PaulRB

From little things big things grow.

Watts (Goddard) and Garland (Wanganeen) are evolving their obvious talent to become good players in multiple positions which is a huge asset for the club and Grimes (Mitchell) flourishing as a Captain in the middle, is essential. Good signs.

The downside of him leaving collingwood to anyone but us, is that the Pies would have a spare 750K p.a to spend on a player or two from another club...

I reckon Mark Neeld has had half an eye on this game for a while... Hopefully lightening will strike twice.

Cracked tibia sidelines Pie

I liked Beamers hang dog expressions in the presser, made me think he's realised whats required of him, that his coach values him and he still loves being at the Dees. And it seems Neeld has some new things in mind for Beamer...

"... lead to me dacking myself"??? did you rip your own pants off in frustration? I hope you were at the game.

Grimes was great. Would like Strauss back to fill his role in the backline and allow Col "the undertaker" Garland to play forward.

They are hurting from this one, took all their momentum and raised big doubts about their credentials come September. Nice job Melbourne. ;-))

Went to sit in general admission, and ended up in the space seats over the Punt Road Goals. Before the game decided they were woeful seats so went down and snuck into the Essendon members area around from the Punt road goals. Only Melb fans within 10 m. Game started and when Howe kicked our first I jumped up (beer in hand) yelling. A woman bomber fan in front of us turned and yelled "What the ... are you doing?" I kept celebrating. The womans friend told her off for being anti-social. Quarter time got more beer and we decided to switch seats. Sat in more space on the 50m line, yelled loud and laughed about how we had brought Essendon down to our fumbling level, which was just where we wanted them. Getting excited as it appeared the footy gods might be with us as the Dons failed to convert.The bombers fans were acting like like we just broken in and were in the process of carring off their children. No humour, no humility. Last Quarter comes and we start looking good, we are loud and are the team is on. We hit the lead jumping about wildly, hugging and hollering. Dons fan are stunned. We hold the lead, they press, we hold and the MCG is awash with noise of Melbournes hope and excitement. We win. We sing. We feel really good. Love the footy Go the Dees.

Big game by Colin last night. Played his role trying to keep Fletcher out of play then turned it up with a couple of big plays and a great goal. Maybe Col too has turned the corner.

Liam has not had much game time , Green and Sylvia are struggling to adjust and may not be there next year. Liam... who knows? I'm more hopeful for Strauss, Gysberts and Cook coming good and lifting us next year. A fit Strauss would release Grimes to play a Mitchell type role in the middle and with Gysberts and Viney raising the midfield bar considerably. If Cook can come in to complement Clark as a big marking presence our forward line looks stronger. Big IF with Cook given he's yet to show much, but...

I'd prefer the Sydney way (establish the culture and recruit player who will thrive in it) to an aged version of the Carlton way (import a big name strong leader and have them inoculate the club with the "right" culture). I think by electing two young captains we have chosen to develop our own culture rather than import older players who have the right stuff. I think to bring in foreign leaders approaching retirement age next year would be a slap in the face of the LG and show the FD has little faith in their leadership potential. Not a good move in my books. Would rather spend our coin on a leader in the right age group with proven match winning capabilities (i.e Judd when he went to Carlton). I actually think with this years restructure of the MFC LG we are far improved and on the right track to rectifying our "poor inhouse culture". We should continue to support and add to this group. A player such as Boak would be ideal. Go Dees

I noticed this week that the Carlton fans were quite subdued after their win. We put up a good fight for three quarters, were physical, and they, despite their "premiership contenders" tag couldn't put us away till the last. A similar result against Dons and Pies would be an improvement and not too big a streath of the reality boundary as defined by OD and Stuie. If we can plant some seeds of doubt into the minds of the Dons and Pies fans and keep them off our cases post game we'd have done well (but not well enough, I know...).

I think we'll have a similar result to the Saints Vs the Tigers tonight (us as the Saints). Dons have momentum and form (like the Tiggers) at the moment. If we can toil honestly and keep threatening (like the Saints) I won't be too upset. A win however, would be monumental. A stupid, damaged and retarded part of me thinks that OD was on the money with Go Dees

Perhaps Frawleys foot condition prompted the recent change of heart about playing Watts back rather than on the wing/forward.

That would be OD for two bollockings before the bye. With OD scientifically estimating our losing margin to be 18 goals (the average relative result vs common foes). Good Times is optimistic and yet to commit to a result. Good to see the Tigers win just now. The wheel turns. Go Dees

This is like your coming out thread, then?

Don't worry Olisik! He's making room for someone... Someone big... Lucas Cook!!!! ;-)

Both the next two have juicy sub-plots that may not be in our favour. Bombers, we romped through them last year when we all least expected it. And loooovveed it! Pies, we keep going on about that draw in 2010,... and we stole their midfield coach. Chin up boys, punch out the next eight quarters and it gets easier.

I'm not sure about Boak. I mean, his first name is...

I was considering the next two games before the bye and it occurred to me that if we get through the next two without another belting (i.e. Swan Bath 2012) then we may be done with this "phase" of our rebuild. I feel like we may have turned a corner with the Blues, but in this maize it can be hard to tell. So with the Bombers and the Pies to come, are we ging to drop the bundle and get bollocked again this year?

The sad thing is, that on his day Colin Sylvia can play as well as Boak. Any ideas why he's struggling so much?

No. Really? Shoot him. Go Dees

Don't think we should draft any player over 26. Not while we are still shedding our older players. And the ones available are all past their best and the game is becoming harder for players young (skinney) and old (slowing). 22 - 26 seems optimal, hence Cloke such a target.