Grapeviney

The comparison with 1981 is an interesting one, and not just for the paucity of wins. It was Barassi's first year back at the club after the success he had with Carlton and then North Melbourne, and there was a sense that with the Messiah coming home, it would just be a matter of time before the MFC would rise among the ranks again. As we all know, that didn't happen, but you could argue that the Barassi years did set us up for the Northey era which followed. Now I'm not suggesting that Neeld is a Barassi who can magically turn dust into gold, but it would be fair to say that many of us thought the appointment of Neeld / Misson / Craig would turn things around if not immediately, then at least pretty quickly. Given the low fitness base we are working off, among other deficiencies, we now know that's not going to happen (or hasn't happened), but I still have faith that the new faces in the FD are putting in place the necessary building blocks which will ultimately lead us out of the doldrums and up the ladder, and it may well happen sooner than we all think.

Scoreboard pressure is essential yet I've lost count of the number of times we've missed sitters this year at crucial stages of the game. Blease x 2 and Green from 30m out were criminal and costly in the context of the game

On a related note, it's the AFL's women's round, and Brad Green was obviously asked a question about it during a presser earlier this week. He said: "I'm sure one day we'll see a club employing assistant coaches or coaches with a woman's background."

indeed. some of us are seeking asylum from these circular conversations

maybe it's TuBerCulosis , in which case, yes, it is very serious stuff

A publication that refers to a group of people, rather than named individuals, is defamatory of the members of the group only if a reasonable person would regard it as referring to every single member of the group. For example, the statement, "all lawyers are dishonest", is not defamatory of any particular lawyer because a reasonable person would not think that the statement meant that every single lawyer in Australia is dishonest. On the other hand, the statement, "Slow & Bideawhile is a dishonest firm of solicitors", could well be regarded as meaning that every partner in, and solicitor employed by Slow & Bideawhile is dishonest. In that case, each of them could sue. http://www.lawhandbook.org.au/handbook/ch24s02s02.php#

touche !

^^ so it had something to do with mick malthouse !

Still remember his great debut against the Saints at Etihad Graveyard last year. Fingers crossed that his recovery continues

If I remember correctly, the coreresponding match last year was the last time Jurrah really impacted a game for Melbourne, I seem to recall him kicking three or four steadying goals in the middle part of the game. Seems a million light years ago now given all that's transpired since, as you point out WJ. Maybe someone pointed the bone at us? Maybe one of LJ's broken ones?

well, matthews' comment was at the more extreme end of the absurdity spectrum to be fair, when mitch got injured, leigh all but recanted and said he'd done all the MFC could have hoped for and more back on topic, sort of, i will be at the bentleigh saturday night but not for the demonology meeting

i'm tempted to challenge your tagline - that the leigh matthews comment is actually the most insanely idiotic thing you've ever heard from an intelligent man..

Demonology stuff aside, do many members / supporters go to Bentleigh Club to watch MFC games ? I don't have Fox and usually end up in some noisy pub which does not make for great viewing conditions. Would much prefer to watch it with a room full of Demons.

i like the barely concealed loathing that thommo and caro obviously have for one another ..and the fact that every team pretty much gets a look in, regardless of ladder position etc

Was on Sunday night I believe

A lot to like about today's game, although as many have said, the injuries to Jamar and Bennell robbed us of flexibility and rotations and ultimately - probably - the game. Was pleased to see Green bag a few goals and get back amongst it - really hope he can maintain a bit of form and see out the season on a high. Thought T-Mac had a ripper first half, and reckon J-Mac played well again today too, 86 % disposal efficiency again giving lie to the claim that he does nothing but butcher the ball. I'm a fan of Frank Grimes but gee some of his disposal makes baby Jesus cry - aside from the obligatory out-of-bounds on the full, as someone mentioned above, the decision to kick across ground rather than pump it forward in the last quarter was inexplicable. Howe had one of his poorer games of the year today, and lining up for that set shot it just looked like he knew it was going to go wide. Definitely down on confidence.

yeh me too, and not surprisingly, they got louder and louder as the game wore on

So good to see them getting thumped tonight , couldn't happen to a nicer club

Don't like being behind the goals / in the pocket

Bit annoyed to find that the reserved seat option - advertised by the club a few weeks ago at $17 - has jumped to $25 on the Ticketmaster website, which becomes more than $31 when you add in the booking / handling fee! Booking fee - I fxxx-ing printed the bloody thing myself !! #$%$%^$^%&$%^&$%^&%^&*

if only they could rebuild the team as quickly as they can rebuild the site

given the skill level, spectators were running away from the ground today RD , not towards it

Don't care so much about promoting the game in NSW but you make a good point Dee-luded This obviously works with all the News Limited websites - the Courier Mail in Brisbane and the Adelaide Advertiser. The Advertiser website probably has the most footy content being an AFL state

put a cork in it biff !

yep - jack's back and jumping out of his skin to play: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/afl/more-news/melbourne-bound-jack-viney-ready-to-rock-for-vic-metro/story-e6frf9jf-1226410247193