praha

Actually, I voted 9-12, I'd want to change that to 13-16. Tough run home, AAMI, Subi and Geelong trip (probably automatic losses), plus games against Saints, Blues, Sydney, Brisbane IN Brisbane. On paper that's probably max 7 max losses, and maybe 5 min. Still a very young, learning team. Might hit a real bump in the road midway. Or 3/4 way through. We're not there yet.

The 70s and 80s really did bring this club down, didn't they?

To be quiet honest, I think it's an AWESOME thing to see him drop off. It means things are tougher around him and he might not be the best anymore. But because he was AWESOME at his best last year, that makes it AMAZING that there are some BETTER than him. If not, he's still playing good footy, and would easily be top 7-8 of B&F.

The demon only really has religious connotations in one area the MFC seems to care about, and that's within the Chinese community. If they really want to infiltrate the large number of Chinese students coming to our shores, they will have to promote the club as Melbourne FC and keep the Demons on the down low, which is essentially what they've been doing for the past 3 years.

These are the kind of things players will learn. Consider Sylvia broke his jaw not long ago. I don't think he is the kind of player to back out of a contest. We're still growing as a team, and players are still learning. Pretty harsh to criticise, especially considering the performance of the team and specific players (namely Bennell).

I think it has the potential to work incredibly in our favour, marketing wise.

sigh Every sport evolves. I'm just curious: how old are you? It seems like the older generations can never really grasp the concept of evolution when it comes to anything. Watch basketball, rubgy, tennis 20-30 years ago. All differently played to the way they're played now. With improved technology, better monitoring, smarter coaches, better medical expertise, comes change. If you watch football 20 years ago, it's different to the way it is now, but there is a sense of an amateurish-nature to it; no tactics, just mindless contests, as you said. There is no way this sport could grow and be known on a global scale if it didn't evolve. Also, that evolution runs far deeper than you think. If the game had stayed the way it was 20 years ago, it could be argued that so would sponsorship, crowd figures, player payments etc. The league would be in the dark ages, with no prospect for growth outside of Australia. I'm confident that if you showed an overseas video a game from last weekend and then a game from 20 years ago, they'd be able to grasp the rules more from watching the match from last weekend. As for it moving to soccer; football is a contact sport, soccer is not. Every sport has tactics. That ex-Socceroo is an idiot.

Even taking those facts into consideration, I can already tell you that we were a better team in 2008 then what Richmond will be in 2010. After two annihilation in rounds 1 and 2, 2008, we played well against the Cats in round 3 and put in some decent efforts throughout the season. Richmond haven't even come remotely close in 6 rounds.

The reason we actually changed from Melbourne Demons to Melbourne FC and changed our logo was because Gardner and co. were attempting to push into China. Remember, about 3-4 years ago?

I think that, potentially, had Judd came to Melbourne, it would have put us back 2-3 years in development. We wouldn't have Scully, Trengove, Watts, or any other of the young guns from the last two years, and players like Miller, White, Yze, Robertson would still be in the team. Then, when they'd retire, we would be up [censored] creek.

Eh, who cares? Being just outside the 8 at this time of the season doesn't really matter. Actually, being outside the 8 at any time besides the end of round 22 doesn't matter.

See display picture.

When Brad Green pulled down Travis Johnstone in the 4th quarter on the wing in front of the Southern Stand, he pulled Jonny down from the neck sleeve. I was right behind it. The boundary umpire saw it quite clearly, as did people sitting on the wing. Brad Green got the free for holding the ball. Can boundary umpires reverse a decision?

As a player, I don't mind him at all. I think he's a real character on the football field with an absolute talent for kicking goals. He IS a superstar. Off-field, I cringe whenever he is on TV or radio. He reminds of that attention-seeking kid at high school that was always in detention. Players I hate: Alan D-D-D-D-D-idack Ben Cousins Daniel Kerr

Actually, disregard my above comment. I would make hot love to Grimes. He is just god-like when he gets the football. He oozes poise and class. As calm as a duck, as precise as a fox.

Great mark, but won't even come close to winning mark of the year.

Rubbish. A majority of our members sit in the MCC and that is always full no matter how we're traveling. Every team has fairweather fans, and even when we're flying we still only get 16,000-25,000 to games against interstate clubs. Hawthorn in 04 got only 11,000 against Port at the MCG. The Hawks, Swans and Lions have the most imo. But anyway, I have no idea what the hell that article is about. All over the place.

http://images.google.com.au/images?hl=en&gbv=2&tbs=isch%3A1&sa=1&q=dean+bailey&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=&start=0 It's arguably the best picture available on the first page there. Which is why I said in my "I love the optimism, but..." thread that this is our most important game since 2006. We're playing a top 4 side, that's flying, on the big stage, and we're in a chance for victory. We haven't been in that position for a while.

Bruce has the brains, but he drops the ball on an angle, hence why he often sprays his kicks. Not easy to fix, especially this far into his career. Worth having in the team atm, but won't have a place in 2-3 years imo.

There's a divisional system in the US? In which leagues, exactly? It's West vs. East typically but they aren't made up based on win/loss performance. And there is no relegation/promotion.

The PR department is doing great. Facebook and Twitter accounts are great!

No offence to Wonna or the MFC staff, but he clearly doesn't know how to take care of his body well enough. I know it happens often (re-occuring injuries) but with the proper care and dedication they won't. Give him some time at Casey and training to better understand his body and what it takes to be 100%. Putting him in the side won't teach him anything. He needs to work right up to being back in the 22, and one good game against Fremantle almost 2 years ago isn't enough.

I think Jamar is a perfect example of how not to jump the gun too early. You're saying players like Spencer and Martin aren't good enough, but three years ago (heck, even 10 months ago) people were saying Jamar wasn't up to it. You need to realise we're still 3-4 years off being a superior side (if ever). By that stage, players like Gawn, Martin and even Meeson might be raring to go. As for PJ, he's had a few good games.

I'll be there with bells on. I just think it was a great opportunity to get extra coverage and be free-to-air in a prime-time spot. Gee wiz, that'll kill it in the ratings!!! *sigh*

5 games of footy, 5 games on Foxtel. Now I understand how sport on television works. It's the same all over the world; the best teams get the prime-time television spots on the prime networks. I can understand that. But we've been given a Saturday night game at the MCG against Brisbane. But what's on free-to-air instead? St. Kilda vs. Port. In Adelaide. St. Kilda. versus. PORT ADELAIDE! Surely Melbourne vs. Brisbane would have been a better bet for Channel 10 than Saints vs. Port. Have Port ever even had a free-to-air game on a Friday or Saturday night in the last 5 years? And yet, on a weekend when we play a big game on the big stage, we're banished to Foxtel again.