Bimbo

And presuming you have the same expectations for Clarke and Hogan, can I assume you will not be satisfied with their efforts unless they come first second and third in the Coleman. Only one is likely to actually win, so I presume you will be extremely disatisfied with which ever of the three come second and third in the league goal kicking. Of course, you could actually have realistic expectations?

Nothing quite like a realistic expectation. The Coleman Medalist averaged less than 3 goals a game in the team that finished on top of the ladder. You certainly have high benchmarks for a player in his first year after changing teams as a forward in a team that had least forward 50 entries.

Watched first quarter of the Adelaide game yesterday and thought his hand balls were flat bullets just in front of team-mate. That sort of disposal has not recently fitted into MFC practice. I think he is spectacularly suited to the modern midfield game shown by the top teams of quick short accurate use of the ball and accurate kicks to advantage. He performed a bit better than I expected this year and I really expect exponential improvement in 2014.

It is a worrying thought that the club might have to spend a great amount of time and effort baby-sitting a high priced star at the expense of spending it on the necessary developement of young players. Accepting many players dont have great loyalty to their clubs and team-mates, it would seem to me that Martin is at the forefront of those with their hand out and a me me me attitude. This is not going to help a team with the fragile culture of Melbourne, even with the Messiah coming on board (and he there only for 2 - 3 years of any period Martin was with the club). Still, if he did come to the Dee's, I suppose he would move on for a better offer in a couple of years.

I dont think delisting Magner would open up a further spot on the list as he only took over Clark's. When Clark returns, there is an extra player.

You need a none of the above option (taking into account that Scott Thompson wanted to go home years ago, was not burnt by Bailey and would be unlikely to have interest in returning now). That Dale Morton chappie sounds interesting though.

Is this the sort of thing trolls write?

Thank heaven from a personal safety view. I can now drive down the Hume Highway this afternoon without needing to check my phone every 10 or so kilometers

Not that excited about playing in September

It pushes their position in the third and subsequent rounds of the 2013 draft back 8 places and doesnt allow all the smart arses who put money on EFC finishing last, collecting on technicality.

Many thanks for all contributors. I am away for about 6 weeks much without wi fi. I can now understand the gratitude of interstate and OS readers to to Demonland to provide the necessary footy fix - especially now things are moving. Won't miss the cricket though

I saw Jamar at the G on Saturday night with crutches and a very large supporting frame around his (left) lower foot area (bit like those butterfly devises put around thumbs needing support). With my vast medical knowledge can add nothing more as to his prospects of playing but would not be holding my breath

Did anyone lose a scarf on Saturday. Found it in the carpark on the way home. It has about 20 different badges including "player sponser'. I will deliver it to the club this week when I have time. Given it wasnt discarded after particularly the Essendon and Gold Coast games, I presume it was lost accidently.

Given both teams penchant for kicking to opposition players standing by themselves, this was not too hard. Having said that, I agree with basically all the above positive comments and add that he obviously has a highly developed sense of humour. All footy clubs need characters and those who are doing badly need them more than others. I was very pleased when he was put in the leadership group.

Wasn't that excited. St. Kilda are the second worse team I have seen this year Never have I seen so many perfect passes to opposition players standing on their own. Both teams must use this tactic at training they were so consistently good at it. If we were playing an adequate team I think we would have been slaughtered again. As always some things that will keep me interested when I should have taken up lawn bowls (or even just watching grass grow) years ago. Have always been a fan of Garland but he is playing the best footy of his career and seems to have reduced those untidy undisciplined tackles. If Spencer played as well as he did in this and the second St. Kilda match last year we would be very pleased with his progress. Every time I see Toumpas play he is more involved in the game and in the play. I am very happy with his progress If everyone gave the same effort as Dawes we would give hawthorn a run. Sadly he was only running on about one and a half cylinders today however. Tom McDonald was excellent. Great attitude and good to see him return to the form of last year. Fitzpatrick needs to play a few more games on end. He leads well and is a better than average second ruck. I dont say he will make it but certainly dont discount it. Seeing that Sylvia had most tackles (thanks for the info Rusty) and was involved all game was pleasing. It is often difficult to pick up those things at the game Perhaps most exciting was thinking at half time that we were still in with a real chance. It is a pity that Watts dropped mark will be my strongest memory of his performance (He may well have lost it in the lights as I saw a Saints player do later in the match) as he showed in the first quarter last week and most of tonight glimpses of becoming a very good player. I wish Kent and Blease would get more of the ball. Their moments of brilliance remind me of all the things I could never do. It is sad they are not more frequently repeated. I thought Melbourne got a couple of soft free kicks today. It is just a pity Saints got more and in far better positions. There is also the kicks that are missed as well. Still I suppose it is like all competitions, all the best umpires go to the best games. Next week will be interesting (and I havn't thought that for some time)

