deestroy08

I understand exactly where you're coming from and tend to agree with most of what you're saying (about captains needing to be consistent, etc), but have to ask why you think we specifically need a midfielder as our skipper next year? Miller is my second choice to Green by the way. The only thing holding me back from throwing my full support behind Green is the fact that his teammates clearly don't rate his leadership potential enough to put him in the leadership group this year but have done so with Miller. A skipper needs absolute full support from all players, which is why Neita was so successful. You could just tell everytime they ran out on the ground with Neita leading the way that he had their full attention and support. If Green is as quiet as I have heard he is, how can we expect him to give an inspirational address and rev up the boys at 3/4 time when we're down by 5 goals?! If only we could hypnotise him or something so he has the personality of say a Brock or a Brad Miller 'cos then I think we really would have a great captain. I also wonder if Bailey will impose the same sorta voting-by-players system to select a leadership group for 2009 and from that, a captain.. do most clubs use this system? And on Brock - I'm just not convinced yet that he is ready to take the reigns. Probably the only one here that isn't but so be it!

Me too re: the captaincy! Would like nothing more than to see him take the reigns either next year or year after. Whilst Green would be awesome, he doesn't talk the talk like we need a captain to do. Miller would be perfect IF he can keep up this form - he loves the red and blue so much, presents very well on and off the field ( )and is developing into a very important player for our future. Like I said though, all will depend on whether he can maintain such great form.

Someone who was sitting closer to the bench might be able to help me with this.. but did they take McDonald off for the 2nd quarter? Either that or it was the biggest "gone missing" effort I have ever seen.

Ahhhhhhh so that's what all the attractive tape was for. Now it all makes sense. My only issue with McLean is that he thinks he's sooooo much quicker than he really is but other than that, great game Brock.

I'm deducting votes from the idiot Melbourne supporter who started hurling fairly nasty abuse at an older Melbourne supporter whilst sipping on his can of Jim Beam and standing in the 'no standing' area in the last quarter.

It's such a sad state of affairs but as I have mentioned before, Green is apparently verrrrrrrry quiet around the club and thus would not be the most effective leader. So frusturating as he, week in week out, is so courageous (how about some of those marks?! ) and is so skilled. Davey is definitely not 100% (in spite of that terrific goal and mark). Saw him grabbing at his hamstring quite a few times but when the trainers tried to get him off he wouldn't budge. What's up with Bate.. .

That made me think of something actually.. does anyone know what happened to the Demon Incentive Plan? I actually thought that was a great idea, something my own family was involved in. Not sure why they got rid of it..

Where has Dutchy gone?

Whelan.. Brown.. crack.. not a good thought. I still have not recovered from seeing that incident.

Please tell me you are joking.

Dear god indeed! Dunn should consider going into witness protection after his altercation with Didak today. ALSO, who hit Warnock to cause his bloody eye?

I actually agree with you, Y_M. I was totally embarassed to have Bruce as our acting captain today. Made SO MANY inexcusable, pathetic, little league mistakes. I am so angry writing this as I reflect back on some of the stuff I saw today. My goodness. Also, am I the only one that didn't think Bode was totally awful? I'm trying to be optimistic after being proven very wrong about Garland (who I thought was shocking when he first started but has done a wonderful job for the last few weeks ) but I think Bode did a few nice things (mostly spoils) and could turn into something with a few more games under his belt.. Thoughts??

Bell was visibly very upset at the Aftermatch this evening, knew he'd had had an absolute shocker of a game. He is such an anxious player and after admitting quite openly on Thursday to a friend of mine that he quite rightly deserved to be dropped, it's no surprise that he's playing with little or no confidence at all. The VERY SOFT 50 payed against him would have rattled him even further - that plus knowing that you're only in because of an injury and feeling like you're in a total form slump must be very difficult to deal with. However, I don't believe his career is as good as over. As Jaded and others have suggested, he needs to be sent back to Sandy and perhaps try out a different position in the midfield.

AND just so everyone knows, the Aftermatch function is at the Park and Skyline rooms at Melbourne Park and begins immediately after the end of the match. Should also be great as all players and Bailey will be in attendance.

You guys have convinced me to go so you can add two more!

I do wonder if they'll say anything about this at the dinner tonight if it's true??

They are going and don't have to pay for themselves or their partners.

I'm definitely going, even though I am 150% we will get absolutely thumped like never before..record-breaking loss. I haven't missed one for a while. I'm not, however, doing that walk to the G.

See in this report it says Ben Holland is out because of his shoulder, but didn't I read somewhere else that on the club website it specifically says that he's been ommitted? I know this is a minor point but I'm just curious about Ben's current position at the club?

But be careful with this - I spent half an hour outside the gate before Daniher's last game because my ticket apparently wasn't printed out clear enough and they were trying to work out if it was real!

Nothing beats the feeling of a big Friday night match at the MCG.

Also about to talk about "the two Melbourne youngsters who did what no others could" or something like that re: Garland and Warnock on Buddy.

Seriously tearing up as I'm reading this. Going to be a very hard day on Sunday. Will need to pack ridiculously- oversized sunglasses..

I'm genuinely thrilled to see Holland back. CJ, if selected, will really, REALLY need to do something special cos frankly, he has done next to nothing to excite me thus far. Not sure about Jace Bode. And I also hope Yze plays.

Completely agree. However, as soon as Yze shows any signs of what we know he is capable of (ie. going missing), he is straight out of the side. No point of having him in as a 'role model' if he is going to be a bad example at the expense of a younger player who could be learning from other players like Green and umm....... all the other terrific senior players.