Red Sox

A lifetime indeed that game but a good memory!! I was only into the start of a relationship with my wife when we watched that great game together....we've since had two kids and not got within 10 goals since!! Cool finish that goal by Leoncelli I will add If your a punter you take the plus 39.5 when the Dees go to Adelaide every day of the week!! This is a great thread and I hope the extra week gives the FD ample time to get us up for this one, Crows are in awful form and we should be capable of winning this. The shocking interstate record we have can start to be turned around with this game and the kids will have a platform for the future, North is a great example of taking over a winning mentality interstate regardless of talent, ladder position etc. I really would love to see us win more than we loose on the run home and this game will be the deciding factor on whether or not we can achieve that....games against Essendon, Richmond, Swans at the G, Nth Melb, Port at AAMI into the Crows game are 7 games that on our best form this year we can win.

Yeah good point about Strauss, will be playing/training with Casey. Would've thought Fitzy in that case would have stayed behind, hope he plays this weekend as I am looking forward to seeing him out there. From what you here about Skull it wouldn't surprise if he did ask for a game but not sure the FD will allow it. With the AFL/VFL ratio it would mean someone would have to go back to Casey two's also wouldn't it?

Maybe Eade is looking to bring back Wade Skipper as CHB for the dogs???! Yeah not good examples here Steve with Bennell, he started forward from this year because he wasn't cutting it down back as the current settled line up has. I would almost suggest that had Jurrah and Sylvia been there from Rnd 1, even Tapscott possibly we might not have seen Jimmy in the seniors. Couldn't call that experimenting or development because I doubt you will ever see Jim return to defense anytime soon.

Thomo....hopefully you can gain that 30 seconds back from your life that you wasted even commenting on the thread if so opposed. I read it as Morton taking over from Bruce and therefore squeezing Bruce out altogether as I can't see another position that would warrant Bruce being selected. Happy to hear your take on where he best fits if at all....otherwise, ignore it and move on mate because there is a fair chance you might see a few more of these pop up considering we tend to discuss MFC players here. Happy to talk about Craig Moores longevity for the Socceroos should you so desire.

All good Nasher...bring it too life!! Out of the 7 mids I reckon only 3, Voss, Ratten & Knights would have been more attack minded players. Even guys like Clarko I would class as more dour if not defensive midfielders.

Didn't even pick up on that....maybe because he was dragging three Pies through the pack at one time

Thanks for the post...interesting to see who is there, obviously Beamer leads the way so Syliva follows! (Surprised Russian isn't with them!), others there, Garland, Jones, Trengove, Gysberts, Watts..great to see Tapscott, Blease, Fitzpatrick and Gawn. What is the criteria for those that attend on the week off? Seems to be the younger guys but no Scully? Tapscott is going to be a big solid unit...but that's enough on that topic otherwise I paying way too much attention to blokes with their tops off and I love em all but not going that far! Not that there's anything wrong with that!

Garland of course!!! Thanks Nasher....seems I fell for the same trap as even coaches do by not giving a vote to defenders (even though flash is off half back is an attacker!). The overall leaderboard below reads like a Herald Sun player of the year award, bit surprising considering the majority of coaches were defenders or defensive minded and know better than us the task assigned. Reckon it's time an award was struck for the defenders. Leader board 62 Luke Hodge (Haw) 48 Dane Swan (Coll) 47 Matthew Pavlich (Fre) 46 Aaron Sandilands (Fre) 44 Paul Chapman (Geel) 41 David Mundy (Fre) 38 Gary Ablett (Geel) 38 Brendon Goddard (StK) 37 Lenny Hayes (StK) 37 Chris Judd (Carl)

Just having a look at the coaches votes for the QB game, as follows: Melbourne v Collingwood 9 Dane Swan (Coll) 9 Brent Moloney (Coll) 5 Mark Jamar (Mel) 5 Scott Pendlebury (Coll) 1 Brad Dick (Coll) 1 Dayne Beams (Coll) Obviously one coach gave Beamer 5, the other coach gave him 4 and same for Swan. One coach has given 3 to Russian, the other coach 2 and same for Pendlebury. Now, the one vote - both coaches have gone for Dick and Beams. I am obviously biased but IMO how Davey is not listed is beyond me. Malthouse tagged Flash who tore them apart, no vote there Mick? I would argue even with Dick's 4 goals, 2 were over the top Joe the Goose' and Davey was better than him. In my opinion Flash was just as effective as Pendlebury but what do I know? As for Beams? Seriously......

It looks great doesn't it?? Can't believe the AFL would allow it but if I think from memory this side of the ground is less adorned with sponsors signage probably due to it not being seen on television. In any case it looks great and brings back some ownership and 'home' ground feel to OUR ground. This board continue to impress like no other in my life time....

