bing181

What part of "we've got a heap of key players out" do people not understand? It effects everything.

Jack definitely being talked up on the MFC site/report … also positive raps for Toumpas, Clisby, McKenzie and Jetta. Surely Neville deserves a run? (though I believe Georgio is our promoted rookie at the moment, even with Mitch on LTI) Hidden amongst that article is that Jamar still needs 2 or 3 weeks at the VFL. Presumably same will apply, eventually, for Dawes and Hogan, so if we see either of those two in the firsts before mid-season, I'd be surprised.

The absence of The Big Three, not to mention Garland plus Jamar and/or Gawn, and a couple of the workhorses like McKenzie and Viney (OK, he was there, but underdone) is having a much greater impact that what some seem to be giving credit for. The whole structure of the team is to some extent shot to pieces, and we're being pummelled in the ruck and with big men around the ground. But it's this chronic absence of Key Position Players that's really creating the vacuum and more than anything else, that's what's leading to the indecision and hesitancy which is then creating a whole range of issues right throughout the team. Not saying we have world-beaters in the team, or should be/could be, but until we get some semblance of a functioning team structure on the park, hard to see that we're going to be able to do much better.

The problems are a bit bigger than one player.

Neither St Kilda or GWS (at home) are easybeats. Just saying.

1/2 time VFL update: Essendon 4.7.31 v Casey 4.8.32 Stats: Nicholson 17, Clisby 16 and McKenzie 16. Goals: McKenzie, Jetta, Best and Smith

The injuries that have plagued Clarke over the recent months (hamstrings, calf etc.) are not directly related to the foot, but a consequence of a long layoff, changes in running style etc. etc. It's no longer about foot/screws. There's nothing that I've read that would indicate that this succession of soft-tissue injuries won't eventually settle down - but we/Mitch may no longer have the time/wherewithall necessary to work through the necessary rehab.

He is not physically fit, or anything close to being physically fit, and in no state to get to being physically fit at any time in the foreseeable future. If he was, none of this would be happening.

GC looking solid. No easy games anywhere anymore. If there ever were for us.

Worth remembering. And even Dustin … not entirely over the line yet.

Drafting a player that everyone though should go around where he did (or higher) was never going to be, and never will be a fiasco. Ridiculous hyperbole.

Misson clearly said that he had to get through two training sessions this week before being named anywhere.

Woah ...

No he didn't. In regards to Garland, Jamar and McKenzie he said: "If they get through training tomorrow and Friday, they'll play". (http://www.melbournefc.com.au/video/2014-04-01/dave-misson-rd-3-update …. from around 1:30)

I'd be surprised if Kent is included, would have thought he was still a bit underdone.

Or perhaps where he's at in the "fit enough to run out a game" order?

Jamar, McKenzie, good to see back. But still no Garland, who I thought was a possible to play this week. Obviously he's still 2 or even 3 weeks away from the seniors.

We've got exactly that player at our club - has that burst of speed that enables him to accelerate away and create space. Unfortunately, for the moment at least, that's pretty well all he has, so he spends most of time at Casey. Sam Blease.

It's festering just fine without you, so you're OK on that score.

Well I don't know, what could a strapping young 20 year old male be doing that might give him back pain?

Or, perhaps he has.

Nothing you'd ever say would offend me OD, even if I didn't agree.

And to add to that: "at times … the same as every club". Recent example. Garlett at Hawthorn. Have a look at St Kilda: by 2011 there wasn't a single player they'd drafted in 2009 still on their list, and their whole drafting from 2006 onwards was disastrous. Drafting is not an exact science. You win some, you lose some. We've had a few in both camps, as has every club. But as has been alluded to, is it the drafting, or has it been the environment?

Would have been more powerful without the added commentary.

You speak for the "many"? Or just the "many" on Demonland? Or perhaps just the "many" in this thread. You certainly don't speak for me.