praha

That was the dumbest rumour of them all. Why would parents sign something for someone that isn't their son? It's downright moronic, as an action and as a rumour.

I might not think much of him as a coach, but the man has superb media skills. A class act. I actually hope he sticks around the club in some capacity.

I think we'll get around the 8-11 mark and finish 9th-13th.

I'd take that behaviour as the club knowing that he is weighing up his options. Hate to say it, but I'm not convinced.

I think the club is conservative about it because there will be a day when we don't celebrate Queen's Birthday anymore. For most people (actually, probably all), Queen's Birthday means nothing and it's just a day off. Yeah, it might be the only game on the day, but you can't expect it to be any bigger than any normal Friday night game. There's no real history in the match outside of the Melbourne and Collingwood rivalry, which has essentially been dormant since the 60s. No one cares about what Queen's Birthday is. I don't think if the club promoting it any more would help any apparent crowd drops. I mean, how coincidental that they drop when we're "winning" wooden spoons. The crowds get to as big as they're going to get, dictated by the performance of both teams.

I refer the OP to our 100 point thrashing of Adelaide through the subsequent 40+ point beltings we received for the following three weeks.

The bye has saved us. 3 losses away from having an even record is not that bad with 13 games to go. Although we'd have to win 9-10 of them.

Oh we're a shoe-in, now!

Guys, Eddie and Mick don't have some hidden agenda against Melbourne. Mick was providing commentary, and based on his persona, I'm sure he says similar things to his own players. Such a non-issue.

No... it's me saying I would expect them to offer the most within the club's finances -- and I wouldn't believe this club didn't have the ability to find the money to pay any salary Malthouse might demand. As members that contribute to the club's finances, don't you think we should expect the best quality in any regard?

Newton presented probably as often and as well as any other forward. At the moment he is the only player fit -- in a physical and performance sense -- for that position.

There are two proven coaches both laying into Melbourne. What I see is two men who would absolutely love to take control of this side. The amount of talent we have is not even funny. I don't think it's being used to its ability.

This just in: Not everyone is mates with everyone at the club. Of course the more predominant Twitter users are going to communicate with one another. Tom probably has a different circle of friends, and probably doesn't use Twitter all that often. Non-event. Non-thread. And yes, this IS another stupid Tom Scully thread.

He won't be back. Good luck mate.

As much as I think it was inappropriate for him to say, I think he is spot on.

I think he is more effective at this age than what Jamar was at the same age.

There is absolutely no excuse for not offering a position to a proven successful coach if he was available. Any amount of money that he would demand would be completely and utterly justified considering what he brings to the table. It's moronic to think the club might not go after him because of the price. Anything he is worth is completely in the reach of this club financially. I wouldn't expect anything less.

"At times, Melbourne went ultra-defensive, pushing back Jack Watts as a loose man in defence, but Bailey said the plan had to been to create more drive out of the defensive half. " Yeah, we weren't pressing at all....

I'm sorry, but pushing them up the ground is never going to achieve more than having them just hang around the forward line. At least there would have been someone to kick to. And there was a press. Every time the ball ended Carlton's F50, our entire forward like would push up. I took especial notice of it, and we've done it in every single game this year, EXCEPT the Adelaide one... We were never in a position to win the game because there was no way we could progress the ball forward. And those two goals were initiated by players under pressure because the ball kept getting kicked into the forward like. Take a look at the inside 50s. When you have the ball going into your defensive area that many times, players are going to make mistakes. I mean, what's you point? We play defensive to lose by 50 points, instead of playing offensive and actually having someone to kick to? And Petterd can kick goals. His frustration tonight was evident. I noticed him get angry at being told to push up the ground because the Carlton supporters near me couldn't believe he was so free. Two minutes later Carlton kicked a goal because when we kicked it out, we kicked it directly to a Carlton player, in the exact spot Petterd was in earlier.

I'm sorry, but a lack of players didn't cost us the game tonight. It was an unstructured press that in no way put us in a position to win the game. He had absolutely no confidence in this team's ability to play a quick, offensive game tonight, and it showed. It was a very disappointing coaching effort imo. He never coached to win. He coached to keep the score as low as possible, and that does not work anymore. It is not 2005. The game has changed. Also, this gameplan was also employed against Swans, Lions, Hawks, Saints, North, where we struggle to kick out, and once we do get it out we have no one pressing forward. Petterd was told to press forward at one point and he looked especially frustrated. Neither he nor Jurrah were given a chance to do what they're best at, and that's kick goals. It was a very poor coaching display imo. These young kids need to be given the freedom to play a quick, flowing, offensive and exciting brand of football. The team was very restricted tonight because Bailey had no faith in the squad. Carlton acknowledged that and took advantage. Although they played in 2nd gear. Boy are they going to cop it come Finals time. I'm not angry though. I just hope Bailey acknowledges the mistake he has made with the squad he has had for the past few weeks. I think we'd have benefited considerably more had we played a more offensive style of game. The likes of Scully, Trengove etc. are not going to help us kick out or get it out of the backline. That has been an issue even when those players are in the squad. We are seeing how vulnerable his gameplan is. Also, the one week the team "goes back to basics", we win by 100 points.

