McQueen

Have just finished watching both the Geelong & Hawthorn(again) games from the weekend.

Although Cats won I cant help but feel both have an obvious weakness that may become very telling come September - both have a problem in their Ruck division.

Maric (ordinary at best) made Geelong rucks look like sub-standard VFL players. Hawks got smashed and had to employ a full field press & not open the game up at any stage.

Do we need to consider that we might have exactly what either need - a Ruckman ie do we have 1 ruckman too many. But the "trade" must suit us without being ridiculous.

Just a thought this early in the season.

Jarred Roughhead

Max Bailey

David Hale

Broc McCauley

Mark Jamar

Stef Martin

Max Gawn

Jake Spencer

What have we got to offer Hawthorn?

That's total BS. The players often went to one another to encourage or congratulate.

Fair call but there were a few instances that demanded it and was not forthcoming.

Just ask Aaron Davey.

Cale will keep improving, and prove a lot of you wrong.

I'm amazed so many can watch so much footy for so long, yet still learn so little.

Surely you jest?

The good - contested ball

The bad - uncontested ball

The ugly - no enthusiasm by anyone when something good happened.

I posted in the game day thread as it happened that Brent will be rubbed out for the elbow on Dalhaus. It was late and indicative of his head space.

Not good Beamer. Have another week off.

What happens to Volvo?

Apologies for side-tracking, but have you contemplated changing your forum alias?

I can remember a few years ago when Bomber Thompson was still coaching the Cats. They had just played and beat us by a margin I can't recall and Bomber was being interviewed by the commentators - namely one Matthew Lloyd.

Lloyd was pumping our tyres right up and asking Thompson about what he thought of the Dee's, alluding to the similarities between a young Geelong outfit and that of the Dee's.

Thompson just played a straight bat and said something like, "Why would I be interested in Melbourne? I'm the coach of the Geelong footy club... I don't care what Melbourne are doing."

It made Lloyd look stupid and gave me a chuckle. That said, I reckon Lloyd has bit of a soft spot for the Dee's... He'd be more than welcome to come and have a chat with Mitch in my opinion.

The Hawks really missed Luke Hodge tonight. His toughness and drive from half back might've proved the difference.

Often we come away feeling lucky to escape with a draw if the game ends that way. But there must be situations when a team comes away feeling that it is a loss. Can there be a situation when both come away feeling like losers.?

I figure it could be this week, Dogs verses Demons. Both are desperate for a win, becasue if they don't win, one wonders how bleak will it be looking for that first win.

When it's the last round of the season and 2 points get you into the top 8.

That is a win from a draw.

Don't kid yourself.

The Dawks didn't develop Rioli, he was a gem when he walked through the doors.

The point is that his understanding of the game and his abilities have been fast tracked at Hawthorn as opposed to what it may have been if he was drafted to Melbourne, due to obvious reasons that need no elaboration.

If I had a left nut, I'd give it to have Ross Lyon as our coach. I rate him hugely.

What's wrong with a ti.....

I'll stop right there.

He needs to work on his leading and re-leading yes, but I have also seen some of his leads "not honored" and some atrocious delivery to him!

I guess he is the least of our worries.

Your comments are what I was alluding to. Moreso the delivery from upfield.

When Mitch starts taking grabs from strong leads we will know that we're heading in the right direction.

What I got from that article is Mark Stevens has named his column after the shape of his head and he goes to the same hairdresser as that DH who joined GWS..

The HS have seriously got the worst journo's going around.

Misson rates Moloney's chances of coming back in to the team. Petterd might get another run as well after a good game at Casey.

The boys seriously have to get some run and carry happening this week. The turnovers from the last three games literally make me feel ill.

I'd like to see Fitzy given a run of three or four games at the expense of either Sellar or the underperforming Martin.

It's time to see what he can do.

I agree. Give the big lad a run this weekend.

Can anyone shed light on whether or not it would be possible to get an 'iron-on' Reach Logo for BOJ as well? Legally is it okay to pursue this option yourself and have a local shop make one?

I'm thinking it'd look terrific and would be a good match dimensionally-wise (rectangular) once enlarged to go over the EW logo.

Thoughts, input?

He has been good. Doesn't help when the ball is pumped in 60 times plus and he is generally playing on teh oppositions focal point. Plus every second half this year our midfield has struggled resulting in less pressure on those delivering the ball into the 50. Least of Neelds worries atm.

Agree. Unfortunately has been responsible for a few clangers as well.... Most likely due to poor communication.

Vital to our team.

robbo, bruce, miller, wonna, junior, brock, warnock.. all standing up

green, davey, bate, moloney, rivers of the current crop

jones with 4 disposals

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think I heard the commentators say Jones had 24 touches and got on the end of 4 goals the week before.

After watching this match, it's easy to have the opinion that our players have not been developed in a manner that should have had us well and truly entrenched in the top 6 teams by now.

I have a horrible feeling we may have seen the last of Brad Green.

Sure he will get another game before the end of the year as a parting gift and he should.

But 4 weeks after an operation on his finger at his age?

The way these things go for guys at the MFc This could easily be 8.

That does not leave many games till the end of the year.

I really hope I am am wrong this year has been sad enough already

I've been thinking that you're less than a glass half full sort of bloke OD.

Brad Greens body has hardly ever been an issue. The majority of his injuries over the years have been due to the fact he's put his body on the line.

He's 31 yrs old. Hardly too old that a finger injury of 4 weeks is going to bring his career to a premature end. Your comment about it turning into an 8 week injury is poor humour bordering on sarcasm.

His form last year was terrible and it seems to have carried over into this year. Hopefully he'll get another opportunity to play and help our younger blokes transition into great leaders and great players. We have a dearth of older, seasoned players and some of us are all too ready to write them off rather than try and re-ignite their twilight careers.

Hope it mends well, Brad and we see you out on the paddock again soon. Still got the potential but needs to regain form and desire.

Hopefully a blessing in disguise.

Trying to predict the 2015 premiership winning game plan is futile given how quickly the game evolves and how much the rules can change.

I admire your optimism in the tough talking Neeld despite three consecutive hidings (including two to ordinary sides at home). However, I don’t. His short term goal is to get the team playing at its optimal every week. IMO he is failing badly on this score at the moment, in significant part because his game plan is obsolete, his team selection is unbalanced and the team is lacking the confidence to attack.

Moreover, the success of any new training methods, leadership appointments and recruiting programmes can only be measured over the long term. We have no idea if they will eventually prove successful and strong confidence on this is just blind faith.

Futile response.

With respect Tony, almost every comment you make in regard to what Neeld and co are doing after only 3 rounds is the main problem with supporters and club culture. You don't want to see change and when it's forced upon the club and the outcomes are shitty then there's the problem. New coach knows nothing! We are insipid. Back to the good old days of doing the same stuff and expecting a better result!!

Give the bloke a chance. FFS.

I was waiting for that! No, I'm drug free apart from my two fish tablets a day. Maybe they are responsible?

Brand?

I had a very pleasant dream last night that our beloved Demons had won this year's premiership. Yes, this year's! I was at the game and all our supporters were in tears of joy hugging and embracing each other. We beat the mighty cats by 9 points. Supporters were saying things like, " Can you believe it after our horror first three games of the season this could have happened?" " Tell me I'm dreaming!" It was so real that emotionally I felt it wasn't a dream at all. I have seen quite a few real Demon flags and it seemed that this was number 8 for me. Oh well back to reality. Some dreams are nice though aren't they? Can this dream come true or am I really dreaming? By the way, Jack Watts won the Norm Smith medal and Mitch Clark booted six.

Tell the truth, did you do acid before bedtime last night?