Yokozuna

Is Scully the first player ever or the only player this year to leave contract discussions to the last minute? Are we all going to get into the other contracted players who have yet to announce what they are doing this year? It is his right to wait til the end of the year, he is not holding the club to ransom, every player hopes to get a better contract and does whatever they think they can to better their own deals. For what it is worth I think he will stay but I also think we will hear nothing new this week if there is a press conference.

I have the same worry too. Unfortunately teams these days are obsessed with posession football, and they often try to keep the ball at all costs in the posession of a player who is by himself. This tends to be someone who is either sideways to them or behind them. The problem is that if you kick backwards, you are helping the opponents forward pressure and placing your teammate under more pressure. It also mens you need to take the ball forward from an even deeper position. I was always taught that when you switch the play that your teammate needs to be either clear of all opponents or over the other side of the corridor, and once the switch has been made, to move it on as quick as possible. I think if we want to swith/ move the ball back we need to do it at pace, play on as often as possible and have teammates moving and presenting more strongly up forward. We seem to switch and then be too stagnant which then puts pressure on our kicking, and as has been seen, our skills are still developing, and gee I hope they improve. In regards to Garland, he is like Grimes for me, they do some great kicks and then follow up with crap ones. I am not sure how people can rate Bails kicking better than theirs though, I love his run and carry and courage, but kicking is not his stron point.

It is the AFL and their "tribunal" we are talking about, so anything could happen. I would think he gets nothing, as it was a hard armed tackle which slipped up off the arm. That being siad, the tribunal is shizen, so he may cop a week. I do like Joel's aggression though, just wish some of our other players were as hard at it as he is.

I tend to agree with the call that they both cant play in the one midfield, but ATM there is nobody pressing to replace them. They are getting a game until we get Gysberts, Tapscott, Blease etc into the midfield and then I am not sure who goes. In regards to there long bombing, unfortunately they were not the only ones who did this on the weekend. Almost every player bombed it long into the forward line, to small teammates, outnumbered teammates or just to the opposition. It was very annoying. I dont recall too many hit ups to a leading forward against the bummers. We also did it the previous week against the adelaide teams, but it was glossed over because we won.

Grimes defended very well, however, as has been said, his disposal was not great. The biggest issue was OPTIONS. When our backline had the ball there were either one or none. That meant players would kick the ball back and sideways and be put under more pressure. We need to take more risks, last year we played on a lot, which causes other players to move, bith your teammates and opposition. We need to move it quickly and forward, not backwards and slowly. He is a STAR and could play mid or back. I hope he can move to the midfield, but for now he needs to be there. When all our younger players are in the team he may go to the mids and then we can hope the ball doesnt go to the backline as much cos our mids can be more dominant.

I think some people like to bag their favourite whipping boys or look to find things that are not there. If you watch the game again you often miss things that happened. Tat being said, all players need to improve, but I think it was our more seasoned players who let us down and then it was simply our decision making and skill level that cost us. If we used the ball better going forward we should have been up at 3/4 time and then who knows what happens.

1. Our switches of play usually go backwards and put our teammates under more pressure 2. Jack Trengove is a star (just needs to have the remainder of our best mids around him all the time, Sylvia, Scully, Mckenzie) and can take a great leaping mark when required 3. We need to not bomb it forward all the time, on occasions it works but it is much better to hit up a target. Hopefully we learn from our errors, but the game was not as bad as some have made it. If you are sensible you know where we are at, and at the moment we are middle of the field if we play our best, if we play our worst we will be cellar dwellers again.

I have been away all week and just watched the replay. Let it be said I would prefer to have won, but having read some of the posts prior to watching the game I was expecting to be belted or to watch the worst display ever. The negatives I saw were our long bombing into the forward line, often when we did not need too. Also our reliance on not only swithing the play, but kicking backwards 20 metres and putting someone under more pressure. We also needed to improve our pressure on the ball carrier. That being said, people were going on about how bad some players were, and how we were smashed in certain areas, but I think there was an overreaction. We got beaten easily in the last quarter, other than that it was a pretty good game, if you listen to the commentators they loved the game. Positives IMO were Maric (but still needs to get more touches), Sylvia in the clearances, Grimes and MacDonald (who should not get suspended), Jurrah and Trengove. Others like Bail were OK, I love his run and attack, just needs to work on his disposal (as do a few others). Not sure about the Bate hating, I think he battled well, especially against 2/3 opponents and bad delivery. I am just hoping the players listen to Bailey, cos at 3/4 time he said we were bombing it too much and not delivering it well. I have faith they are doing the right thing, we just need a little patience and a little reality check. We are not there yet, as a matter of fact we have a hell of a way to go, so hopefully this game puts it in perspective for the supporters and club. We showed both opur best and worse the other night, obviously we need more consistent efforts of our best, AND it is still pre season, hopefully we dont lose like that in the last quarter when the real stuff comes around.

