Maldonboy38

Evans = no. 71

Maric = no. 55

I asked a bloke with a footy record about these 2. I recognised most of the others. I do not know what number Nicholson wore so Iwasn;t looking for him - I was concentrating on the Dees players I could recognise.

I didn't ask about Blease's number because I saw him as I entered and he was clearly no. 47

As far as Frawley vs Warnock. Frawley is a great footballer in desperately poor form. No position is guaranteed just because of a previous year's efforts. I stand by what i typed - on Warnock's form he should replace Frawley.

Also, does anyone know who wore number 11 for Casey? This tall, gangly kid (I thought it was Cook at first) was a really good mark.

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Apologies to Dan Nicholson. I didn't have a footy record and didn't know his face or number. Many people saying he played well - does anyone know his number from today?

Just got back from Casey fields after watching Casey annihilate Frankston. It is a bit difficult to assess the player's performances because Frankston were a level below Casey on every line. There was often a lack of defensive pressure so it was difficult to judge the Dees boys ability to play under pressure. But it was great to be back at local footy. Kids kicking on the ground between quarters. Hearing all the calling, abuse, umpire's decision making, and even being able to listen to the line coaches address the groups. Great day.

I don't know if I could tell all the Dees players but will do my best:

Lucas Cook - is no longer a stick insect and can take a good, pack mark. His defensive pressure was great at times but average at others. Great running, aerobic capacity for a big bloke.

Sam Blease. I cannot believe how quick this bloke is. In the last quarter he took on 4 Frankston boys at ground level, burnt them off and delivered inside 50 to Bate for a goal. His run and carry is good, but a couple of times he jogged after his opponent who got the ball and ran off him. His defensive game needs work but his offensive stuff is outstanding. Unfortunately, not worthy of a call up to the Dees IMO.

Matthew Warnock. Too good for all opponents and BOG. Marked everything, defended with skill, gut-ran to position at times, and his kicking was at least in the 90% efficiency. He is too good for the VFL on today's form and should replace Frawley against Adelaide.

Matthew Bate. Again, too good for VFL. I am unsure of he kicked 4, 5 or 6 but his second half was amazing. Hard running, pack marking, tackling - the works. Great game of footy. Often looks clumsy but effective.

Tom Macdonald. Didn't get heaps of it but is very good in the air AND on the ground for a big bloke. Positions well and knows when to mark and when to spoil. A lot to like but more likley to get a go in 2012.

Jeremy Howe. Again, not heaps of it but I really like the look of this kid. Is excellent on both feet and kicks it a country kilometre. With Frankston being so poor it is hard to get a read on Howe, but he looks mentally mature enough to get a go in 2011, if the right chance/position vacancy comes up.

Ricky Petterd. Again, too good for VFL level. Was played in the middle and forward and his attack on the ball at times is frightenng. His kicking sometimes was wayward, even when not under any pressure and at one point he was getting relly annoyed at himself. Must at least be considered for next week. His marking for a bloke his size is exceptional.

Addam Maric. Really good game. Ran hard, linked up for multiple handballs when in transition and smart around the half-forward line. If selectors reckon he can reproduce this at AFL level, then he must come in for Wonna.

Michael Evans. 2nd best on ground. This kid is super quick, very aggressive at the ball, runs all day and his skills under pressure were a highlight. He just kept on getting it. I am not sure but can he get a game with the Dees or do we have to wait for a long-term injury? For a team lacking intensity and ticker this kid could add a fair bit.

Max Gawn. Very raw, really quick and ran down some smaller players with tackling pressure. Looks a good prospect though as he is more than just a ruckman. 18 months off I reckon. His ruck work was a bit ordinary.

Jake Spencer. Great ruck work and took some strong pack marks. He ran forward of the centre boiunce at times and gave handballs to runners to deliver inside 50. It was a smart games but not a great one. However, he impressed me more than I expected. But THAT kicking action makes me shudder.

Juice Newton. I reckon having Fev next to him today stuffed him up because he was not great today. His tackling however was really good and he worked hard to keep the ball inside 50. Often, Fev would lead before him and he found himself the stay at home forward with 2 defenders hanging off his back.

Nev Jetta. At times looked good but only flashed in and out of the game. Ran hard at times.

Kelvin Lawrence (I think). It was a younger indigenous man who team mates were calling Kel. He was very fast but not much of a contributer.

Joel MacDonald. His first half was really good with smart, attacking football down back. I do not know if he got injured but he was not on the ground as much for the 2nd half, and the ball was in our forward line for most of teh gme. Will be considered for Dees versus Adelaide.

