Jaded No More

I thought that was Chris Connolly's job

I'm thinking that you don't watch Belly carefully enough. He never blazes away, which is why he sometimes gets caught. He refuses to take the first option, if it is not the best option. He is actually intelligent in the way he disposes, because he'd often look up and try to pin-point a viable target. Sometimes, because of the amount of pressure he is under, he takes a bit too long to do so, and consequently gets caught. He's getting better at taking the first option more often now, but at the same time he will take his opponent on if he thinks he can break the line and move the ball forward. When looking at him as a defender, the first thing he should be judged on is his ability to shut down an opponent. Apart from Didak giving him a bit of a footy lesson last year, Bell has at the very least broken-even with all his opponents since. He demolished Milne and Farmer in the finals last year too. I know I'm probably talking to a brick wall here, and a lot of Melbourne supporters are set in their views of him because he got off to an ordinary start (due mainly to injuries!). It is just such a shame that their stubbornness doesn't allow them to enjoy the coming of age of this truly good footballer.

Pickett needs to gain his fitness. I have no problem if he does that at senior level, given the amount of injuries we currently have. The bottom line is, he still hurts the opposition with his presence. Newton is not a substitute for Pickett, it's like replacing Holland with Davey.

Ouch! If Neita is not fit for next week, I hope they give Juice a run. He is more developed and better equiped than Garland IMO. We really have nothing to lose.

I have a soft spot for him still, but the reality of the situation is, that he is unstable and comes with a hell of a lot of baggage. We took the risk with Byron because he's a proven premiership player. Wiz is hot and cold, and mostly insane. At least Freo is actually willing to punish its players for acting like morons, unlike their Western Australian partners.

By the way, Daniel Bell averages more kicks, marks and tackles than Graham Johncock this year. Yes, he is clearly a rubbish footballer.

O'Keefe had 18 disposals last night, most of which had little impact. He kicked only 1 goal. Bell himself had 14 disposals, 6 tackles and is ranked higher than O'Keefe. No idea how ANYONE can get stuck into Bell this season, or how anyone who actually watches games can accuse Bell of not being up to it. Bell has been our most consistent defender this year. If it wasn't for him and Rivers, we'd be losing by over 25 goals every week.

The reason Carroll was so much better than Miller on Hall, is because he got some damn help. Poor Miller was crucified, being left one out with Hall. He had no help from his teammates, in what was a pathetic defensive set-up. Miller will be abused for his efforts, when really his teammates should apologies to him for their lack of support. When Carroll was moved onto him, they started to block Hall's path and get in his way. They had 2, sometimes 3 players in Hall's space and that is where the difference was. And that is how you beat Barry Hall, not by trying to beat him one-on-one! But FFS, why does it take a tiny debutant to run in front of Hall, while other more experienced players just can't be bothered affecting the spoil (with apologies to Rivers and Bell).

Took the words right out of my mouth. I'm glad I arouse such a strong reaction in you BB, but please stop making things up. If you're going to follow me around and attack me, at least make sure you understand what I'm saying first. Btw, Bruce was good today. If you can quote me saying otherwise, take it up with me. Otherwise, pipe down.

I agree that trying to copy a premiership team is just silly. Brisbane, Sydney and especially West Coast have completely different strengths to us. They play on different sized grounds and have different players and set-ups. Trying to adapt to winning styles is needed, and using a run and carry game plan to try and win on bigger grounds like Subiaco makes sense. Same goes for being more accountable and working as hard as the Swans. The problem is, as you said, that we try too hard to become a team we are not. We don't have West Coast's midfield, or forward line for that matter. When we are injury free, and we kick long to our forwards, we kick goals. West Coast's forward line is poorer, therefore they have to carry the ball in. With Sydney, because they play on such a small ground, they are able to create a lot more contests and ball-up situations. We play mostly at the MCG, where we have previously dominated with our own style of game. To try and become something else seems pointless. To win a premiership takes more than looking at previous winners and copying them like monkeys. Truly great teams come up with their own unique style of play which best suits them. Look at Rodney Eade for example. He developed the flooding style of game for Sydney, and then completely changed his tactics when he got to the Bulldogs. Different game plans to suit the strengths of each team. BTW, I hope that Daniher realises that while we are so injury-riddled, we cannot play one-on-one footy and hope to win. Sydney molested us in the first quarter, and won every single contest. Thankfully by pushing players back, we managed to slow the scoring rate down.

I still think we should have thrown everything we had at Kingsley. To think we missed out on that superstar... what a damn shame! Melbourne did well to resist the temptation of trading for used-up duds again. We tried it with Heffernan and that other horrible little man from Essendon whos name thankfully escapes me. Read, Bizzell and PJ haven't proved to be real winners either. I rather we kept picks 14 and 29 (rough guess???) in those drafts. In fact, I'm all for holding onto your draft picks at all costs, unless something truely great comes along (or a bargain like Pickett was). You just never know what gems you might find, like Bartram for example.

Don't think Gardland is a case for or against really. The ball never got down to the forward line, and when it did, it went straight to Miller or Dunn. His inclusion was a bit strange, and I would have rather seen Buckley play instead, given our midfield is getting belted each week. However, given the lack of opportunities, you can't take anything out of his performance. He chased and tackled which is a good sign, but I doubt he spent more than half the game on the ground. Very difficult to have a forward debut when the side is getting smashed. I think it would have been different if he lined up next to Neita, and hopefully he'll get that opportunity before Neita retires. IMO we lost nothing by playing him tonight, but we should have probably dropped one of Jamar or PJ. Too many talls on the bench doing nothing, yet again.

