praha

I've said that about 56 times. And every time I was called an idiot.

I think this thread consists of two different groups. A. A group that has been supporting Melbourne for so long and is in denial that the club could make a mistake. They're delirious with failure. or B. Realists who don't deny he is crap, but that recent evidence (poor form) MAY dictate that he IS crap. In other words, then rely on current form to make an assessment of a POSSIBLE future.

He didn't "desert" us. He asked for a trade back to his home town, but said if we couldn't get a good trade then he'd be happy to stay. Can't remember what we got in return, but the MFC obviously liked it, so they made the trade. It's not like he had a sissy fit like CJ or Brock. He was class all the way in his request. I'd be more than happy for him to come back.

We've won 2 in a row, it's on the big stage on a Saturday night in front of a big crowd, against a good, flying team. It's the best chance we've had for our new, young crop to play against tough opposition while we're on a roll. It's their biggest challenge. Nothing between 2007-2009 was as important as this.

We will know more about this team at 11pm on Saturday night. The game against Collingwood was great, no doubt, and to see this young team bounce back against a finals contender who had beaten the premiership favourite the week before was amazing. But. It took us all of 4 quarters to put away a team heavily battered by injuries. And we just flogged the worst team in the competition by 10 goals. I want to see how this team performs on the big stage against a big and good team in front of a big crowd when they're (Melbourne) on a role. Consistency is the next step here. Once we get that winning feeling, it's a matter of building it up. We won't win every game from here on in and probably won't make the finals, but consistency is important. That is something that has hampered this team for the past 12 years. I personally don't expect a win against Brisbane. I'm sure we can win, and we might, but I don't think we will. But all I want is an enthralling contest. I don't want to see this team go back to Round 1 against Hawthorn. This is Melbourne's most important game since 2006.

Hmm, you'd hope that two midfielders would be hitting each other up often considering our run and carry gameplay. It happens every now and then, but it's not that out of the norm.

Yeah, he's having a great year so far.

No Paypal? You should really look into setting it up. No one buys stuff via mail anymore

We made an epic tumble in 2007. We were essentially the best chance of bringing the cup back to Melbourne. http://www.afl.com.au/Season2007/News/NewsArticle/tabid/7415/Default.aspx?newsId=38807 I remember reading an article in the age that had us as favourite. How it all changed so quickly!

I'll drink to that. Good post.

North have never had a strong supporter base. Even in the 90s when they were flying. I think in their case they'll either survive or die completely. I personally don't want them to die. I think that for every club that dies (especially Melbourne teams) a part of the game's heart goes away with them. The AFL officially became a heartless, money-craving organisation when Fitzroy merged.

Umm...tourism? Tasmania sponsors Hawthorn.

To sit with all the Melbourne fans, your best bet is from the MCC, right along the wing past the goals at the Punt Rd. end, to the pocket. I sit right on the wing in the Southern Stand, first level, right in front of the Red Rooster.

I will be exploited. If they are to implement it, they need to have a non-club doctor hired by the AFL at every game that can determine whether or not a player can go back on the ground. If a player is suddenly available before a match but it's too late to include him, they can substitute him mid-game for a player that has a cut on his head, but they'll say he is concussed.

I was in the Southern Stand and it sounded fine.

Morton is no where near ready to return.

Massive, MASSIVE facepalm for this post. Macdonald was dumped from Brisbane for a reason. He is not and cannot be part of our long term plans. He's essentially another Craig Ellis. Expect him to be around for maximum 3 years. Rivers is ahead of him at every turn.

What a silly thread. He's still at Melbourne because of Pia. No man in their right would dump a player with a wife like that.

Grimes.

We should win by 4-5 goals. Not by much. We don't have the strength up forward still. Our mids have to step-up and kick most of our goals, and lots of them.

Hmm, I hate to be so negative, but at the end of the day, we still struggled to beat a side that was severally hampered by injury, and with no bench. We played good, not great.

We got 39,000 and 40,000 when we played Adelaide in 06 and West Coke in 05 when we were at the top of our game.

5-6.

I guess you've never visited Bay 13 then?

I don't really care if we're top 8 after 4 rounds. Nor do I really care if we are top 8 at the end of the year. As long as we play consistent football and our young guns put in performances and lead the side like they did today, then my expectations will rise. But atm, playing good football is more important than ladder position imo.