Adam The God

I'd agree on most of the outs to be honest. I'd also look to trade, but I'd doubt you'd get much for the aforementioned players. Even though Jamar was horrid week one, he was decent in the ruck yesterday. We don't seem to have enough rucking depth (due to injuries mostly) to cover a trade for him, unless of course we traded like for like, which I can't really envisage happening. The more I think about it, the more I think we should be spending big on a 24-25 year old midfield gun that we can solidify a midfield around, much like Carlton did with Judd. Of course, easier said than done, but I think our back-half lacks confidence and will be alright if they get their heads in the right place. The forward-line will be alright with Clark, Watts, Jurrah and say a Tapscott (note Gerard Healy's apt assessment of Watts yesterday - Riewoldt was playing on a wing at the same stage in his development). If Magner can continue his form, he looks like a Brad Sewell-esque clearance specialist (that can perform on any ground - unlike say a Moloney). I'd love to see Couch get some gametime next week. All of a sudden, throw Trengove, Grimes (with match fitness) and a speedy outside mid with slick skills and you start to have the bones of a good midfield. At this stage our effort is not there and we lack inspiration. There is and has been a dreadful culture within the MFC for many years that must be eradicated, within the next two years, otherwise we haven't a chance in hell of winning a flag. It's not all doom and gloom, but there's no doubting we need wholesale changes come years end.

At that stage, it seemed if the midfield had no one to kick to there'd be no point in a midfield. Therefore, drafting talls was the go. That said, I'm not sold on BP drafting at all. Meanwhile, Craig Cameron couldn't have done a worse job as recruiting manager. I still find it staggering that he has such a top reputation.

What a rubbish topic. Curses? Really? Almost as ridiculous as some guy coming back from the dead...

He's been decent, although his first effort when Bennell kicked the ball down his throat was pitiful.

To be honest, most of them have been clumsy free kicks that were there. The last goal however was [censored] abhorrent. Definitely ducked into it.

It's our disposal across the entire ground. Outside of say Watts and Trengove, we rarely hit targets.

He's trying to implement a game plan that is outdated and doesn't suit our cattle. We can't afford another two to three year build.

Probably has something to do with the four million dollars we're paying him to be a full forward...

He was trying to implement a gameplan that was out-dated. Now Neeld is trying to do the same thing. We'll be bottom four for the next half decade.

God we're [censored] hopeless. Get Grimes out of the backline. Most of our players cannot hit 15 metre targets without pressure. Pathetic. How have we not worked out how to clear the forward press? No structure, no hardness (no tackles are sticking - weak), no crumbers.

If Grimes's body can hack it, he should definitely be playing there. I sense they're a little worried about him breaking down, hence him playing back. Gysberts and Tapscott should certainly join him. Gysberts is too slight though, but arguably our most promising young midfielder (along with Trenners). Tapscott will bring much need kicking penetration. Magner certainly deserves his spot. I really like what I saw today and through the NAB cup. The major void seems to be speed from the stoppages. So for the inside mids, I'd be looking at: Gysberts, Tapscott, Magner, Grimes and probably Couch as extractors. I reckon McKenzie is also worth a game. Needs to improve his kicking, but so does just about every player. The outside, pacey mids would have to come from: Blease, Watts (although he showed he could extract it as well today and certainly has the speed) and potentially even Dan Nicholson. So it's pace and strength we're desperately lacking (let's start there at least). We need pacey crumbers in the forward half too. Don't have them. Stick them under Clark's nose. LJ will also hopefully make a huge difference when he comes back. Apologises, rambled a bit there.

He probably didn't want to move Clark and put him in rucking danger, as we're paying the guy $4mill to play as a KPF. Meanwhile, Watts did play deep for a bit.

We have a habit of attracting a lot of media attention. Perfect for sponsors.

Exactly.

Yeah. Certainly did. Tynan and Blease aren't big enough to be playing AFL footy at the moment. Today showed that.

Wow, condescension. Nice. He did it at least twice, possibly three times.

Thought he panicked big time, a couple of times.

Although, I think someone of Clark's physique is essential to our forward make up going forward, it might make it difficult to go out and get a Judd-type boom recruit for our midfield. But I reckon over the next two to three years we need to get one.

Only problem with Grimes to the midfield is that he doesn't have the endurance for the position, otherwise they would have played him there earlier. The one time he started in the midfield, he did a hamstring after 5 minutes.

Really good observations, H. How in hell can you win consistently when you're taking such risk from the back half, lacking class in the midfield and a solid forward structure?

Sorry to just dig into one player, but I thought Jamar was absolutely pitiful today. He won two taps for the entire game from memory, although he did set up Watts' goal with a good bit of scramble. Meanwhile, Stef was winning at least a line share of his taps, but wasn't in there long enough to make an impact. Jamar doesn't provide enough up forward and once beaten in the ruck, offers very little anywhere else. The midfield group is to blame too, but Jamar had a very poor game today. Worse almost than the old Jamar. I just hope he is under-done, otherwise he's lost it again.

Perhaps I'm being harsh, but I thought Tynan was pretty soft on a couple of occasions. Shirked the contest.

Davey wasn't great, but he gave it more than half the team.

I would have thought it's pretty obvious what we intend to do with Clark. He'll play KPF the majority of the year with occasional ruck duties inside forward 50. If one of our ruckmen go down then he might be forced to play that role, but I doubt it. More likely they'll bring Gawn or Spencer in. The entire point of trading for Clark was to get a KPF.

I'm no a hater at all. Love Rivers' work, but this year he was shown up for pace. That is undeniable. His kicking at times can be superb, while on other occasions it leaves a lot to be desired. He's not the only one, I guess. So let's just concentrate on the pace issue. Definitely is one. He still reads the play superbly, but does struggle to get to some contests as a result of his pace.