Adam The God

Anyone who says we didn't lack depth before the game should be rethinking it after that game. I'm not even that [censored] off. We have a C grade midfield, with older blokes that make error after error and Hawthorn will punish you like no other. Our older blokes won't run hard enough to give their team mates an option and our younger blokes (who are showing the way with their cleaner, more effective disposal and attack on the ball) don't currently have the fitness base to run out games. Tyson (clearly carrying an injury) got a lot more of it in the last and we looked a bit better. I noticed someone said in the game day thread that we need Jones and Tyson firing and it sounds obvious, but when they're not on song, we just have too many of those aforementioned holes.

They better put up a good showing for those of us going along. I'll be mighty [censored] off if we get flogged now, because it sends a pathetic message to the rest of the group.

He's totally worth that and sometimes you have a to pay a bit more to get what you desperately need.

We need to set up in a way that either makes neutralising the opposition stoppages easier or our midfielders need to anticipate the opposition ruckman in a better way. The amount of times oppositions used to read taps of Jeff White and yet our mids have never been able to do this.

We'll agree to disagree there then. I think Kent and Jetta's injuries have shown our severe lack of depth, along with the fact that we've had to bring in Matt Jones, Grimes and Bail. Their inclusions speak volumes. We've gone from a D grade midfield last year to a C grade midfield this year. It's ultimately a very young midfield too.

And in some ways, it's been great to test ourselves against the top teams early on this year, rather than have a draw that is divided by a soft start and a tough run home. We haven't had a run of cheapies. I'm really hoping we can win 8 games this year. I'd be pretty happy with our progress. We could also point to this as evidence of improvement to lure prospective young mids. If we managed this, we'll have improved our depth significantly and we can push for finals next year. Or at least the cusp of finals.

Sat a couple of rows in front of him in the MCC a couple of weeks back. He looked the same as I remember him, but I didn't catch him on 7 tonight. Loved him as coach.

Except when we lost by about 12 points 4 or 5 years ago.

Disagree. We're another two years off having solid depth. I know what will have happened. We'll have spent $700,000 more than we should have.

Lol. Why is Watts being brought into this?

Well, let's just wait and see first. I think we can keep in under 35 points and if everything goes our way, we can get within a couple of kicks, perhaps even give the game a shake.

Agreed.

We won the contested and uncontested possessions that day I believe. We just kicked at goal like an under 12 side. EDIT. And had the same amount of scoring shots.

It takes time I'm afraid. In two years time, if we're still in the same position I'll be very worried. Given the list Roos inherited, I think he's done very well so far to turn the list over and bring in some B graders.

It's possible that we haven't offered him a deal.

I think it was Howe for pick 7. I would have jumped at it, myself. EDIT. Sorry, a little late on that reply.

I don't wish to fuel the digression much further, but to be fair to Jack, there aren't many players that have had to deal with the same level of scrutiny that he has. So I don't agree entirely with the weak mindedness. The AFL endorsed article on Watts being dropped is a prime example of this scrutiny though. Who else gets articles written about them when they get dropped? Absolute A graders perhaps, but Watts hasn't delivered to that level and yet still gets 'microscoped'. Does Scully? Does Naitanui? It's a tired conversation and I know we've all been at it for years. I am in the boat of being an MFC supporter utterly frustrated by Jack's lack of physicality and at times concentration, but ultimately due to his creativity, I wonder whether he should be playing this week. Particularly, when Hawthorn have a few soft outsiders themselves.

I go every week, including to some interstate games and it frustrates the hell out of me when some 'supporters' find any excuse under the sun not to attend a game. It's pathetic. Particularly if they have the money. And whilst I agree with the rest of your post, LDVC, the players earn a bloody good wage and should turn up irrespective of whether the supporters do. It's their job.

Indeed.

I don't think you could play Hogan at FF. He's too important to halving contests up the field. Unless of course, Dawes starts taking grabs or bringing the ball to his feet in a constructive manner. Not sure you could say this about Jeremy Howe. How (pardon the pun) he continues to get games is beyond me. Given Watts has finally been dropped, I wonder whether Howe is next to go if he dishes up another performance of jogging and fading in and out of the game.

But I think you back yourself in to draft a 250 game A grader, otherwise what are we doing? We need A graders. If our recruiting department think there's a ten year A grade prospect in the top 5, I'd rather go for them. Unless of course there's a chance we can get Shiel, Prestia or Treloar, which I can't see happening.

Agreed.

He's certainly not the bloke I'd be giving up a top 5 pick for.

He's on the cusp, but a B grader, IMO.

For a B grader? I wouldn't.