Deetective Sgt. Taggert

While we couldn't even conjure up a victory over the wooden spooners at our home turf... I made a point of their performance against the top four compared to our in another thread and I think its reflection of the strength of our gameplan when executed well but North has still pulled off a few good victories of late hence why I rate them slightly higher now.

Is this the same bunch of sooks who put in a good performance for Harvey's 300th to beat West Coast at Subiaco and is currently a game and a half ahead of us on the ladder? While they have most times been flogged by the teams in the top 6 and done a good job opf beating up on teams in the bottom eight I'm starting to think more highly of the Roos given what they have achieved this year despite a relatively young list.

I meant perhaps its may have been slightly disruptive in terms of mental preparation for what was a significant milestone game, but yeah unlikely I agree

maybe the players are playing poorly due to some disquiet over Juniors forced retirement?! Pure speculation and we always play poorly here but who know?

Haha, almost choked on my lunch laughing at this, least we can still have a sense of humour while watching the perpetuation of a ridiculous hoodoo at AAMI

Who is playing on Boak?

Well if it was supposed to be a three goal breeze then we aren't doing too badly on the scoreboard, but sounds like we didn't make the most of our chances so let's see how much thats costs us as the game pans out

How is Moloney looking after all that time out? Newton and Warnock?

Good stat but poor conversion rate for goals from forward 50 entries, we were second behind bulldogs on this stat a few backs I think?

I would also like to think that with another pre-season of development for the team that collectively they will get themselves 'over the line' and will put themselves in a winning position earlier and maintain it, rather than having to rely on a few older heads to get them there - and by no means is this a swipe at our veterans this year who have done a very commendable job

Duly noted

I think there's another thread that's dedicated to this topic

Interesting idea, maybe swap with Garland who has been mooted as a potential future forward by some within the club? Can't see it happening this year thought You could be onto something here... Valid point and all the more reason I would see it as a significant win

Couldn't agree more. I think a win at AAMI this weekend is almost of more significance than us making the finals, and would be great for the younger guys to not inherit the baggage of past MFC teams by getting a win on the board at AAMI early in their careers

Great to see Warnock break back into the side after some good performances in Casey. Backline seems a little top heavy now though so interesting to see how it goes. Surely one of Morton or Moloney will replace Davey. Are they really considering Newton ahead of Miller?! Perhaps they want to give hhim one last crack at a forward/ruck role (i.e. replacing Johnson) before making a final decision on his future.

Not sure if this has been explained elsewhere, but how does the captaincy selection process actually work?

Maybe. But then I would rather they told the truth than pretend otherwise, would be damaging for the club's reputation if they tried to cover it up I would have thought. It shows a degree a maturity that they can be upfront and honest about they decisions they make as a footbal department. I think transparency is the best approach and I think the club probably thinks the same way.

Nostradamus?! Apart from perhaps Jurrah and Grimes as most 5 important players (but thats debatable anyways) these predictions look right on the money at this stage...only time will tell

I thinks to some degree he's getting a good run in terms of selection based on potential rather than performance but then so have arguably plenty of other younger players the last two years so I don't see it as a huge deal. And there's not really anybody else on the list making a really strong case for selection (aside from Miller the last couple of weeks) who plays a similar role in the forward line is there? And at the end of the day, if the ulimate goal is a premiership and the FD sees Watts as a core part of it then hell give him as much time as he needs!

Well, yes, although he can claim injury as the cause of his drop off as the other posted pointed out

I'm sure Jordie can take comfort in the fact that he's been picked to play in most games he's been available for this year and has been a consistant performer, compared to those guys who have flashed for a few games, scored a nominitation then dropped off again (e.g. Nic Nat). And he gets plenty of love and recognition from the coaches it would seem (and the supporters!) so I reckon he'd pretty content with that.

I thought some of Jurrahs forays into the mid-field today were exciting and he obviously has the potential (as does Watts I think but to a lesser degree) to be throw into the middle for short periods and provide something different at some stage but no doubt he's best place is in the forward fifty and he needs to polish up those skill first. But yeah great start for him to his career so far

Yeah fair call. I guess I was just trying the say the boys will need to be a bit sharper (i.e. less fumbles) if they are to overcome the hawks and get their fast flowing game going for longer.

Yeah of course, I don't Lyon's opinion as gospel thats for sure. I was justing trying to make the point that Bate is being underrated I believe by a number of poeple on this post and that earlier in the year they probably would have thought differently about his role/future in the side. I'm sure the club takes a much longer term view and takes more than just form over the last few months into account when making list management decisions.

Are you for real? They have sand in the changerooms?