The Jack of Grimes

Maric and McDonald yes, but I'd add Jack Grimes in that also! Not sure what everyones problem is with Bartram. He's a tagger. He takes players out of the game at his own expense. He just needs to work on his disposal as does players like Mclean and Bruce. Does anyone know how far off Woona is? Not sure who i would drop. Still would have said Dunn, but he did try hard today. So too did PJ. It's a tough one, but whoever does get dropped it won't be for lack of trying as I feel all the players tried hard today. I feel Ricky Petterd might get dropped. I hope not, but he's really getting killed with the contested marks. Took two or three great ones today, but missed many more chances. Still not convinced he's a forward line player. Would love o see him on the wing!

Had a brief chat to Whelan when he was sitting with the rest of the Melbourne boys in the ponsford stand during todays game. He's ready to go and seems quietly confident he can re-discover some of his form. I think you're all forgetting that injuries aside, Whelan is possibly the best tackler in the team. And unless you guys were watching a different game to me, these young Melbourne bodies can't seem to make a tackle stick. Not for the time being anyhow. Id imagine with more weights and more pre-seasons they will become a better tackling side, but at the moment we need hard bodies like whelan.

Great article. Well done. Would like to hear someone talk about Grimesy as well. How well he played, how far off on Seniors he is?

Yup! Unless we beat Richmond by 50-60points and theres just no way anyone can get dropped, I'd say they're in. Maybe even Robbo if he had a good game. But saying that even IF we do beat Richmond by 50-60points im sure there will be one or two underachieving players.

YES! That is the best news I've heard all season! Go Grimes!

God I'm so over seeing this topic bob up. He was even in MX today. FACT Colin Sylvia has talent. If he didn't we wouldn't be so angry with him for not performing to his best ability. FACT He has not shown that talent for a couple of years now. FACT He seems to just not care too much about chasing and tackling. FACT At pick three there was always a lot riding on his shoulders and expectation was high. FACT He's probably got until the end of this year to prove he wants to play for this club. FACT His confidence is down. FACT Considering the other garbage on offer during the 2003 draft I think we did quite well. FACT Every player goes through a down period. Some more than others. Colin is the latter. FACT He hasn't been playing with a bunch of superstars the last couple years, lets face it. You're only as good as your team mates allow you to be. CONCLUSION He's got until the end of the year. You know it, I know it, the media knows it, I'm sure he knows it. Until then, just drop it!

Hmm im not sure who he tagged against Port but you're probably right. But agree with the loose kicking factor. He's a shocking kick, and had so much potential when he came into the team. Kind of reminded me of T Johnstone. But saying that I think we have bigger fish to fry than Bartram.

Agree with Green %100. Best mark, lead and kick for goal in the team. Bennell however will be the new Mcleod. Leave him down back.

Disagree with some of your comments there. Especially about Bartram. He's just about the only tagger in the team we have. The other midfielders like Jones, Mclean and Moloney just aren't accountable at the moment, and can't even take care of themselves let alone an opposition player. Bartram doesn't get stats because he tags. Also Petterd is a gun. I just don't think he's the right option as a full forward or whatever Bailey is playing him as. He needs to be amongst the action. He's a hard nut and would bleed for this club. He's just not good enough leading out and is not a contested marker. He needs space and chest ball delivery which none of our midfielders bar davey can deliver. I agree with you on PJ. Showed some real potential last year, but really needs to step it up if he wants to maintain his spot. At the moment I couldn't see a reason why Spenser and Meesen shouldn't be playing together and rotating through ruck and forward line seeing as they are both the 'future' of the club's rucking department. And if this is indeed a 'development' year, then realistically their concern should be to develop young players such as the two ruck boys. Jetta and Benell also need game time in the seniors. I agree with that. I'm not sure what the point is of dropping any of these young players down to the VFL considering we're trying to develop them. I finally now understand the Watts and Blease situation, however Spencer and the rest of the first year players unless not fit, should be playing on the big stage to teach them a lesson or two. Especially if theyre in the clubs long term plans. It's all well and good to ease them in, but unless they get hammered around and smashed a bit, they will never learn the perils of being an AFL footballer.

WILSON! Nah Dwayne's the nerdy guy next to the WILSON guy. Man that ad is old, I can't believe it's resurfaced.

