praha

There truly is nothing sadder, more depressing than seeing people ask for an admirable 100+ point loss. To not ask for a win, but at least a little effort in defeat is sad, sad stuff. If they're going to lose by 100 points, there's no doubt about it: the team is [censored]. I want to see a win and nothing more. But I won't see that, because we are truly wooden spoon material. Eagles by 87.

http://au.sports.yahoo.com/afl/opinions/show/3153864/dennis-cometti-demons-recruiting-is-woeful/?cmp=fb You can always blame the players. But are they really that good to begin with? It comes back to the people that chose them and Melbourne seem to consistently pick the same type of player; weak reeds like Jack Watts and Cale Morton. It's a very bland group of players that they have right now, and it comes back to recruiting. And the recruiting has been shocking. Here comes the bandwagon of hate!

I don't believe any of what we're hearing. 1. I don't believe the club is racist. I think our openness and acceptance of Indigenous players in the past is and always has been one of the best in the league. 2. I do, however, believe there is a possibility that there was a leak from within the club, in response to consistent rhetoric regarding the stern approach by Neeld. 3. This originally led me to believe that it might have been Davey, out of frustration at essentially being told his time at the club would most likely end at the end of 2012. 4. I still believe it was a player at the club. 5. I wouldn't be surprised if the AFL was pushing Mifsud to admit he spread the rumour, to end any speculation. 6. The media doesn't seem to want to let it go, which makes me believe even more that it was a player. Even without all of this, I think it's quite obvious that the rumour started from within the club. It seems like a far too serious thing to just come out of no where. Even though it's not true, it certainly seems to fit in with queries regarding Neeld's aggressive and no-excuses approach, which may have had a negative affect on some (probably senior) players (as we've heard rumours about), and caused the wrong words to come out. Maybe what was said was taken out of context, or the tone was misinterpreted, but I don't believe for a second that the source isn't a Melbourne player.

Is that you, Mark?

I would like to subscribe to your newsletter.

I don't think Beamer is smart enough to consciously refer to the coach in the third-person. If anything he's probably doing it unconsciously because he's so scared of him.

Watts in the middle.

I'm sorry, and I'll accept the ban if it comes, but... What a [censored] rabble.

You'll find a number of 60+ point wins between those two points, and the same number of 60+ point losses. We were probably a finals side this year had the team not exploded against Geelong. What pushed the players to not care so openly and obviously essentially cost the man his job. We played some great football last year, and some absolutely horrendous football. I can't remember a team that has been so far ahead and so far behind at the same time. I think we were 3rd or 4th in average winning margin. It was there, but I feel it's been lost now. The club truly is a shambles.

I've been using the term "dumb football" ever since last season. I don't think I'd ever used it beforehand. Really, really dumb football. It defined us last season.

This, Another 3-4 years out of finals contention imo.

I agree, but I think we should brace ourselves for a 100+ point drumming this week. I'm not saying that out of anger, just merely based on form. The second-half on Saturday was Geelong-186-esque. That game was of the utmost importance, and it shows just how far behind the 8-ball we are. I think we've taken a step back to take a step forward, but we did that last year as well... Ah, the perils of being a Melbourne supporter.

Bate is run-of-the-mill. He's a rich mans Brock McLean. Maybe more versatile, more adaptable, but still flat-footed.

I remember similar PR fluff around the time of Geelong 186.

I smell another 1965-1986 era coming along.

I'd have thought 30-40k was reasonable. When we're winning, we can get 40k+, as we did in I think it was 2004 or 2005 against West Coast - 2nd vs 1st. 33k was pretty decent. Supporter base isn't large, so getting a high percentage of total support is probably good for the club if you look at it that way. I'd say 5k were Brisbane. They made a lot of noise. I also think people are sick of the club. If it's a blow-out against the Eagles I'm not sure I can dedicate a weekend afternoon to them in round 3. I'm studying my Masters and practically lost a day of study yesterday. That was always at the back of my mind. I always think like that, and I'm not prepared to sit around and watch non-efforts just to "show support" and "have faith".

I am just not on either side anymore. People go the extreme one day and just go on and on and on about everything that is wrong about the club, but then there are people that tell them to back off, and that they'll "always have faith" and "go dees", which I think makes some people even more angry. I am not sure there are any acceptable excuses for today. Just none. We should by this stage be slamming a team like Brisbane, and we're not, and the loss is really just indicative of everything negative that is said of the club: as a whole, for a long time, it is a weak club with a very poor culture. I am not sure that one extreme is acceptable, but I don't think brushing off the loss as "just round 1" or "emotionally drained" is really going to lead to much constructive discussion. Why is this club consistently putting in efforts like these? I see so many people getting angry, and I don't really think anything of it because I genuinely sympathise with these people. People are sick of losing. It's just frustrating now. And trying to empathise with the players doesn't do anything for me, because they're paid to perform, like everyone else in this world. It was a weak effort. You don't need to be an angry Melbourne supporter to realise that. It was weak and just really, really dumb football. Geelong 186-point loss type footy. Had we been playing a top side it'd have been a 100-point loss. It was really, really bad football. I don't trust anyone. I just want to see results. I am past the whole, "I have faith" stage. I'm not 12 anymore. Oh, and inb4 "they've had a tough, emotional pre-season". Here come the excuses!

Going by what he said... ..the team is [censored] and not everyone is up for it. He just sugar coated it, dipped it in chocolate and served it up to you with a topless waitress. It was as diplomatic as one could get.

Yeah, that is definitely the same song, just remastered and cleared up. It's exactly the same. They haven't added or changed anything. If you sit close to speakers at the MCG when it's playing you can definitely hear the banjos clearer. Sounds clearer, better.

So Watts is a proven VFL star. Newton was also a VFL star. Chris Lamb, too.

There better be 60,000+ at the 'G in round 1 against Brisbane.

I truly, sincerely, from the bottom of my heart, hope that his legacy has left an impression on this club. I really do. I am so uncertain about this club atm, and am a little lost in his death.

I can't imagine us fighting off for 8th spot. No way, no how. Maybe 2013.

14th. Bang!

Wait a second. WAIT A GODDAMN SECOND! PLAYERS WILL BE DROPPED IF THEY DON'T PERFORM!? GIVE THIS MAN A GODDAMN CONTRACT EXTENSION AND GIVE SALARY RAISES TO EVERYONE AT CASEY. NOW!