I believe that Jack Fitzpatrick played in the Casey two's and kicked 7 or so - but it might be rumour.

On the form produced this afternoon, at least 4 Dees boys from WCE game should be nervous, and wll have to work their butts off to ensure another chance at senior level.

P.S. No. 30 for Frankston, I think his name is Corea or Koria - outside player but super quick, very clean off the ground and can kick at full pace. Watch out for him at the draft for 2012.

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Do you know what is really sad? I have almost become used to feeling like this.

Prelim final 1987

Grand final 1988

Final series 1992 - 1994 (still the best Melbourne side I have seen)

Final series 1998

Grand final 2000

Semi-final 2002 or 2004 when we killed Adelaide in the first half, and then they killed us in the 2nd and won.

round 16 2005 - top of the ladder. Did we win another game after that?

Aren't we all just a bit sick, tired and fed up of this?

I was born 6 months after our last premiership. For some reason this loss to WCE has cut deep and I am not sure how much longer I can have my hope and excitement dashed to pieces. I love red and blue. I bleed red and blue. And my 4 kids are learning to do the same. 2011, far from ever going to be a great year, was going to be one where we stood up and "Fought". Now it is, as Old Dee has said with such precision, just another "Melbourne year".

This sense of malaise has got so deep, I am actually enjoying the footbal played by Collingwood!! Enjoying watching Collingwood play!!!!!

AAAAgggghhhh!!!!

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The story is told that when Dick Pratt got to Carlton, he asked the board and FD "who is the best CEO?" People began answering with "the best CEO available is..." and at this point Pratt interrupted, saying "No, not who is AVAILABLE, but who is the BEST?." the answer came = Greg Swan. Pratt said "Then go and get him."

If we replace Bailey, it cannot be any less than the best person. I don't care if is Todd Viney, Leigh Matthews, Malthouse, Roos, Hardwick, the Pope or Prince William. Just get the best. No more mediocrity especially not when appointing a coach.

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1. Four quarter intensity. Enough said

Me too. I don't reckon we can change all the structure and strategy stuff we need to change in 7 days. But we can show a four quarter effort of grunt and heart. We need players putting themselves on the line for the red and blue.

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If Bailey is farewelled in 2011 (and I think he might be, but near the end of the season) which players of our top 25 would face the axe?

I have given this some thought and have come up with the following, even surprising myself:

Sylvia. I don't reckon other coaches would accept the extensive periods of mediocrity he delivers. I love this bloke at his best and picked him to be our best Brownlow chance prior to season start. He has let me down - again!

Morton. Has not deliverd, and I don't reckon anothr club would offer us a top 20 pick in exchange.

Dunn. 7 years of inconsistency = not enough reasons to keep him.

Newton. see above re Dunn.

Sadly, Brad Green would not survive as Captain, at least not in light of what his leaderhsip has produced so far.

Thoughts?

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I also wrote an email and sent it off to MFC this morning. I have never sent a negative email to the club before and was hesitant to do it, but the MFC need to hear our anger, disappointment and utter frustration at the level of effort. Recruiting, management, staff, resources blah blah blah.... yes lots could be written. But the club must know that spineless, heartless pathetic efforts like last night bring shame to the jumper. That was the main point of my email.

All of us despairing Dees followers have seen insipid performances and losses that should be wins - we have probably seen 50 to 80 of them over the past 40 years - but last night was shameful and humilaiting. Players, admin staff and coaches come and go but we can never tolerate the red and blue colours being a point of shame and derision.

Do NOT hesitate in emailing or phoning the club. If they hear this from even 10% of us, that is 3,400 poeople nad must be taken notice of.

Also, I think we need to attend en masse the AGM this year. And demand an open question time of at least 1 hour duration.

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Dean Bailey is where the buck stops. He must stand up and say "these fellas are under my direction nad playing poorly". I have been a fan of his since his appointment but even I am now questioning his longevity as our coach. Our game plan (transition from half-back) is being picked off by all opposing teams, even the poor old lions. Under his watch our team has been robbed of intensity and ticker.

Skills can be blamed on young men and injuries.

Tackling and "press" can be explained by young men trying to get used to the rigours of modern defensive footy.

Leadership not leading is because we have only a couple of genuine leaders.

But Dean Bailey MUST be accountable for:

Our game plan, and especially our kick-ins from the opposition behinds are an absolute weakness, and by that I mean our plan here has no strengths. None.

