Hannabal

There's no doubt that Frawley is a disappointment. He has pace, an ability to back himself, is an adequate mark, and yet the club prefers Garland in one of the weakest defences in the league. Garland is A Grade Amateur level. Who knows what the future holds for Frawley, but I'll be mortified if we've wasted a first round pick in the Super Draft. That said, I reckon he'll be a player. But right now he's not reading the play well, not running off his man, not aggressive, and just looks down on confidence.

And there was a time when you didn't even barrack for the Dees, eh Tails ?

Davey is competing with Matty Stokes. Matty Stokes >>>>>>> Davey

Disappointingly we have only one player that would make the Cats line up. Even though they have a great backline Rivers would get a game. That's it.

Well said, although I'm tipping no one could have improved Godfrey's pace or skills Funnily enough, I feel far more relaxed about this season and our future than I did last year. I accept that we have to take our medicine, I'll enjoy watching Morton, Maric, Grimes, Petterd, et al, continue to develop, and I look forward to Bailey moulding the list and gameplan he wants. So, in a sense I'm still very excited. The only downer for me is the constant carping in the media because they need to fill the airwaves and columns, and we're the most negative story currently doing the rounds. And I'm not saying that there aren't vey relevant issues, but I hope, suspect, that they're being addresed. I still get white line fever at the footy and suspect that will never change.

Agreed. My brother and I commented that watching Morton was the only shining light. He had class and poise that more seasoned players lacked. At any other club I'm sure he'd be a star. But he plays for Melbourne.

I couldn't make it last week as I was away for Easter, but I hoped to hell that win lose or draw that they'd have a red hot go. They didn't. If anyone can tell me that the boys were manic in their desperation I'd be amazed. That said, Eric, one sticks with their team more than ever in times like this. The players come and go, but our passion must never waiver as long as we have single minded people at the helm who are only concerned at winning flags. I'll back Bailey, Connolly, etc as they need our support.

I hope McLean improves cos right now he's almost not AFL standard.

Right sentiment, wrong year.

We're starting to revisit 1981, but I don't blame Bailey. The list management of Daniher and Craig Cameron has been absolutely astonishingly abysmal. We've been fleeced. Many have called for senior players being held to account, and in some instances traded, for years, all to no avail. But of course those responsible for the inept management and decisions are no longer at the club, and those that supported them are strangely quiet. It's a bit rich to blame Bailey for the soft rabble that remain. It's not of his doing.

That is a very good post dr. I've been waiting for Gardner to show some leadership over the last few days. Sure, he went on Footy Classified a couple of weeks back and his style is relaxed, but there's not enough passion emanating from him, imo. We're presently being hit from pillar to post, yet I've heard nothing from the club this week. I want someone at our club to tell the media to go and get stuffed. Not in so many words, as of course that would be counter productive, but you get my drift. Most of the speculation is media driven as stations like SEN have to have footy as it's spotlight 24 seven. It's our turn to be in the gun. I'm not saying that we don't have some serious concerns, but they are being addressed in the main, and won't be fixed overnight. Patrick Smith stated that Demetriou is concerned by 1 or 2 Melbourne based clubs, but no doubt he was responding to the question "Andrew, are you happy with all the Melbourne based clubs?" "Well, we are concerned by one or two, Patrick". Gee there's suddenly a newsworthy story ! In reality we really have lacked someone at the MFC getting on the front foot and passionately defending this club and where we're heading. The silence has been deafening. And we've also missed articulate posters like Fan providing their keen insight during a time when derision is coming from within our own supporter base. The club needs switched on supporters on internet forums providing a semblance of sanity. Your voice reaches further than you think.

BaggyBob is right Heart. Frankly, I've posted so much over the years that I really can't be bothered repeating what I've written on countless other threads, and I've never been good at keeping documents on Word, so I can't even cut and paste which would save much time. There are the same old topics from year to year, month to month, and even week to week. It's Groundhog Day. I just pipe in from time to time when I feel inclined, but am not adding much to the debate. But trust me I've debated more than I've had hot dinners. I can no longer be bothered. I might take that sanctimonious pricks advice.

Here he is Didn't know you were still around ? Good to see you Bob up.

