Pates

Perhaps I should've added that I wouldn't think the club would sack him, but my point was more to do with the support Jurrah's being given. I'm not 100% sure that others would be given the same level of support.

Actually I have to agree with Ding here. Not too long ago Col Sylvia was caught up with an alleged altercation with his girlfriend and the majority of people were ready to condem him. If he'd been accused and brought up in front of court for serious assault charges I think most here would be wanting to sack him. I'm happy for us to support him and I hope he is found to be innocent, but it will be a long wait over the three days to hear the result. And it will be equally interesting to see what happens at the end, regardless of the result.

Hope the boys can lift for this, aside from 2011/12 he has been a consistent performer for us over his entire and we should give him the respect he deserves. Congratulations Brad.

I wouldn't read too much into that, it's a clear situation where the MRP doesn't have a formula to work with so rather than just trying to make something up they've sent it to the tribunal to be argued. Haven't seen any of the game, and obviously the incident, but jeez what a dumb thing to do. I imagine he'll get some time off and cop an absolute spray from Neeld because it's these kinds of undisaplined acts that hurt the team. Especially when our forward line is so depleted, and our team devoid of people that can take a mark.

I love the 16 matches deadline. Very amusing. I agree that if next year follows a similar pattern then he will be under the pump to be retained for his last year, but round 10? Give me a break. Last nights team on paper was one to the worst sides in talent, disposal ability, and forward ability I've seen the MFC ever produce. My only concern is our ability to run games out, hopefully that will be addressed with another big pre-season.

Not a bad idea, Heart Beats True pointed out that the AFL (and probably the venues) don't like football being played on it before matches so why not make it reduced time. 15 minute quarters or 20 minute no time on quarters, or just two halves. Would at least mean there's something t watch before a match. But yeah I reckon it would be a good way to promote football for women, had a very heated debate with I couple of female friends as to why there isn't a women's football league and that if it was on they would go to see it. Had to point out there was a victorian league and that perhaps they should go support it if they wanted it to get better coverage.

Exactly what I was thinking, he'll be the sub, he has speed, good skills (something we lack badly), clearly made an impact on Neeld in the preseason and was in the best last week. I reckon it's due more to Mark giving him a chance to show his abilities given he comes out of contract at the end of the year.

Since when was Jordie injured!? Bugger me I'm getting sick of seeing our B-side out there, especially when our A-side isn't that great anyway. Good to see Jetta back in the side.

Well said! It's hard not to believe in curses when we've had such a horror run this year, and one of the worst premiership droughts.

The issue with this is the same issue that comes with just about every report nowadays. Injury report. The bloke he collected was severely concussed, and that is all the evidence the MRP/tribunal need. His other problem was he had carry-over points and the 30% bad record weighted. For me there are too many variables with this system, if the AFL can look me in the eye and tell me that the Wellingham hit isn't worse than the Zeibell then I'd call them liars. And yet they both were given the option of 3 weeks, of course the Pies were going to take that, but the Roos look at Jacks and say his intent was the ball and there was nothing malicious in it. If I was a north fan I'd want them to have a go at it. But he ends up getting worse than Wellingham because of the F-up system. The other problem is the slow-motion replays making it seem like they have an eternity to make the call.

4 weeks is about right IMO.

You make a very good point here that Geelong will need to get the trade done with Port and they aren't in a great position. I see us trading in players, delisting the ones we don't want, and draft to cover what's left. In terms of players of genuine value that MAY be up for trade they are very few. Moloney: it'd gut me a little because he has been one of my favourites but the does seem to be carrying some baggage and isn't in the game. Petterd: As you pointed out he probably doesn't offer much value but he is talented and has shown his ability to change and influence games in the past. Again I wouldn't like it but it may be the best for both parties. Tapscott: Is another talented player, but not getting enough out of him. I reckon we'll keep him because he gets games despite not playing great, that tells me Neeld sees something he likes. Stef Martin: Let's be clear I'm not advocating us trading, but he has huge market value because he had a good year last year and if he keeps improving his game with no 1 rucking duties for pretty much the rest of the year he could land us a good pick. Spencer: Similar to Stef, he will be given every chance to show his ability for the rest of the year and if he gets better we know clubs need ruck options. For me those are the only trade bait options we have that would be of value to other clubs. Names like Dunn, Bate, Joel MacDonald, and Davey will get us 3rd-4th round picks if and really that means nothing and mostly the first two will just get picks to get them to the clubs of choice. I reckon Joel Mack and Flash will be with us next year, I'm pretty sure Davey has one more year on his contract so unless he retires he'll have one last crack. That's my two cents.