Our absence of grit, grunt and ticker.

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Green - poor leadership example

Jones - up and going

Bartram - good solid game

Watts - grit and poise

Gysberts - did he play?

Bennell - only plays outside

Frawley - Casey game required

Trengove - really strong game

Morton - physically, mentally weak

Sylvia - Casey wake-up required

Dunn - Casey game required

Grimes - move to midfield

Garland - continual super effort

Moloney - focus of tagging

Jurrah - very little opportunity

Rivers - OK I suppose

Wonaeamirri - very disappointing game

Martin - very dumb game

Tapscott - must be accountable (for opponent)

Davey - another soft game

Jamar - outclassed by superstar

Bail - good, hard work

Three word analysis of team performance

Totally lacked ticker

Three word analysis of leadership group

unacceptably heartless effort (Jones excluded from this)

Three word analysis of coaching performance

Show some aggression

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Two certainties:

Dunn - did not contribute and is not providing the large bodied forward we need.

Bennell - does some great stuff but is the living proof of our softness.

Four possibilities. I reckon the selectors should be honest and hard, by dropping at least two of:

Frawley. Yes, big call but his form has been horrible. Needs a run at Casey.

Morton. Another big call but his game last night was timid, and his so-called skills absent

Sylvia. Needs his annual wake-up call. He is not getting the ball - he is waiting for it.

Maybe Gysberts. I love this kid but his game was only shadowed by Morton.

FOUR INS:

Warnock

Petterd

Blease (I think - unsure if this is too early)

Howe / Evans / McDonald???

Unfortunately, I think Strauss is injured.

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1. I have been fan of Dean Bailey's since he was appointed and have stuck up for him in various places among Dees fans. In a previous thread this year I said that everything is in place, now we wait and see if our coach can coach. After last night I have changed my position. His coaching tenure is now to be fully questioned and investigated. No coach should be tapping encouragement on young footballer's butts when they come through the interchange gates after performing the way we did. Shows he is accepting mediocrity.

2. Game plan.

Predictable by oppositions, but not our players.

No pressure until opposition reach wing / half forward

Kick-ins after an opposition behind is the weakest of any team in my memory

Run-and-carry requires in close skills and confidence. We lack both.

3. Yes, at times, the Dees play soft. (I hate typing that about my beloved red and blue!!) Morton, Bennell and last night Frawley.

4. WCE are being coached by a premiership winning coach and are now on the rise again. We are down among GFC, Lions, North, PA.

5. Jack Watts is a gun. Hellcyonyears, you are mislead by emotion. He ran, tackled, marked, kicked in that fist 15 minutes when everyone else was still in their hotel room.

I also learnt:

As a team, our kicking skills when not under pressure are a disgrace.

Any game plan that requires Liam Jurrah to win possession on the half back flank is dysfunctional.

Melbourne supporters are too patient.

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I don't want to give any merits to any player because as a TEAM - a single unit - it was weak as my wife's tea, but I have to admit that some players got in and had a go.

6 - Trengove

5 - Watts

4 - Garland

3 - Jones

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honourable mentions but no votes:

Bartram

Bail

Jamar

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I am not going to watch the first quarter of melbourne games any more - they don't start until 10 minutes into the second quarter each week.

Really good - Watts, Garland, Jamar, Our tackling (taking into consideration this is becasue WCE have the ball so much)

Good - Jones, Davey, Trengove (just), Bail (just)

Bad - Frawley (where has he gone?), Sylvia, Morton,

Dumb - Martin, for running into team mates twice; Moloney and Green for handballing to stationary players who are immediately under pressure. Our kick in after point strategy.

Really bad & dumb - our game plan that refuses to leave even one player in our forward 50. And our lack of passion and aggression. It looks like a sunday kick-to-kick for many of our players

Having said that - I reckon we will win this game. The Eagles should be 50 points up but out back six plus a handful of our midfielders are shutting them down.

Please - NO MORE TURNOVERS.

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My guts are in a knot.

I have never seen such a lack of intensity. Frawley, Sylvia, Bennell and Green are loping around the paddock hoping to get a kick.

Kicking skills look like the Maldon reserves from the 1970's - and I should know because I was playing there then. Do we not know how to kick?

And we are getting smashed at the clearances - again!