So the list is now worse than when Neeld took over, is it? 2011 2013 Those Players now on other lists: Handy recruits by jumper numbers Warnock (hardly playing) Hogan Gysbert (moderate VFL form) Toumpas Rivers (injured) Dawes Moloney (somewhere between Brownlow to waste of space) Viney Bennell (Somewhere in the West) Clark Morton (Ditto) Kent Petterd (played a bit though moderately) Jones M Scully (had one good game - last week) Terlich Martin (Think injured) If it is best out v best in - the new lot are far far better. competing for seniors Competing for seniors Bate Pedersen Seller Magner If it is out v ins - ins have it Waste of Space when left Dont know Maric Tynan Cook Barry Newton Taggert McNamara Couch Lawrence Stark Johnston Clisby Still prefer the right hand side Retired or playing in NT Old recruits Bartram (real loss) Byrnes Green Rodan Jurrah Wanaemirri Campbell LHS could not now play. RHS may add something more than two 18 yo recruits drafted about number 80 Others Gillies Cant quite see what he brings to the list. I cannot see how it can be suggested that the current list is worse than that in 2011. When potential is taken into account (talk particularly Toumpas and Viney), and consider leadership, I do not follow the suggestion that Neeld has left a worse list. I accept that some may move players from category to category but the important group is the top one and I do not believe there is any comparison.

Well I suppose he was the person who led to the change from Flinders Park to Melbourne Park Still dont like it

He is/was as boring as batshit. I think suggesting he was a "top barrister" may be stretching the truth a bit far. I think he was a Director of the MFC several years ago so has some knowledge of what it is about. Probably MFC needs a person with a higher profile but I am not absolutely oposed to the idea (particularly when compared to Jeff).

Turnovers became worse the longer the game progressed. That is either fitness, perhaps lack of confidence as the game goes on or no-one to kick it to (which could result from the previous options). There are some reasonable kicks who are making very ordinary mistakes. My head was seeking the solace of my hands more and more as the game went on. On another tack Does it mean I am am a completely unbalanced, unreasonable over the top supporter if I felt the free kick count reported in this thread favoured the Dee's far more than I saw on the ground.

Pleasure to provide you with a benchmark O learned one. I am of course willing to expand on what I was trying to say in short when I initially posted and thought was reasonably clear. I am terrified of what appears to me to be the simplistic view of so many DL posters (and others) that we must have change and the first person who puts his hand up must be the very person who we so desperately need. I would far rather canvas options. Have input from the new CEO. Not just hail the first very large mouth who is willing to put himself up for the job as the very thing needed. I personally do not believe that Mr. Kennett is the great saviour and short term fix so many are desperately searching for. I say this because for among other reasons: His lack of political judgement in losing an election even more "unloseable" than that famously lost by John Hewson years before. He managed to do this in large part by his devisive and self centered view that he is the only person to whom questions of policy must be made. It is this lack of inclusiveness that I fear is not for our club. He has said Melbourne should merge He has said Melbourne should locate As President of a football club he has critisized his own coach As indicated on this forum he is a divisive character and now is not the time to put such a person in this position He does have benefits of course including: He is a noise He expresses himself openly and would receive airplay and publicity for the club He has contacts with the "big end" of town and may bring in some money. Having said that, this is not an option I would leap at. Just because change is vital and will come, it need not be the first option that is taken and unless the club gets important decisions such as this right, its future will not even last the limited years I am further allotted on this planet. I will look but would not be surprised if he is not present on Monday

Actually his mothers father is Sir John McIntosh Young, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Victoria, 1974 - 1991. I dont know if he is related to Sir John Moore. And just to show he is a proper "chap", he is one of 2 current AFL players who are members of the Royal Melbourne Golf Club. Wouldn't want one of those Collingwood fellows in there.

Just when I didnt think things could get any worse. Change for the sake of change and with only limited thought of the consequences

Watching him last year at Collingwood I always felt that even when he was apparently down on form there was never a moment he was doing other than busting a gut and even when a big body like his is not getting the ball himself, he is he is bringing it to ground and also clearing a path for the smaller players. I cannot remember him ever marking as well as yesterday. It did seem that he was more in a one on one situation rather that other weeks when he appeared sometimes swamped (as Clarke has been). This may have had something to do with his great work-rate. Clarke must be licking his lips at the thought of now being in that same position where he will be normally one out as Dawes simply cannot be left alone on yesterday's form. I thought in the NAB cup match against North that the whole forward line functioned better when Dawes was there. Add to the fact that we may now have two big mobile forwards with leadership oozing from them, what a wonderful way for Hogan to be initiated to AFL football next year. I always thought Jack Darling was very luckiy with those he had round him in his first year and if Clarke and Dawes can stay on the park, Hogon could be even better off (if the ball gets down there).

Well put pm24. It is worth remembering Barassi also had a 5 year rebuild as the saviour of MFC from 1981 - 1985. His win/loss ratio for that time was a less than spectacular 30%. After he left Northey took over and was able to take a much improved list to the finals in his second year. It hopefully will not take as long again, but the team is starting from a long way back.

Like so many others, my old man encouraged me into it. At least I can faintly remember the 1964 Grand Final which is something to boast about. Graeme Wise was for some reason my favourite player. The old man is now well into his 90's so I suppose I can plan for another few re-builds.