Prof

Watched the game from the wing in the southern stand. Couldn't believe Hassa missed that goal. Loved Barry Bourke's mark deep in defence with a minute or so to go. Noticed Froggy Crompton smoking a [censored] on the ground a couple minutes after the siren.

I have a friend who held a position at the club this season. He met with Roos yesterday. He says he's super impressive.

One of my faves too, CB.

My Geelong mates said he was soft and showy and boy were they wrong...

If you watch the entire game, you will see an in-tune JMac get a clearance during our domination, kick the wrong way, and an in-tune Bizzell just marked it next to his bloke and moved on.

Hope he comes to the footy, I understand he feels like a Demon, he certainly is in my eyes.

I saw CB at the AGM the week before last.

G Osbourne

Much underrated by many on Demonland. Best defender from past 10 years. Clearly wasn't in MN's plans.

prof, as a semi-veteran demon tragic, would you give a pass to '67? came 7th i think. we pulled back from a bad situation that year, had it not been for norm smith's bad health may have done even better.

Ed: 8 (out of 18) games decided by a goal or less that year. Must be a record.

I remember 1967 well. Did not miss a game. Hassa Mann starred all year. After a shocking year in 1966, perhaps '67 deserves a pass.

Geez, give him a break. He's only 58, a mere babe. He's got 30 years to go yet

I was there too! I'm 59 now. Gasp! Can't believe Hassa missed that shot at goal. 48 years on... the only years I'd give a 'pass' to are 1971, 1976, 1987 to 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004 to 2006

Jones, Grimes, Rivers, Howe, Trengove

I've watched Melbourne for 51 years.

Top shelf: Hassa Mann, Ron Barassi, Robert Flower

3 in 50 years, 1 in 30 years, none in 15 years

Bit sad.

I wonder if the Bulldogs are interested in nominating Jack Viney.

Unfortunately, as an MFC supporter, we have a lot of possible years to choose from.

2012 to me is as bad as any other year. There were high hopes, misplaced maybe, led by a new coach and having Clark. The level of uncompetitiveness that we've managed to display at times this year has been nothing short of embarrassing, simply terrible.

2008 was the same. 2009 wasn't much better. In terms of disappointment, 2007 was also terrible, given we'd made the semis and been the top-ranked Victorian side in 2006, but that year was derailed with injuries and the Daniher saga.

What a happy thread.

We had a very old list by 2007. Full of good to very good players that were now past their best, plus a few 'top up' from other clubs. Our younger players were either over-rated or non-existent.

Poor threads are hurting us...

Sorry, I'll try harder next time. Perhaps you could provide a list of excellent potential threads.

How many players at Melbourne are really good kicks? Not many.

How many are below average? Heaps.

This continues to be a major issue. I was watching the Swans playing last Sunday and noticed how virtually every player can spot up a player without any problems.

Many aspects of a young player's game can be developed but very few players improve their kicking significantly.

Look at our list:

Jones: above average

Bartram: poor

Watts: very good

Gysberts: below average

Bate: above average

Bennell: below average

Frawley: below average

Trengove: average

Morton: below average

Clark: above average

Sylvia: very good

McKenzie: below average

Dunn: average

Petterd: poor

Grimes: poor

Blease: very good

Green: above average

Strauss: above average

Garland: average

Moloney: below average

Jurrah: very good

McDonald: below average

Nicholson: average

Rivers: average

MacDonald: below average

Sellar: average

Martin: below average

Tapscott: above average

Davey: above average

Howe: average

Jetta: below average

Jamar: poor

Spencer: shocking

Bail: below average

Fitzpatrick: shocking

Magner: shocking

It's a worry!

You have my vote BBP,

Ten kicks from Davey is worth more than 30 from Bail and 5 of his mates

Yes, Davey is a better kick than Bail. What about ... effort? persistence? tackling? endurance? not spitting the dummy? etc etc etc

44 plus coaches and support staff

Bennell, Dunne and Bate need to be axed. Magner tries hard but is no where near AFL standard. Martin should be played more up forward. He is OK. J Mc Donald will not advance our side. Nicho is servicable. He made a few mistakes today but he has pace and works hard. Bail is receiving some very unfair criticism.He has fantastic endurance and competes really well. His disposal is not up to sctratch. Move Rivers back to defence. It's a long road.

He's got height and he tries hard. Everything else that counts is a big thumbs down. Sorry, I just remembered. He wears the number that is supposedly 'the answer to everything'. That helps a bit.

Blease was better than you suggest

I started a post about 10 days ago wondering why Blease is not given a decent go. He clearly has genuine ability. Put him in the STARTING 21, challenge him with whatever he's not doing that you want him to do and LEAVE him there for a few matches.

Just answered your own question. Martin and Spencer were our only ruckmen available, and one of them would have to drift forward with there being no Clark.

There was no choice, he had to play.

Finally I've been cheered up! Jake Spencer 'drifting forward'. Sacre bleu!

A good result according to Mark Neeld. Hoping for a full recovery ready for pre-season.

This is clearly a ploy to keep him away from his mate Scully..

Oh well, I'm pleased to hear that Sam's playing. Not sure who's out. I'm really hoping he can show something.

I'm annoyed that Sam Blease was dropped. His form has been reasonable in recent weeks. I feel he needs more encouragement. He has a number of important attributes that our side does not have in abundance. He is quick, he tries to break the opposition lines, his kicking is OK and has the potential to improve as Sam develops more confidence. And this is my point. How can we expect Sam to really develop if we keep dropping him back to Casey after a couple of games? We bring in MacDonald who we all know is just an ordinary player with very little future.

At least last Monday's winner was the son of a Melbourne player.

Do any other Demonlanders remember "Porky Sinclair", from the 60's? About 30 games and now a leading dermatologist,slightly disillusioned with Melbourne's lack of success.

Ben's step-brother Will Slade played for Geelong.(did his Dad play for the Dees,too?.....was it Geoff?)

Peter Sinclair Number 23. Slow but reliable. A long kick.

Good news on Jurrah. SEN update said he is responding incredibly well.

His most fundamental point is correct. We are back to square one. Our list is arguably the worst in the AFL. This is on the 'strength' of having prime draft picks for 5 years.