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FB: Bartram - Frawley - Garland

HB: Tapscott - Rivers - Grimes

C: Bail - Moloney - Trengove

HF: Davey- Watts Petterd

FF: Green - Jurrah - Wonna

R: Jamar - Gysberts - Sylvia

I: Morton - Jones - Martin

S: Bennell

Matchups:

Frawley to Lynch

Garland to Kennedy

Bartram to LeCras (if he plays, which I doubt)

Bail to Priddis

Cox versus Jamar. But Stef Martin will need to do the run-with stuff on Cox. Jamar will be killed when Cox runs forward.

It will interesting to see who plays on LJ. I don't think they have a match for him at all.

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Beamer's rise has been steady and strong with a sharp upturn in 2011, due to injury and the management of soft-tissue over the past 3-4 years. I am one of those who, at the start of this season, could only just find a place for him in my starting 22 and that was on the bench. I still cannot get the egg of my face. He is showing skill, strength AND poise.

However, he is not a A-grader. Others do get more cudos - often unwarranted - but Beamer is not Judd, Ablett, Swan or Burgoyne. But he is a really good B+ and now his body is strong, he has other midfielders helping out, and the ball is coming out of the backline a bit better (I still squirm at this though) he is able to settle in a role and show his wares.

What must be noted here is the importance of Jamar. Both Beamer and Jordie read him really well. If Jamar gets an injury, Beaemer will have to find ways of reading Martin, Campbell or Spencer and this could take some time.

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A couple of years ago I posted on here say how frustrating I found Brent Moloney's game. He was predictable and one dimensional, easy for opposition players to read and had one trick - barge through, hold on to the ball too long and bomb long into the forward line with a floater. This was because he didn't kick through the ball. It was inaccurate and easy to spoil.

Things seemed to have changed. He is still bullocking his way out of stoppages but now with great effect. He seems to have a much wider range of options once he is clear. His disposal by hand has been really smart and usually put to the team's advantage and his awareness has broadened considerably. The short accurate pass inside the 50 was rare but now we see this regularly. The long bomb is still there, but he seems to be using it better. His shots on goal from stoppages have been brilliant. He still occasionally comes unstuck when trying to bullock out of trouble deep in the backline but this is less usual.

I know he constantly struggled with soft tissue problems and has now had a more consistent run of games but I wonder whether his substantial improvement is more due to the tuition of Scotty West? Quite possibly, I suspect. Especially when you consider the way West played. As a result, Moloney has become our most important midfielder. This is reflected in his standing in most of the media awards. Very timely considering the absence of McKenzie and Scully.

I would also contend that Nathan Jones's game has improved considerably in a similar vein. He seems to have found a yard of pace and is making generally much better decisions and topping it off with good disposal. Whaddya reckon?

Couldn't agree more. The influence of Scott West is beginning to show, especially in Jones and Moloney. Along with Greg Williams, Scott West is probably the best in-and-under midfielder I have seen and it was a great recruiting coup to get him to the Dees. But I reckon this is part of a bigger picture.

1. The recruiters went hard for midfielders and should be congratulated on recruiting Scully, Trengove, Gysberts, Blease, McKenzie, Bennell, Bail etc... to compliment Sylvia, Davey, Jones, Moloney.

2. Dean Bailey has always been over-cautious in not wearing out young midfielders, ensuring any young bloke worthy of a game is given a chance and rotated through the starting 22. This continual rotating of young players means the whole list of midfielders gain experience together. This plan probably has another 12 months in it before it starts bearing the kind of fruit we supporters long to see. This has frustrated us supporters at times but the bigger picture is beginning to emerge. I stand by an earlier post that both Blease and Strauss will play a senior game this year.

3. MFC went straight after Scott West and have been able to keep him. I think Paul Williams was our midfield coach before this and although I rated him, West's influence is coming through loud and strong. Unfortunately, I reckon Western Bulldogs will be hunting for him soon.

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Green - not yet captain

Jones - unJones like game

Bartram - Blease or Strauss?

Watts - MUST KEEP SPOT

Gysberts - does hard stuff

Bennell - like in backline

Frawley - best still coming

Trengove - hits the post

Morton - run V soft

Sylvia - arrogant or confident?

Dunn - We want Juice!

Grimes - the new Bruce

Garland - had sloppy moments

Moloney - dominant first half

Jurrah - better defensive game

Rivers - led the way

Wonaeamirri - little brilliant moments

Martin - decent hit outs

Tapscott - the new Grimes

Davey - need more words --- thought one of Bailey's better coaching decisions was to give Davey some easy kill time up forward, instead of having to be the go to man as he is most weeks

Jamar - just too BIG!

Bail - better each week

Green - not yet captain? How was his leadershihp deficient today?