Our skills are not poor. Skills BECOME poor when you're under pressure. You're under pressure when you don't know how to counter your opposition's advances. We can't counter our opposition's advances because of the structure.

Thanks for the interest. I am going to contact the club and speak to them directly about it. I do not want support from the club. I also don't want it to turn into a group of fans that swear and cause trouble. Just a group of good blokes that cheer and yell and get people cheering outside of the cheersquad. I noticed a few of you asking me to expand the age bracket etc., but that would defeat the purpose of the group. The idea is that we are generally younger, and that we represent the younger generation of Melbourne supporters. It's nothing against the older crowd. My parents are both Melbourne supporters and my dad is one of the old-school fans that would stand in the cold during weekly 100-point beltings throughout the 70s. I have no intention of enforcing strict rules, but it will be a club of sorts, and I want to create something that has depth, worth, substance and passion. Sometimes you need to create a culture to achieve those things, and sometimes rules and guidelines need to be instilled. I know not many of you are AFL Members but the point of it is that it's a supporter group FOR AFL members, so having it anywhere besides AFL Members would defeat its purpose.

Yeah, I am just thinking of branding the group in some where so to get us recognised. Maybe not a t-shirt, but maybe a cap or even a name on the back of a jumper. I know there aren't many AFL members that go for Melbourne, so this is why I want to start this up -- to get everyone together and supporting as one. I guess what I envision is somewhat of a Frat House-type supporter group. Without the illegal shenanigans, of course EDIT: And general admin is Gate 6, right? I know my AFL Members only gets me into Gate 6.

I have been thinking about this for a while. I am an AFL member and sit directly on the wing, first level, Southern Stand. I am generally surrounded by opposition supporters, which sucks. I have to admit that I am jealous when you guys comment on how loud the crowd can be. After having watched last week's game with the cheer squad (my first time EVER sitting with the cheer squad in 20 years of going to the football), I've realised that I want to start up my own group. I've been a little more vocal the last few years -- I'm not sure why considering our positioning -- and I've developed somewhat of an infatuation with the club, more than I have been in the past. I was curious as to if anyone knows how I should go about starting a supporter group. And when I say supporter group, I don't mean a bunch of moms and pops, kids and old ladies that have luncheons every few months. I am talking about a supporter group that attends EVERY home game, stands (yes, stands) in the exact same spot, and cheers until they start coughing up blood. The idea I have leans towards a cheer squad of sorts, but one that breaks away from the traditional cheer squad and the "Melbourne - CLAP CLAP CLAP" cheering -- I want to be the first independent cheer group that sits somewhere besides behind the goals (the worst place to watch footy imo). If anyone has been to a Dallas Mavericks basketball game, you'll know what sort of group I'm thinking of. I really just want to break away from tradition a bit here and create a 100% fan-made supporter group. I envision a group of young Melbourne supporters -- 18 - 30 -- that are AFL members, don't mind watching the game from standing room, having a few beers and being passionate supporters. The reason I want to do this is because I think that support around the ground is very important, and I am sick of being outnumbered where I sit. If I'm going to be outnumbered, I want to be with friends and I want to be confident enough to cheer and scream. This is not something I envision for 2011 but rather for 2012 and beyond. I have a lot of ideas: 1. Create a unique brand that incorporates the Melbourne colours and mascot. 2. Derive a handbook that details etiquette: how to respond to opposing supporters, what NOT to say (basically, I want us to be passionate, but I also want us to be lawful, respectful and...not boganish), what to wear, where to meet. 3. Come up with some cheerful, humorous but timid victory chants whenever the team is on the way to victory (the song will obviously be one) 4. Incorporate social media as much as possible to expand the group, hopefully interstate. I am looking for expressions of interest before I contact the club for advice and to get things off the ground. A few things you should know before putting forth interest: 1. The group will be based in the AFL members, Gate 6, First Level, Standing Room. Full AFL Members preferred (for away games) but not essential. 2. You must be 18-35 years of age. 3. You must embrace social networks and be prepared to communicate with prospective members, and represent the group in a respectful and professional manner. 4. Have a deep, powerful voice that's going to get people excited when you cheer. 5. You must have the confidence to cheer and cheer loudly. 6. You must be well-presented and respectful. You can cheer and be passionate without responding to opposition supporters. I don't want the group to turn into a An Current Affair news story. 7. Be prepared to wear branded clothing that showcases your committed to the group (a striking red t-shirt most likely) I see a group of mates decked out in red all standing along the railings and cheering with gusto and passion and hopefully getting everyone else in the area involved. This is what I vision. To get it started I'd think that at least 10 members would be needed. If you have any ideas, feel free to send me a PM. Others, post any opinions, advice or ideas you have below.

I'll be in standing room, Gate 6 of the Southern Stand if anyone wants to lose their voice with me (I am generally alone).