On the QB topic...as I was sitting in the Northern Stand I didn't even notice this banner!! Fantastic initiative by the club.. http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/7415/newsid/96417/default.aspx

Let me be clear. I certainly do not intend to bag Cam Bruce. He has achieved a lot for our club which I would never argue against and if not for Guerra may even have pocketed a brownlow medal?! Some players once they reach 30 can hit the wall quickly which I think has happened to Cam and other players are going past him that can't be ingored IMO, Junior Mac is the opposite of this and could go another 2 years they way he is playing. I would be happy with myself given the chance to pull on the red & blue as many times as Cam has. I wish him the best with my thoughts but I wish the club greater success again!

You go Steve!! Yeah my point was probably a bit on the rant side, but I have to take you up on the point in bold above, not sure why you can't see where the forward set up is going to come from, the names below IMO are the names to develop in and around the forward line. The defense has been a work in progress over 18 mths and has come together beautifully. Leave it as it is and lets develop the forward line with these players below: Green, Watts, Jurrah, Sylvia, Petterd, Wonna, Tapscott, Bennell, Maric, Stef Martin, Jack Fitpatrick, Bate, Dunn, Jetta, Miller. There are 15 names there....if can't develop from that group and have to rob from our super defensive unit, something will have gone terribly wrong.

Like to see people's opinion on Cam Bruce and Cale Morton. The thread on moving Garland forward got me to thinking of our fantastic/super/brilliant defensive unit (Frawley, Garland, Grimes, Warnock, Rivers, Bartram, Morton, Bruce) and also the team as a whole. I wouldn't change a thing with our core group of defenders and I believe that our forward line, even though it is struggling a bit has a lot of upside with the likes of Jurrah, Petterd, Wonna, Tapscott, Sylvia, Bennell, Hughes, Maric, Stef Martin even Jack Fitzpatrick all currently on the outside looking in for various reasons. Add this group to a developing Watts, Bate who will improve further in a better set up and the likes of Dunn, Jetta who add depth and a floating Brad Green....I have no concern that in time this line will come together nicely. In my opinion there is a squeeze coming with the roles Bruce and Morton play and I would prefer to see a player like Strauss start to get time in the side. His use of the ball far outweighs both Bruce and Morton and he could develop his game off a half bank flank, a forward flank or the midfield. There are plenty of options for Strauss. Saying all that, it is Cam Bruce who I think is most at threat. I think Morton has so much upside to him, he finds the ball easily, he is such a tall unit and can play in multiple positions. Cale needs to use the ball a bit better and also hit some marking contests a bit harder and use his height to advantage there but with a bit more bulk and confidence I've no doubt all of this will come together for Cale and he has the makings of developing his game as Brendon Goddard has done. Cam used to be able to do this but no longer, his kicking is terrible, pie floaters really and for this reason he cant be used forward any more and needs almost the spare floating role in the back half that any of Grimes, Rivers or Morton can easily cover. I find that Bruce also dishes off handballs to team mates that are in far less better positions than he is which gets us caught with ball too often (he is not alone here currently but he has been around 10 years and should make better decisions). Cam has been a great club man for the MFC and I take my hat off to him for his achievements. I just think his time has come. What do you think?

Agreed Jaycee...there couldn't be much doubt that he is our most important player. I believe that we have improved out of sight at the clearances and this is all attributed to Russian with a bith of help from his mate Beamer!! A great double act.....Beamer has been doing a damn fine Todd Viney impersonation this year!

Garland and Frawley will be everything and more that O'Brien and Shaw are...just as much pace (really O'Brien and Shaw are NOT that quick, just find open space to run into, especially at Collingwood because they use the flanks). Frawley is not a full back and Garland is no where near slow?? Sorry mate but what are you watching?? Frawley is as quick as any of the best defenders - goes from playing on John Brown, Jack Riewoldt to Stevie J, killing Medhurst...come on!! Garland is a star - his confidence is returning by the minute from what we all saw in 2008...he is a ripper and very quick, a good user of the ball and gives his opponent little more than an inch in every contest. Grimes - will stay exactly where he is - Half Back is Defacto midfield role in current football anyhow. He leaves his man to take marks, takes risk at nearly every opportunity (yes sometimes he can turn it over, once a game really no big deal - this happens when you control the play from time to time)...Grimes will be THE BEST half back in the game!! Strauss is also another option/replacement/cover for the Grimes role - enough quality in the middle to allow us to continue with these two.

Wow...I can't believe the number of people wanting a move forward for Garland!! How about we just swing the whole team around and against the crows go with a forward line of Rivers, Warnock, Grimes, Garland, Frawley and Bartram and have a defense of Bate, Miller, Jetta, Green, Watts and Dunn????? I know it sounds pretty far fetched....but IMO no less than wanting to get Garland forward. I almost wish the big Russian had of gone back and slotted that goal himself rather than dishing to Col because as soon as it went through the obvious calls were coming...'move him forward'!! People we have the following players - Sylvia, Jurrah, Petterd, Wonna, Tapscott, Bennell, Maric, Stef Martin, Jack Fitpatrick down the line - all these boys are the forward lines future and if you ask me a fantastic future for the forward line added to Bate, Watts, Dunn and Green. Surely the 13 players mentioned here is sufficient enough without wanting to alter what is becoming THE BEST backline in the league!! I would much rather hope to see Jurrah and Tapscott return later in the year at some stage along with a fit Wonna added to possibly Watts, Sylvia and Bate with Green being the option to float forward from the midfield etc.

