The Chazz

I thoroughly enjoyed it actually. For me it showed just how hard it must be for these elite athletes. Regardless of skill level, the sarifice these blokes have to make is massive. yeah sure, they earn big dollars for doing so, but sometimes, and especially in Ben's case, the big dollars played a part in his issues. While we all like to think these guys will remain angels off-field, the temptation is too great for some, with that temptation turning in to an addiciton in this case. For a young guy that had the world at his feet at such a young age, you can see how easy it was for him to get caught up in the circles he did. To some degree, he'd probably be honoured that a few of the underworld figures wanted to get involved in his life. I'm pretty sure that if a Mick Gatteau wanted to meet me for a coffee I'd go, most in here would be the same. No doubt they were offering the playboy lifestyle that a lot of us dreamt about - hot girls, fast cars, pretty much being bullet-proof, endless amounts of cash, etc, unfortuantely that life comes at a cost. Regardless of what people think about his cheeky smirk or whatever, that's Ben Cousins. While I hope to god that my kids don't go down the same path as he did, I do respect him for coming out and being able to face all these issues in the public eye, regardless of how it is received. I do have serious questions about the West Coast Eagles Football Club - how could they allow this culture at their Club? One thing I will say, let's not forget the fact that we (Melbourne FC) have players that would have the same temptations every week. Lets hope that one of our blokes doesn't go off the rails, especially when we start to become successful and the players are more recognised in the public.

Really? Of course they would be, but it wouldn't have anything to do with how it was done, more the fact that they wont be playing alongside him next year. Sam Blease even made a similar comment on Twitter about how it was a shame he didn't get to play in the same team as him. I just hope the kids we have got realise that they have to make the most of their opportunity, because this AFL caper is a bloody tough business. Once Watts, Scully, Trengove and co mature, our Club will not except inconsistencies, and will be ruthless where required. They are in a situation now where they can learn that and to some degree get away with it (or the sake of getting games in to them), but that attitude wont last forever.

Summed it up. I'm being harsh, but realistic. We showed glimpses of what we could be like when we are "good", and I like it! But, we are coming off 2 wooden spoons, and have taken a great step forward this year. But it also could mean other teams have dropped off too. Let's face it, we have only been a genuine premiership threat twice in the past 30 years. I believe if we made it in 1987 we would have won it. I have this debate with Carlton friends who reckon they had it regardless of who they played, I disagree. The only other time would be in 1998, when we flogged Adelaide in the first final by 8 goals, pumped St Kilda in the next final by a similar amount, but lost to Norf under lights in the Prelim (back when they used to get a heap of night games, and it was bloody near impossible to beat them in the dark!). For the other years, we haven't been a serious contender, especially since 2000, hence our bad away records. Oh gee, I'm sure this one will generate some discussion!

Sorry Geddy, just saw your post. We are on the same wavelength though!

Been MIA for a couple of weeks, but am back! Just a couple of things I want to mention in regards to this thread; * How can you blame the current Football Department for our decade-long, pathetic performances in SA? Bailey's first 2 years lacked wins at all, let alone a rare interstate win! I think next year we MIGHT win 1 game in both SA & WA, but I'm not holding my breath. * For the remainder of the decade where Bailey can't be used as an excuse, you need to look at our opportunities that we had to win in SA. For 4 years (roughly 2002-2005), Port were a powerhouse (although they only managed the 1 flag). How many minor premierships did they win in this time? Also, throw in the act they made the GF again in 2007, this shows just how consistent they have been over the past decade, and how bloody hard they are to beat at home. We also need to look at how Adelaide were travelling in this decade, especially when you compare them to us. I think you will find that while our interstate record is currently sh!thouse, we wouldn't be on our own. While other Vic clubs may have won in SA and WA, of the battling teams, how many have they actually won? Until Geelong changed the trend, the first decade of 2000 was fast becoming the decade that saw this great game stamp itself as a national competition. For many years, a Victorian-based team struggled to fill 1 of the top 4 sides at seasons end, proving the dominant performances of the interstate ones. Now, because of drafting and list changes/retirements/etc, it's the Victorian teams that are creating the "home ground advantage". We are still a way off this yet, but it is coming. FWIW, I actually think Port and Adelaide are better teams than us, it's just that we've had a better year. That said, I think both tenants of Moron Park will struggle for a few years to come, and this will no doubt see our away record improve significantly.

I was thinking the opposite with Green and Trengove, bloody spuds, Green needed to kick 1 more, and don't even get me started on JT, didn't trouble the goal scorer sheet at all. Would have been 4 out of 4 if it wasn't for those 2 blokes.

So who ended up with the best prediction/s of the week? I'll take the margin victory as I posted it before Belz! Copy cat!!!

