Jaded No More

But maybe, just maybe, we don't need a better coach... just a DIFFERENT one. Daniher is a good coach and will no doubt coach again, but he was not the best fit for Melbourne going forward. So as long as we find a coach who is better for our club, than that's all that matters.

No, he was NOT with Didak. He was just at the same club is what the report said. The problem is not that Didak was out at a club, it was that he left with a stranger who turned out to be a dangerous criminal.

The statement Collingwood made sounds like a load of crap. Never knew the guy, who introduced himself as a fan, yet got into a car with him... yes, that doesn't sound dodgy at all Also admitted to drinking heavily that night. He is only a witness though, so really, he hasn't done anything wrong legally. Nobody should be suggesting that he had anything to do with what happened, only that he has extremely poor judgement. If you drink then get into a car with criminals, you're a bloody idiot. Edit: Apparently Sylvia was also at the club earlier that night, and drinking, but Melbourne said he wasn't hanging out with Didak.

Please, I have broken toes/ stuffed up foot, and I'm still turning up! Weak Dutchy, weak!

1) 3 players from the past ten years who you hate/hated seeing in other team colours. Scott Thompson, Troy Simmonds, Jeff Farmer 2) 3 current players you would like to see in other team colours. Adem Yze, Ryan Ferguson (will get more opportunities elsewhere I believe), Daniel Ward 3) 3 current players you would cry if you saw in other team colours David Neitz, Brock Mclean, Russell Robertson (agreed with those!)

It won't be overshadowed if he kicks another 50m right-foot snap goal!

I didn't say play everyone, but there are a few options ahead of Brown. Yes, a 5 day break is not ideal, but I still don't know how we're going to counter Essendon's backline given we drop Holland (no match-up for him, agreed) and Frawley (seems like a good match-up for Lucas) and bring in Brown (who will he play on, Alwyn Davey? ).

Congratulations Godfrey! That he has played 100 AFL games is a true testament to his hard work and determination to get the most out of himself. His downfalls are well publicised, but in the words of Daniher: "he could teach his more talented teammates a thing or two" What a huge game it will be tomorrow, and I hope for everyone's sake that we belt the living suitcase out of Essendon.

I knew you'd use it against me! No, a broken toe, a hairline foot fracture and a twisted ankle. But never mind that, I'll be there to cheer on the Juice!

Melbourne Team Backs: D.Ward, N.Carroll, P.Wheatley Half backs: S.Godfrey, C.Bizzell, D.Bell Centreline: C.Bruce, J.McDonald, T.Johnstone Half forwards: B.Green, R.Robertson, A.Davey Forwards: C.Sylvia, D.Neitz, M.Bate Followers: J.White, B.McLean, N.Jones I/C: P.Johnson, R.Petterd, M.Newton, N.Brown Emergencies: B.Miller, C.Johnson, S.Buckley In: D.Neitz, T.Johnstone, N.Brown, M.Newton Out: Yze [hernia], Holland [broken nose], Pickett [omit], Frawley [omit] The emergencies look about right, in case Neita and TJ pull out.

My preference would be for the club to wipe the slate clean and start over. However, if Riley does a good job over the next 9 weeks, and especially with selection and match-day coaching, than you'd have to seriously consider him. The one thing he has over other candidates, is that he is already familiar with our list and would know exactly who and what he'd want to bring into the club.

Ok Juice, I really want you to have a great game, but keep in mind I am broke and have to take the next 2 weeks off work due to injury, so please don't kick more than 3!

I thought we would start playing the kids this week. Maybe they're giving Daniher this game to do what he wants, which I guess means little in the big scheme of things. But the question you ask is valid, who does play on Lucas? Don't think I want Bell to be spanked by someone who is clearly not the right match-up for him. I thought Miller may have come in for insurance down back, especially since they decided to drop Frawley and Holland. Hell even Warnock would be a more logical inclusion, and he's been playing well from all reports too. I just don't understand what the plan here is. We drop two big defenders, and bring in one unaccountable small defender. Lloyd and Lucas must be laughing.

Daniher is not that selfish. I just refuse to believe that that is the reason behind the inclusion of Brown.

I hope this is not official. Why drop Frawley for Brown, and where's CJ/Whelan/Dunn/Buckley? Thank god there is only 10 more weeks left, until we get new people doing team selections.

Oh yeah, I'll sign that! SAY NO TO CHRIS CONNOLLY!

What are you talking about! Time is disasterous, how so? Our season is finished, when would you have liked us to look at new coaches, in September while 3 other clubs are fighting for new coaches and we're staring down trade week? What could possibly be achieved by having Daniher stay until season's end? Daniher and the club have done the right thing, they have remained honest and dignified and I would expect nothing less of both Neale and Gardner. They are true professionals. I don't remember a better handled coach resignation in my life.

Yep, Riley has been there the longest, knows our list well I would imagine and so is best for the job. I love how people just assume that Mark Williams will get up and leave Sandy to take over at Melbourne. He is already coaching and he has a duty of care to the Sandringham Football Club. To expect him to leave them mid-season just to take over at Melbourne for 10 weeks is moronic. He has a job, and while many will say "oh but it's only VFL", it is still his job and one which he takes very seriously. I'm sure he wants to win another flag this year, not try and clean up the mess at Melbourne.

I briefly heard on SEN that a new coach might even be appointed before the end of the season. Ideally, we'll go through a proper process and find our man by round 22, and be ready to make some ruthless changes during trade week.

I like the overwhelming support for Connolly :D Hopefully the board feels the same!

I'm in two minds about this. If he leaves after Friday night, we can almost start bringing in replacements to sit in the box for a trial. On the other hand, if he stays, I have more confidence in team selection, in the fact that he'll play the kids who deserve a game and so on. I have zero trust in Riley, but then, what does it matter? I want a good draft pick, so I couldn't care less how many we win from now until next year. I agree though that Daniher should be there to coach Neita's 300th.... unless they rest him and postpone it for next year?

Will Gary Lyon be pushing for his old friend Connolly? If so, get him the hell away from the selection process. I agree that we need to bring someone else to help the board along. Afterall, a lot of the board members don't have a background in football, so they might need a guiding opinion. But why would we get a journalist to help us out? And I heard Grant Thomas moaning and bitching about Gardner and the fact that he has a lot to answer for. Gees, he has become a sensative soul since he had to leave Saint Nick... His opinion doesn't matter much either.

Went right over your head, as I expected.

Wayne Carey, Gary Ablett, Shane Woewodin... Think about it.

I always said that he'd be gone if McLean came into the picture, not sure we discussed Finks Thanks for making me laugh while I'm crippled in bed!