Pates

In other games I've been able to point to spirit as a positive. None of that today, twice our players copped cheap shots and there was zero desire to fly the flag and defend the player. The Pederson hit in particular should've lit a fire under them, it did the opposite. Tyson my only positive, how that goal at 3qtr time didn't inspire them is beyond me.

I can't begin to describe how annoyed I am, we kick the first goal of the last quartet and totally capitulate. Leaders, leaders, leaders! One of our players get blatantly decked and the response from the players was weak as [censored]. Someone should've lined the bloke up straight away. Once again lost it in one quarter. Not happy.

Really gutted I can't go today (or the rest of the year for that matter!) but I really just want a win for the boys today and the huge crowd that's going to turn up! On that subject, if you're on the fence about going, just do it! It's a nice day (rare thing currently) and I'd love to hear that we made a lot of noise at that terrible place!

The talk on Hogan coming from the club is very frustrating, they are indicating that he's basically out of the rehab group and they say he may play but it's up to him and up to the medicos at the same time. It's getting to the stage where I'd be quite happy for them to just say, "he's a long term prospect and everything we do now is to set him up for 2015, he won't play AFL this year". I'm sick of the false hope and will he/won't he scenarios. Everyone knows he's a great prospect, while seeing him play would give the fans a bit of hope, I see very little benefit for Jesse.

The AFLPA are asking for way too much too soon. The competition is still wrapping their heads around FA as it stands, to add this in would make the AFL head down the path of NRL, NFL, EPL etc. The clubs and the fans still need to have the belief that they haven't signed on the dotted line with any other club, and that when they go out there they are loyal to that club. To put up the idea of secret deals is even more of disgrace, should be the opposite, if they are committed to another club it should be mandated that it's made public.

I'm unfortunately working this Sunday but I really want the boys to be up for this match, we should've got over the line vs Port but for some very poor decision making at the end. Indications seem to be the Cross will play which is big in for us. Knowing our luck Stef Martin will tear us apart.

Congratulations to Shannon on a good career. His time at Melbourne was brief but I feel he filled a role and played a part off field to help mentor our young brigade. Good luck in retirement.

Might well have been one of the fitness staff at the club just helping him out.

Take a small positive out of a cr@ppy injury, at least he was able to see his sis bring home the bronze live. Fantastic effort from her, sounds like she's continually improving so congratulations to her. (Oh and Jack should've given her a Dees flag to fly as well!)

I heard somewhere that he actually really loves Melbourne (city) so I was a bit surprised when people said he was going to live in Perth. Ultimately the pipe dream of him playing AFL (for anyone) needs to be put out of his mind, if he starts to get on top of his issues it's still a long road back.

I understand that, but I feel winning is something the players need to start wanting more than anything. Whether it's against 1st or 18th. I agree that we'd get more out of a close loss to the Hawks than a win over GWS, but a win is a win and as much as Roos and the players have said, "we're not looking at the wins/losses" it's impossible to ignore. I want us to beat GWS because there is an element of pride with them. They are still a very young team and they have played some truly deplorable football this year, to lose to them on our home turf to me would hurt the clubs pride and image.

Was never really expecting anything different, when we didn't secure the successor for this year I always felt that Roos would want minimum 2 years with him. Now that that is sorted the hunt for the next in line for the throne really heats up.

I must say when I started this poll I didn't expect "I don't care" to be the top of the poll.

That is an excellent point and one that definitely shouldn't be underestimated. We still need to make ourselves marketable and finishing bottom will make that a very tough assignment.

With the Lions beating GC today, and given the games we have coming up, the wooden spoon is a big chance now. My question is though how upset will you be if that happens? I think it's fair to say we've improved this year and have uncovered some real talent, we have also had several close losses and some games that we were in but didn't finish it off. So I'm going through my head and deciding whether it'll [censored] me off if it happens. For the record this has nothing to do with draft picks. Bottom line is I'd like to avoid it so we must beat GWS and the Lions, I want to win those badly.

Hope Jeff gets in his ear pushing him towards us, although we could end up fighting the exact same battle with the family draw card.

Yeah there wasn't much of a mention on if Jeff jnr was doing anything in footy, if he is that's a tough act to follow! Wiz is unlike any player I've seen at the Dees, and he was truly loved by the fans. I actually really enjoyed hearing his comment that he felt like he wanted/needed to entertain the fans and that our reactions would build his confidence to try the impossible. I was beyond gutted when he left, but I'm glad to hear he has the MFC in his heart.

http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-premiership/melbournes-1948-vfl-premiership-flag-to-be-returned-to-club-after-police-seize-item-in-moama/story-e6frf3e3-1226999716755?nk=f713631b812349a26c82a3efeedd4c31 Seized and found. No arrests yet.

Nah fair comment, I remembered it incorrectly as him starting a bit slow but you're right he was at the very least in our best to start the year.

I reckon this hits the nail on the head. Vince has had a very good season for us and I see him as top 3 in our B&F, and I feel Tyson had a slow start to the year and mid year went quiet. But as Pipefitter said Tyson's best has been A+ grade bordering on star, and every time he produces a performance like the one vs Port I pinch myself that we managed to nab him AND Salem.

So I just watch the FC classified interview, as has been said there wasn't anything groundbreaking. Perhaps the fact that he ruled Ling out as the successor was the only real thing of note. It really was funny (and a little irritating) watching Caro trying to bait him for a headline article, the way he responded to every one attempt from her was just perfect because he didn't just swipe her away and try to make her look foolish as a Malthouse would do, he just kept it simple and when it came to the McLaughlin sit down issue he admitted a little bit of fault just to douse the flames. Busy night for him, he's much better of Fox Footy because he has a good understanding with the people he works with (plus they're better to watch) but he did well on both counts.

Lol this on the back of both Fox Footy and FC asking him about it last night and him saying he hasn't thought about it. Maybe this guy let slip something that was meant for a later time!

Thompson seemed extremely reluctant to take on this interim role during Hirds....cough...sabbatical. It wouldn't shock me if he's very disenfranchised with the place and took the role as a personal favour to them, what will be interesting is his reaction when Hird returns. I do believe he is a viable option, and with Roos constantly hanging around with him who knows what could happen. If he came to be a candidate I would look for him to be a 5 year contract coach, not another succession plan or at the very least not a short term succession plan.

Well I found it funny that the one incorrect disposal call from the umpires was against Nate Jones when he had his back to the umpire, in a game where there were numerous opportunities to pay that free kick he totally guessed on that one.

Not confusing at all, senior coach is a big gig that requires a huge commitment not just mentally but physically (how many Melbourne coaches in recent years have looked totally defeated at times). Roosy will move into a footy department role that he can oversee things potentially from afar, leaving him more time to live his life and spend time with his wife. The fact that Ling has said he doesn't know if wants to be coach seems to have put him out of the race at this stage but we should still maintain relations to get him as an assistant. Rawlings seems to be firming a bit more by the minute, hopefully either way Roos will stay on for 3 years (it looks that way). I couldn't watch this episode but hopefully it'll be online at some stage. Roos is a very easy talker and can fend off the headline fishing from Caro and Hutchy.