Binmans PA

I'll tell you, next week it's going to get ugly. 100 point loss, nothing surer. Our midfield is not just low on genuine ball winners, it's coached horribly. I don't believe in the zone, but if it were to ever work, it would certainly need work rate from the midfield. I dread to even comprehend next week.

We talk about replacing Moloney's big body in the midfield...we had a guy out there today with a big body, who can influence the contest when he feels like it and is a far more talented player than Moloney. His issues are essentially the same as the former's though. It's between the ears. His name is Colin Sylvia.

Talk about encourage supporter discontent. Pathetic comments. It's as if he has no idea where we've been since 2007. Have some respect for the supporter base. "We thought that under five goals on the road was a positive". Supporters won't cop this sort of defeatist attitude. I certainly won't. He is constantly attempting to 'measure' expectations, to the point where it will negatively impact player performance and is undoubtedly fostering complacency within the club.

Positives: * The continued form of Evans. Knows where to go, has great skills. How was that pass on his wrong foot to Watts? * Garland beat his man again and backed up his GWS form. * Watts showed a little bit. Attacked some of the contests. His sublime kicking for goal didn't surprise me. Has to play forward again next week. * Despite the negative talk on here, I thought Trengove's game for the majority was actually really impressive, minus one or two hiccups here and there. * Gawn's kicking for goal and general work rate. * Some of our early ball movement, particularly in the first quarter. * Some of Matt Jones' stoppage work. Negatives: * The work rate is still abysmal. Particularly by our midfield. * The zonal stuff is not working. Get rid of it. Teach our players to play one on one football. * The stoppage set ups are STILL yet to be addressed. This makes say a Jordie McKenzie look even slower. * Sylvia can't get it done again. Went missing for large patches and struggled to influence the game. * Tom McDonald worked himself into the game and had a reasonably second half. His first half was appalling. * Lazy turn overs - a number of kicks into the man on the mark. One certainly directly resulted in a Brisbane goal. * Jamar's inability to both tap past his feet and create a contest outside of the centre square. He kicked one long, good goal (two contested marks in two weeks for the first time since probably 2010), but his lack of pace consistently makes him a liability around the ground.

Strongly disagree. His disposal was generally pretty good today. He turned it over two, maybe three times, but won it plenty and continues to rack up the tackles. Can't believe we're having a go at Trengove. There were probably 13 or 14 others today who were very, very ordinary. Trengove's B grade. Once he's up to full fitness and the overloading takes less toll on his lower body, he'll elevate himself to A grade. Least of our problems. He doesn't turn it over like his co-captain. My god.

Thought he beat Brown. Pretty harsh. The midfield was hopeless again. Neeld and his team (ie Royal) have yet to improve our set ups from stoppages. The players don't work hard enough and our defenders are exposed on the fast break or have nobody to kick it to once they've won the ball back.

If this is true, how long has Greaves been in the role? We certainly showed no signs of structure improvement in the midfield last week. Still horribly disorganised.

Glad he's gone. Simple as that.

Sorry to be argumentative, but I'd disagree with this. It's pressure acts, providing a contest and importantly structure. I'll agree, he gave away two or three free kicks, but his leadership is unquestionable. I felt he struggled in the contested marking situation, but he was rarely outmarked and the ball usually fell to the deck. Well, we were talking about the final quarter and upon re-watching that the other day, I wouldn't be surprised if roughly 50% of our attacking thrusts in the final quarter were directed at Gawn. Naturally, we didn't need to go there all the time, because our midfielders were kicking goals themselves, but if that midfield pressure is heightened, we'll need a tall target who can take contested marks. I'm glad Gawn proved he can take contested marks (as he should, 209cm isn't he?), which should give Gawn and the guys kicking it into him this week, confidence that he can get the job done.I wish they'd bring Spencer in to ruck along with Gawn too, but the FD seem to like Jamar. Can't see it happening unfortunately.

We did actually. Scully and Trengove both missed the game down at Geelong, the now infamous 186. Admittedly, it was Round 12, not after Round 4. They seem to be managing young Jack well.

It depends how the rest of the team is moving and whether they're presenting options.

I'd say it's excellent in fact. It's been that way for a while now.

We were still bombing it to the square to Gawn though, Chook. Yes, Gawn doesn't carry the same focus as Mitch, but I think we'll really struggle to kick a winning score this weekend. Even if Clark isn't kicking bags, he straightens us up significantly.

You obviously missed his Franklinesque run down the boundary line and pass to Pedo? He didn't hold onto his contested marks last week, I'll agree, but he was playing hampered by injury and was still able to influence the game in stanzas.

We talk about important pieces of the MFC puzzle. Long term, he's essentially the top piece for me. Yes, we need an A grade midfield, but I still consider him the premier defender in the league. Put a decent midfield in front him and he'll be a devastating prospect. He's a Dustin Fletcher with line-breaking ability.

I've been waiting for this. It's actually my biggest MFC footy fear at the moment. We must retain him. He's the only genuine A grade defender I've seen at Melbourne in 25 years. Offer him a four year deal, a five year deal if it'll get him over the line.

Yeah, it appears to be all about ego. I don't think this thread will reveal anything though, DG. However, I will watch it with interest.

He's an arrogant little fella, Seedsman. I used to coach his brother and saw quite a bit of him around the traps. He didn't look that built today, but seems to be doing well though and is not shown up in his contested footy.

I agree.

Completely agree, THBT. I thought I could see where we were going after that victory. I haven't seen it since though. I hope I see it this weekend against, it must be said, an injury hit bottom 6 side.

Nothing has changed just because we smashed GWS in one quarter. Neeld knows this. We have to turn up on Sunday, otherwise it will have all been for nought.

Who's going to kick our goals though? We're not playing GWS this week.

You're quite right.

You could well be right, RGRS, but my impression of Barry is that he'll play the flanks offensively and defensively. Of course, I could be wrong. Either way, I've said midfielders seem to be hard to draft, small forward is one position we've had some talented players in. I wouldn't be utilising free agency cash to lure a small forward unless we were certain of being unable to attract a decent FA mid. I'd prefer to go the rookie draft or pre season draft.

Woey was gone two years later and had one superb season with us. He was A grade for one season I reckon. While Yze was a great talent, but would go missing in big games. Had the skills and x-factor of the very best, but not the consistency IMO.