I actually think our kick-ins have improved over the past month, and it is no coincidence that we are winnng more games, and kicking higher scores. While I still think we can improve in the speed that we get it back in to play sometimes, I think that will come as players gain more confidence playing with each other and knowing how each player thinks/plays. I watched the game live on Channel 7 yesterday (QLD), and Bruce and Dennis continually praised Melbourne''s ability to go from one end to the other and score from it. I'm pretty sure they actually said Melbourne were one of the best in the league at it. It would be great to have Davey take the kick-ins, but sadly we only have one of him. I think Bailey mentioned last year that he would love 3 of him - one for each section of the ground. You make Flash the kick-in man, then he has to sprint to get up to the half forward flank to deliver to our forwards. he doesn't have the motor, so will need rotations, which will throw us off a bit should the opposition score a point while he is off. leave it with Garland as Number 1, then if there is the possibility of clearing it quicker, whoever is the bloody closest!

I hope we can snag a good player in the 3rd or 4th round with that nice draft pick we'll get for Miller.

He hasn't, hence him not being in the top 50.

6. Dunn 5. Frawley 4. Scully 3. Green 2. McKenzie 1. Jurrah

Not really sure what you're getting at here sorry. In no way have I answered my question about the culture being built by not selecting players despite their performances at Casey. However, now that we have seen the effort of LJ today, it will make it hard to pick Miller. We are only assuming that Miller will be gone at the end of the year, so we need to realsie that while he is still on the Melbourne list, he is still one of our players that we can select to play senior footy.

Jamar - Yes Frawley - Borderline, should be yes, but wouldn't be surprised if he isn't Green - see Frawley Sylvia - No But, it does prove what I was arguing about when this thread did the rounds earlier this year - back then we would have struggled to have a player in the top 100, but now, I htink we would have quite a lot of players in the 50-100 range, but still only 1 or 2 that might make the top 50. It's been a great development year, 2010, the big test now is to see how many of those top 50-100 players can take the next step and crack the top 50. I would think that season 2012 would see us having 4 or 5 blokes, maybe a couple more, in the top 50.

Oh dear, a player gets tackled by a ruckamn, gets pinged for holding the ball, and now we have people questioning our game plan as well as the player involved. This is football people, everyone will get tackled and give away a free kick for holding the ball at some stage in their career. I'm questioning Geelong's game plan and I also think Ablett is overated - I'm pretty sure he got pinged for holding the ball last night. Ok, it may not have been by a ruckman, but he still got caught. Regardless of Miller's previous attempts in "the big league", he has to be close to automatic selection for next week based on 10 goals. For those supporters saying he shouldn't be, have a think about this...what sort of culture are you wanting the club to create by not selecting players who work their ass off at Casey, do their job (and in this case as Miller is a forward, he needs to kick bulk goals), just because he has been given an opportunity in the past and failed in some games? Thank Christ you guys don't have anything to do with this Club for an administration point of view. Well done Brad Miller, 10 goals is a great effort at any level of football, let alone the 2nd best level in Australia.

Of course it's not the be all and end all Queenc, and I, like everyone else am excited about the fact that it is Round 19 and we are still a chance of playing finals, but while we have a sniff I'll be still hoping like hell that we make it. It's a great feeling watching your team run around in September, expecially after the last couple of years we have experienced. We really need to win every game from here to get in. Could afford to drop one, but that would mean relying on Sydney to drop the rest (they do have Freo at Freo, Bullies at Sydney and Brisbane at the Gabba, so it could come down to that last game). Kangaroos have Saints next week which SHOULD be a loss, plus they have us in the last round, so I'm not concerned about them one bit (what I mean by that is that while they keep winning and making the current ladder look difficult for us, at some stage we will meet them and it's quite possible that it could be the match that determines 8th spot). I'm not as confident todays as I was before teh Swans game yesterday - dirty bloody Hawthorn. Based on their performance yesterday it does give me more confidence going in to next weeks game against them.

Not really 45, they were going to make it anyway with their draw. I never factored them in to miss out - was never going to happen. As I said in my previous post, we need to look at the ladder after Round 22, not at the end of Round 19, as there is still a lot of footy to be played. However, I am always disappointed when Carlton win, regardless of where they are on the ladder and who they are playing! Edit: Last sentence.

