Pates

Not trying to be that "Mr Positive" guy but there were not too long ago a fair amount of players that were banging down the door of the selection committee and the only reason they weren't getting a game was because we were doing so well. Wagner and White were terrible of the weekend, honestly don't think I can say much more. But Wagner is definitely a lot better than what he dished up, he was in good form before he was dropped and was basically the victim of someone being available who is front of him. That's not the case now, so time to shine. This will be Goody's biggest test. Very easy for the players to fall back into the veil of negativity that seems to hang over the club. But if we do manage to get back Jeffy and Jesse, maybe just maybe that'll be enough to keep the confidence up. Petracca is going to have to be the man I suspect, Oliver is going to have to recapture his early season form, and those coming in will have to play out of their skins. Tough times ahead, but let's see how we go with week one.

If that's what it takes I wouldn't be surprised to see Jack do it too! I definitely remember hearing about that.

From our best 22 I have definitely out: Viney Jones Tyson Salem Watts (Brayshaw) Pluse Garlett and Hogan as tests for next week. Have I forgotten anyone? [Edit] I included Brayshaw because if he'd been given a clean run at it I think he'd be pushing into our best 22. Particularly given are current injuries.

If it was a ban for next week I'd be concerned, but for them individually it's moronic given the state of the list. They'll never get a better chance to break into the line up.

Yeah I just saw that, he said he wouldn't be playing v Carlton after a set back at training.

The injuries we've got force us to look week by week again. I was trying not to get too far ahead but I must admit I was dreaming of September action. It's still very much on the cards but boy we will have to dig deep. Carlton next week is a huge challenge, we certainly didn't smash them off the park last time and I think they've improved. They pushed Adelaide all the way. Seeing our depleted list they will give themselves a big chance against us. We should have some players coming back but it's in the middle where we have been hard hit, 3 of our starting midfielders and ball extractors gone for an extended period. Oliver, Petracca, Vince, Lewis, and players brought in from Casey are going to have to step up big time. Might be time for Trenners to come in. David King was wondering why Melbourne fans were refusing to get too excited, this is why. Every time we seem to reach the end of the tunnel it comes crashing down.

Will say this for Tommy, the way he's been playing has reminded me for David Neitz.

So, a bad weekend then.

Before the west coast game I was thinking our injury was becoming very manageable. That's been blown right out now. Losing both our captains (not to mention two of our best midfielders) is a massive blow to us. At least we get back Watts, Hogan, and hopefully Jeffy next week.

Although he has t been in great form I went for Bernie. He's been around the club for quite a while now, has the respect of his teammates and is an experienced head. I think in this situation we need experience as our captain. So it would be Vince or Lewis for me. Maybe we do a bit of Grant Thomas as give each player a week as captain!

I think the important thing is that the club doesn't dwell on this loss. This was the most comprehensive loss we've had for the year and it was (only) 35pts. Albeit we got lucky with their inaccuracy in the first quarter. Once able to break free we showed the free-flowing football we're capable of in the first quarter but I honestly think the players looked cooked. Does it excuse the loss? No. But it does give context. We had significant injuries leading into the game and they telled, we missed Salems class in the backline, Watts class in the forward/half forward line, Garletts pressure and creativeness, Hogan as another tall target, Jones leadership, and then after half time Viney's leadership. We were also tired from the 6 day breaks, but credit to them they never allowed us fluid ball movement. It was a bad night, but we simply need to move on. We will get back Watts next week, Hogan probably as well, Casey are in good form so there should be players knocking down the door. Sadly Wagner and White both had bad nights and I think could be dropped. Reality check given, reload next week. (As a side note it continues my horrendous record of tipping us wrong this year!)

Obviously the coaches need to maintain a positive attitude with the players but I agree with this as well. We can't let it be a humiliation otherwise it could dent the confidence in our players. How we respond for the last quarter could tell the story of how we back it up next week.

Hannan had to kick that goal earlier in the quarter, we kick that and the momentum is with us and momentum is a funny thing in sport. Sydney are running and murdering us in every way possible. The boys need to dig deep to stop this from blowing out.

The short breaks and injuries have finally caught up to us.

Wagner's having a mare. Dropped marks, poor kicks.

Also seems to me than a lot of bounces just seem to be favouring Sydney. Always just seems to be popping up for them. Someone needs to step up.

Maybe it's lack of legs after the multiple 6 day breaks etc but they are running so much harder than us.

He's out for the entire game, deliberately punched him. 6 weeks for me.

No I'm sorry, bumps happen, high tackles happen. You don't punch a guy, ever.

Like last week we weren't the best team in the first quarter but with some luck we rode the storm and somehow find ourselves with a handy little lead but we have to start showing some composure. So offer handballs are getting us into trouble and we're choosing the wrong options or not hitting them with kicks. No Salem on the half back line is hurting there. But last week we settled and I'm back us to be able to do it again. But not to harp on again but I'm so [censored] off with Bugg right now I almost want him to be forced to sit out the rest of the match. Dog, weak as [censored] act by him, whenever he is available for selection again I want him to be be forced to play a further 3 good matches in the VFL before coming into the seniors. He's not automatic best 22, and that was assault, plain and simple.

Enjoy your weeks off Bugg. That was a disgraceful hit and I don't ever want a melbourne player doing such a dog act. At the other end, well done Tommy Mac.

Given the week he's had you'd think if Sydney were going to target anyone it would be Oliver. I wouldn't expect Oliver to back down but it could just distract him a bit, and sometimes that's all you need.

I'm liking the calls to bring Wagner in and move Hunt forward. He looks very dangerous in the air and is a bit of a livewire, could he be used as a tagging role as well forcing his opponent to be more accountable? His pace would surely worry a few defenders into some mistakes.

Yeah that is the outlier here. No way in hell was he worth pick 26, he would've got top 10 for sure. But as has been said, as we get better we will get more and more hate coming our way, and I love it. How patronising has it been over the years hearing opposition supporters say "oh I like Melbourne, they're my second team because they haven't had much success." I want us to be a team hated and feared.

If anything I think it'll just pour gasoline on the fire inside Oliver. Watch him hit the contests even harder this week.