Jaded No More

Loved Robbo show of passion to the members after the game. As he ran past the bench to join his teammates, he clapped us members and grabbed his jumper as if to say "show you're proud to wear red & blue" I thought it was great. He was great. As for the article, good on him for showing support for the coach. It doesn't mean much though, because as he said, the board will make a rational decision, not an emotional one.

Toughness is about more than just diving head first into a pack. It's going again when you've stuffed up, it's lifting the side when it's down, it's running as hard as you can despite not being at 100% fitness. Neita is probably equal in the toughness stakes. Not because he is the greatest tackler, or because he dives on the footy, but because as he showed today, he will put himself out there for the side, even if he is in pain. Brock missed a lot of football this year, and came straight back in and dominated as soon as he set foot on the ground, despite not being anywhere near 100% fitness. And he isn't perfect, but when it comes to toughing out a game, he is probably our number one player. The St.Kilda final is a great example of that, and it's refreshing to have someone like that in a team that is known for going missing when the heat is on. As for him not going in today, I didn't see it, but I'll watch the replay and get back to you.

At 21 years of age, and with 50 games experience, please list for me all of Brock's glaring flaws? He isn't perfect, of course not, but saying that you don't like him because other supporters can see Bruce's flaws, is just idiotic. Classy Dees is spot on, they shouldn't be compared, and the only comparison that is being made is in regards to the captaincy. And poor kicking or not, Brock is miles ahead of Bruce in the leadership stakes.

Brock got one extremely dodgy 50 paid against him, as apperantly you are not allowed to show emotions in footy anymore That free kick was an absolute joke, although he shouldn't have mouthed off. Still you gotta wonder what the umpires are thinking, when Brady Rawlings didn't get penalised for taking 3 bounces when the ball was clearly out of bounds against us a few weeks ago. As for Bell, I gave you his stats and Didak's stats. Not exactly sure how you see this is a popularity contest. Didak tends to rip us apart, and yet Bell shut him down while creating a lot of run from the backline. Can't ask for more.

As I said before the game, Rocca was under an injury cloud, and I knew that Dutchy would play if Rocca came up alright. Too bad Holland comprehensively smashed him. That was as bad a game from a forward as you are ever likely to see. Could he give away anymore frees? Absolute gold!

Spewing I missed it... What did he say?

Nothing, but it could be another option to have. We also need an opponent for Schultz.

Yeah ok, whatever you reckon

What game were you at? He was the leading possession getter on the ground with 28, and 5 tackles! Seriously, there is something wrong if you think he had an ordinary day. Behind Robbo, the most influential player on the ground.

Yes, it is a disgrace that our players are dominating in the VFL, what are they thinking? What a stupid thing to say! If nothing else, it puts a lot of pressure on the rest of the forwards to perform. And I agree, he might be back to play on Richo in 2 weeks time.

I couldn't believe it when he didn't make the distance from 40m out. It was embarrassing. He had a shocker today, he really did. Just goes to show that we can win even when he doesn't have 30+ possessions. But hey, he's been excellent for us all year, so he is allowed one bad game. The kicking though... it's reaching Ward-like proportions.

He kept Didak to 16 disposals, 1 mark and no goals, while having 16 disposals and 6 marks himself.

6- Robbo (the difference) 5- McLean (the star) 4- Bate (super-glue hands) 3- Bell (did a fantastic job on a very very dangerous Didak and provided good rebound) 2- Jonesy 1- Holland (what a gun! )

He is marking overhead!!! His ruck work is getting better too. Jamar is slowly waving goodbye to his career at Melbourne IMO.

I thought Frawley did well and we must persist with him. It's a shame that Petterd's kicking today was poor, because he does everything else so well. Jonesy and Brock are the perfect midfield duo. Nothing better than seeing Jonesy dive onto a pack and feed it out to McLean. But my favourite goal of the day was when Sylvia took them on and kicked it to Bater who kicked the long goal. That was awesome.

He is a star. Pure and simply the best leader, hardest worker and toughest footballer we have at this club. He leads by example and he MUST be our next captain. His workrate today was something to marvel at. He was making 50m leads every time, when everyone else stood still. Brocky, you are a pleasure to watch in the red & blue and you make me so happy to be a Melbourne supporter!

The Melbourne Football Club- Proud owners of Collingwood since 2004! :D There is nothing better than beating those filthy, whingy Pies. McLean, Bell, Jones, Sylvia, Ricky and Bate. They are the future of this club, and they leave me very very confident of the future. Brock McLean is just.... words cannot describe his awesomeness!!!

The night after we beat St.Kilda, I went out with friends to celebrate, and we ran into a bunch of St.Kilda players who asked us to come to this club with them. Apperantly (although I was drunk so I plead not guilty), I said "I don't go anywhere with losers" then started singing the Melbourne song. My friend still hasn't forgiven me for ruining her chances with Nick Dal Santo :D

Well done indeed. The Reach Foundation is a great organization. I was lucky enough to be involved with them while I was at school, and it really does help the lives of so many young people. Jimmy is not just a champion player, but more importantly, he is a champion person.

Source? Any word about Rocca?

You want to know the difference between McLean and Reiwoldt? McLean eats glass and nails for breakfast. Reiwoldt eats rainbows and lollipops. I wouldn't mind seeing Neita and McLean as co-captains next year. I'd rather have McLean as a stand-alone captain, but if the club feels he isn't ready, co-captains seems like a good solution.

That thought alone is why I got up today. Then I read this great article in The Age about Jonesy and I'm already pumped! I can't wait, apart from finals this is my favourite game of the year. Not even tonsillitis will stop me from going! GO DEES!

Bartram gets a game ahead of Dunn. In fact, Bartram has more of a claim in our best 22 than Petterd, Sylvia or PJ (who is in our best 22 because he is a ruckman, not because he is actually better than some of the players who miss out).

Everything starts with the midfield. A gun midfield will make up for a suspect backline or an average forward line. West Coast and Adelaide are examples of this. Judd shouldn't be classified as 'getting another midfielder', he should be seen as 'getting the best player in the AFL to play for our side'. We might need more crumbers, another ruckman etc... but what we need most, is a superstar.

It's a long story, which can be summed up in one word: Robbo. Got my dad into it as well, and my mum hates me for it! :D