Cheers Nasher. I think you can pretty much lock in the top 7 positions already; 1. Collingwood 2. Geelong 3. St Kilda 4. Western Bulldogs 5. Fremantle 6. Hawthorn 7. Carlton While there is still 4 games to go, and anything is possible in these weeks, the only real change in this oredr will be the top 2. Even if Carlton had've got rolled last night, their run home has a couple of games where you would expect them to win. That's why I haven't included them in any of these threads. The ladder is finalised after round 22, and people shouldn't get causght up in the "now" ladder, especially with some of the games coming up (hence me not being too concerned if we lose to the Hawks next week). 8th position is the one up for grabs, and will really come down to the final game of the round (which amazingly is us v Nth on a Sunday twighlight - Vlad's crystal ball must have been a bit foggy a couple of weeks ago when he finalised the round 22 fixture). On a positive (?) note, 8th place WILL play Freo in Freo in the first final. I think Freo are beatable in that match - mor so than if we (or 8th) had to face Hawthorn or Carlton at Etihad/MCG. Reality is, every Melbourne supporter needs to be riding Hawthorn home today. If Sydney win, it means we can't lose any game for the rest of the season, which is going to be a difficult task. If Sydney lose today, the have Freo away next week, Bulldogs at home the week after, then Brisbane at the Gabba in the last round. Our unexpected finals aspirations really could be shutdown today should the Swans get up. GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Melbourne by 29. Green 4 goals. Trengove 2 goals. Crowd 45k-50k.

HT, it is still possible for us to make it winning 2 of the next 4. Would we want to with that form? Some say "hell no"! I say "bloody oath". Results would need to go our way - hence me starting this weekly thread leading up to the finals. At the end of the day, there will be a pretty average team that lands 8th spot, might as well be us!

Eth - you should wear it after EVERY game. I used to wear my jumper to school probably twice a week regardless of the weekends results. At least I can sit back when we win a flag and act how I feel appropriate knowing I was there when we were down, and still showed my true colours to the public. Couldn't think of 1 person that I know through school (and that is some years ago now!), and even at my local footy club, that doesn't know who I barrack for!

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/flush-dees-keep-it-real/story-e6frf9jf-1225901888173 What I like about this article is the fact that Stynes stood up in front of the playing group and pretty much told them the hard work starts NOW. Going through the next decade winning some finals, but no flags, but having a team full of potential will not be tolerated. Premierships are bloody hard work - these bloke have seen nothing yet!

Great post Wrath. We saw the depth last weekend against Brisvegas, where a lot of people were questioning our non-selection of Trengove. For him to play, the logical "out" would have been Bail, and look what happened - Bail played a cracker of a game. As a result, he was an automatic selection for this weekend, and Trengove, while he is certain to play, is still named on the extended bench. If this is the new policy for when you return from injury, I'm stoked with it. Bailey is creating that culture of people earning their spots in the senior side. It's a totally different culture than what has been around this Club over the past 15 years +.

Possibly correct about the Crows - they will drop off this thread if they lose this weekend. Carlton still have a couple of easy-ish games, and I think they will win a couple more before the end of the season. The danger team is Port Adelaide, but we will wait and see after this weekend. They may get a spot in my weekly preview after this round.

Tough round of football this weekend, especially for our boys who still need a couple of results to go our way. Again, for those interested, here are this weeks crunch games; Sydney vs Hawthron Who do we need to win: Hawthorn Who will win: Hawthorn Tough game in Harbour Town this week, with both teams struggling for form of late. Looking at the match-ups on the field, the smart money would lean toward the Hawks, although their NSW form isn't the best going around. We need the Hawks to get up, I think they will...just. North Melbourne vs Fremantle Who do we need to win: Fremantle Who will win: North Melbourne At Etihad, and riddled with injuries to key players, the Dockers have to be underdogs going in to this game. While the Kangaroos battled last week against the Dogs, I think they will have Freo's measure this week - I hope I'm wrong! Melbourne vs Richmond Who do we need to win: Melbourne Who will win: Melbourne While it might be seen as a danger game, our form over the past month should see us hold off the Tigers. Going in to a game debt free for the first time in years, if our boys don't run out with that fire in their guts burning, nothing will get them up. Adelaide vs Western Bulldogs Who do we need to win: Western Bulldogs Who will win: Western Bulldogs Even at Moron Park, the out of form Crows tackle the top 4 Dogs as 2nd favourites. The Dogs are flying since leaving Aker at the departure gates, and I think they will clip the wings of the Crows this week and win comfortably. Therefore, the important part of the ladder should look like this; 7th - Carlton (40)* assuming they beat Essendon - may be changed to 36 points. 8th - Sydney (36) 9th - North Melbourne (36) 10th - MELBOURNE (34) 11th - Adelaide (28) Possbilly 1/2 a game out of the 8 at the end of this round, with a big game next week. Wont hurt if the Kangaroos get up this week, really need the Hawks to do the job though! Have a great weekend all!

How many weeks had passed between his game on the weekend at Casey, and his last game for the MFC? Circle them both on a calendar and count how many weeks.