A Shining light this year, may not have a long term future when our midfield is developed but for now we need his grunt and determination. B Zero value, we would be very lucky if we got a 2nd round pick for him. Most likely we would get 3rd rounder, and those ones are lotteries. He's a cheap player on our list, a seasoned body, and he creates competition for spots (as he has with Couch). Much more value keeping him on. Some truly amazing posting going on here at the moment.

Wouldn't hate that idea of just putting him on ice and giving the other guys full responsibilities for the rest of the year.

Jamar out for another 3 weeks is disappointing, big chance for Spencer and Stef.

Sad way to go out, but congrats on a good career. Many moments stick in my mind, but that goal in his first season v Carlton prelim is a highlight that has never gone away.

That's exactly the sort of talk that makes our culture so poor. People view players as comodities to be bought appreciated and sold at full value. His worth isn't just in his on-feild abilities, which are still pretty good IMO. What about his mentoring of Stef, Jake, and Max? His leadership to all the younger players. His example of perseverance to guys that are stuggling. Jamar could've gone to about 2-3 other club who are in the hunt for the finals and may need a ready made ruckman, but he chose to be loyal. His the sort of guy that makes a culture at the club, Jonesy is another, Jordie, Grimes, and Trenners. 3 years perhaps a bit long, but I say good on the club for rewarding a loyal servant.

You lost it with this first line, thanks to the Heffernan trade that we got from Essendon you cannot trade someone on after signing them up. And if our time without Clark has taught me anything is that our gameplan requires a tall marking FF, Mitch has been that and should stay that. He can pinch hit in the ruck on a needs basis but forward is where he's needed. As for Jamar, he's having an off year but is also coming to terms with a new way of going about things. He is still a better ruckman and player than Stef.

With Jamar out for another protracted period of time this isagreat opportunity for Stef and Jake to learn to work as a pair, they were rusty against Brisbane but against the Tigers they competed and Stef fought hard against Freo and showed some good things.

How will the MRP rate it though, there is no contact and no impact. It's him tugging the blokes arm out of the shoulder. This is a real challenge to the MRP because it doesn't fit into their system, and really if they can't work this one out send it to the tribunal.

Why the hell is he being defended so heavily?! (Obviously not here!) Is the media and the AFL so desperate to have a player of his quality so squeaky clean?! If this had been Sam Mitchell, Brent Guerra, or Steve Baker everyone would've been jumping up and down! It was a dog act, forget whether or not he was meaning to hurt the bloke it could've done some serious damage. MRP is already a joke but will be evn more so if he doesn't get at a least a week.

How did Jetta go today, getting closer to a call up? With Bennel out for the season it'll be good to get him in. Quick question KC, how much to the Melbourne injuries hurt your chances, especially come finals time?

Was a little down after today's loss, although I'm getting too used to it, but that put a smile on my face and the only thing that make smile harder was the thought of the look on the tigers fans faces! They are just so entertaining!

Another thriller KC! Who were in the BOGs?

Difficult game to analyse, apart from the last quarter I thought we fought all the time and the last quarter CAN be put down to lack of legs from our injury toll. There were plenty of positives to take from the day but unfortunately it will be overshadowed by the fact we lay down, every other quarter we able to find goals at the right time to step the flow but no one could do that and then once the game was done we went back to what know and that's playing stupid, unskilled footy. F$ me we're getting some bad luck though. And 13000 for the crowd, seriously some Melbourne fans need a kick up the backside, Jimmy worked so hard to get this club out of debt and they can't even bother to turn up for a match just because it's at Etihad.