To be honest i really prefer the nab challenge white jumper as a clash strip. I think the red looks kind of strange and too similar to the red of several years ago. Obviously id like to see them wear the Trad every match, but i really like the white.

Is there a bit of Nathan Brown (Richmond) about this whole situation? Different injuries of course, but both potential career ending injuries. Hopefully Robbo can come back strong because god knows we need a forward that can take a contested mark.

Agreed. I'm happy with Junior for the time being, although at the end of last season I was hoping for Green. Grimes is a fraction too early.

Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love Ricky, hence my name. But I'm not sure if DB is utilising Petterd's strengths. He's a really tough player who could work better off the half back line, or in the center of the ground. He could possibly be a great asset on the wing or in the half forward line with bate and miller. Not convinced with his kicking for goal or his contested marking at the moment though.

A lot of people I find are too impatient. Considering Dean Bailey has practically built this list from scratch, I think he's doing a great job at Developing the list so far. I have questioned some of his match day moves (eg Petterd at full forward), but all in all, i don't think you can paint a Mona Lisa with a piece of black chalk.

None of them at the moment. Based on form you would say Flash, based on leadership quality you would say Mclean.

I think the big problem here is that Sylvia went at pick three. As a pick three you have all the expectation of carrying the label of champion player. In terms of what is expected to come from a pick number three, Sylvia has failed. He has obviously got the talent, but I don't think he has the desire or ability to match it with the best at the moment. Whether he needs a new position, new attitude or a new club I'm not sure, but if so many fans have a problem with him, as well as media persons, then I'm sure the club is addressing the issue with him also.

It was used as an Analogy. The mere fact that you dislike it is of no consequence seeing as this is a footy (Demons) forum.

Firstly the EPL isn't a joke, it's the best League in the world. Secondly Arsenals manager has been at the club for well over 10years, as has Manchester's, and Liverpools is close to clocking up 5. So in terms of that, you're wrong. But going away from the EPL analogy, the most successful teams are the ones who have full backing from coaches, to staff, to board members to fans. Thirdly you'd have to be pretty daft not to be able to take positives out of the matches we have played so far. There a positives to take out of every match, and the development compared to last year is enormous. You're either going to have to be patient, or go support a team like Carlton.

Agreed, Rivers and Bruce are trying their ass off at the moment. People just need to give it time and be patient. Rome wasn't built in a day.

Agree completely mate, and we could even add to your list. Was a silly post to begin with... and my theory behind this is this... In the premier league, which is 'soccer' to those that are unsure, the most successful teams are those that have consistency and stability. If the board has faith in the coach, the player have faith in the coach. If the fans have faith in the coach, the players have faith in the coach and so on. Stability and Consistency is what we need. The guy needs to see out his contract. Period. And the only way to do that is to have the support of the players, fans and board, which I think he has got. Saying that, I would love to see Hird or Buckley come in as assistant coach. Possibly even Viney.

Who's Butcher? And I've heard a hell'of a lot about Maric. I watch every game usually but don't remember seeing him, or if I did he didn't stand out. What pick did he go in the draft? Why is everyone raving about him? Is he really THAT good? Or is everyone exaggerating a little bit? What position does he play? Details please!

We can beat anyone in the competition. It's just about putting FOUR quarters of football together. Not one here, one there... FOUR.

Yeh Davey is having a great year. His kicking is very accurate. And he seems to find alot of space. Maybe using him as a kick in could be a good thing for opening up space, as i think we struggle from kick ins.

It's sad that you say that, because it seems to be the way coaches think also. Afraid to drop the big names. For the sake of the development of this team, DB has to start dropping players that don't perform. Aparently Miller was working very hard off the ball all day, Bruce didn't stop trying, even in the last quarter, but as far as Mclean goes, He's certainly not good enough at this point to be playing AFL football. DB needs to grow some balls and make some tough decisions. All in all i wasn't too upset with the result against port. There were many positives to take from the game. I do agree with you though regarding not jumping the gun... im certainly not wanting Bailey to yeild the ax, but just show and prove to the melbourne players that if you as a player don't have a good game, you will be dropped, no matter who it is. People are calling for Jetta's head because he didn't perform... what about the senior players who didn't perform?