Rob Mac......

inside 50's are 18 to 4

2 hopeless kicks under no pressure to Dawes

Loved reading how you all began following Melbourne! My mum followed Geelong, but she was cunning. She and dad each led separate music groups. They'd work Friday & Sat nights plus Sat arvo.. Needing somewhere safe my bro & I could go unsupervised, in '54 she began taking us by train from Mentone to Richmond, walk across to the G for our game, then home. By '56 we were mad Demon fans, she thought it safe enough for a responsible 7 year old and an almost 5 year old to go on their own, so off we went. The first time i paid for us to enter: Chap running the gate said, "where are your parents, you can't come in with a child, you're too young yourself! We spoke well to the supervisor & they let us in as long as he stayed with me all the time. And a great time it was at most home games for years! Good times. 2. first favourite player? I idolized the coach, heard Norm Smith speak, met him, was so impressed with how he got such a team effort. Tunbridge, Thorogood, Laidlaw, Ridley, Bluey, Hassa, Dixon, Barassi, Tassie & Bob Johnson, John Lord and others. 3. Best moment: Those premierships were hard to beat! 4. Worst moment: Smiths sacking & RDB's leaving.

Daniher has kicked 4 straight today. and 1.8 in the past 4 games combined

I posted: Btw though we won 4 of our last 5 against Essendon, they kicked 484 total points V our 395 points total in those 5 games. ..which I thought some forum members might find interesting enough, as you couldn't call us equal if Essendon kicks 5+ times our score (a greater % differential than 186) then next match Melbourne wins by 1 point. Solely characterizing today as "we've won 4 of our last 5 matches" is a bit misleading. Todays game is far from in the bag based on our past 5 matches. We'll have to come to play and win it, like any other. Curry, do you ever think of changing your avatar back to Mick Fleetwood (it was, wasn't it??)? Your posts seemed more fun back then.

WE normally fall apart for the last half of a season ..usually lose after Darwin we're favorites V Essendon, therefor we'll lose Btw though we won 4 of our last 5 against Essendon, they kicked 484 total points V our 395 points total in those 5 games. Just guessing, - we'll win one or two of the next 3 games & end the season with 7 or 6 wins.

Maybe big Maxie over celebrated his great last game. He's had one hit out, Spenser 2; NicNat & Sinclair 8 each!

Sure he can Rusty, but no better than Peder etc. did in the other games that Gawn was exhausted in by the last quarter; then our midfield would die and we'd lose the match. It seems Spencer now contributes far more to our midfield success than that. He hits harder, tackles and exhausts the opposition more and allowed Gawn to play the whole game without running out of gas. Okay Geelong had little ruck strength, but that means this will be more important against the Eagles.

Without Spencers help Gawn will have another exhausted & poor Q4, leaving our midfield smashed, therefor we'll be thrashed late in the game as so often happens. IMO we much need Spencer's help against NicNat. Because it'll be hot, plus because it's the Eagles, our best endurance runners like TMac will be vital. Hence runners MJones & Bail could stay & be dropped next week if necessary. Riley is less a runner & could give way if someone needs to come in, E.G. Garland,. Hogan in, and unfortunately to maintain balance, Dawes could be dropped for the match (doubt he will be though). Ins: Hogan, Garland Outs I expect: Riley, Bail/M Jones Outs I'd prefer: Riley, Dawes

As my earlier post indicated Mono, it was more of a very nice meet & greet social evening for supporters and kids than a heavy training session. Some players would be on the field while others were signing autographs. It was pretty dark out there with only 2 light towers on! Too dark for me to pick up exactly who was doing what unless they were somewhat closer. For awhile there were two lines in white & green jumpers. One would try ways to get through the zone/line set up by the other. It was attacking, without resorting to going way backwards to maintain possession. Goal kicking, stretching, running, handball, a few drills, ways to move the ball from midfield to goal. I particularly noticed Tmac, Spencer, Dunn, Brayshaw, Grimes, Dawes, Watts, Garlett, Hogan, Howe, ANB, Stretch, Cross. There were some Casey guys there too. Coaches, incl. Roos, McCartney, Mahoney, Peter Jackson, Robbo and tons of staff. Was hoping to see the infamous TDI Saty, but alas, didn't spot him. Petracca was walking around looking like he couldn't wait to get out there. The feeling was positive and freindly. Cheers

I went for an hour+ and concur with the others that the MFC did very well. The friendly, accessible atmosphere was enjoyable, especially for the kids who all got to have autographs or pictures etc.. There were games, food, even some training took place. Robbo helped it all along, as he does so well. The feeling was optimistic and fun, probably helped by last weeks win also.

Hello DD. It's fairly close to me too & presume it's still on. I never go to training, but might roll up

I'd also keep Spencer, to assure Max won't run out of steam again leaving us thrashed in the 4th Q. Ins: Hogan, Garland (maybe) Outs: Dawes, Bail/Riley

I think our rucking really helped drive this win. Max was unusually good because Spencer was there doing about 40% of the ruckwork (getting 25 hitouts himself & a goal (& he seems to be kicking better)] and exhausting the opposition ruck more than our smaller "pinch hitters" would have. Hence their ruck became more tired, while Max was always fresh and didn't run out of gas in the 4th Quarter as he usually does. I don't think Max alone could do it, but combined with Spencer they may be able to give Goldy, Mummy, Nic-Nat etc. a run for their money.

6 Vince 5 Gawn 4 Dunn 3 Viney 2 Brayshaw 1 Jones Everyone was great. The 2 ruck thing was wonderful with Spencer. So many great contributions, Cross, Watts, Garlett, ANB etc.

Melbourne winning the clearances 8 to 3 !

Some may suspect you'd do that whether we won or not

Surely the players DID NOT KNOW there was only 41 seconds to go (& a 4 point lead)!!!??!! Why isn't there some way of quickly letting them know?? Surely ANY forward knows that in that situation they flood the defense! They shouldn't need specific instruction from a couch or leader to flood back when you're ahead with 41 seconds to play! They should already be trained to do that, please.

Okay, gett'em back out again. H ang on, Jeffffffy! put them away

we're back! Put the razor blades away

Jones & Watts keeping us in it

1 Jones 2 Vince 3 Cross 4 Brayshaw 5 Howe 6 Gawn

Watts sticks a tackle!!

Dunn standing up. Elliot great

I liked his first weeks, but Lamumba is the worst handballer in our team. Garlett goal wooh, we're back.