bing181

With all due respect, I don't know that Neeld and co. are actually watching the scores all that closely. They're looking at systems and how they're working, structures and where they're breaking down, and the capability of the players to implement the game plan. etc. etc. Much as that probably infuriates the die-hards, the I've-been-waiting-47-years's and the win-at-all-costers.

Blease has played all of 4 games, and Gysberts (that's one "t" there BTW) two injury-interrupted seasons. Save your comments till they've had 4 or 5 pre-seasons under their belts, and have played 80 - 100 games.

Ok then: “We’ve got a new coach, so [we’ve got] a new game plan - that’s new. It’s just learning a new method and that takes time,” he said. “There were certainly passages in the game where we put Port’s use under pressure and there were moments where we were able to wrestle back some ascendency. So that’s encouraging, but I still think early we got spooked and there were a few boys that hesitated. If you’re going to play - irrespective of the score - a defensive system that involves everyone, it only takes one or two to be off slightly and you fall apart. So that’s what happened.”

Why not name some names? Which first round draft pick, who has had at least 4 or 5 years in the system so we have time to judge, has failed or been soft?

He said that's what he wanted - he didn't say he would deliver it before his first season as coach had even started. If it was as easy to turn a team around as what many here seem to think, every club would be winning the flag every other year.

Not the moment to start a drafting discussion, everyone would prefer to be slashing their wrists, but it's just a ridiculous assertion. No-one can expect players who've played a handful of games - or no games - to be carrying the side. Look at who had 10 or less possessions tonight - almost all "senior" players: Bartram, Dunn, Bate, Green and Martin were all in single figures. Sylvia only had 10, as did Garland. That's a THIRD of the team. The only recent recruits with low figures were Tynan and Davis, neither of whom has even played an AFL game yet, and deserve to be cut some slack. Until the new players from the last few years come through, while the senior players continue to let us down over and over again, it's going to be rough.. Of the others, McKenzie and Trengove, have both had interrupted pre seasons with limited match-play and are clearly still underdone. And hidden amongst the stats, and considering how rarely the forwards saw the ball, Blease did OK for a player who isn't even regular 22 - 4 marks and 2 goals. If there's an ongoing problem here, it's not what has happened over the last 3 or 4 years, it's what happened in the Daniher years.

Typical Melbourne supporter revisionism. We could never have had Butcher, given where he fell. And as always ... hindsight.

Sylvia 1 handball

Howe subbed off after being run down by Clarke. Friendly fire. Forward line have a bit of work to do in the "it's mine, no it's mine" department. It's great that Clark wants everything, but there are other players out there.

Not going to be able to stomach much of this.

http://www.afl.com.au/tabid/18551/Default.aspx#fixtureid=7896&tab=Radio Free kick to Jones to start ... from then on, they're just mentioning Port players ... "Redden has been fantastic" ... 1 minute in!

Go via AFL site, Matchday centre whatever they call it, "Radio" button thing on the right hand side. It doesn't get any better though ...

Streaming on 5AA ... if you dare. Port for Premiers if current discussion is anything to go by.

In your dreams baby. If we get half way through the year and don't have a sponsor, it's because the club is putting their own needs before that of a few nervous nellies on Demonland.

AFL site doesn't list anything for live audio. The "streaming stations" list that shows after you click on Live Radio is empty. Perhaps it'll come up later ...

We don't have drafting problems, only people who have trouble grasping the realities of drafting. Agree with the sentiments though - though perhaps I'd pass on the next Cousins! In regard to your list above, Adam Goodes went third round, at pick 43 ...

That's exactly the attitude we're trying to change around the club I believe. Hold the line Cam, don't settle for "close enough is good enough". As was explained in the OP, it's not about getting a FOJ sponsor. It's about getting the RIGHT FOJ sponsor. Not an issue.

I don't actually have any lofty expectations - just pointing out that if we do well on the field, that will cost us - a couple of places - in the draft.

A man with a sense of humor ...

Not if Adelaide and Footscray finish below us ... which is what we're all hoping. On-traded picks keep their original position, tied to the original club.

No it won't.

Didn't train on Wednesday, left the track early. Let's see what happens at Casey this weekend.

For all the conspiracy theorists, Watts did not (that's a NOT) train on Wednesday - he was there, but left the track early. The presumption is that he won't play at Casey this weekend, from which we could reasonably conclude that the hamstring twinge is just that.

It's just branding and marketing - it's about what they mean (or come to), not what they look like. And if they come to be a millstone round our necks, that'll be as a result of the performances of the people who've been wearing them, not the item itself. From the tweets, players seem positive.

Me too, and yes, I disagree with what you say, and the way you say it. Tiresome. And irrelevant.