PaulRB

Agree, Viney is running at the ball, with eyes on a loose ball, braces for impact, impacts as opposition player being pushed forward, he keeps his eyes eyes on ball and emerges with it. Umpire calls play on, no-one on field sees Viney to have done anything wrong (i.e. no remonstrations), commentators say nothing was untoward... We're making a mountain out of molehill here.

Viney was tracking the ball back, and simply braced for impact. His feet didn't leave the ground, and contact was unavoidable. And the broken jaw appears to be on the RHS from impact with Georgio's head. no issue, sh!t happens, fingers crossed.

And he has few options in the twos... Ooops

Footy seems more and more about roles and patterns, running patterns (defensive and offensive), with different roles needing to adhere to different patterns in order for the team to gel and win. I suspect that the key to developing a young player like Salem is to teach them their pattern, make sure the can demonstrate their knowledge and discipline in their applying their pattern relentlessly, under pressure, with skill in the Reserves, and if they do they are ready.. Christian Salem seems bright, dedicated and hard working in addition to being talented, he's learnt his patterns and is ready. If the coaching team can keep developing layers to do this we'll continue to gel and improve as a team.

Somehow MFC followers have more soul

The stats really show how much not having Clark, Hogan and Dawes (for the first three games) impacted with their absence seeming the prime cause of low Contested marks, low inside 50's and low marks inside 50. The rest of the areas are showing good improvement. On the clearances being worse than Neeld, be keen to see how well our opposition does in clearances now vs Neeld's time, as I feel we are bottling teams up far better at stoppages.

Sure, and like every player he needs to work on his deficiencies. So why can't we be as patient with Jack as he works through those weaknesses in his game as we would be with other players as they work through their weaknesses (i.e Jordie Mac's disposal, Bail's disposals, Jetta's concentration for 4 Q, etc... ). All our players are working on their weaknesses, but it only seems to be Jack being publicly shamed and castigated for his.

So his flaw is he's disappointed us. That as having the audacity to be selected (by others) as No 1, he cannot battle nor expect to be dispassionately compared to any of his contemporaries... Sounds fair... Bloody Watts!!

Rohan Bail has played 46 games of AFL, just over two seasons worth. He too has played them over 6 seasons... So of Watts, Jetta, Bail who do we turn on and why? And who's the better player? Watts

He's played 75 games of AFL, less that 4 seasons worth. He's played them over 6 season, sure, but experience (and expectations on performance) come from games played. Neville Jetta has played 44 games of AFL, 2 seasons worth. He too has played them over 6 season...

Jack Watts has played 4 and a bit seasons of footy not 6 season as some assert. In his first year (2009) he played 3 games while still at school. And in the four seasons (or 88 games) since, his team won just 18 games, while turning over 3+ coaches as the club, coaching staff and players struggled. http://stats.rleague.com/afl/stats/players/J/Jack_Watts.html During this time he's played back, forward, wing, middle... been the whipping boy, saviour, etc... for a club with no idea and angry restless fans tired of mediocracy. That he re-signed last year was repayment of any debt he owed us, and from then on he like any developing player will have good and lean patches until he matures and gains confidence in his role and place in the team. I think we should get behind him and support him rather than contesting as to whom can bag him best or loudest. He'll come good, or not. But deserves our support and compassion

Hey Stuie, have you ever watched us go down to the Blues with a blues supporting mate? Or even sat near them at the game? Cause if you have you'd be enjoying and salting their wounds like the rest of the footy world currently is... I mean they are upset because they believe we are so beneath them that to lose to us is the ultimate humiliation... I'm loving it, bring on more salt, memes whatever..

If we knock off the Blues today, the mob will start to turn on Malthouse... A slim chance, but a big prize!

It's encouraging that 37 of 44 still believe that an upswing is in the works... if still a while off.

We've all hoped and been wrong on picking the turning point in the downswing of our footy club. So I thought I'd poll where we reasonably think the upswing will become evident. Not talking about storming into the 8, just solid performances and indications we can compete regularly?

I can't see the problem, according to "By the Numbers" on the MFC site, this was our best round 2 result in three years... So we're on the up and up

Deck chairs until we get 2 of Dawes Clark and Hogan back. A long month or two.

If we can cultivate the relationship with China Southern Airlines like the Pies have done with Etihad, we would do very well.

If it all (Hogan, Dawes, Garland, Clark) comes together in the first month and they stay fit for 20 odd games we'll be blessed. Fingers crossed.

weird to be discussing our next Coach a week before our new Coach coaches his first game... Only at Melbourne...

That's sad news, commiseration's to his family.

Bizarrely I am still excited about the season to come...

It will take a while for our new midfield to gell and be able to function under intense pressure. The Hawks midfield has been a stable and successful unit since before 2008 (I.e. OVER 6 years) when they won their first flag with this team, whereas ours has been together for two practice matches.

Some context Hawks NAB cup campaign Rd 1 - Hawks 158 - Lions 23 Rd 2 - Hawks 118 - North 53 Prac - Hawks 142 - Melb 32 We have done better than Lions.. For what that's worth

Did the MFC have a say in who they play in the NAB and this practice match? Seems odd to play Cats and then Hawks if you are trying to rebuild confidence and cohesion in a scarred team...