Jaded No More

Unless Johnson = PJ Who made the final team? Did Whelan play?

I wonder if discipline problems have something to do with Carroll's dropping, or if its just for form reasons.

He may be a tool, but [censored] he can play. I'm sure you'd learn to love him the minute he starts ripping it apart in the red and blue. Did you hate Byron when he was playing for us?

Watched the match on TV and I must say, it felt very flat. As much as I could watch some of these players over and over again, the game itself lacked emotion and physicality. Obviously when you are playing against your teammate, you don't want to tackle them for fear of injury. That's why this concept of state footy is unlikely to ever be successful again. Players are such pricey commodities these days, and nobody wants to get injured for the sake of winning some irrelevant game. Mind you, Jonathan Brown and Brendon Fevola in the same forward line was awesome to see. How do we get them both in the red and blue???

I am so never talking to you again, you traitor In all honesty I am very surprised and disappointed with Belly's form this season. I was expecting him to continue to grow and excel after his performance in 07. All pre-season reports also indicated that he was on track for a great season under Bailey. Not sure whether he is carrying some sort of injury, or whether he is simply out of form. Would I entertain trading him? Of course I would if the price was right. However given that Whelan is so injury prone and coming to the end of his career, and given that Belly played so well as a small/medium defender last year, I'm just hoping that he finds his 2007 form very quickly. His speed and disposal fit in with Bailey's game plan quite well, or at least they should.

Our love child is wondering why you left him off the list. Gone off the Belly Bandwagon have you? <_<

Brian Taylor thinks the sun shines out of Leon Davis' behind, yet he doesn't rate Aussie. A wet garbage bag > Brian Taylor's opinion.

Mine I think are pretty obvious. Will defend: Brock- I just love everything he embodies (on the field at least ) Rivers- Not that he ever needs defending Bell- Sort of adopted him early on. I like his attitude and the fact that he fought back from a long list of injuries to star last year. Miller- Not a superstar, but a good strong leader who works incredibly hard and is totally selfless. Robbo- Find it very difficult not to defend him, even though he's been pretty poor this season. Have a bond with him that can't be broken... a champion human being. Will not defend: Yze- His on-field application shits me. Lots of talent, zero accountability for the rest of the team. Bruce- I'm not a hater but I also don't overrate him like many do. Is a hard worker with a good footy brain but his skills are simply ordinary. Also not a leader. Sylvia- Don't buy into the whole 'number 3 draft pick'. He has talents sure, but his desire seems questionable to me. Does some selfish, silly things both on and off the field. From outside the club, I am a big Jonathan Brown and Matthew Richardson defender. I cop a lot of [censored] for my adoration of Richo. I mostly just feel sorry for him.

Jamar has always been a good tap ruckman, always. Even when he got a grand total of 1 possession a match, his ruck work was adequate. His game on Sunday was terrific, but the reason it was terrific is because he actually did something when he wasn't rucking. As Nasher said, he used his body to block for others and he even got his own ball which is exactly what he should be doing on a consistent basis. If we're serious about building for the future, both Jamar and PJ need to play equal time in the ruck for the rest of the year. White can play up forward or as a spare man in defence.

The first 6 rounds have been appalling, but the problem is that some people have very short memories. The same things were being said about Carlton and Richmond not long ago, at around the same time as we were being branded 'the best Victorian team'. Lets not completely blow things our of proportion. We have been disgraceful for 6 weeks, and we will continue to perform poorly this year no doubt. However, we are not the first or the last team to go through a really bad patch and when it is another team's turn, the same thing will be written about them. Pointless sensationalism at it's best.

I think the move to Casey is a fantastic opportunity for growth. While the new facilities in the heart of the city are important, we are not going to gain any new members in the CBD. Moving to Casey, even if it's only during summer, will enable us to not only have a permanent training spot while our own stadium is being built, but is also a chance to recruit supporters and create a base of followers outside of Melbourne's inner suburbs.

Made the same pact with another Melbourne supporter when I was 12 (a bit premature!), and even though we don't speak anymore, the pact is still on. However, I will definitely wait until I sober up from the post-premiership celebrations before any tattooing gets done. Don't want to end up with a huge tattoo of Brock McLean on my arse! :D

There isn't a chance in hell they'll drop Bruce. For one he had a good game on the weekend, besides, the minute he was named acting captain, his chances of being dropped reduced to about 1%. In: Whelan Out: Bartram Poor kid is really struggling to impact games. Maybe he just needs a good confidence boost at Sandy following his horrid injury run.

I think I've only ever left a game early twice in my life. Dad kept telling me we're going to win, and I laughed at him. He was going to put money on us and I told him not to... oops

Rivers actually averages 7 1%s a match. He is currently 6th in the league for average 1%s.

Not a chance in hell.

What do you consider having an impact on the game? 12th in the league in contested possessions? 5th in the league for disposals? 17th in the league in first possessions? 6th in the league for clearances? Why is it so difficult for you to say anything truly positive about anyone who plays for our club? It won't make you seem soft you know Just accept that he's having a good season, but that no matter how well he's playing, he cannot win games on his own. Yesterday he finally received the support of 21 other players and we won. No player is capable of beating a team of 22 on their own, and to expect that is completely unrealistic. By the way, for someone who struggles with a tag, Brock's not really having trouble finding the ball is he?

I agree. I much rather a team tags Jonesy than McLean. McLean is far far more damaging when he has the footy in his hands. Bailey pushed Jonesy up forward in an effort to get him into the match, but at the end of the day it was a good learning experience for him, and it worked well for us because it left McLean and Moloney free to play their own game.

Yes, his problem is that he is not on the bottom of enough contests What are people watching?

The atmosphere was incredible. Truly one of the most amazing games I've been to. Even though the result means little, it was a huge victory for Bailey, the players and of course us. As long suffering fans, to experience such an amazing comeback and being surrounded by equally passionate supporters was just incredibely uplifting.

You would have loved the idiot behind me who, in the first quarter, decided to abuse Miller as he ran past. Did I enjoy giving it to her after he kicked his third for the day!! :D She was a [censored], similar to many other Miller haters who are just obsessed with the failure of one of their own.

I didn't vote. If I did, Miller would get top votes.

Amen. A more important defender you will not find in our team. Consistently does the team things, risks his own well- being to punch the ball or provide a contest. How was his blind backwards punch on the goal square? He is a godsent and if he ever leaves us I'm jumping off the West Gate.

Robbo does not work hard enough when things are going against him, but he is still by far our best forward. That doesn't mean he shouldn't follow team rules like everyone else, but right now you will be hard-pressed to find a replacement for him. I think finally getting the game plan and winning the clearances, enabling us to move the ball QUICKLY to our forwards where there's a one-on-one situation, also helped Robbo (and all the other forwards). As for Miller, I think I've said all there is to say about him. Yesterday's performance proved that he is capable of being a damaging player, as well as a great leader. It's all about confidence and belief.

It's almost as nonsensical as writing the coach off after 5 rounds