wmth

Penned an article this morning if anyone's interested: http://backpagelead.com.au/afl/9082-forget-excuses-i-just-want-the-players-to-try-hard-

Penned an article on just this: http://backpagelead.com.au/afl/8863-afl-supporter-hope-springs-eternal Stupidly optimistic as always.

Posted some of this in the other thread, but a well made point by the OP. I've written a blog post along similar lines if anyone's interested: http://wmth.wordpress.com/ Puts things in perspective when it's brought to light in such a confronting fashion and it raises questions I am not even sure I want the answer to (such as your query over Geelong).

Terrible news for all sports fans and potentially changes the landscape completely. Happy about none of this. Updated my blog is anyone's interested: http://wmth.wordpress.com/ Australian sport has perhaps felt impervious to this sort of corruption. Incredible amount of deceit for god knows how long.

I think the older draftees like Byrnes, Rodan, Terlich etc have been brought in for quite a specific reason. Sounds obvious I know, but I've often discussed this theory in relation to Australian cricket as it was and as it is now. My theory was that, while we had great players, it highlighted the importance of having a very strong second tier. How good was Martin Love to only play one test!? The result is that talent wasn't relied upon and second group really pushed the talented players to another level. It's not necessarily even a conscious thing, but talent is maximized due to natural competition. Hope that makes sense. As for cricket now, there doesn't appear to be that really strong second tier, but perhaps it's been being developed through that awful rotation policy. Another story. I suspect Melbourne hasn't had an environment like that for a number of years, where it is ultra competitive. Guys like Rodan, Brynes and the rest will do wonders for the likes of Tapscott, Watts, Blease etc who have natural ability but haven't really had to compete for a spot like this.

Thanks!

More innuendo and assumptions. It's what they call a 'filler' in this quiet time of year. AFL journos have got little to write about and it appears mr pierek has latched on to this, merely writing the same article differently every week. ...thanks for the kind comments re my article above. Cheers Wmth

Thanks for the kind feedback, folks. The poor media commentary rages on, however, still laced with innuendo and shady sources. The mantle has seemingly been passed on to Mr Pierek. Even if my explanations for the above moves are incorrect, it goes to show defenses can be manufactured in much the same way the media is finding guilt. Says a lot about what a mess this whole affair is and perhaps why objectivity in these matters is so important. Cheers, Will

Thanks for the positive feedback, team. Much appreciated and glad you liked it. Good to see it generating a bit of discussion, with some pro Melbourne tanking articles circulating today. Cheers wmth

Indeed! Thanks for all the feedback. Haven't read through it all yet but will do this evening. Let you know how it goes

Things go quickly when you're fired up. I should've been doing my real job as well...Media scratching the surface for Dees tanking evidence I've just slapped it on my blog as a draft. Need to read through it all and finish it off with another par, but want to send this on tomorrow. Feedback (some of it) welcome.

I might just take you up on that. I am an ex journo and write for Back Page Lead on occasion. May even run it by here if I get round to it - is that a wise thing to do, or will be subjected to endless editing?

I was asked to write an article on the Dees' trading period. If anyone's interested: http://backpagelead.com.au/afl/7843-moneyball-marvels-or-more-demon-disasters My take is that the moves made suit Melbourne, and perhaps Melbourne alone. Our deficiencies are such that bringing in the likes of Rodan and Byrnes, and paying a high price for Dawes can be justified.

I have doubts also, but I am keeping the faith and certainly won't dismiss this approach until I've seen it. I'd much rather play like Geelong to be honest - there is no way to beat them in full flight, gameplans and all.

Cale is worth nothing. As Wallace just said, he can't play a man's game...the way he's gone about it over the last few years has been symbolic of this club. Good move. ...as aside, I can't help but think about that atrocious round 1 display against Brisbane. We kicked long allll day to the boundary and we got killed on the rebound. I think we changed the plan slightly as we went along, but the fact we're bringing in so many talls indicates this is how we want to play. Either take a contested mark or create a strong contest - in Dawes, Pederson and Clare we have that.

I think you mean the sliding into the lower leg. That was the Gary Rohan rule. The centre circle, of which im referring to, restricting a ruckman's run up, was when Adam Goodes clashed knees, got injured, and declared he could no longer play in the ruck.

These rucking rules have killed us. Jeff White wasn't nearly as effective after the centre circle introduction (imagine Naitanui with a full run up!). A reactionary decision from one knee injury to Goodes. Now Jamar won't be able to use his best asset, his strength and jostling for best position. He isn't that tall comparitively. I think Gawn's value may have just risen. The position is becoming more and more suited to a basketball style player. Someone who is 7 foot tall and can just stand there and tap it. Or, indeed someone with freakish athletic ability that uses the - now governed - space to jump.

Billy Longer. Ruckman

I am personally not that unsettled by the prospect of Rivers moving elsewhere. A fine servant indeed and has certainly had a good year, but I don't think he's a huge loss to be honest. I remember too fondly him getting man handled by T. Cloke and his short disposal out of the backline was lacklustre. A good intercept mark no doubt, but won't begrudge either him or MFC to moving on.

Good kid Koby. I was a country journo in Bairnsdale a few years ago and did a few stories with him. Solid unit with leadership credentials. Get

Excellent point. Runners are icing. Quality inside mids others look a lot better - I could imagine guys like strauss and blease benefiting hugely

Posted this elsewhere, but perhaps more relevant here. I was asked to write an article on Beamer: http://www.backpagelead.com.au/afl/7382-from-best-a-fairest-to-booted-a-forgotten#comment-639980535 I think his exit, moreso than others, signals the beginning of significant change for the club.

We've got no choice but to back the coaching group, and dare I say "put blind faith" in them. Rightly or wrongly, no coach of Melbourne has been this brave in a long time. In all likelihood, this is exactly what is needed to fix this place because something is or was rotten. FYI - I penned an article: http://backpagelead.com.au/afl/7382-from-best-a-fairest-to-booted-a-forgotten

That's cruel. Of course, a sling tackle

Did we find out if Jack Viney was suspended? Would be good to watch him go around but I read somewhere that he might have been booked for something.