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Watching Jones develop has been one of the best things during my time watching Melbourne. When he came to the club he was shy but humble and we really didn't know what he would be. He's had to work his proverbial off to get where he is and deserves every bit of the plaudits he's getting. He's not the best player in the AFL, but he is one of the best leaders in the league. [EDIT] Also funny to remember the first time he was on a tv show. He came on to the footy show as one of the players just in the crowd for a quick 5min spot. He was so nervous he started sweating and you could see it dripping down his bald scone! To Sam Newmans credit he did try to help him through it.

I didn't see the game but were they "effective" touches (that is they completed the journey from player A to player B) or were they actual quality that moved the ball in a positive way?

Sounds like Jetta's replacement is an obvious one. Grimes in after a few solid weeks. Kents the harder one, he brings pace to the side and tenacity in the forward line. Toumpas has been ok from the sounds of things but hardly knocking on the door. I really want him to force his way into the side, not be given it through luck and timing. He's hardly shown those attributes I highlighted of Kent. That said who else is there? Matt Jones and Bail? You could argue that it has been Bail's place in the team in recent years, but is he more deserving than Jimmy? Coming up against a hard team, I think we need hard committed bodies. I think that would be Matt Jones. Probably play him as the sub, Michie got an opportunity to step up and he took it, Jones could do the same.

No offence to the OP but this is a ridiculous conversation to be having in round 4 with our opponents having been GC, GWS (who pansed us), Adelaide, and the Tigers. We are an up and coming team, that is all. We still have along way to go before we can start talking about who we're better than. On their best day the Tigers are still probably better than us. [EDIT] Typo

Surely that has to be the end game for Cross. He's here almost as an on field coach, I would think he'd want the younger players baring down on him and forcing him to retain it.

I reckon if you're within touch at 3 quarter time vs Port you're a chance. Their game plan seems to be really taxing and they have to be careful not to fade for the second half of the year. Honestly can't believe the hawks actually managed to get themselves back into the game, down their key defender as well from early on, they are impressive.

I think the tigers lost it in a few areas. Firstly they missed some very easy chances in the first quarter, scoreboard pressure is the best kind of pressure. Just ask Port Adelaide, they had a seemingly commanding lead from the end of the first quarter but the Hawks started chipping away and kicking goals and they almost pulled off an incredible comeback. We took our chances, the tigers didn't when they clearly were the dominant team of the first quarter. Secondly their ability to adapt to the conditions. I have no doubt that us playing in the wet last week helped us in that regard because we just played intelligent wet weather footy (most of the time). Whereas the tigers kept wanting to hit up targets and chip it around, then finally when they did go forward our defenders were usually given a good chance to spoil. Finally we were simply harder at it. Maybe that explains the free kicks being in the tigers favour (although some of them were just absolutely baffling), but our players really had a hunger for the contest. The only time I can remember us not doing that was the tigers first goal and it wouldn't have surprised me if those players got together and vowed that was not going to happen again.

I believe they probably timed it that way so that it gave the lights maximum amount of time to power up fully. I felt the pre-match ceremonies were excellent. The flame, the horse, Barassi lighting the cauldron, it was just all really tasteful. The only downside was the idiot than had his/her phone go off during the last post, and then the next idiot that had his/her phone go off during the minute silence. Seriously, first thing I did when it went into the official parts to the ceremony was put my phone on silent. I would've thought it would be obvious. And to let it ring out was even worse. That was my only gripe to an otherwise perfect evening.

Tough 3 weeks coming so this is a massive win for momentum. If we can play with that kind of effort against all Freo, Sydney, and the Hawks then we will not be easy beats and win or lose the fans will be proud. Jesse has played every game so far exactly how we'd like like, sure he hasn't dominated but the efforts, pack crashing, marking, and 2 goals a game have proven exactly why he were so keen to get him. I reckon Rance thought he was going to give Hogan a lesson, turned out Hogan was the teacher not the pupil! We are building a good list, with depth and a philosophy of there being a standard every player needs to meet. Michie showed what he is capable of and should play a full game next week in the place of Kent. Sad to lose him, hopefully it's not a serious tear. Most of our injured players are actually of best 22 quality which makes the win even better!

I'd get on Melbourne at that price, but I've never had a successful bet on the Dees so I won't put the jinx on!

