P-man

Was it last time we played Brisbane that Jonno Brown made Watts his personal ragdoll in the space of about 15 minutes? Anyone but Watts this time. It's still a difficult match up. Even if Brown is approaching his twilight, he still has that amazing tank that allows him to drag his opponent around all day. Who has the body, stamina and commitment to stick with him, or conversely the knowledge of when to peel off him? Would have to be Chip I guess.

What would you call posts talking up Port as if it's totally unsurprising they are miles ahead of us? Worth noting that It's not just the slightly older heads either. Their younger brigade are playing to their potential. The vehement defence of a guy with basically no runs on the board and who states publicly that we're at the same stage of development as GWS, I find amazing. Let's see how we go against a weakened, underperforming Lions. Hopefully not yet another totally uncompetitive effort resulting in yet another mauling.

Oh c'mon.. Is there no end to the excuses? We're talking about Port here, not one of the top four. I talked up their midfield especially in the pre-game thread for Round 1 and got all but shouted down. Suddenly their list is a bunch of world beaters. Blind Freddy can see that Hinkley has worked wonders with that team and it isn't just about the talent he has at his disposal. This is exactly the same list that no-one wanted a bar of last year. They're playing with belief. You don't come back from 41 points down in the third quarter unless you have a truckload of it. And in half the time as Neeld, and with a younger more inexperienced list. Port are 5 and 0. We've beaten a tired GWS in the last quarter. The chasm in talent is nowhere near that. Neeld's done absolutely nothing yet to warrant such a brazen dismissal.

He's a special player. Is going to fall into the category of scary good and it won't take long.

The last quarter was inspiring from Port. Smashed them in the clearances and just kept attacking in waves. The spirit in that group right now must be sky high. They are essentially the anti-Melbourne.

Stu, even if you prescribe to the theory that Neeld is to blame for Beamer's sudden disenchantment and dramatic drop in form in 2012, he's not a child. He takes a portion of that blame himself, it's just debatable as to how much. He served the club he loved well, but some of his true colours were shown in how he handled his situation last year. If he kept his head down and got in with it, we probably wouldn't be having this discussion.instead he chose a path which, like it or hate it, [censored] on some of the legacy he left behind.

Watching that game last night has made me think we may not be as far behind some teams as I thought.

Nail on head.

The play that the OP is talking about is deadset the most exciting thing I've seen a Melbourne player do for the best part of a year. He arrogantly dismissed his opponents.

Geeze I would love a win. They were literally laughing about our chances on League Teams tonight.

To play like Bellchambers, he needs to fall over at the slightest bit of contact.

Geeze it looks different without Mitch. Underwhelming forward line, but good enough against the paddle pops. You'd think that Howe needs a big game for us to pull off a win. Davey the sub again? Was massive off the bench last week.

Treading a fine line imo. No significant injury should be celebrated or joked about. Does however lift our chances once again this week with Rich not running around.

- They were undeniably impressive in Round 1 against the Lions which kept the doubters at bay for a couple of weeks. Of course that performance has been cast in a different light having watched the Lions this year, but still, there was evidence of a nucleus of young gun mids to build future success upon. - They haven't been belted by 148 points. - Their injury list, whilst not horrific, isn't great - Wood, Murphy, Higgins, Dickson, Williams and now Griffen. - Macrea and Stringer have only played 1 game have they not? Were they expected to set the world on fire in their debut? Bottom line is right now if we were to play them, they'd still be favourites. I also think it takes alot of gall as a Melbourne supporter to say no-one cares about the Dogs. Like we're top of the tree? The only reason people enjoy reading about us is because we've been an unmitigated train wreck, on and off the field. It's a fascination. A case of "what have they done this time?". Nothing more.

Since when? Our kicking for goal has been quite good. Even Jezza Howe seems to haved sorted out his radar.

Yeah he shanked a couple in front of goal, but the heap that he kicked for Casey a couple of weeks ago shows that he hasn't forgotten how to put it through the big sticks. Tappy remains an important player in the future for all the reasons stated, but most of all, he is a real competitor.

Yep, Kent earned his chance and is still yet to get it. Hopefully soon.

If we don't, we should - 1st, 2nd and 3rd.

Interesting. Redden and Hanley especially are big outs.

There's no chance Jamar will be dropped. It was an improved performance on the weekend, though still a fair way off his best,

Too far.

Opposition fans love him. My Collingwood supporting colleague won't shut up about him.

Selwood is a superstar and has rightfully earned the praise he receives. Ridiculous to suggest otherwise.

Agree that he should be in the banner.

I'll save you the trouble of looking up his stats: 23 possessions (12 contested) at 78% 3 goals 8 marks 4 clearances He was a chief contributor keeping us in it when the chips were down.