praha

"Am I a bad Melbourne supporter?" No, just a tragic one. Aren't we all?

1. Players cannot veto trades. <--- This invalidate the players' call for more freedom in choosing where they wish to work. A player should be able to determine whether or not they want to go to another club. Removing the veto option means a player could sign a contract thinking they are part of the long-term club plans, only to be traded with no say. 2. Contracts cannot be signed until the October they expire. <---- Agreed. Completely ban any discussion or contact with free agency until their contract is up. Current system is a farce. As it is in the NRL. 3. Lists are not finalised until two months into the season. <---- Get rid of list finalisation. Clubs should be able to sign and waive players as they wish. 4. Injury replacement players can come from outside the AFL. <---- Agreed. VOTE rpfc.

Why does he need to go through the draft? Can't the club just contract him?

Saints, Dogs (both times), Port (both times), and even the Suns matches were games that got away simply because of a lack of refinement and class at pivotal moments. Last year it was a matter of lacking urgency and desire to win. This year it appears to be a matter of not KNOWING how to win.

If this club is pushing for finals in 2016 I personally can't see Roos jumping ship, no matter what he's said.

Ladies and gentlemen, the illustrious Melbourne supporter *facepalm* Exactly. Finishing 16th is not that different from finishing 18th, I get that, but it's naive to suggest the stigma associated with being the absolute worst team in the comp -- by either wins or how many points you concede versus points scored -- isn't that important. Baby steps, granted, but finishing last would be absolutely disastrous. I can't even imagine how guys like Jones would react mentally to once again being the best player in the worst team in the comp. It must truly wear thin on the mind of someone that works so hard. The season must absolutely end on a positive note. Finishing last is the antithesis on that prospect.

If Melbourne has improved "100%" on last year, but finishes below where it finished last year, does that really signify improvement? It might in some capacity, but it suggests those below Melbourne last year improved more year-on-year in 2014, which would be quite damning and a massive indictment on the inroads made. It's absolutely integral this team beats Brisbane and GWS. They are absolute must-wins. Anyone that can't see that has rock for brains. Being able to step and stand above those on even footing is a step the team needs to make. Performing against North and Hawthorn (and to a lesser extent, those pretenders in Perf) are important, too, but winning those games isn't all that important in developing this team. Winning when the team is expected to win is a hurdle this team simply hasn't been about to surpass, because they've rarely been in that situation. Absolutely must beat Brisbane this week. The likes of Jones, Frawley, Dunn, Grimes can't let the team lose. It's their time to step up. Been around for far too long to continuously let this team be stepped on. It really is time for Jones to take the next step.

I will be absolutely devastated. Finishing last and below GWS and GC at the same time and after so many high draft picks would be the worst thing that could possibly happen to the club at this time. The likes of Jones, Watts, Frawley, Dunn, Jetta, Grimes must be absolutely sick of it and they can't let it happen. The club has to stand up and not let it happen. If it does, it may be very hard for me to get up for next season. GWS and Brisbane are absolute must-wins. IMO, for the sake of the club moving forward and gaining respect, not finishing last, and holding their own against the Hawks and North are integral in the closing weeks. Finishing last would be a true indictment on the improvement the team has made, and it would demonstrate just how hard it is going to be for the club to move forward. This is the chance to move forward and that means getting off the damn bottom of the ladder! The Saints are a legitimate chance against GC. I am not confident anymore going into the Brisbane game. If we are last after the next round, I fear the team will never get off it.

Missed it by THAT much!

The team will get a pass mark when it beats Brisbane and GWS.

It could have gone either way. Great game I thought. Ultimately, Port composure at the right time got them over the line. 1. We were up for 4 points, get a free in the middle and Jones plays on while surrounded by Port players. Whyyyy? 2. Dawes has the ball on the forward flank while up by 4 points. He kicks it forward to a Melbourne player surrounded by 4 Port players. Whyyyy? 3. After Port hit the front, Melbourne had four players on along the wing. Grimes has the ball on the back flank...and kicks it out on the full. Three moments that lacked composure in the final moments and Port capitalised. Each of Melbourne's losses by less than 20 points have all been a product of just lacking composure. Errors at the worst possible moments. The first game Port and Melbourne played, Port just had that extra leg speed in the end. This is what separates the top 8 from the bottom 8.

1. Win at Etihad 2. Beat GWS 3. 1+2 = Win a home game (haven't won a home game this year) 4. Jones to go forward temporarily 5. Toumpas 6. Hogan 7. A win by 5+ goals 8. A better performance against the Roos 9. A tough outing against the Hawks 10. A few more Tyson BOG

I think what the OP meant was, "Watts plays well when we do".

It was a great game, also. One of the best of the year across the whole AFL (I remember the AFL site listing it as one of the top 10 games).

They need another 2-3 strong drafts, just like Melbourne. It wouldn't be all that surprising tbh. They could trade-on those picks for experience that they can't get via free agency.

He's the media's darling because he plays a straight arrow and treats people with respect. The opposite is Malthouse. Who would you prefer? But I agree. I can't sit through all of his press conferences, but mainly because he just says what anyone that has been watching this team over the past three years already knows.

No. Potentially for away games.

I wouldn't call Jones an elite midfielder. If he were elite, we'd win more of the ball out of the middle. Dangerfield is an elite midfielder.

We will beat Port.

He's another couldabeen. Nothing more.

We absolutely must smash GWS. They have manhandled this team the last two games. The experienced group has let this club get pushed around by the likes of Geelong for almost a decade and once again they failed to stand up. GWS and Brisbane are must-wins. If the likes of Watts, Frawley, and whoever else from the Bailey era doesn't stand up, it's time to go.

If this team finishes last, is it still a season of improvement? Or a failure? Serious question.

I don't know what to think. I can respect losses, I get that they are a reality of the game that is played. But when the game is lost, it's lost with a monuments breakdown right across the ground. Even the close games, the team has demonstrated it lacks a collective drive to win a majority of the time. I don't think these are bad players. But even Nathan Jones represents a faction within the team that doesn't quite excel and help control a game. Frawley is very much the same. Nothing against the blokes because they are great clubmen but I don't blame Chip for leaving if he does. But there needs to be a changeover. But Jones stays. Watts should be offered as tradebait for picks. Build around Viney, Tyson and Jones engine. Trade for an experienced ruckman. Mumford would be AMAZING. Look for the biggest, tallest talent in the draft ala Jesse Hogan. Do what you must to get him. Forward preferably. Build a god damn forward line! Get in another TWO Daniel Cross-esque players to control the backline. There are so many holes. That was ugly today. For 9 years the likes of Dunn, Jones, Frawley have let this team get pushed around by Geelong. How can you go into a match with what seems like a lack of desire to win? They were in awe of their opponents today. That Geelong team is truly spectacular. Melbourne is galaxies away.

What do people think about giving a Nate Jones a try up forward in the pocket as a crumber?

OP means Swans in 93, not '03, right? Ironically, their losing streak ended against Melbourne...of course.