flog

If I write at length about a subject there's a good chance that I enjoy it.

BTW did you enjoy what you saw in the first quarter of last year's Queens Birthday game?

No, but what relevance does that have on todays game?

There's no doubt in my mind that we can win today but we have to show a lot more than we have over the NAB/practice match series. 

I think that the selected team for today's game is of better quality and better prepared than the 26 man squads we put out on the ground during the pre season games - and in saying that, I'm taking into account our well documented injury problems. Meanwhile, the Hawks have also been hit hard by injuries and, according to yesterday's Herald Sun, they're worse off on the injury front than we are.

Melbourne does have to face a number of barriers to victory, one of which is the need to establish some self-belief after three years of consistently substandard, poor performance. 

The patterns established in our preseason have been mirrored in what's taken place in the two completed games so far. In three of our games, we've gotten off to bright starts in the opening 10 - 15 minutes but have failed to convert on the scoreboard. When the opposition gained the ascendency, such as Essendon in the game at Visy Park, it took full advantage of our wayward kicking for goal and kicked accurately to set up a good lead and leaving us to chase tail. In Thursday night's game, Carlton showed the value of clean, accurate kicking for goal by blitzing the Tigers and forcing them to play catch up football that ultimately finished badly for them.

The other practice match pattern that we displayed was the fade out, generally believed to be a result of younger, lighter and less experienced bodies. This happened in three out of four preseason games (the exception being Adelaide). Similarly, Richmond and Essendon both faded out badly in their respective games against bigger bodied and more mature opposition.

Geelong looked almost down and out when their battle hardened brigade took over and G Ablett Jnr added a little extra to the price tag in the event that a GC17 deal remains unconsummated. 

So if we can produce a good start and convert early, will our younger and lighter bodied side succumb in the end thus spoiling our chances of a victory?

Well, there's an interesting thread on 'ology which is based on a statistic from the Herald Sun which gives Melbourne a slight edge in both age and games played but such statistics can be damn lies. They still don't take into account the make up of the respective teams, the quality of the players or the quality of the games in their legs. How many Demons have played in big finals recently? 

Three of our four newcomers are young kids while none of Hawthorn's newbies are spring chickens. Gibson and Hooper are recycled players with lots of previous AFL experience while Peterson and Kayler-Thomson are into their 20s and have been around the traps for a while. 

The worry clearly remains that we'll be overrun when those chips are down as we often have been in our recent past but if that's our only worry for the day then I would (reluctantly) be prepared to cop it because it's somehting we can easily overcome in the medium term. 

Even then there's no guarantee that this Hawthorn side has what it takes to destroy an opposition. I'm hoping we grab our chances and cause what most in the football world would call an "upset". 

Despite pronouncements to the effect that it's a long road and we must be patient, all of which is true, such a result would really make a difference to the club in terms how the players perceive of themselves and how we, as supporters, perceive of our club which gets me back to the importance to our development of establishing self-belief.

You might be right but fair dinkum WJ, just go to the football and enjoy it!

I will boo until my voice is sore !!! Just as I did for Nathan Bock.

Booing is childish yet amusing. I prefer the more mature way, the Heckle. A few carefully chosen words sent over the fence at your target (boundry throw in's are perfect)works a treat and can even gain some crowd involment. Careful now as the wrong words can very quickly lead to you becoming the heckled. Its a fine line but one worth taking. If all else fails keep half your pie from lunch, find Brocks car and stick it in his exhaust. That should do the trick!

Looking at that Hawthorn team, they don't look particularly strong.

All Melbourne needs is a bit of self-belief and (as the Oracle says) a good start and I reckon we can roll them!

The hawks might be weak but we will need to play better football than the preseason.

Im confident we have a chance but the hawks are not about to roll over and hand us a win.

Number of beers i drink after quarter time to forget about the game... 722

Number of times you go to the toilet after half time..... 305

Number of times i tell a hawthorn supporter the "fire has started".....0

Number of times i sneak one out, only to blame the lady in front...7

Number of times we sing the song...109 (once before the game and 108times afterwoods)

Really this is becoming a joke.

He has finally included a Melbourne player - Aaron Davey at #47 and as the only Demon in the top 50.

Seriously, he has Tippet who may be a good player (has had one season and kicked 50 goals) ahead, Paddy Ryder ahead, Mark Murphy! ahead, Craig Bolton at 33.

I would even argue Barry Hall should not be there based on his last season yet he's ahead of Aaron Davey.

What a waste of space.

I think Mike bases his picks on ability rather than last years form which is debatable. It exsplains barry hall and Tippets selection and even stevie J. On that theory Sylvia is unlucky to not slip in somewhere but in reality Davey at 47 is about right for melbourne players.

Why are we talking about changing a football department that are currently doing a fantastic job and to suggest we should get melbourne people back in is comical. Foget Viney and the rest and support the current football department that are building this club back up from the brink.

Sam Blease excites me.

Thats a bit rich for a saturday

98% of the football world haven't seen it, so we'll refer to you as to whether or not they're consistent in the future.

And LOL @ being consistent, why would they start now?

I Didn't say they were consistant.

If you ever need a reference, come knocking when ever you want

I just spoke too Jack, He will not play this weekend but will play a half a Casey next week and will be a starter in round 2 of the season proper.

You were right, watts to play a half tommorrow for casey. Garland must have pulled up ok. He is set for more game time

It's ridiculous.

Put aside for the moment whether or not this was reportable, how could it possibly be defined as 'perfect' when he obviously made contact with the player above the shoulder and it is therefore a free kick??

