Brayshaws' Helmet

i seem to recall Malthouse breaking Robert Flowers jaw on purpose in preseason a few years back quite deliberately, one would regard that as a slightly larger offense no?

Yep that's the AFL dictatorship for you

Yeah... he kind of makes me want to punch him in the back of the head, whilst he's sipping some coffee

wait... maybe i've turned a couple of chapters at once here... we've gone from bailey as coach into the foreseeable future, to HE'S GONE! I certainly didn't get the feeling he was gone from the article. Im interested to hear that guys 'mail' which is so full proof.

really good read again bhima, when you talk i listen thats for sure. I'd try to contribute something but am flat out before the long weekend... apparently not enough to read demonland though...

Yeah i don't know... i sit on the second level in the southern stand and nobody really seems to enjoy it too much up there, just from the amount of groans and rolled eyes that i continually see when he starts. Also, i don't really think it helps that the guy wears a dark red velvet smoking jacket, doesn't really help the image of melbourne supporters all being range rover driving toss pots. So, in the end not really a fan. Also regarding raising the flag, that should really only be done once at the start of the year. I didn't mind the interview with Robbo though, good to see he still likes the club.

"good times" Grimes or The Sink himself, Tapscott

Maco, firstly welcome Secondly, I understand your point of view that they looked slower, but you always look slower when you don't have the footy. Watching the dees last year play against the swans is a good example of when you have the footy you make the other team look shite. And that's not making excuses, but basically we were outplayed. But don't panic pal, just because it's a new year doesn't mean that the players have played any more games together than last year. There seems to be this extreme expectation that we are going to do well fast but when you have big bodied players like Mitchell hodge sewell playing on, and around the ball, they've played a lot of footy together. My point is, I know you've been patient ( well you haven't for a Melbourne supporter you're only 15) but wait until the players have played more than 40 games with each other before you start doubting. I'm not making excuses as I thought they were in it until the third. But, they've got some serious talent, and when it starts to click, the fear will be in the opposition

Yep good. Op, you think it may just be that he's injured and he wants to be playing?

If brightness is an issue with you guys, i was looking into the sun on the second level of the southern stand and they looked red to me. Maybe it was just my retinas getting permanent sun damage

Think this is a little harsh, i did think the same about maric not offering much, but after getting home and watching the replay, he did some good things, and set up a couple of goals/ shots on, i can't remember if jurrah kicked or missed it. also set up green early. Did some ok tackling as well. And i am big on having jetta and bennell in the team, bennell gives us much needed pace, and Jetta's defensive pressure is actually quite good from my observations. But others may think differently. Having said that, Maric will likely be the man dropped to sub.

Gerard Healey hates us? Have you guys even heard Bryan Taylor commentating a melbourne game?

there was a replay on of the collingwood round 2 game the other day, and i have to say i was getting a little tense, even found myself yelling at the tv a few times.... Im getting pretty antsy

Ughhh.... hangon007, you're like that needy guy at a party who won't leave the hot girl alone. Don't beg, have some damn dignity man!

.... so... 22 wins for the season?

Most of these threads just become "E25 you're crazy" and E25 going "you don't understand, you're not reading hard enough into my thoughts" Having said that personally i don't think that the dees' will have the breakout year that we all are seeming to expect and or wanting, although don't get me wrong i hope to god we win the premiership. But i think we will have a 10 or so wins year, and then the year after will be the charge. I reiterate that would love for a better year than i expect, but i feel around the 9-11 wins will be where we land.

hey bhima, loving your training analysis. Just wondering on a few things if you could fill us in, Colin sylvia seems like he would strive in a leadership role, with extra responsibility you know? From what ive heard he's been training the house down, just enquiring if that had continued?

Waa waa, directing a build up of saliva. Before everyone overreacts can you just look at the facts. He was beaten by a younger kid who's never played a game, id be [censored] off too. Although if you feel like we should keep going on this small fact, someone should get on AM radio about it. Put some concrete in your coffee guys, harden up

Ok, back more caller questions. will just give the answers. Jack fitzpatrick, Todd had lunch with him, has the chronic fatigue under control, put on a little weight, but says remember he has some time to go with putting on muscle. most callers are boring. Max is the other son, Todd says he has a little talent. RELAX GUYS HE"S ONLY 13! Simply put, Todd's role is an important role in between the coaches and the players, players can ask where they sit in the team, ask for feedback, ask for strategies to get better, and answer any questions that they might have. Also a development role The expectations on Watts, and sam blease Blease is slowly coming back, getting work into the leg so he can spend more time on the track to get his fitness up, but he is lightning quick, and a good kick. Watts, he is looking stronger, good below his legs, .... exciting player, this year will see some really good progression. Says there is a fine line between working them hard, and breaking them down too hard. Thats it.

Just on SEN. Todd Viney was on Rundown. Just said it was hard to believe he is in the afl system, still lots of work to go. Club is excited. The need to sign him early was because of. New rule is that GWS can take up to 4 17 year old players without them going into the draft system, hence the early signing. Other clubs had approached Jack to sign him, which made melbourne start early. Jack has had to deal with media before. Adelaide was hoping to get him, using nathan bock at GWS. Adelaide expected more compensation. Jack will focus on school at carey grammar, he is part of the AIS academy squad, 3 week trip to europe next year, he will play some games for oakleigh chargers and or Vic metro. Exciting time for Todd to be back with the dees' Says there's similarities between hawthorn and melbourne before their grand final win. Club's been training for 2 weeks, going not too bad, and most are healthy. Some have had hip operations, training well and enthusiastically. AAMI park is much better than Junction oval, Experienced players now feel like they're professionals instead of a second tier team. Played down the expectations of making finals, still learning and developing. BUT, the talent is there, the game plan is there, the game style is exciting. No official timeline on new captaincy, its nominated by the players, then decided by the board of directors. Likes the way Brent moloney goes about it, is a bit of a leader at training. Callers Max Gawn is on the mend, running well, not too far off being with full training. ....... more after the ad break

Yeah, my bad E25, red that back and it came out more angry then i meant. I was more having a go at phantom drafts in general, unless there is 2 or three stand outs like last year, the rest is just blind luck, i agree

That's why he's getting paid to do it, and you're just a keyboard warrior. I'd love to see what you have in mind, and then compare it once the date comes, and if you have more correct i'll call you KingE25, if you get more wrong ill call you DunceE25.

i would actually trade michael newton for 3 prawn dumplings and 2 spring rolls. please note, that i would be the only one who gets them, and they would not be for sharing.

Essentially going to be asking about David Hale, and un-contracted Matthew Warnock. Talking about the pursuit of Hale Harrington says it is going pleasingly; they're still working hard on it, and so far so good. Melbourne will not be trading pick 12, for 17 hale and their late pick. Melbourne will only trade pick 32 for Hale. He doesn't want to get caught up in the chase, and make any rash decisions about what extra picks they're going to give. Harrington is confident the role Hale could play at Melbourne will open up his game style, and play more of an up and front kind of forward. Says Melbourne need a tall marking forward. Says the new AFL rules make a massive difference when it comes to choosing a tall player, both positively and negatively. Harrington says Warnock is required. And not many people have inquired about him. That's all, really quick interview.

works for me I'll listen and try and give a run down