waving his bat outside the line of 6th/7th stump as usual & Smith having no regard for the situation. Would have hoped we'd learnt from the 1st Innings & Edgbaston, but obviously not!

And now Rogers is out!

Showing some fight so far today. Lets see how long it lasts....

If it is, then they've got no respect for themselves or the baggy green!

Well the Ashes defence is as good as over. Already more then 200 behind after Day 1 and England still have 6 wickets in hand. This has been a more meek performance then anything i can ever remember England dishing up during their horrendous era of the late 80's to early 2000's. Heads will roll no doubt and i think it's time we did away of this obsession of picking batsmen to debut in their mid 30's. It's time we unearthed some young batting talent. I also think it's time to go back to Siddle with Harris having retired. Hazlewood & Starc control has been left wanting this series, so Siddle's experience will be key. I also think it's time to take the captaincy off Clarke and give it to Smith. Lets just tell Clarke to bat at 5 and concentrate on making runs. I also think as far as the keeper goes that we should go old school and just pick the best gloveman. I like Nevill, but during this rebuild i think we should focus on a keeper who takes all opportunities rather then runs. So for The Oval I'd drop Shaun Marsh and Voges as neither are the future. I'd also drop Hazlewood and Starc as i think they're both spent and have struggled for consistency. And i'd also drop Nevill. Bring in Watson and Haddin to join Rogers in a farewell game, Mitch Marsh to get more cricket into him. The long awaited return of Cummins and old reliable Siddle. After the Ashes I can see a rough XI of: Khawaja Warner (vc) Smith* Handscomb Clarke M. Marsh +Hartley or Ludeman Johnson Siddle Cummins, Hazlewood, Pattinson or Starc Lyon But that will be one for the selectors.

I agree our batting depth has been an issue for awhile. I think it's time that we identified some youngsters with good technique and give them 15-20 Tests before making a call on them. Two batsmen who spring to mind are Usman Khawaja & Peter Handscomb. Khawaja because of technique and Handscomb his ability to play against spin. There's a two test series v Bangladesh before our home summer. I'd be happy to see them partenr Khawaja with Warner at the top of the order and Handscomb bat at 4 and give them the series plus the home summer and then some. We all know how much Steve Waugh & Matthew Hayden struggled early in their careers.

In relation to not being able to bowl the ball in the right spot.

Been calling all week that Siddle should have played here. When we loose this test and series, the selectors are going to have to go back to the drawing board and make a decision on how they want to build this team going forward. Need to start to take the same approach with selection that the side did in the late 80's to build that era of dominance.

Good to see both Starc & Hazlewood spray at least one each in the first two overs!

Outside our ODI loss to Bangladesh in Cardiff in 2005 this is the most putrid thing I've ever seen from our Cricket team. The only way to save face is to pull off a remarkable come back in this match. But I don't see the match winners there.

Crucial test match starts tonight. And from what i'm hearing a lot of the changes we've discussed (S. Marsh for Voges, Clarke to 5 & Siddle for Hazlewood) are setto occur. Come on Aussies, lets win the toss, bat and get 400 on the board!

Will have to double check the rules. But pretty sure interstate selections can have up to 3 years on the rookie list. Think Spencil did.

I'll be there assuming my 2nd child isn't born by then. Try and finish the year with a win for the first time since the Kreuzer Cup I believe?