Jaded No More

Thank god for that! Will be mailing my donation in as soon as I can walk to the mailbox Have we got a final tally of how much was raised?

Agreed. Neita to wait until next year for his 300th and hopefully get a win, because the way we're going, we'll get spanked and Neita deserves a win! Belly, my poor Belly... any word on just how bad it is? Looked pretty nasty, and knowing our luck this year, it probably is. What's wrong with Green? Out: Neita, Bell, Brown, Wheatley, Ward/Bizzell, Green (if injured) In: Dunn, Whelan (if fit), CJ, Buckley, Frawley, Miller

We're one loss closer to a number one draft pick.... Did I just say that?

Anyone who expected 10 goals on debut was kidding themselves. He did as much as I thought he would, especially given the focus on Neita and Robbo. Very impressed by his workrate and his intelligence. You can't buy a football brain like that at the supermarket.

I didn't think I would be so sad, but watching the scenes in the rooms after the games is really emotional. Some of the boys are absolutely gutted, especially the older brigade. I feel for Neita more than anyone. The man is a true champion, and he deserves to win a premiership so much. I just really hope that he stays on and stays strong and gets to hold that premiership cup. He couldn't do it under Daniher, but maybe he'll be able to do in the next couple of years. This year has been nothing short of horrible, and the sooner it ends the better.

He played because he's Daniher's boy, he and Neita and Robbo... they are his men and Brown was absolutely gutted in the end, was on the ground crying. This is as much his farewell match, as it was Daniher's. He is an ordinary player with some extraordinary characteristics, and he has given his absolute all for this club, often putting the club before his own needs. I didn't want him to play and I'm still annoyed that they dropped Frawley, but you know what, it doesn't make any difference. Brown wanted to play for Daniher, and so he should.

I have to agree. I wanted a win, but in the end, it was so close yet so far away... a very ironic way to lose a match and a perfect summary of Daniher's time at Melbourne. We are so inconsistent, we are up then we're down, then we're up again. We go missing for quarters, halves, games, months, years... Players come in and out of games but don't apply themselves for four quarters. I hope like nothing else that a new coach will bring about a positive change, but with that, I'm really upset at the lack of intensity we showed in the first quarter. Daniher deserved better, but then, he's probably used to the disappointment. Very emotional scenes after the game, and quite clearly the players loved and respected him. *Sigh*, this club is anything but boring.

Agreed. Stupid decision to drop Frawley, but Brown got his last hoorah with Daniher. Thought Bruce's disposal was horrific in the first half, but improved in the second. While Travis was brilliant then went missing for long patches, is he still not fit? Neita is the most inspirational captain you hope to see, but he needs at least two or three weeks off now just to fully recover. Was very impressed with Sylvia and thought Bate was courageous and worked hard. McLean made a few uncharacteristic mistakes, but I thought did ok. Pevrill is a very good tagger.

The best thing about his game tonight, was the chase he put on in the first quarter. He kept at it, and in the end forced the turnover. Thought he showed great intelligence, and did lots of really nice, small things to help out the boys. Had at least 2 goal assists that I can remember. Well done Juice, excellent debut game given the circumstances and the fact that you played on one of the best in the business in Fletcher. You kept him honest, which is more than a lot of forwards can say.

Just to let you guys know, if you're planning to drive, GET THERE EARLY, as all car park bookings are sold out. I HATE TELSTRA DOME! /end rant

Unlike our wonderful recruiting manager who managed to pick him up at #5, and get Davey as a rookie, and pluck Bruce out of obscurity and bring us the Juice! Don't mind me, just sucking up to make sure he stays... (Read here if you have no idea what I'm on about)

Far too negative. We won't pay for Daniher having success elsewhere, because the simple fact is, he was unlikely to have success with us. This isn't like trading a player who then goes on to be a superstar. Daniher has had 10 years, and limited success, and if he helps another club then that's great for him. I wish him all the success in the world, as he is a very good, decent person. Secondly, who says we haven't got the money to pay for a coach? I would suggest that Daniher was well paid as a long-term coach, and besides, who is to say that by taking a punt we won't be able to blood the next supercoach ourselves? Look at who is coaching the most successful teams at the moment... Clarkson? Laidley? Thompson? Warsfold? What success have they had before their current jobs? In fact, what experience did Daniher have before he arrived at Melbourne? very little, and he went on to be a successful coach according to you, who will go on to do great things at other clubs. The bottom line is I believe we will find a better coach for the MFC. Maybe not a better tactical coach than say Eade, or a more respected man than Matthews, but I'd certainly hope to find someone who could better motivate our players to perform consistently. Daniher wasn't able to achieve that in 10 years, and IMO his biggest downfall was that he was too nice, and too decent and too forgiving. Football is a tough caper, and generally the bigger the bastard the bigger the success. I hope we can find someone who will be ruthless and turn the culture of our club upside down the way Neale couldn't, and I also hope the players go out tomorrow night and really throw themselves at the contest as a sign of appriciation for him. Lets not forget that apart from David Neitz, every single player who plays tomorrow night has come to this club because of Neale Daniher.

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.