P-man

I don't need you to explain to me why they are a better side thanks mate. It has everything to do with their superior forward line, structure and application of the press, but the extent of their form reversal from last year compared to ours is relevant. Very relevant.

Rogue - I acknowledge the extent of the injury concerns, albeit that we've been equally as horrid without them. My underlying point is that I hold concerns for the impact on the psyche of our younger players when we continue to get thumped, with leadership roles falling to players who are not much older than themselves. This may in turn affect our ability to retain players. I know I'm not the only one whose patience has been stretched to its absolute limit, and seeing our AA FB talking openly about being tired of losing has got the blood rushing.

I was in the stands at that game and I can tell you I've never seen a worse display from a Melbourne side. I know we've had some stinkers but in the context iof where we should be with our development, it was the worst. Why are West Coast a better side? We're talking about the reigning wooden spooners. You don't see it as a relevant that arguably our worst performance of the season was with only a small handful of omissions? It took unprecedented media pressure for the team to actually lift and perform tyhe following week. It all but completely negates your point of "Injuriesssssss". There is a systemic problem.

How many injuries did we have against West Coast? It weighes into the debate but it is no excuse for how we are playing. Certainly Chippa doesn't think so.

Not surprisingly he seems really, really flat. What sticks out is the way he says "to be honest, I'm getting really tired of losing". Seemed quite poignant and demonstrates how much this culture of losing games, going back several years, is impacting the players. As a supporter it's really tough to watch one of our champions looking like a beaten man, but you can see the will and determination is still there. This club needs to turn things around NOW, not later. The waiting time is over. The younger players need to be introduced into a club that is intent on playing finals football and right now we are so far from that it's ridiculous.

Absolutely and without question would love to see him come in and shake things up. For whatever reason our forwards are not demonstrating enough application of how the modern game should be played, and frankly need a solid kick up the arse.

You just have to laugh at how bad our luck has been. Really couldn't come at a worse time with massive games against Collingwood and Richmond coming up. Fingers crossed for some speedy recoveries over the next fortnight. Personally I'd just like to see us have a dig with the players we have at our disposal. I've had it up to the teeth with the damage control footy that commits us to an "honourable" loss, which still turns out to 40+ points. Go out there and attack and see what happens.

I really couldn't disagree more. Sylvia was far and above one of our best. Yet again we looked most dangerous (arguably the only time we looked dangerous) when he was bringing the ball out of the midfield. Kicked a terrific goal from the boundary that would've made our very short highlight reel. 21 disposals and 8 tackles tells the story. Frawley did well given the amount of responsibility he had heaped upon him, but he looked very indecisive and at times lethargic. The only players that got their hands on the pill less than Jetta were Newton, Petterd, Jurrah and the two subs, so I'm not sure how he "kept getting involved". Watts was embarassing, and in the one game where Green had to show his captaincy skills, he showed very little indeed. The second and third efforts just weren't there.

He takes an eternity to get rid of the thing. He resorted to vintage Jonesy that overestimates himself and tries that one thing too many resulting int a turnover, often in dangerous areas.

Jesus christ mate, what game did you watch?

6. Martin 5. Rivers 4. Sylvia That's it.

This is the bottom line. The excuse that the players aren't applying the game plan comes back to Bailey's shortcomings as a coach in terms of communication and leadership. Saying we were only down by 16 points at halftime completely overlooks Carlton's horrible finishing and disposal in their forwardline. It could've and should've been a 6 goal differential at halftime. We are being labelled as pea hearts by the football community and on the back of games like that, who can disagree with them? The lack of leadership being shown on the field has gone beyond alarming, and to think that the players missing would've changed the outcome is far too convenient and at this stage I think inaccurate. Excuses of injuries don't wash when you put forward efforts such as tonight. All this talk of us having the best young list in the country, and that's the best Bailey and co can produce? In a game where we are undermanned to this extent, to just lie down and allow the opposition free reign to come at us and scramble to keep the defecit as low as possible.. Who wants to watch that style of football? Who wants to be associated with it? I'm sick to death of the insipid efforts, week after week, with the occasional blip on the radar to give us some hope only to return to the usual, deplorable, Melbourne. We've put up with this [censored] for YEARS. Bailey's record doesn't lie and I've officialy had enough. He has to go, before his "style" does more damage to the club psyche and reputation. Bailey OUT.

This is just...no words.

That is indeed the plan.

Gotta be honest - I'll be watching this game with only one eye open.

He certainly hasn't been playing like one.. He needs to step up in this game.

The same could arguably said of Richmond, in fact their list is looking better by the week. Certainly, the great president and great supporters doesn't hold true for the filth.

I was shocked to learn that he only won one B&F. He was quite philosophical about it, all things considered. The other interesting thing was you could sense a small amount of bitterness still lingered over Healy's move from Melbourne to Sydney. It stood out in the interview, given he generally seems a very humble and accepting guy.

Honestly I've now resigned myself to him going at the end of the year simply in an attempt to avoid the disappointment if it happens. Watching all the other players commit to their clubs makes it all the more difficult. What will be will be, although I admit him going to the Tigers would add that extra bit of sting.

Knew about the other two but not Pendles. That sucks.

What's Brad Dick ever done wrong? I don't mind Dick.

I'm not sure how anyone could conclude we have an effective forward line in its current state. The OP is right, until the Cooks and Fitzpatricks develop, we need a strong tall up forward to provide a contest and Jamar is looking a good option, provided we can get the shanks out of his game.

Perhaps you were at the game and got a better view, but from watching on tv I saw very little running into space. In fact the almost complete lack of movement up forward and lack of targets is what resulted in our players looking like stunned mullets with the ball in their hands, resulting in the Saints being able to appear as though the old "saints footy" had made its momentous return. Our inability to get it out of our back half looked to be as much our doing as theirs.

Sylvia in the backline? Wow...we really are up [censored] creek.

I'll second that. There is something going on with him personally. There has to be.