This is not about when he should have debuted, I don't think one extra week would have made any difference. But it does vindicate the call to play youngsters (when they are ready), ahead of dead wood. We haven't got one single experienced player at Sandy who could have done better than him tonight. Now let us celebrate his game without getting stuck into the FD or other posters. Just enjoy a positive sign, because they sure as hell don't come often these days!

Agree on everything but the Bell assessment. Yet again, the guy gets no credit. He did an incredible job on O'Keefe, the sort of player who always rips us apart. After being smashed in the head 3 weeks in a row, he stood tall again tonight and was composed. His disposal is getting better and better. I think that you have to give credit to both Bell and Rivers who, time and time again, are willing to leave their opponent and help out a teammate. Being a defender in times like these, is truly a horrible job. Bate was much better this week, but a real pity about the injury. Miller should never EVER be put in the position he was put in tonight. He has played one good game on Hall, where Hall kicked badly. He is a completely different player up forward, and gives us a target when everyone else is down. His goal kicking is ordinary (maybe he's gone to the Cameron Bruce school of kicking?), but his overall disposal is getting better and smarter every week. He's making real progress up forward, why shatter his confidence by letting Hall rip him apart? Thank god the experiment only lasted a quarter.

And thank god for that. King of Turnovers (Ward), would have made an absolute meal of the ball tonight with the amount of pressure Sydney was applying. How good was it seeing Petterd actually take a deep breath instead of bombing the ball to nobody. A perfect example of class vs. crap (and I do mean that in the nicest possible way. I have nothing personal against Ward, but his disposal is painful).

Ummm... don't mean to interupt the hissy fit, but he was clearly being sarcastic. Garland did nothing because the ball never got down to the forward line, and when it did, they kicked it to Miller (and rightly so). Forwards have a tough job when the midfield is losing the clearances 0-8. He might get one more game if Neita is not right next week, but nothing ventured, nothing gained. Tonight would have been a real eye-opener for him and he can go back to Sandy and concentrate on learning the craft. P.S.- does Garland look like Lamb, or is that just me?

I was thinking to myself with 2 minutes to go "Gees, first game this season where we sustained no injuries"... trust me to jinx us! Bate on crutches is a terrible sign. I thought he was much improved today after a couple of ordinary games. He looked comfortable on the wing. When will this nightmare run of injuries end? Hopefully Green is ready to come straight back in to replace him. Well what can you say, huge loss on the scoreboard, but apart from the first quarter where we played pathetically, I thought we at least fought out the rest of the game. The real worry for me is the midfield. Can McLean and Jones really be the only 2 effective clearance players we have? McLean's fitness is just so vital to this side. Not only does he get the ball, he also takes the opposition's best tagger away from TJ. Hopefully he'll be back for the Eagles game, or I'm scared a record losing margin is on the cards. Godfrey was probably BOG tonight, which is scary thought in itself. He did a great job on Goodes, who was clearly playing hurt in the second half, but the fact that he got stuck into him was just gold to watch. Might cop a week for that sly elbow in the back. Sometimes I just love Simon Godfrey (I feel very dirty for saying that!).

After a long tradition of duds wearing the number 15 jumper, we have finally found a real footballer to make this a great jumper again. Well done Petterd on a magnificant debut. Terrible circumstances to be thrown into a losing side, who is getting well and truely smashed and then to be pushed forward and back. He handled the enormous task at hand like a true veteran, and gave Nick Davis a nice run for his money. Very impressed with his cool head under pressure, good vision and excellent disposal. In what has been a truly woeful season to date, at least tonight we can see a positive.

Very unlucky injuries for Sydney. Will Melbourne be ruthless and take advantage of this? It's less than 6 goals. Load up the forward line and go for your life Melbourne. We have nothing to lose. Petterd going back into the contest when he knew Hall was behind him, is the best thing he has done as of yet. Love it, and love him. Rivers and Bell are also doing very well. If TJ pulls his finger out, it's not out of the question. At the very least, lets have an admirable loss!

A big positive is Jared Rivers. My god he is such a good defender, and you forget just how good when he doesn't play for a few games. He is in our top 3 most important players. Finally, a brain in the backline! Credit to Godfrey he is doing really well so far. I shook my head in horror when I saw him line up on Goodes, but no complaints as of yet. TJ is very lucky we are so injured at the moment, or he would be looking at a week at Sandy. Maybe his hand (hamstring?) isn't 100% right, but that is no excuse to argue with the umpires and play like you just don't care.

We've dropped Bizzell and Ward.... Brown is SURELY next. I love how tough he is at the contest and all that sentimental crap, but gees his disposal and stupidity is really hurting us. That turn-over in the backline with zero pressure was inexcusable. Petterd is killing it. Very very impressive debut!!! Poor old Garland is stuck in a dead zone. If only we could actually get the ball up forward.

I would just like to see someone, anyone, actually man-up. How hard is it to find your opponent and stick with them? The look on Daniher's face is what really gets me. He is defeated before quarter time, which really says it all. Oh well, at least Petterd has done a couple of nice things. He has good vision.

First time since Round 1 that I am genuinely looking forward to a game. Maybe it's because I can actually turn it off this week, instead of having to sit at the MCG and torture myself. Or maybe I'm just excited to see some fresh faces.

Not sure why you're wasting your time, or why I am wasting mine... Clearly Gardner should have sacked Daniher on The Footy Show last Thursday. He is a crap president for not having done that already.

Yeah, so did I and they were terrible and faded after 3 days. I then heard the club was aware of the fault, and that we'll be getting new and improved stickers with the season guide? I'm not fussed, just wondering.