I find it funny that you can say that he has not shown enough, or is soft, to be able to wear number 7. Why then do other players get a smaller number before they have even played a game for the club? Personally I dont think the lower the number means you are any better or that you need to be a certain standard to get a lower number, I just think it would be great if the players wearing any number for the club love wearing the number and play bloody well in it. A number is just a number, it is what you do when wearing it that people remember you for.

Other clubs have stated they will pick up Father and Son players before they can be drafted. It just means the other teams now know and they can now save time in trying to get him. I also think it locks in the fact thhat we will have to use a 1st round pick for him, as other clubs will say they wanted him, knowing they cant, just to make us use the earliest pick.

I work with someone who is on the recruiting staff team for an interstate team. He told me that Melbourne really, really, really wanted Lynch at #12. They had been keen on him for a few months. He was the one they wanted but they also thought they realistically had no chance of getting him so that is probably the reason why we took Cook. He also said that this was the first year that most clubs really did not know the picks earlier on. usually they know them at least 1 week before the draft. They generally know the first 15-20 that are going. This year they did not know many. Personally I am really happy with our picks, and if 1 or 2 of them become regular very good players we should be happy.

How about a final 7 or 9 and the minor premier gets the week off. Not sure how it would all work, as I have not thought about it much, but I guess thats what they do at the AFL, so the change could be made in a flash if they would like!!!1

No need for excuses about the weather. If it is hailing, I am still going to watch a final with my team playing. Simple as that! (although I can understand some parents not taking children though)

In regards to the voting, the host of the night said that each player was awarded votes for the game, however that did not necessarily mean they had to ge votes. I was a little intoxicated, so from what I can recall: * A score of 40 (or in the 40s) was the highest possible, and it meant you plaed an unbelievable game. incidently Green got 32 for a game, which was the highest of anyone * A score of above 30 was a standout/superstar game, and not many reached that point. * A score in the 20's was a very good game * A score above 10 was seen as a good game Most votes seemed to hang around the mid teens to mid twenties, best on grounds seemed to get 20-25. If the players were no good, they got 0. I do remember for one game that only 4 people received votes, and the highest may have been low teens. As I said, I did have a few under my belt by then, but that is the best I can explain. It was a great night, the first I have been too, and I will definitely go again. I did find a strange piece of paper in pocket when I got up this morning, and it seems that I had given my 5,4,3,2,1 votes to the best girlfriends. Cant remember doing it, but found it quite amusing this morning, especially considering Pia was not on my list!!!!!!!!!!!

4-6 weeks ago Dunn was gone, and did not have much of an upside, according to many on this forum, however he is now great, and has leapfrogged Bate. ATM he is playing better than Bate, but I would argue who has had a better career at Melbourne, and who has the most potential for the future. In regards to him being a 6th year player and not starring now, Sylvia took 5 years to play well, and now look at the love he gets. I personally dont want to lose Bate. I think we need him, and he should be in our best team next year. That being said though, I think he needs to lose 5 kg and play at a lighter weight and be more mobile. I would like to have Bate, Watts, Jurrah and Petterd as our talls in the forward line, and Dunn on the bench to replace people in any position required.

Another great chase and tackle was by Garland at the end of one of the quarters where he tackled and harrassed 3 on 1 and eventually got a holding the ball decision. Both of them look like they have qualities to be "great" players. They can play on tall and small, can run and are now both getting better at running and attacking and using the ball to set up plays. The game on the weekend had so many highlights in regards to pressure, whether it was our chase downs, Sylvia's tackling and clearance work, Maric, Wonna and Bennel pressuring there backs, Bartram and his 2/3 unbelievable tackles, McKenzie and his bullocking work, MacDonald and his great body work, Bruce/JOnes and their shut down jobs.........the list could go on. I loved it, and have watched the replay at least 4 times this week. Get home from work and I watch a quarter or two. It is great, just hope we can be more consistent and keep the form for the next 5 matches.

6 - Sylvia - did his best work when it counted 5 - Frawley 4 - McKenzie 3 - Bartram 2 - Bruce 1 - Wonna

Joel is one of the few defenders who goes for marks when he probably should spoil, he takes the game on and plays taller and stronger than he looks. His use of the body in the game against White a couple of times was sublime. He can give away some errors, but so does everyone. I am willing to see his few mistakes if he sets up and stops as many goals as he has recently. He should definitely stay in the team, and I think he is probably the 3rd in when taller players are picked in the defense, behind Frawley and Garland. I know the coaching staff probably have Rivers higher (who is also playing well), but MacDonald is more attacking, which we need.