The precedent has been set. As long as they are consistant I have no problem with it.

Would you rate Garry Lyon as a legend ?? Well Robbo played more games and kicked more goals. I honestly think it's fair to say Robbo will be regarded as a AFL legend.

Forget the stats, Lyon was twice the footballer robbo was.

I'd prefer JW to muscle up thus increase weight-and yes-I believe we members should get an update on the list changes...at least Cam is showing us what is going on off -field.Height and weight changes show us progress and development but you would not understand that...

Maybe the club could do a biggest loser type thing but call it the biggest gainer. We could track there progress and vote them out if they fall below the yellow line.

As far as I am concerned only A FEW(3) of the above names have truly showed that they are very worthy of their spot playing for the MFC...GRIMES,MORTON, JURRAH, the others still have to prove themselves.Scully, Watts, Blease, Strauss, Trengove(however, I do think he will be a star along with Bennell),Maric,Cheney,-and the ones you have not mentioned--Fitzpatrick,Gysberts,Gawn,all have a long way to go as far as I am concerned. And I am sure most posters would agree with me. We all thought Bartram would have made it... look now.Can you remember the name David Cordner--we thought he would turn out a star along with a lot of other Under 19 players in that premiership area. Not all young players make it in the BIG LEAGUE.THAT IS FACT. .So ...instead of me taking time to think, I think you should crawl, before you Roost it with your opinion and advise..(Practice what you preach- and think before you post..)

only a few have showed promise because only a few have played. Of course they have a long way to go, there all 18. It all comes back to patience of which you have none

Perhaps they are a good reason. There is 20 other reasons too. One in particular I like to watch is "JG" too. He is just as good as reason to go see a game of footy.

The main reason though, should be to support the club unconditionally and enjoy an afternoon of footy for the first time at the G in over 6 months, with the smell of pies, hotdogs & hot chips wafting through the stadium on a great autumn day.

You forgot to mention the delicate sent of flat mid strength beer

Kennedy got off without being charged for the sylvia incident. Find that a little strange after the melbourne football department made a bit of a statement about it. How can a player get a broken jaw from a shepard and the contact be deemed ok?

agreed- and wecall ourselves Deemons..maybe we should change our nickname to Developers or tankers or better still injuries.?

Maybe you should change clubs?

Don't tell me you have sympathy towards the Hawks [censored]?? You must be a lot younger than i. i will never tire of seeing Hawthorn being beaten!!

No, I was at the 87 finals series. I was devestated, I cried, but I don't hold any grudges like you. Im not interested in watching another teams players fall over so we can benefit. Especially given our situation. Having said that if it was a grand final I hope they all bloody fall over.

- latest news re hawks. Roughhead has gone down. If its serious they might struggle to field a team against us round 1.

Really hope he is ok and availible round one. We have a few injuries but the hawks are in a worse situation than us. I thought they were a chance this year but injuries are changing my mind.

Not really, any half wit could have seen this problem comming five years ago. Obviously nobody did.

Could not agree more, our forward line was in decline and we didn't address the issue. I mean [censored], it was that easy to see. We should of just recruited the next Wayne Carey and our problems would of been solved. How could we be so blind. 20.. 30 people in our our football department, all missed it. F####k

I'd just like to register my chagrin in regards to this thread.

It is great that Rudeboy is in a position to help us out with info from time to time, but pleading for him to "put our minds at ease" is a bit over the top.

It's a fine line between that and asking him to abuse his position in Liam's life for our purposes (although I'm sure he's wise enough to not do that).

Threads like this that have ensured I keep my connections to those at MFC well & truly under my hat.

Also to do that and then question the validity of what he says...

Just relax a bit guys.

Enough hysteria and second-guessing and the season is still 2 weeks away.

Edit: just saw Rudeboy's post. But what I said stands.

So...

who are your connections?

Yes he did when he played tac cup for the tassie mariners he kicked bags. He became a backman when he played on David Neitz in a practice match and ripped him up. I mean he dominated Neitz. Jayceebee I agree with that however I think he is destined to be a kpp. We have some damaging wingmen in morton/grimes/scully and even Sylvia. We dont need midfielders, we need backman and forwards. More forwards but its my knowledge that Col will be back in the backline.

He is an interesting option for us and and exciting one at that. He is quite similar to Morton in a way. Height and weight and can play an attacking role out of defence. If Col can return and gain some fitness I can see him going forward and Morton can be left to develop his skills off the half backline were I believe he plays his best football. Either way its adding to our options giving us diffrent setups for differing opponents.

Thanks for the feedback MR Tingles, fingers crossed for the boy.

OK, I am going to say this one more time. STOP TALKING ABOUT HIM GOING FORWARD !!! he only just came back from a serious injury and he has played all his footy in the backline. He was drafted as a utility but has played backline ever since. He is not the answer to our forward problems yet. He needs time to settle in. I doubt he will play forward so please stop demanding it and saying it needs to be done.

Fair call Tingles, it will just be great to have him back playing, back pocket will do me. You say he was drafted as a utility, i seem to remember commentators mentioning he kicked bags of goals as a junior. Is this correct?

If you put it that way, hows he going to cope at casey?

A little overdramatic. Only one way to develop, that is week by week.

Fast tracking his development or letting him develop at his own pace at casey/AFL are two very diffrent things.

Watts development should be pushed ahead not because of Jurruh but because we haven't developed any real forwards for the past 5 years.

How do you supose we fast track his development?

It would be Detrimental to his future to try such a thing. We want a 10year player not a beaten up under confident 21year old.

The loss of Jurruh and our lack of forwards are the same thing.