Adam The God

Frawley was our best defender on Saturday. He's one of the most exciting young players we've got. We're a hard lot to please aren't we? If he was in a black & white jumper or navy blue jumper, people would be raving about him.

Weird, because I was in the same boat (thinking Bate's game was ordinary). I thought he had a shocker, but I guess he must have won a lot of it up the ground, where it's less noticeable (but just as important though!).

Yeah, I wouldn't mind that at all. Jones needs to get better at his decision making. My question is, would Gysberts currently have the build to sustain an AFL match? He's a skinny lad, the last I saw of him.

Err, you really think his game plan is for every kick you must handball? It was pretty clear that due to lack of confidence, they weren't backing themselves and at the same time were making poor decisions, which coupled with young heads and occasional skill errors are bound to turn over the football. You can't seriously think just because we played better today, Bailey changed his game plan. It was the players that were overusing the handball. Their direction is pretty clear- use the handball to spread the play and create space for team mates and the ball carrier. It just worked a lot better today and the players took the game on a lot more. They also attacked every contest, whereas last week they limped to every contest. That's the difference this week. Not a change in game plan. We just happened to witness Bailey's game plan working effectively.

Good point, Forever Faithful. He and Dunn both did well in the ruck against Jolly and Fraser.

I thought Bartram played one of the best games I can remember him playing since 2004.

Newton straightened us up today. He's another target that stays relatively inside 50 most of the game. He may not have been in it much, but his one shot at goal was straight through the middle. He kicked through the ball, so it was good to see. Last season he showed that he can get a lot of opportunities on goal. Today wasn't necessarily his day, but against Adelaide last year (at the 'G), I remember him having quite a few shots on goal and missed some sitters. If he can convert those next week and gets in it a little more, he's still worth a game.

I'd drop Bate for Sylvia. Bennell was very soft at that Davey pass, but as some have said he was lively up forward. I thought it was a good move from the coaching committee. Bennell has to get better at both his accountability (when in defence) and hardness at the football and man. He's only young, we've got to drill that into him. Whereas Bate has had two shockers really. He needs a run in the twos to get some confidence and workrate up. HIs workrate (particularly last week) wasn't good enough. He had absolutely no impact on todays game and if he had, then perhaps that might have been the difference. If we play like we did today against the Crows next week we'll beat them. If you look at our game against the Crows at the 'G early start year, we really pushed them and we're unlucky to loose. This time, I expect much the same, except hopefully a win! We then have Richmond. Bizarrely, had we won today, we may well have been 3-1 after Round 4.

Cameron Schwab is fantastic. Level headed, speaks well and is realistic. We're in great hands with him.

Petterd was fantastic today, but we've got to remember that todays performance was a real team effort. It wasn't just Petterds goals it was just about everyone else in a Melbourne jumper - even contributions. That will make us very, very difficult to beat. We deserved a win today, but nonetheless was very pleased with the performance. Petterd will certainly be a more than handy forward foil for Watts, LJ and Aussie when they return. The most impressive thing for me, regarding Petterd over the last two season is his physicality, his attack on the ball and his ability to keep the ball in the danger zone, our offensive 50. He's a great mark for a player of his size and knows how to kick a goal. I'd have him in my team every time. Well played today, Ricky!

Another Neita would be great, but it's a different game now to what it was in the early to mid 2000s, when he was tearing teams apart. Still, I certainly wouldn't say no.

He might have a higher confidence level, but I don't think he would ever be any better than he was when Neita was around.

There was an article in todays Age saying precisely the opposite. Collingwood, for a long while have relied on a solid group of good players, but never a superstar. Then again, Buckley wasn't too bad. I hope they're right about us though. Something has to give with that many top draft picks. I am confident of the statements potential truth.

This would make a little more sense if the panel hadn't included non-MFC people as well.

Fair enough comment, however he must keep his spot due to our limited resources. If we had a Roughead and Franklin, there would be no need for a Miller. I can understand people (including myself) being frustrated with a certain player.

I would add: - Better decision making.

I'd add Sylvia in there too.

I think Moloney broke it once, but we certainly did break it a couple of times, with really quick ball movement and precise disposal. Moloney, however far too often just kicks it straight up in the air, with little to no direction. We need players like Bate and Trengove delivering inside 50. Bate leading up onto the wings from the flanks and kicking deep inside 50. Moloney is a passionate player, tough and a hard trier, but he wouldn't get a game in many other sides, because he's only got one trick and that's the long, high kick. I think it's a little unfair to single out Moloney has the only one to break the zone, when a couple of other players did it, and often far more effectively.

I disagree. Amazing as it may sound, I thought our skills were noticeably improved from the previous 3 or 4 seasons. We didn't turn the ball over too many times when under no pressure (like we did in previous seasons). The issues on Saturday were quite obviously intensity and decision making. Neither of which were good enough. The intensity was non existent and many of the players consistently made poor decision, which then affected their overall disposal output. We need to weed out the poor decision makers (Yes, I will name names: Jones, Miller, Bate, these types) and either make sure they're not isolated or ensure that they learn to make the right decisions (some would argue this cannot be taught). This may be fixed with players that follow team rules. I would play Newton every time over Miller. The latter has had numerous seasons in which to cement his spot and has shown he's not good enough. Newton deserves (possibly) his last chance to establish an AFL career. I said a couple of times during last season that had he kicked goals (instead of behinds) early on in the season, he would have been a different player, come the end of last season. So he needs to start well this week. But at least he has a decent pair of hands and has the ability (IMO) to receive a lot of the ball. If he kicks straight he could well kick bags of goals. Sorry for the digression, but Bailey and his match committee have made the correct decision dropping Miller and player Newton. Good luck to Dean on the weekend and all the players. The major aspect of the game I will be concerned with is intensity around the footy and decision making.

I think J Trengove might have something to say about this. That said, Trengove and Scully are different types of midfielders. Potentially a pointless comparison. Scully backing into the pack is a fantastic example of his courage and endeavour, but Trengove's game was even more promising IMO. I love them both and I hoep they both have extremely long MFC careers. If they don't, we're in a bit of trouble.

It's a very good point this. I generally sit within the "give it time" camp, but you're right, all the players on our list should be able to execute the fundamental skills of the game consistently (otherwise I may as well get out there myself). However, the pressure these players are under is relevant to their execution of skills, but often the direction seems to be to handball and when they do, it ends up placing them in more trouble. Once in this position they then commit skill errors. The blame for this should really be placed upon Bailey, now that he's basically built his own list. As for contract negotiations, I don't believe a word of it. Alright, so it hasn't been signed but it will be.

The Wiz to Freo for me. He was my favourite player for many years.

Watts seems fine with similar attention and famed jumper number, I don't see why Scully wouldn't be able to handle it.

Go jacky baby!

The more I think about it, the more Tapscott reminds me of Col Sylvia. To me, Luke stood out the most of the South Australian's against Vic Metro, back in July at the Championships, so I was excited to hear his name called out.