I am happy Maric is getting a chance. I want to see what he can do in a better team. Some players are simply better players when they are in the Senior team, and struggle more when they go down a level. It is also very common for ex AFL players to struggle or not dominate when they go back to local leagues and so on. So even if Maric has not dominated, he may play better with the Demons. On Bate, I think he needed a kick up the butt, and I am hoping he comes in late for Moloney, if he is injured, and he plays a great game. We need him in the team, no matter what people may say of his limitations. He works his buut off and is the link man we need. Neither Watts or even more likely Jurrah have not set the world alight, but all 3 have reasons. On a side note, due to the current AFL game style, our CHF's and link HFF now have to play as on ballers, which is another reason for people like Bate sometimes not being at his best when a contest comes his way. They are asked to go down to defense and help out, then sprint back to the forward line, and then do it again. If only we, and many other teams, would leave a couple of forwards up there permanently!!!

I too went to the game. Had to leave mid way through the last quarter. My report on the Melbourne players: Johnson - One of those players who is dominant at this level but not at the next step up. Killed King, to the point where King just kept whinging for frees. Battled hard, chased, used the ball well, all the things he should be able to do in the Seniors. Hughes - Tried hard in conditions that did not suit. I will give him one thing, he leads hard and leads over and over again. Very quick on the lead too. Maric - I was impressed with him. Reads the play well and uses it well when he gets it. Tries to do too much sometimes, but I think it is more the point that he wants to take a risk, does not just do the simple plays. Needs to do more defensively still, but I think he needs a game soon to see what he has got. I get the feeling he will be better at the next level. Aussie - Tried really hard, chased well and went in really hard. Getting his fitness back is what is needed. He, along with Maric, had the cleanest hands low to the ground today. McNamara - Started poorly but got better as the game wore on. Did not do much going forward but stoppped his man, and he gave a great elbow to the head of an opponent as he ran past him, unseen by the umpries! McDonald - He too is too good for this level. His poise and body strength stood out and he used the ball well. Bobbed up with some good goals and set up a few others. I have no problems if he plays for the Dee's, he is always very good depth. Cheney - I feel sorry for him, keeps playing bloody well but cant get a look in. Strong body, composed and used the ball well. Never beaten one on one and deserves a game for the dees. Strauss - PLayed very well, I would not have him in my top couple, but when he gets the ball, he uses it so well. It was the first time I watched him closely. Every kick was beautiful, especially in such bad conditions. He was most effective forward of the HB line where he set up a few goals. He also kept his opponent very quiet. Bell - He extracts the ball well and got plenty of clearances, just does not use the ball well enough. Watching the game just shows me that there are plenty of players who are capable of playing for Melbourne, so if you dont perform they should be in. I also think a few Casey players would do well for Melbourne too, especially McCreadie #20.

I have been chatting with a mate from work who is a recruiting officer for WCE and we got onto the topic of players leaving clubs for whatever reason, homesick, money, more opportunities. When you think about it, how many players leave for other clubs each year? Not too many. And how many important/star (or future star) players leave their clubs? Again, not many. I think people worry too much. Scully will stay and will be a star in a hopefully great and successful team on the future.

Having watched the replay twice, hear are my votes, 6. McDonald 5. Jetta 4. Davey 3. Sylvia 2. Miller 1. Watts

I seriously dont know why the AFL has been so hell bent on speeding up the game. I dont think it is because of 1 twinged hammy, but because of the many serious injuries,the shorter careers and the overall healthof the players, as well as the aesthetics of the game. I think we need to cap the interchange. We need to stop this style of football, it really annoys me how football is played in 2/3 of a ground and everyone just runs. Yes, it may help our freak runners, but I want a great spectacle to watch. The quick kick ins, the fact they never want to ball the ball up and let rugby scrums go on, to let the ball "keep moving", it all annoys me. Cap the interchange and see what happens. And ball the bloody thing up when it is in a pack, dont give it 30 seconds to roll loose.

I have stated who I think shold play on who, but in all honesty, if our midfield pressure is on, well I think our defenders will be fine. It does not matter how good, fast, skillful your forward line is if the ball never gets there or comes in under real pressure! Back to Bartram too, has played well, played his role, but will not be in our team in a couple of years with all the players we have coming up. Also for those wanting Jetta to play on a fast forward, they are kidding themselves. He goes hard and I like him, but he is way too slow for the Carlton forwards. And McKenze is too valuable in the midfield, we dont need to move him. Stick with the defenders we have, dont change to cater for the opposition, win the ball the way we are set up now, and our defenders will be fine.

Why do people need to complain about the new thread? He is just stating how many people have viewed the thread, which is an amazing amount.