Jaded No More

Bartram shut down Harvey pretty effectively, and given that Harvey generally rips us apart, that's a victory in my eyes. Also there was a period of time where Bartram was on the end of 3 terrible kicks that floated over his head or out of bounds. IMO he's far better in that tagging position than Dunn.

When is the last time Davey was really on? He has been really disappointing for a really long time now. Just fails to influence the game, gives away messy free kicks and is shut down too easily. Disappointing. Bate is Bate, horrible below the knees, slow as anything, can't mark one on one. McLean doesn't seem fit, he spent a fair bit of time on the bench and looked stuffed when he came off. Simpson did a good job running him around. Hopefully as his fitness improves so will his output. He's not someone that I worry about because you just know he'll come good, but I do worry that when he's not on we really struggle. PJ was horrendous, and Buckley needs to get the hell out of the backline. There were still plenty of positives though. Petterd was excellent up forward. Love love love him in that position. Bennell's game is underrated. He did some really clever things under pressure and held his own in one-on-one contests. Jetta can win the ball, now he just needs to take a deep breath before dishing it off. The ideas are good, execution not so much. Jones' disposal has improved out of sight. West will be great for his career IMO. Cheney was fantastic, Rivers did some things that only Rivers can do (and didn't die in the process), and Warnock is just so safe.

Jared Rivers... Fully game... No broken bones... Victory! Now we just need to get Brock and Rivers playing well together. Petterd was excellent up forward, and the first gamers really impressed. Is it too early to ask for Watts to get a game? :D

If Martin becomes half as good as Richo, I think we'll all be thrilled!

Good move! If we can develop Martin into a multi-dimensional tall (hopefully we'll have more success than we did with Miller <_< ), it will help us cover a multitude of deficiencies while still ensuring that Martin doesn't miss out on senior game time due to team balance issues. His kicking seems to be the only skill that he lacks as a forward, however goal kicking is probably one of the most fixable qualities in a player. His size, strength and marking ability are natural attributes that will most likely serve him well. Besides, he learnt to be a defender in what, 8 weeks? Give him another 4 and he'll win the Coleman

When your midfield contains the likes of Mitchell, Ablett and/or Judd, the rucking division becomes less important. When your midfield is one-dimensional, slow and generally struggles to win clearances, your ruckmen can be your most important asset.

Thanks. Such a shame for Aussie to have a delay-start given how much hard work he put into his body over the summer. Still, it gives both Jetta and Bennell a fantastic opportunity to gain some experience. I doubt both would play if Aussie was fit. Grimes being 2 weeks away sounds very optimistic.

Should we be worried that Aussie is not playing?

Exactly. Given the choice, I'd have Simmonds on our list over Meesen and Jamar. He might be at the end of his career, but he can actually ruck and have an impact around the ground. Snake > half of Melbourne's ruck stocks Sad but true.

That makes sense. Production runs off-shore, especially for smaller quantities, are generally around 8 weeks plus freight time. Obviously the jumpers are pre-made and just need to have the sponsorship logos attached to them, hence why 6 weeks seems reasonable. The polos however generally have the sponsorship appliqués sewed on, and they themselves need to be embroidered so that will take significantly longer. It's a shame because we're missing out on 6-8 weeks of merchandise revenue.

That sounds great and I hope it happens. Fantastic to see Bailey putting faith into the kids from day one, as opposed to rolling them out when the season is already dead and buried. I can see the argument for leaving Martin out, but I worry that we're putting all our eggs in the one basket with Warnock. If he can't hold Hale, our next best option is Rivers, which would rob us of serious counter-attack options.

That sounds a lot dirtier than it probably should

A note to Mitch Morton, Please feel free to leave the rabble that is the Richmond Football Club behind, and join your brother at Melbourne. We have an awesome power point presentation to show you when you're ready :D

Ugh, not only are they terrible, but they are letting the scum from Carlton smash them. Same old Richmond really, their best players in Richo and Brown are getting none of it because their midfield is crap, and their backline is so bad our forwards might even kick 100 against them. Now poor Benny has gone and done a hammy. Oh dear!