Thanks WYL...much appreciated mate. No doubt, we will ALL be there to see (insert appropriate captain choice here - there's so many!) lift that trophy very soon!! Doesn't it make the start of the week so great that people are now coming up to us Demons again to talk about our players and in general how well the club is traveling...a great team that has been assembled all thanks to one great man!! And we thought he gave us enough as a player! His legacy will live at Melbourne long after you and I are gone!! Go Demons!

Hi Daz...see comment below from Casey match report against the Zebra's, Strauss not too far away I reckon and will be part of four options, with Grimes, Davey and Garland to kick out IMO, he is certainly more worthy than just needed to kick out.. "young Demon James Strauss put on a display of silky disposal skills, picking up 23 possessions while keeping a dangerous opponent in check" Best Johnson, Strauss, Macdonald, Creed, Wall, Panozza On another note people was great to see the following at Casey twos: Best L McDonald, Cleven, Purdy, Fitzpatrick, Weekes, Jones Fitzy's potential looks great!!

Leave it as you found it I say.....extra time for finals and even Grand Finals now as replays should be a thing of the past, way too much time invested into one week, teams travel across the country etc, but that's another argument I guess.

Rhino I must have had something slipped in my coffee at the game yesterday, I've agreed all day with you!! 4th-5th best defence in the league from a team sitting in 13th..this stat is pure gold! No way should there be shuffling of anyone out of that group. Neitz was a super, super CHB but could also play elsewhere without an issue due to his athleticism, I actually played against him as a junior or should put it watched him as a junior as he kicked 8 on me from the centre!!! Still got forward line players to return to this side that include, Sylvia, Jurrah and Petterd, a kid by the name of Tapscott who will be a beauty, Wonna when he is fit enough to return, Bennell to show a bit more consitency, Watts to develop more and more!! Leave Garland where is and continue to develop into a star that he will become, leave Cheney where he is until a viable spot opens for him to be a replacement....which is pretty much IMO only Bartrams spot which Clint has made his own so far.

Good topic for this week Strawbs!! Interesting to note the battle they had on each other in Round 4...thought that Chip lowered his colors early but as good defenders do he worked his way back into the contest, Jack did kick 3.4 so it could have looked worse on Chip that day. Maybe says more about Jack because IMO it is the only time anyone has got close to beating Chip, even Stevie J was handled well by Chip when it could've been easy for him to explode, especially knowing Chip was sore through the end of that game. I'm sure Richmond are happy with what they took and so are we. If you stick with the experts they will tell you it is the defense that wins flags and we have the best up and coming back line in the game (probably better seeing as they are ranked 4 or 5 already)so reckon that we picked the better option and your right Chip is an out and out STAR! Will be interesting to see the re-match between these two players.

Peter, he tagged Heath Shaw as a defensive forward. Shaw had only 12 touches for the game and amazingly only 1 in the entire first half....an amazing shut down job. Like Petterd did in Round 2....

Joeboy - a pretty harsh description of a few guys IMO. Are you saying Dunn was not good and should have kicked 8? He was fantastic in a defensive role on Heath Shaw who can be one of the most damaging defenders in the game. Watts - a liability? For 2 or 3 bad decisions? Well 2 probably, one slip at the interchange gates didn't look great, but 11 touches, 6 marks is far from a liability and he continues to look good with the ball around his ankles. Still getting used to playing with men and still only ever done half a pre-season - the upside is plenty, be patient and take the positive. Trengove - a vital link through the middle with his handball, not his best game of the whole 11 of his career, go easy. Scully - got over 20 touches again, sometimes rushed to make a decision that seems him turn it over, his penetration etc will not be a worry moving forward as he gets more strength in the legs. Think you need to back off a little as IMO you are being a bit harsh and these guys played their role quite ok. Gysberts was pretty quiet but was on Pendlebury for most of the game (who IMO he resembles quite a bit), he will learn a lot from that

Beamer is a fantastic demon and a great leader around the club, there is no doubt about this. Not sure this entirely relates back to him becoming skipper and I would agree that his disposal can be a bit off at times. But I would say he has improved this over the last 12 mths. It would be my preference to make one of the young guys captain, I love Jack Grimes so my bias is certainly towards him. The way football has changed with the half back almost taking on a quarter back type roll it would be a good spot on the ground to lead the troops IMO. Blokes like Moloney and Jones and the ilk lead by example in all respects and dont need the captaincy to do this. Having said all that...I would put my house on Beamer being made captain by Bailey etc. The noises being made are obvious.