Binmans PA

Yeah, I hope he gets a senior game soon. I can't wait to see how he goes.

I think Wheels has still got at least 3 good years left in him. He might be slowly down a little bit with injury, but he's still one of our best players. He's always solid and leads from the front with his tackling and hard at it style of play. His presence in and around the team is important for not only our emerging backs, but all our youngsters.

Jared Rivers did rather well in the competition in '04 though.

The "captain's goal" being a leadership goal, in a big moment of a big match.

This is true. Hence the word, generally.:D One must admit Neita did have the ability to kick the captains goal though, whereas I don't remember Millsy really stepping up and kicking one, when we were in desperate need.

Whilst, I will admit there have been a few times (particularly last year), when I have questioned Bailey's ability as a senior coach, overall, I think he's doing a pretty good job. It's too difficult to tell really. We're not really looking to win games this season, rather trying to get games into our youngsters. In two or three years, that's when we can truly judge him as a coach. I'd give him another two year contract at the end of this one. Especially, paradoxically, if we win the wooden spoon (and less than 5 games), because it really is a case of "winning" the wooden spoon this year.

This kid is a beauty and you could tell from his very first match last year he had something special. I had no idea he'd racked up 30 odd on the weekend though, until I read the figures today. I knew he was prominent, but I thought Jones was more effective the other day. When they interviewed Cale before the game, they touted him as a potential key position player. I'm not sure I'd want him playing there. I think Bails has his position right at the moment. That said, when he beefs up, I certainly wouldn't be against the idea of throwing him up forward. He's a good kick, but probably a better kick to kick, rather than shot on goal. He's probably our most exciting young midfielder. IMO anyway.

I'd agree with you MelbournePassion, then again we are slightly biased.

That's true. I'm with that. Beat our biggest foes. As for Bails taking off our two players, would that have been Flash sitting off for ten mins (I did notice that, but it didn't even occur to me-good man;)). Who was the other one? Brucey?

Yeah, I noticed this as well. I got the feeling he was taking the [censored], because a few moment later he said something along the lines of "Brad Miller got the goal that time". There were a few moments like that in the call. Either he's got no idea what he's taking about or he's taking the [censored]. Either one is plausible.

Unfortunately, it'll be between the late 20,000s and the early 30s. There's still too many Melbourne supporters that don't come to every game. Alright, buy a membership, but we also need them there on the day, otherwise we write out a check to the AFL every time.

Adam Goodes was or is Captain for Sydney isn't he?

Spot on. I'm right with you.

I think it's more a case of handling our list cleverly. I think that's what they're doing. I was told by someone close to Wattsy that he'd play round 4 or 5 and they obviously changed their minds on that one. Now they're saying Round 11 apparently. This is an example of clever list management. I would say give Watts a go even latter than Round 11, but anywho, I suppose we'll have to give him at least 10 games this year. I'd say they'll be careful with one of our best and most promising defenders (although they're all very promising) Colin Garland and won't rush him back either. I think we've certainly tried our guts out, the last 3 or 4 weeks and probably the entire season and our skill errors have ensured that we haven't won some of them (ie certainly Adelaide and probably the Eagles too). I'd expect though, that nearing the end of the season, our skill errors will begin to drop off and we might just be in danger of winning in an upset or two. I just had another look at our fixture and we could easily win at least 7 games this year.

I think we can win 5 or 6, which worries me. I love my Demons and I go every week, but I've been going every week for the last 15 or so years and it's time for success. Success is very very achievable if we gain #1 and #2 picks in next years national draft. The greater question should be: If Round 22 comes around and we're in a winning position at three quarter time, Watts has bagged 5 (oh, I dream;)) and we've won 4 games for the season, is there any point in winning that last game? Should we do what Carlton did a few years back and take off certain players or manage the list in a certain way? Personally, I think we should. Because if we can get another key position Watts type player (potentially John Butcher) and a Judd-esque midfield type like Tom Scully, in 3 or 4 years we'll be lifting a trophy. I know it sounds terrible, but with the Gold Coast and potentially Western Sydney draft concessions over the next 5 years, we won't have a chance to continue our re build phase. At the moment, I still think we lack another key position tall; a forward and a pacy midfielder and have thought so since before last year. Now that we have Watts, we have a chance to build a power team. Watts isn't going to win us a premiership by himself, he'll need others. The Mortons, Jones', Moloney's and the McLean's will support someone like Scully with their grit and determination and Davey, Buckley and Bartram etc can provide the pace from the back. We have an extremely promising backline with key talls Col Garland, Matty Warnock, Jared Rivers, James Frawley, Stef Martin supporting pacey smalls like Matty Wheels, Jamie Bennell and (by the way, isn't Sean Wellman doing a terrific job with the backhalf?). We're finally building depth at the back, that has barely ever been there in my life time (21 years). Another thing about the new Demons and reasons to be positive for the future, is that finally we seem to know exactly who we want to draft and we seem to be getting it right. I loved Daniher but for years during his era, we seemed to consistently draft the wrong types of players. Granted, a lot of that is to do with the incredibly overrated Craig Cameron, but Dean Bailey and Barry seem to know the right attributes our new players need. We needed a pace injection and what did we get this year? Pace and a key forward, which we clearly needed. Anywho, sorry about that. I went off into a fantastical ramble. I'll try to contain that from now on.