The topic has been done to death. I don't mind questioning our recruiting, in fact CAC and I have had some healthy debate over the years, but if I was to start a thread intimating that our recent history was only better than Richmonds I would produce some statistical analysis. And if challenged to further produce facts I would. I'm sick of lazy posters who make broad, or off the cuff statements or 'questions' and wait for others to do the work. I've always loved feisty debate, so, by all means make your assertions, but be prepared to back them up. Don't hide behind a rhetorical question mark. There are so many crap opinions on here I feel like I'm embedded in the 50,000 tonnes of cow pat currently attracting flies in Lake Eildon.

Why ? Some mungbean starts a thread intimating that our recent draft history is inferior to all clubs bar Richmond and when challenged to produce some facts states "I was only asking the question". Get real.

In the last paragraph he elequently sums up our atrocious list management over the last 3 years. Thanks Craig and Neale. The Brisbane Lions in 2008 have a better list than Melbournefc. What a joke. They experienced a golden era of 4 straight grand finals culminating in 3 flags, then had to set about the task of rebuilding on the back of an exodus of premiership stars. Some of which include Voss, Lynch, Hart, McRae, Pike, Scott brothers, Michael, Akermanis, and Keating. They lose at least 10 very good premiership players and already have a superior outfit to the mighty Dees. It makes you want to cry.

His kicking skills weren't poor. He didn't kick the ball like Nathan Buckley, but penetration aside, his kicks virtually always hit their target.

Ohh, saved by the old '?'. Pizz off.

I have no respect for people that make claims but have absolutely no intention of backing them up. "Worst only ahead of Richmond in the last 10 years" ?, it's an easy throw away line. Come back to me tomorrow with a full analysis of all 16 clubs draft picks over the period you mention.

I've only seen a few minutes of Grimes on youtube, but was very impressed by what I saw. I don't care if he's one paced if he's really good. We have one paced midfielders who either aren't very good, or are no longer very good. If he's a very good one paced midfielder he'll be top of the pops in no time.

I tend to agree !

Do you post there under a different name ? I've had a number of beefs over the last few years. And yes, outside mids are consistently inconsisitent due to their inability to win contested footy and therefore regularly influence games. It's a no brainer. And yes, we needed hard bodied, first dibs, play makers. It's a combination of quality in both areas that forms a successful footy side. I don't want one at the expense of the other. Brisbane had speed with Lappin, Aker, Hart, and Voss was quick over the first 5 metres. Combine those talents with Black's extraction ability, Voss's superb in tight handballing, the skill of Power, the run of McRae and Notting, and they had all bases covered. I've also stated for 4 years that we had a terribly slow midfield. Many argued with me that pace is overrated. I'm not sure where they are now. Just because you're 'outside' doesn't make you quick, and just because you're quick doesn't make you a quality midfielder. I still like 'footballers' - quick or slow. At the moment we don't have the right balance, or anyone who's particularly threatening to the opposition in either camp - quick or slow. There's not many midfielders that are exceptionally good 'inside' and 'out', or that can combine those traits with blistering speed. It's why Judd was a freak at his peak. So, it's really a matter of getting the combination right of the 10, or so, who rotate through the middle. Presently, we're being shown up in a number of areas, but especially midfield. Tigger said a few days ago that 'clearances' are overrated. I understand what he means, but effective clearances are still important, and I suggest that a number of our clearances are ineffective. Loose ball gets are very important too. I reckon we'll be down in this area through 08 due to our lack of leg speed. And finally, marks inside 50 are a very good barometer to how a team is travelling. As evidenced in the Hawthorn match. Jono Brown, Lynch, or Bradshaw would still be pretty handy in this regard.

I said elsewhere today (or yesterday) that Jones, McLean, McDonald, and Moloney are too slow to play together in the midfield. I guess they made their choice. I'm ok with that. You can't have all 4. I was told that Petterd was terrible on sunday, but will get better. So I'm ok with that too. Yze is finished. I thought that the slow Holland may replace the slow Newton and cause matchup problems for the Dogs. He's more aggressive and a better mark, although both have severe limitations. Holland is first emergency. Newton is lucky.

Great idea ! Another slow reckless defender with poor decision making skills. Just what we need. If only we had have had a good reason for delisting him in the first place. :D

Buddy was in the same draft as Newton. He's young and only getting better. Quit the sour grapes. Franklin brings supporters through the gates. The only thing that brings me through the gates is the love of my team. Not one Demon player comes close to dragging me along.