Striker475

I know we're all doom-and-gloom right now, but christ the Aints are playing some poor footy too. If we're going to win a game of the next few, this one is it.

I do support him. But there's a lot of non-support out there for him and it's always interesting to hear opinion on the issue.

Just a hypothetical since I know a number on here don't like Green as captain, and regardless all can see that he has been...'lacklustre', for want of a better term. Assume someone has to take the mantle for either him conceding the role or somesuch.

It's the one thing I like about soccer contracts. Appearance fees I know we have, but there's things like Team of the Year bonuses over there (so an All-Australian bonus), goal bonuses (which is different for here because of more goals obviously, but still possible), clean sheet bonuses (for goalkeepers) - maybe a below x score bonus for a player/team? That said, money can't be the only motivation, it won't work for everyone.

You wouldn't play Watts?

I want to sack, in order: - The government of Indonesia - The department of Immigration (in its entirety) - Everyone who works at McDonalds - The crew of the HMAS Collins - The airport terminal staff for Virgin Blue All have contributed to this failure! :D

Don't know that he has the outright pressure. We want someone who's going to stick Goddard like a glove, he's already down on form and confidence.

It would help. But I think the defensive forward idea is good for him, just that Melbourne's overall system isn't set up for a defensive forward. We play far better with a 6-attack forward (see the Adelaide game) then having Dunn stick out like a sore thumb being the only forward with a defensive assignment.

I'm over the Scully stuff. Seriously. Just wait til (hopefully) October but more likely September. He's said it'll be the end of the season. Every indication we have had from him has been the end of the season. I'm fine with the club having backroom chats with him about it, as they should be. But keep it off the back page until he's actually looking at signing something, please!

Many don't realise, despite how long he's been at the club, that he's only 23. I think he still has more to offer, just probably needs a different view/system to fit into.

It does depend though. Our draft wave is slightly different to both of those you've mentioned, and I honestly prefer looking at the list ages themselves. While it doesn't perfectly fit to a couple of players (in particular Stef Martin) for the bulk of the list it does seem to work rather well in terms of working out where they're at. PS: This list is based off how old they would have been at the START of this year. 27+ (-1983): Green, Davey, Jamar, Campbell (Rook) (3+1r) 24-26 (1984-86): Moloney, Warnock, Joel Macdonald, Rivers, Sylvia, Martin (6) 22-23 (1987-88): Dunn, Bate, Jones, Bartram, Garland, Bail, Petterd, Frawley, Jurrah, Wonnameiri, Newton (10+1r) 20-21 (1989-90): Grimes, Spencer, Morton, Jetta, Maric, Bennell, Strauss, McKenzie, Howe, McNamara, Nicholson (9+2r) 19 (1991): Blease, Watts, Scully, Gysberts, Fitzpatrick, Tapscott, Trengove, Gawn (8) 18 (1992): Cook, Davis, McDonald, Johnstone, Evans, Lawrence (3+3r) That is an incredibly youth weighted squad still. Look at some of the players we criticise. Cale Morton is 21. 'Senior players' such as Dunn, Bate, Jones and Bartram are only 23. Watts is only 20. Scully and Trengove the same. Gawn is still 19, McKenzie is 20. While I know we have to look at a deadwood cull eventually, we still do have an incredibly junior squad really. I know it's no excuse, heart and all that, but at the same time, I just wonder... Nevertheless, you do make good points regarding the drafting and such.

I'll maintain that we've gone backwards. Yes there's the Bomber example of on the verge to winning a flag, but then there are plenty of other examples. Most relevant one that comes to mind is Neil Balme.

I believe in Harvey Dent.

Yeah, I know, they were Jolly for Ryder and Grimes for Pratt though. Barring a training accident, they were going to play (and did). The question is this week....tossing up trading Rioli for Issac Smith and then Tarrant for Fisher, or Tapscott or Matera for a Buddy or somesuch.

B: Bartram Warnock Frawley HB: Tapscott JMac Davey C: Green Moloney Gysberts HF: Watts Newton Maric F: Wonna Bate LJ R: Martin Sylvia Jones Int: McKenzie Jetta Petterd Sub: Evans fingers crossed

The Age today suggested his thing with Pratt would be at least a 400pt suspension, downgradable to 300pt (3 weeks) - however it could be as high as 550pts (5 weeks, downgradable to 4). So he's probably gone for a while.

It's not about Choko's attitude - Ball did not want to come to Melbourne. He made it completely plain that he wanted to go to Collingwood and was making noises about possibly refusing to play for another club if they drafted him.

Curious WYL, who would you have given up to take Ball? Pies took him at #30, so you would have had to give up one of Scully, Trengove, Gysberts or Tapscott.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/melbourne-midfielder-declares-his-side-must-stand-up/story-e6frf9jf-1226056377588 Line in the sand, anyone?

He won't go to Carlton if Carlton finish top 4 and/or make the prelims, because Ratten will get a new contract in that situation. If we're going to go down that path, may as well appoint Viney. I know, Jack will be coming through, but the issue is a) Garry doesn't want it and B) he's been out of the game way, way too long.

My 'fair and reasonable' expectation was (and still is, although becoming more doubting of it by the day) ten wins. To put this in perspective, how I notched them up come the start of the season... Sydney @ G - WIN Brisbane @ G - WIN GC @ Gabba - WIN Adel @ G - WIN North @ ES - win? Coll @ G - win? (based off last year + we always turn up vs the Filth) Freo @ G - win? Rich @ G - WIN Port @ TIO - WIN WCE @ ES - win? GC @ G - WIN Port @ AAMI - win? The caps being expected wins, the lowers being wins that were quite possible but not necessarily expected. Throw in a win somewhere else as a sign of improvement (against, say, Hawthorn, the Dogs etc) for ten wins (assuming half of the possibles + the improvers win got up). I know it's still possible, but if we keep playing how we are, christ.

Yeah, I know. But the point was made - late last season against Hawthorn, our two key taggers were 34 and 31. Even handing one of these roles to one of those two for this season would be denying a chance to the younger crew. Bail has come on in leaps and bounds, Jordie may very well be a Junior type of player long-term as well. I do understand why the decision was made, still agree with it, but...that question of what if.

I have hope for Gys in this regard, actually.

Can we not talk about Zac Smith? Sorry, the name thing weirds me out a bit. (that's my name too =/)

Must admit, I didn't think of it this way...great post.