I hope Howe does take stock of where he's at and where the clubs at. We've essentially built from the bottom up since he's been here and plucked him from relative obscurity (can someone confirm whether or not there was interest from other clubs when we got him?) and he's now become a much loved player of the fans. That said what does his actual output command, and if he's really looking for the money then what are we prepared to give him? We overpaid a lot of players for a good while during times in which we were utter crap, I'd rather us go for a star player then top up a player over his worth. Stick with us Jeremy, we're on the way up and everything that we've been through with you will just make it that much more sweeter.

I have a feeling about this week, I think he's been building towards a big one and the tigers feel like a good fit to get it done.

What classifies as a "premium member". Will reserved seat members count?

I got the locations incorrect but it was a constant rumour every time he was out of contract.

With apologies to those who live in Perth, I keep hearing from so many people that are from there/lived there that Perth is a boring place to live. Ultimately I reckon if we start winning games and he see success on the horizon that will be enough to keep him here. It's always the question on everybody's mind when picking up a young interstate recruit, when will he go home? People kept hearing that Pav wanted to return to Adelaide "at some stage", that has never happened. EDIT: Location, thanks to dazzledavey36 for the fact check!

I'm going to preface this by saying I didn't watch the game and I've only seen snippets. Watts is a cog in a machine, every player is a cog so if one is going in the wrong directing it will have flow on effects and hurt the team. I think Watts is going in the right direct but just slower than others. It's not excusing him from shirking contents but for me it means he's still an integral part of the team's future success. He's put his hand up, before anybody criticised him, and apologised to his teammates. There are few that have played the game who can say they never shirked a contest, what's important is him response. Lucky for him he's got a team this week that he matches up well on. I think Jesse is building towards a big game and the Tigers could well be it, and this will be Dawes's third game for the year, perhaps third times the charm. Minimal changes, settled team is good for moral. In: Peders Out: Frost (inj)

I'd say he's certainly one to target, although his injury issues are a concern.

I might try to drag a few others along to this match, I made sure I was able to go to this match a long way in advance. This will be my first game for the year, really glad it's this one. Sounds like they are really trying to do this in a dignified way. Side note: I'm sure the banner people have already made their plans, but would there be a way of perhaps having all the names of the MFC players who lost their lives in service to be on the banner/honoured in another way.

It would be interesting getting someone like Wayne Carey to look at Jesse's kicking. Out on the field it doesn't look fluid but perhaps it is just a confidence thing at this stage. What was curious was one of the few times I was able to watch the game over the weekend was when Jesse took that great mark 15m out but missed the goal. I watched him walk in and I knew he was going to miss it but it wasn't because of the ball drop. The ball went the exact direction of his body but his body at the last moment pointed towards the behind post. Thus he missed. So his ball drop appears consistent and good (something Cloke definitely doesn't have), he might just need his approach looked at.

Jeez these 4-6 week injuries are starting to pop up. Give Pederson an opportunity to get into the side again, had a very good first half of last year so hopefully he can bring that again and make it really hard for others to crack in. Fitzy is another who may get a chance with Frost out although I don't see that happening for a few weeks. Good luck with recovery Frosty.

360 on Monday will be interesting, I suspect Roos will play a straight bat but it would be good to see him stick up for one of his chargers. Bernie did a job, and he did it well.

Poor conditions for a big forward but Dawes should be on notice. In fact if [Pedersen] dominates VFL this week I would be keen for him to come in for Dawes. But for me he gets another week.

That is true, I think Dawes at his best is better than what Miller produced at his best but we never got Dawes to be a no 1 tall forward. He was meant to be 2nd behind Clark and eventually third behind Hoges, his role at the club has had to change a number of times as has happened with several others. At this stage we need him and Hoges to have equal output, we need them both to lead hard, clunk marks and be options that mids can rely on to be a get out kick.

It's an interesting read. Burke's reasoning isn't to do with who's the better player but who is the better role model for their respective clubs. He makes some very good points, and one thing that resonates through the AFL about Jonesy is just how highly he's respected. He is someone who's had to earn everything he's got, it didn't just fall in his lap. When he first arrived at the club they coined his nickname "chunk" because he had such a chunky butt compared to the rest of his body. I'm not saying he was out of shape but jeez you could not fault the way he has worked to get every scrap of strength and fitness out of his body. I really hope Jonesy is still playing if/when we are next in top 4 contention, he deserves to see some success at this club.

Really hoping that the win at this ground will fuel some confidence that no doubt got reduced after last weeks terrible second half. Dawes in particular, this game last year was probably his best performance for the club, not only played well but showed leadership at the right times. We need him to be that guy again if we are to have any chance.