Bennell and Watts will almost certainly get one this year.

Carn the reds.

He's a Collingwood man. He's a [censored] who seems to be there for comedy relief. Much like Sam Newman. No one really respects him or takes real notice of what he says. I miss the old days of Clinton Grybas.

Not sure if anyone else has said this, but he'd have to be one of the quickest players I've ever seen. Yes, it's a big call, but the first time I noticed his pace was at one stage during Round 1, when he broke through a pack against North, with a burst of speed. I was very excited by his game the other day. He's going to be a beauty.

I don't agree with the Macca decision, as we still need onfield leadership, but Wheels should definitely come back in. I'd forgotten him, but he's one of my favourites and was solid against Coburg two weeks ago. His grunt will be a handy addition to the backhalf. He'd have to be one of our best tacklers wouldn't he? As for Belly, he's not horrible, but I don't think he's quite good enough.

The thing about Miller is his kicking. I certainly can't fault him this week, as he kicked beautifully, but he's too on and off and too many of those pack marks go through his hands. Don't get me wrong, I like Millsy and I think he's a great trier and is always a tough-nut, but like Macca, his skills let him down too often. That was generally the beauty of Neita. When we needed a captains goal he would deliver, I don't think I could say the same for Millsy. That said, bring Watts in and stick up at Full Forward and push Millsy out and I could easily see him play the role he played across half forward in the latter Daniher years. But as a captain, I don't think so. As a leader, I'm all for him, but as the main man, I'm not so sure. On the McLean thing, I agree, it is sad. At the end of 2004 we were all talking him up, now his lack of pace around the ground and generally his disposal efficiency lets him down. Did you see at one stage on the weekend he had the ball three times within a minute and all three were ineffective disposals? That said, he's still a ball magnet (like Jonesy), all we need to do is stick a bit of pace around him (ala a Chris Judd or a Tom Scully- potential #1 pick this year) and all of a sudden he could be a superstar. Much like Sam Mitchell. The latter's not quick, but he is still one of the leagues premier midfielders (and always kills us). However, Mitchell (unlike perhaps Brock) is a good decision maker. I digress...

We certainly lacked a bit of chase and forward line pressure against the Eagles, so I'd like to see Jetta given another run, but in place of whom? Maric clearly played his most promising game of his short career thus far. Robbo is an automatica starter (but probably has to do more this week, something like a bag of 5 or 6). As for the defensive half, it's a pity Frawley got injured, as his height (although not a factor against a smallish Bulldog forwardline) and mobility would have been extremely handy. I'd expect Cheney to come in this week as well. I'd definitely drop Bate, as his chasing the other day was non exsistent and he didn't seem particularly interested at all. Furthermore, even though Sylvia played in patches the other day, as a 6 year player should be starting to play consistant football, rather than in patches, so I'd give him a run in the 2s as well (perhaps a direct swap for Jetta?).

Grimes showed some good signs against the Eagles. He's worth another run this week.

I love Macca, but his skills let him down too often to be captain for the long term (yes, I know he may even retire after this year). The man that leads the team consistently every week is 'Flash' Davey. He does the chasing, the smothering and 90%, if not more, of his disposals are effective. He is now playing almost the Luke Hodge quarterback role, except running around by himself. He leads from the front and should be rewarded. Okay, so last year wasn't his best season, but he's not alone there. I suppose my second vote would be for Greeny. That said, on this seasons performance, Aaron's so far ahead it's not funny (even though Greeny has been injured).