Jaded No More

I agree. I think someone like Martin has a unique combination of athleticism, height, strength and pace. IMO he could become a very special player for us, who is unique. People salivate over NikNat's leap and agility, well Martin has that (to a lesser degree obviously), but he also has the ability to read the play. Having only played a defensive role in football for a year (pretty sure he was used mainly in the ruck prior to 2008), and adapted so well so quickly, his potential for growth and development is incredible and very very exciting. Garland is another one who is incredibly fast, agile, and has the ability to play back or forward in key position roles, or on smaller opponents if required.

How is Martin still not getting a position in the starting 18? Not that it matters as he'll play anyway. Would love to see Maric debut, simply because it's an extra incentive to turn up despite a guaranteed loss, however can't justify dropping anyone from the bench to make room for him.

Words are cheap... but it's nice to be kept in the loop somewhat. All I've heard from MFC administrations is talk, talk, talk and yet we're still in deep [censored]. I think most members feel the same, we're sick of promises and plans, we just want to see our off-field situation improve. If Jimmy's plans involve bringing Michael Jackson to do membership drives, I don't care, just as long as we see positive results he can do whatever the hell he likes.

The first part of that I stole from Tony Jones (oh the shame!), but I really am all about motivational speeches :D

If our new board sacks Bailey and puts Connolly in his place they might as well bring back Lyon to FF and Ingo to FB, because that's how ridiculous and damaging that decision will be. As unhappy as I am about the innuendos of the formation of a mates club at board level, I don't think that Stynes or Connolly love their mates more than they love the club. At the end of the day egos have to be put aside to ensure that the best interests of the club are served, otherwise the whole exercise in gaining control of the club will be futile.

Agreed. It seems that everytime we try to move forward, we take two steps back. No matter which way you look at it, something wasn't done right. Either the initial appointment was wrong, or Stynes is not comfortable having anyone under him that is not a hand-picked mate. Either way, this doesn't look good for our club and is yet another reason for the AFL to get their dirty fingers into the mix. Put simply we cannot afford to make these sorts of stuff ups, and yet we continuously do. How many clubs have had two CEOS, two presidents and two coaches in the last year alone, are on the bottom of the ladder and hemorrhaging money simultaneously? Even the richest of clubs can't cope with so much turmoil, let alone a struggling club like ours.

God help this football club.

I'm claiming Martin as my new love child. Thanks in advance

And yet fellow journos love and respect Hutchy... <_< The point I was making with Sam Lane is that female football journalists are only accepted into the boys' club if they fade into the background. Many male journalists write controversial stories but none are attacked the way she is. So yes, she gets talked about because she is so well recognised and her stories provoke thought, but the attacks IMO come from the fact she's a woman stepping over the line in a men's world.

She is the most attacked journalist in her field, especially amongst fellow journalists. IMO that has something to do with her gender, as she's certainly one of the better football writers out there. Notice how nobody attacks Sam Lane, and that's probably because she writes crap fluff pieces and disappears nicely into the background. She does what women in sports journalism are expected to do. Caro doesn't, and I respect her enormously for that.

I know you love PJ, but how can you give him 2 votes and Martin one? PJ had an ordinary game. Martin was outstanding in his third game while Garland continues to impress. Both were better than PJ IMO. But I know you possess creepy man-love for PJ, so you probably have bigger issues to deal with right now

Hutchy is suffering from LMS, otherwise known as Little Man Syndrome. That probably explains why he spends his past time ramaging through rubbish bins and stalking successful people

I don't always agree with her but I respect her enormously for never backing down despite being constantly belittled by her male colleagues, who are mostly idiots.

Although I loath him, he would be a fantastic midfield coach for our young players. He was an incredibly hard trainer and a fantastic leader, and he knows a thing or two about midfield setups. A FIGJAM he may be, but if he's keen for an assistant gig I'd definitely interview him. By the way, most assistant coaches start out with little or no coaching experience. That's why they begin as assistances and work their way up. I don't think experience is the most important thing when you employee assistant coaches.

Out: someone In: Petterd Not sure who to drop, but I'd like to see Petterd make a return finally. Obviously if Green is fit he is an automatic inclusion.

Hard to judge him on that aspect of his game when you look at his size. I didn't follow his junior career closely, but was this an issue at under 18 level too? Because you can see why the transition into AFL will take time. Physically he really is not developed enough, and if this is not an ingrained issue than I'm sure it's one that a few extra kilos will solve.

Two completely separate issues. Losing possession as a result of over-using the ball is a matter of practice. Losing possession because you choose to bomb the ball long to generally nobody in particular is just silly. Wheatley is the new Moloney, except at least Moloney tends to bomb it long to the square, which is not as bad as bombing it long to the middle of the ground where opponents can easily pounce on the loose ball and have a free run at goal. Your post suggests that you think the players only have one of these two options, over-possessing via handballs, or bombing long to a 50-50 (sometimes 80-20) contest. Neither is a good option, and I'm sure Bailey gets equally frustrated by both.

Thread title suggests Newton was once a good player, but is now done. Very misleading

For one, his attempt at goal was shite. Kicked it out on the full, and for a minute there I thought I was watching Newton. When he panics under pressure he bombs it. It's great that he's getting his hands on the ball, but the ineffectiveness of his disposal is unacceptable for a player of his experience. He cost us goals today, and he cost us goals last week. Not good enough.

6- Miller 5- Martin 4- Garland 3- CJ 2- Davey 1- Jamar *encouragement award*

When will Paul Wheatley finally give up his futile attempts at bombing the ball to absolutely nobody? Honestly, it makes him look like a dumb, lazy footballer, which he is not.

Good summary, well done. Martin impressed me again, and I do feel for the backline. Very hard to defend when you have no midfield. Also thought Jamar had one of his better games around the ground. Took some strong marks, got involved in stoppages and kick a goal. Overall though, only Miller showed any sort of leadership out there. It's sad that without McLean and Green we only have one on-field leader left.

Well I never notice your posts, so I guess we're even Losing at this stage of the year is a positive, getting smashed by Freo after beating them in the first quarter, is not. I'm much more worried about the effort than the result. Edit: beat me to it by *this* much Rhino :D

I want draft picks, but the way we're playing today no amount of early picks is going to help us. Draft picks don't make you accountable for your man, don't enable you to hit targets, and sure as hell doesn't make you play with more desire. We only have 3 senior players out there today, and not one of them has stood up and done anything worth mentioning. Without McLean in the middle, Green down back and with Miller not getting any delivery up forward (having to run into the centre to try and provide an option), there's little wonder we're falling apart. And for the love of god, would someone PLEASE teach Bate to play below his knees!!!

This is only the third time this season that I feel utterly ashamed of our performance. Apart from Miller who is working his arse off, our players are lazy and generally just don't care. And how many goals can Wheatley cost us with his turnovers before somebody drags him off the ground?!!! Not winning is one thing, playing like we are at the moment is completely unacceptable. P.S.- awesome leadership from Bruce out there