Bartram - yep, Blease or Strauss have to be given a go soon. Barty shows great endeavour but... I shudder when he has an easy kick in space.

Grimes - the new Bruce. I hate to say it, but if he does not improve his kicking soon you will be spot on with this insight.

Morton - I have no idea what you mean.

Sylvia - both arrogance and confidence and we need a a few players with both. At his best shrugging tackles, baulking opponents and surging forward.

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6 - Moloney. Easily best on ground and did a bit or everything, and did it well.

5 - Trengove. I can't wait to see what he ends up. Brilliant, smart game. In everything. 3rd, 4th 5th efforts stunning.

4 - Bail. Kicking still needs work but his all-round game is weekly improving. Gut-busting run for 100 minutes.

3 - Jamar. Some ruckman can equal/negate him but none can beeat him. Classy ruck performance

2 - Sylvia. If he could only do it for a full game.

1 - Jones. In the last 2 weeks he has shown poise, his biggest lack. It might be Lions and Suns but at least he is improving.

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Let's stick to the thread title folks.

Green - better game today

Jones - showed poise often

Bartram - solid but clumsy

Watts - better but hesitant

Gysberts - fumbled all day

Bennell - flashy but wide

Frawley - went through motions

Trengove - outstanding midfield game

Morton - just warming up

Sylvia - fantastic second half

Dunn - Casey is calling

Grimes - can... not.... kick

Garland - hardly saw him

Moloney - outstanding midfield game

Jurrah - attack AND defence

Rivers - really good game

Wonaeamirri - better and better

Martin - faded out slowly

Tapscott - keeps on working

Davey - right foot goal!!!

Jamar - great ruck game

Bail - just keeps running

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biggest over-statement ever! He hasnt even played a senior home and away game, so im at a loss at how he can possibly be considered an elite player?!

If you actually read my piece, you will see I follow that statement with the words "we now have to see if he can do it at AFL level". DemonWA, I suggest you don't start typing until you have finished reading - it might help your comprehension.

He has shown elite pace and skills on both side of his body at TAC level. I stand by that comment, especially when it is agreed upon by the MFC recruitment team.

IMO, I reckon he will bring this skill nad pace to AFL level but he has a bit of work to do at Casey first.

Any other basic comprehension mistakes need clearing up?

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MFC website has a great article on Sam Blease.

Link

Having seen some of the footage of his TAC cup footy, and then also seeing him live, it is clear that Melbourne were very pleased to get him at pick 17. Injury has waylaid him by one year, but like Watts he was 17 at the time of drafting and MFC are prepared to wait and give him time to develop. His delivery inside 50 is one of the main reasons he was drafted.

It looks like Blease has exactly the skill set we so desperately need: pace, and skill on both sides of his body. He is an elite run-and-carry player, and now we have to asses if he can bring those skills into AFL standard football. However, due to his great natural play, it looks like he hasn't done much work on the defensive side of his game and this is the major focus of his development at Casey.

I reckon both he and Strauss will be trialled in 2011, especially if it is clear come round 16 that we cannot make teh finals.

Thoughts?

as one guy said...martin looks better down back and rotating through the ruck. Go Martin!

jamar is better up forward...knows how to take contested marks in the forward line...but needs to kick the goal himself after the mark.

would be amazing if we could play martin in the back half, gawn in the ruck and jamar in the forward line...then roate them through.

Spot on. This trio playing in that structure will give us a huge big man advantage. However, I would like the FD to persevere with Martin in the forward 50 until a big body player develops or arrives. He is showing that he learns well and a few more games inside forward 50 might see his positioning and attack on the ball improve in the same manner his ruck work and defensive work are.

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The fact that he is out late - non issue. He is an adult and can use his time any way he likes as long as it does not affect his work, which in this case is footy. Too many people precious about footballers and curfews.

As for getting drunk (if true). Yep, this affects his fitness, mental health and therefore his footy.

As for urinating in a bar. You have got to be kidding!!! If this is true, it is much worse than urinating outside like Fev or those others a couple of years back. It is inside, there are people all around, and a lot of people find it offensive. Oh, and by the way, it is also illegal on health grounds.

You're a leader Brent and this is ridiculous for someone of your stature at the club. Pathetic for a senior player and club leader. Should be called to give account to the playing group. 2 weeks out of the game penalty.

I can't believe one of that our players has stooped to this after all the St. Kilda stuff over the break, Fevola, all the Collingwood stuff with Didak and Shaw a few years ago. Our first win now tainted with this.

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