Rogue

That's nice. I've been to all our twilight games in Melbourne and I'm still not a fan. I didn't look at the time at the end of the game but I imagine it was around 7:10PM. To get home by 7:30 you must live a more convenient distance from the 'G than most fans.

If you want to take issue with another poster then PM them directly. We don't need a new thread every time someone takes offence.

If we were bad then Adelaide were worse, if you believe that we're a bottom side and they're a top 8 contender.

I think some people on here need to understand that while their social lives might revolve around the footy fixture it's not the case for most people. Empathy - it's cool, try it some time. Maybe you view it that way, but for many supporters - of all Clubs - football is not one of the biggest things in their life. In fact, I'd suggest that for the majority of Melbourne supporters (and supporters of all Clubs), the decision to attend the footy is very much like deciding whether to catch a movie (and nothing like whether to attend an exam). Using your logic I'd be keen to know why Geelong shouldn't be the first to relocate. They played in the afternoon (rather than 'twilight'), have been the dominant side since 2007 (and we've been the cellar dwellers), and only managed 1,000 more at their game.

That's the main issue. If not then there seems little point in dropping him. However, if so, dropping him would be a good move - omitting players need not be to 'punish' them as some see it.

I don't think anyone's suggesting we put our heads in the sand. What is being put forward is that there needs to be a balanced assessment of the attendance and the reasons for it. It's ridiculous to suggest that factors like form, the opposition, weather, timeslot and other factors don't impact on attendance. If you want to deny that these factors impact on attendance then tell me why Melb v Coll pull better crowds on QB. Tell me why the AFL doesn't schedule big-drawing blockbusters on a Sunday evening. Tell me why Hawthorn got 11,000 to a match at the 'G a few years ago. I believe it's counter-productive to resort to a flawed stereotype which paints our Club and supporters in a negative light.

It's not just football. Ask any restauranteur whether it's more difficult to fill tables on a cold and wet night.

If the Club shared your attitude they'd tell all those supporters who buy a membership despite being unable to make many games that they shouldn't bother.

I doubt the knives will be out if he doesn't perform spectacularly. Jetta has been far from spectacular and the knives aren't out for him. I think there's generally an understanding that guys like Jetta and Maric are quite young, inexperienced and thus unlikely to set the world on fire. One would be forgiven for thinking you were Jetta's Mum after seeing your reaction to reasonable arguments for dropping Jetta, after giving the youngster five consecutive weeks in the big league during his first season, for the more experienced (and in-form) Maric. Jetta has given 100% every game, he has done some good things and some bad, I personally think he will eventually become a lot more than a crumbing I think comparing taggers is fair, but clearly you don't see it that way. Regardless, AFL players are less and less likely to have successful careers if they can't use the footy. I'm sure everyone on here should want all 22 players who 'have it all' but I doubt they expect it. In case you were implying otherwise, I certainly don't expect that. I do expect that to be a successful team we'll need most - if not all - of our players to use the footy decently.

9 shots at goal in 2 matches is enough to be considered a capable AFL forward. Like I said, that's half the battle. Obviously the execution is letting him down - no one is disputing that. Who has said that? I haven't seen anyone say that kicking 2 from 9 shots is 'doing his job just fine'.

Let's get some things straight. First, whatever attendances other AFL teams have managed to games, or we've had in the past, 14,000+ people is not 'no one'. Second, Geelong had similar crowd numbers yesterday (~15,000). I don't think they were playing a Sunday night game, nor are they a poorly-performed side with a fair expectation that they'll lose - they've been the dominant side over the past two seasons! Third, we're not the only poor side to experience poor crowds when travelling poorly - the 'soft Melbourne' tag is a myth. Take a look at the attendances for Hawthorn a few years ago as a great example - they now have over 50,000 members so why aren't you suggesting they're the fairweather team? Fourth, despite out terrible showing in the past two years (what is it, five wins in 27 games?) we have more members than sides like St. Kilda, North and WB. Fifth, for such a 'soft' supporter base, more of those are members than any other Victorian side (source: Ray Morgan). I think that indicates a level of passion for the Club.

It didn't turn out too bad but the forecast was terrible. You're kidding me re: timing. I mean I've never seen as few kids at the footy as I saw yesterday. Everyone's mentioning the fact we have x members. It seems like there's an implied obligation to attend games if you buy a membership, and if you do not you're not worthy. I don't know about you, but I'm happy for all supporters - whether they're 'diehards' / 'true blue' / have nothing better to do and attend every week or fans that rock up every now and then - to buy memberships!

It was very likely to be a poor game. Adelaide should have accounted for us easily, they play an average brand of footy at the best of times and we've been poor for seasons now...

That analogy doesn't work IMO. There are two aspects to kicking goals - one is creating the opportunities during the game, the second is to execute the kick. I wouldn't liken convincing Ricky to throw me the ball with creating opportunities to score. Newton got the shots at goal, which is (more than) half the battle. It's more like saying that if Bryce McGain had only held onto his catches he would have taken wickets.

We're not playing for the premiership cup next week (or anytime soon). Worst case scenario Newton plays this week and misses a sitter or two - so what? There's little harm done in the grand scheme of things. I think his kicking is a mental issue and he needs confidence. He's getting shots at goal, which is more than half the battle as a forward, and if he finished them off in the past two weeks I think most would think he was travelling okay. Bartram's output hasn't been great of late - his disposal certainly lets him down (and I'm not referring to his behind). His disposal isn't as bad as Godfrey's but at the moment I don't think it's good enough to sustain a long and successful career either. Admittedly it sounds like a very tough time for him this year - not just yesterday. However, if he's playing as a tagger you'd have to weigh up his efforts there with his limited output with the ball. As for Jetta, what's he done so right? From where I sit he isn't quick and hasn't had a major impact at any time I can recall in the past five weeks. It is his first season of AFL footy so this doesn't mean he's a "dud" but it does mean that his position should be up for grabs. With Maric playing very well at Casey over an extended period it's time to give him a run, and Jetta's a like-for-like swap. Like Maric, who has been racking up good games at Casey seemingly at will

:D

While it may not be the most logical thing to do I can see a plausable explanation for it - as pardontheinterruption mentions, a complete loss of confidence in his kicking. Like pardontheinterruption, I see a guy who lacks confidence and thus I wouldn't drop him this week.

My first change would be to drop Jetta for Maric. I'd also consider dropping PJ for Spencer if Spencer is fit. Robertson is a likely inclusion while guys like Grimes and Wona probably need more time at Casey. IMO the last thing Newton needs right now is to be dropped. Unless you never want to play him again, now's the time to show Newton some confidence and retain him next week. If he kicked straight he could have kicked 5+ goals in the past two games, which isn't a bad return in a poor side. PS. Is it possible people have confused Bennell and Jetta? Bennell seems to be copping much more flak but from what I've seen he seems to be performing much better.

IMHO it wasn't actually that bad. I can remember freezing at a TD match last season (v WB or Rich IIRC).

I share Hazy's criticism's of Wona but I'm also more positive about him, partly because I hink we're probably going to see a more streamlined and thus quicker version this year. I'll be surprised if he's be clearing 50 metres when there's a man on the mark and a ruckman in the square though. Maric was the obvious 'in' if one of the emergencies was to play, so I'd say that's the case. They get picks next year.

While I understand everything's relative, an attendance of 14,000+ people is hardly 'no one'.

McDonald poor and Johnson good? Hrm.

The options should have been 'crowd' and 'Adelaide'. I agree.

I'm with vanlo and big_red_fire_engine.

Maric for Jetta next week. Wona's still a while away.