How a Melbourne supporter could advocate the relocation or extinction of another football club is beyond me. I would never ever wish this sort of thing on any club... except Carlton, who as far as I'm concerned should be wiped off the face of the planet. Whether or not North can continue to exist in this current environment, I'm not sure, but I hope they do. Knowing what it feels like to have your own club under threat, I can't imagine how hard it must be for North supporters, who despite relatively recent successes are still struggling for members and money. I also refuse to believe that our future existence depends on the failure of other clubs.

Jones, unless he is under an injury cloud, is a definite in. Leaving 3 extra spots. No Meesen- obvious reasons Dunn- Bartram can play on Diver Harvey both when he's in the midfield and down back Yes Martin- can take any of McIntosh, Hale or Petrie and deserves his spot Jetta- why the hell not, his body is more developed than Bennell's as well Cheney- deserves a spot on his pre-season form, more developed than Bennell at this stage So that means the interchange should read: Jones, Martin, Jetta, Cheney, rounding up what is a very nice team indeed. Oh and please let us not cry over the exclusion of Sylvia. He was ordinary in all but one of the pre-season matches, plus he broke team rules. Deserves to earn his spot like everyone else. P.S.- RIVERS!!!!

Don't want those either. True, but give me a fit Rivers, Garland, Frawley, Martin and Grimes over a fit Whelan and Wheatley any day of the week. The reality is that Whelan has always been injury prone, and while he is a great player, he is not part of our long-term future. That is not to say that he can't be a fantastic role model to our players, which he no doubt is, even when he's on the sidelines. And which of Rivers, Garland, Frawley, Martin, Grimes, Cheney, Petterd and whoever else is now competing for a defensive position would you leave out in favour of Wheatley? Yeah, didn't think so.

Meh. Both are in the twilight of their careers, and both will be replaced shortly. While there is no doubt that Whelan adds significant strength to our backline, his injury opens doors for Cheney and Bail, who are his future replacement. As for Wheatley, we can do without 60meter turnovers.

He was crying because he realised that he was born one year too early, and will now have to watch Newton and Meesen playing in the red and blue :D

Best one so far!

With only 6 sleeps remaining until our first match of season 2009, the excitement is building, and you either think we're a finals chance, you're looking forward to some priority picks, or you are simply a sucker for pain. Regardless of which one of the above categories you fall into, everyone has an opinion about what exactly is going to happen to our beloved club in 2009. So Watts yours? Number of wins: 4 Average losing margin: 40 points (we'll put in a couple of shockers which will bring up the average) Average winning margin: 10 points B&F top 3: 1. McLean 2. Garland 3. Green Leading goal-kicker: Miller (42 goals) All Australian representatives: Garland Top votes at the Brownlow: McLean Best first year player: Bail (will get the most game time) Breakthrough year (first-year players do not count): Frawley Disappointment of the year: Grimes missing the majority of the season through injury Biggest area of improvement: Kick-ins Surprise packet of 2009: Buckley learns how to properly harness his skills for good instead of evil Headline of the year: Watts a debut! (Jack delivers the Dees a birthday present on Queens Birthday) Best win of the year: Rd. 11 vs. Collingwood Worst loss of the year: Rd 9 vs. Hawthorn Final membership numbers: 31,230 And just for fun... Number of times Bailey will use the word 'competitive' in 2009: 10,845 Number of games until Rivers and Moloney both break down with injuries: 6 Number of weeks until Sylvia makes headlines for being a tool again: 4 Number of weeks suspension served by Spencer for whacking someone on debut: 2 Number of times Aussie does the 'frog leap' in 2009: 13 Number of "when is Jack Watts going to debut?" threads on Demonland: 59

Boys, you have nothing to worry about. Given that YM predicted that we'll win by 14 goals, we will now lose by 14 goals. :D

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you a million times over for helping secure the future of our great football club. Hopefully the relationship between the MFC and Kaspersky is a long and fruitful one.

The Jared Rivers tracker will now officially be updated. 2.5 games without death and counting. Hooray!

And by news he means, has he broken anything yet?