Dr. Mubutu

And that was almost no different to how I felt during 2007-2009. Mental state at the time was a case of "New Melbourne, same as the old Melbourne." At least we could claim having 3 debutants as a semblance of an excuse. That shambles of a loss in round 8 was much worse, IMO. We'd sort of turned the corner, at 3-4 and having put up a spirited effort against the Dogs, to serve up that game was infuriating. I had to turn the coverage off in order not to smash the TV. This is why I thought that game was the worst all year. To give hope to that joke of a side was just rubbish.

Yep. Game percentage, IIRC.

6. Bruce 5. Scully 4. Jurrah 3. McDonald 2. McKenzie 1. Watts

Wouldn't be so sure of that. Talked to some board members about it who were keen on Beamer.

IMO, Davey will continue to be the main media 'face' of the club (see the 2010 season preview magazine, the emblem video, etc.), with (Green, Moloney, Rivers......) as captain.

I'm sure this club will miss Junior, who has given his all for 13 years. Timing was right though, going out still on top of the game. IMO it would be doing him an injustice to go out any other way. A criminally (the most?) underrated player, shadowed even in his retirement with the announcement coming the same week as 'bigger' names. Not that that does, nor should it, mean anything to MFC supporters. Congratulations on a stellar career, Junior. Give 'em hell in the last two games. (Times like this, living in Queensland stinks.)

Website maintainer too slack to move Juice from Senior list to Rookies. Has been on there all year.

I think that's more a matter of "What's the one player I know from Melbourne?"

It does also depend on how long your 'season' is.....

The issue really is the same issue we have across the board: lack of consistency. When it works, jeez it looks bloody impressive and definitely are gems for the highlight reels. But when it doesn't, it barely looks above amateur level. I would, however, argue that the weekend's shockers notwithstanding, that this particular facet of the game is improving really well.

^This. Seriously, with our best chance to break the AAMI hoodoo and still with a mathematical chance to play finals, why would we rest all these players? Horror move if this happened. Not a chance.

I would, personally, like these changes. Be interesting to see Fitzpatrick v. Trengove. This would be the week to give him a crack, definitely not against North with their more experienced talls.

Not surprised, per se, with the exception of LeCras. Realistically only had one really good game against the worst defence in the league. Riewoldt is leading the Coleman, and to not see him in the AA team would raise quite a few questions. If you look further into it, there are only 5 players from teams outside the top 4: LeCras, Riewoldt, Pavlich, Hodge, Sandilands. The only one I'd challenge is LeCras, and even then, I'm not sure that Green would be included at his expense. I did also read into it that it was not solely based on this year's form, which strictly speaking is not the way this should be judged, but realistically, it's only one journo's opinion, which in the grand scheme really means next to nothing.

6. Bruce 5. Sylvia 4. Bail 3. Frawley 2. McKenzie 1. Wonaeamirri

Richmond to surprise Carlton with defensive pressure and win this afternoon, leading into a belting for the Hawks tomorrow, opening up the race for 6th and a home final.

Speaking of rule changes, whatever happened to the rushed behind rule? I could've sworn I saw ~3-4 last week alone that should have been frees. Hopefully it was taken out the back and shot after the outrage from the Essendon game.

So hopefully with the new TV rights up for sale soon, we could see OneHD getting the game that 7 doesn't want to air (and vice versa)? Or a FTA channel airing the Friday night game on Friday night (as opposed to Saturday morning)? (on a related note, I've found the EPG for One horrible. Advertised Geelong v. Collingwood last week, showed WC v. Brisbane. Rubbish.)

I would imagine that this is why he's getting a run in the forwards lately. In the last few games Jones has played primarily as an on-baller, but has pent more time than in the past in the forward line (especially, for my memory anyway, in the Brisbane game). He also took part in the 'goal-kicking contest' at the club during the preseason (and, IIRC, did quite well). That screams to me that the club are showing him that he needs to add some flexibility to his game. Whether he has it yet or not is different matter. But IMO, he's definitely working hard on it.

Exactly. This really got my goat when we were stuck watching the crap spoon game on Saturday. Donuts, AFL.

Wouldn't be surprised if Bruce goes to Lewis. Lewis usually plays forward early in the game before working into the midfield. Seems like a very good matchup for Bruce, who should be able to run off him as well.

That's not technically right. While the example you gave WAS correct, that is only because the video referee is unable to rule on forward passes. If, however, there was an obstruction, and the player was onside, it would be ruled no try. The video ref actually has uninhibited (other than forward passes) licence to call back a play.

6. Dunn 5. Frawley 4. Davey 3. Jones 2. Bartram 1. Scully

I like those odds.

Jordie McKenzie to play on Martin, and absolutely smash him. 13 tackles, 17 disposals, 5 clearances and a goal in a Rising Star nominated performance.

And without RDB, Stynesy would still be in Ireland......