Jaded No More

And we weren't out of the game at quarter time. In fact, had Dunn not failed as a forward and kicked the easiest shot on goal ever, we would have WON A FIRST QUARTER! Why are we beating up on the team this week I'm not sure. Last week we were pathetic and an utter disgrace to the jumper, this week we tried our best and just simply were outplayed by a better side who had a full bench for the entire game. Mind you, we have got to learn to play against team who play that rubbish defensive zone.

I think you should stop embarrassing yourself.

I don't hate anyone who plays for Melbourne, but Dunn's kicked 9.14 this season, which is terrible.

Killed by the umpires, who kept giving that little shite Milne the benefit of the doubt when doing 360 degree turns into a tackle and trying to take 10 players on. What the hell does one have to do to get a holding the ball these days? And don't get me started on the chase that was paid a trip because the [censored] couldn't keep his feet. ARGH!

Grumpy analysis today! Garland was very good for mine. He oozes class and is a very smart player. Incredibly happy to have him back on the field! And McKenzie was terrific too. Watts was not our best, but he was very good. He played in front of his opponent all day, he ran hard, he put himself in the contests and his set shot on goal is orgasmic. He is obviously a lot fitter now than 4 or even 2 weeks ago, because he makes more contests and runs harder. Though hopefully he spends less time on the wing and more down in the forward 50 from next season onwards. And while there have been some terrible injuries this weekend, and some heartbreaking ones too, I'm pretty shattered about Grimesy. Stupid f'ing Etihad surface!

He missed a goal from 8m directly in front. Anyone who does that after playing for 6 years does not deserve any votes. It might sound harsh, but that was such an epic fail, it was criminal!

We were a man down... and what a man too, so no wonder we ran out of legs and stopped in the last. Grimes out of the midfield, plus two ruckman plus Bennell and Cheney who didn't play at all last week (and it showed with Cheney, as he was cramping in the last), so we were never going to win the last quarter. On your second point, I thought Spencer did some good things. His ruck work is good, but obviously his skills are lacking. It's amazing how he'll take a good mark and throw off a good handball one minute, then trip over his own feet the next. There is merit in giving Jamar support in the ruck, and Spencer is clearly the best option we have right now until Martin is fit. For mine though, Spencer shows more than Jamar did at this stage of his career, so I'm happy to keep watching him stuff up for now. As for point number three, Milne is a dog, and St Kilda are a loser club who have nothing to show for their 100 years in the game. May their win-less history continue for a long long time. Chippa did a great job on him, and showed him up for the selfish [censored] that he is.

The reactions on this thread are a disgrace and frankly embarrassing. For god's sake we played a team likely to play off in a GF (and hopefully lose ), and were a man down for the entire second half. Why is everyone shocked that lost? I think given the circumstances, a 6 goal defeat is about right. We are definitely a 6 goal worse side than St Kilda right now.

Say what now?! I was off the bandwagon as quickly as he came down to earth after taking MOTY! But if I had a dollar for every "Michael Newton is coming of age" thread, I'd be a millionaire.

I'm sorry, but the love of your team should trump your hatred for the stadium. I've just come back from a weekend away. Need a power nap then I'll be good to go.

Previous players of note to win this coveted award include Rohan Bail and Sam Blease. This award should not be confused with Demonland Surprise Injury of the Week, recently won by the likes of Gysberts who became injured after being dropped from the side.

Surely that half forward line is a joke!!! On the plus side, it seems Bail and Martin are alive (if the Martin named on the I/C is the same one that played for us once upon a time). Did Blease and Tapscot make the reserves team?

You are an angry, angry person and I feel a bit sorry for you. I don't think I have read a single positive remark from you.

Can't believe they dropped Morton (I assume he's been dropped as they didn't cite an injury!). I know he was poor last week, but was one of our best against Collingwood. Very disappointing for him. Hoping for this final bench: Scully, McKenzie, Spencer, Warnock Wouldn't mind seeing Maric, but can't see how you're going to fit Bennell, Jetta and Maric into a single forwardline, unless Jetta plays in the midfield. Warnock may be dropped in favour of Miller, but I know who I'd rather see in the side.

To win the first quarter!

I read that article while waiting for my coffee (where as would I read the HS but at a cafe ). It made me smile first thing in the morning. What a stupid stupid waste of paper!

Agreed. Sometimes I think I should only come here after a win. Demonland was a great way to procrastinate while I was studying, but now that I'm working 10+ hours a day, I largely have no time. Mind you, I thank my iphone and Demonland for keeping me amused while I was in hospital a couple of weeks back. Made the lying around with drips sticking out of everywhere and waiting for surgery that much less boring.

I'm pretty sure he is contracted, which means it's not even legally possible.

Been there, done that.

You're all over it like a fat kid in a lolly shop, aren't ya? Keep the faith, those deck chairs will deliver

Would be the perfect kick-in specialist, but yes, needs to learn to win the ball in the contest and also develop his defensive skills. Davey should be delivering the ball inside our forward 50. God knows that barren forwardline can use all the help it can get!

And that's a really important point as well. As I said before, he has played in 1 win, which was by a solitary point in terrible conditions against Port. So he hasn't had the chance to get really quality service from the mids, and has struggles playing in some terribly poor games (and some where we played well, let's not deny that). What he desperately needs is one really good game from our team to allow himself to have a mini breakout game where he takes maybe half a dozen good marks and kicks 3 goals. Even as a side, you can see how important confidence is. Our young players tend to take the game on a lot more when we are leading, or when the game is going our way, and Watts would be no different. He must be carrying an enormous amount of expectations around, and the burden of watching other high picks dominating so early on in their careers must only make it worse. That's why I loath these Watts threads, because they seem to beat up on a kid who I'm sure already beats himself up enough. And btw, he looks no more lost or lacking in intensity than Frawley or Garland did at the same stage of their career.

Shame he's injured because we could use him right now. He hasn't been on the injury list for a while has he? Anyone know the nature and length of the injury?

Hey, if you enjoy flogging a dead horse, go for it. As I said, there is a reason why I no longer moderate. I can't be bothered dealing with this sort of thing, and I admire the mods who can. What exactly has changed from last week's Watts thread? or from the one the previous week? It's just the same stuff in different wrapping. The same people come out and bag him, and the same people come out in defence of him, citing his age, experience, physical development, lack of pre-season and so forth. I feel like it's groundhog day!

Because clearly my views differ from that of the rest of the mods. I don't think it's appropriate to discuss anyone's salary, be it Watts, Bruce, Junior or anyone else. Just as posters here wouldn't want to discuss how much they earn. It's fine to talk about what contract we think a player should get, but talking pay packets is silly and frankly demeaning to the player. Also, I don't think it's necessary to make a new thread about Watts every week, just as it is/was/will be unnecessary to make a new thread about Bruce, Miller and how crap our forward line, every single week.