Young Blood

Hats off. I agree with others. I think this is good timing. He has been a terrific leader and role model to younger players. I watched him play his last game for the dogs down at Docklands and will do the same again this weekend.

He's got terrific tackling stats

It's a pity Pederson's not a bit younger. I agree at 28 yrs he should play one more as we need forwards who can mark until we can bring in another.

Collingwood, Richmond and Carlton are all very keen to sign Trelour. Will be hard to compete with those clubs.

I've always seen Garland as pretty consistent. But I haven't watched him closely like other posters this year. He has OK size and length to go against oppositions secondary tall forwards and works well as a loose backman coming over to help out. Always a great spoiler of the ball and contested mark. OK so if he does need to go. Who do we replace him with? I guess Frost comes in? Is it not worth keeping him for another season or two until we can develop players like Mcdonald Jnr? Or another young backman? I do think he is a part of a group of Melbourne players that need to go. But I think he could have value for a season or two more. Even if it means him playing as a backup backman. Spending most of his time at Casey.

Why would you bother? I agree with with Barra. Grimes is a spare parts player. I doubt you would get much for him. He remains useful for Melbourne's depth. I look forward to the day when we have a better backup backman but for now who would you put in the side if Salem or Jetta were injured? Terlich? ummmm...

I think Trelour looks like a richmond player or Adelaide....

I agree with this. Would much rather see 'poise' and 'class' with some of these potential top picks. The very reason we chose Salem. I think there is too much emphasis on size and 'breaking the lines'. What good are those things if you can't deliver the ball to a team mate.

Parish's greatest quality is that he never stops moving and has excellent forward motion in and around the contest. Sloane and Fyfe have this ability and I believe its a big reason why Essendon would like him in their need for another midfielder. I think his competitiveness early on is miles ahead of Toumpas who from all acounts played a lot of outside runner in SA and is still working on his competitiveness around the contest. But I do agree that he is raw and will take time to become a good midfielder. His disposal does need work. He will not be a Bontempelli straight away, however I think he has a chance to be with his ball winning ability and creativity.

The question now is can the Bombers beat Collingwood? I think they maybe can We can predict that Melbourne would lose to GWS (hopefully putting up a fight) I'm not very good with stats. Would Essendon have a better % than Melbourne? Is there a chance we end up 15th? If so does the question for next week become, Curnow, Parish or Balic? So many questions...

Yeah good point Dom. I think even though we have ANB and Vince (for another year or two) to run through the mid, It might be good to have another tall to move forward like Freo and Hawks do. If we can get one more dream mid in FA like Prestia or Trelour I think the midfield would be in very good stead. For pace you look for outside runners which Melbourne has practically none at the moment. I think it is possible to pick up late picks and FA who have those qualities.

Not that it matters but any idea of who he went for pre AFL career? Prestia was a keen Dees supporter. Again I know this doesn't matter. Its been nice watching Harmes play for the club he loved as kid.

Thats a wonderful day dream right there Ungarie boy. I hope we can at least get Lynch and a mid like Prestia. Would be a huge boost.

Good point. Stay agitated and impatient. Done well so far.

Amen!

Fair enough Dee-vina. Apologies for that.

OK then don't wait. Or maybe go join Carlton? I hear they're waiting too though. hmmmmmm

I too am glad that Roos is identifying where a lot of negativity around this club is coming from. Those supporters sending unnecessary negative criticism need to be on board with this club. Need to accept it might take a bit longer.

I agree with parts of this but the most important being that the degree of negativity around this club is increased (especially during weeks like this) by the supporters and the media. Can I ask what it does for those negative supporters ridicule your club so severely? I was at the game on Saturday and I understand in the moment the high amount of abuse players like Jones was getting was in the heat of the moment. I don't like it but I understand. It is incredibly frustrating to see a team get beaten like that after all this time. However to continue to put your club down week in and week out on forums like this and emails to our Coach I have to ask purely out of interest. Does it help you blow off steam? Does it make it easier? Do you feel better for it? Also for those who have no faith in the club and constantly put everyone involved down. Have you thought about joining another club? One that doesn't mean you have to abuse people?

err I would be surprised. Griffin had an average relationship with his coach and team. Jones is polar opposite. I bet you would be Slitherin if you had to pick a house in Harry Potter.

OK I think I understand your backwards view. Thanks

Kent looked average last year and has been praised this year after playing only a few games. Small sample. Not sure why Viv isn't given as much time here....

Without being over the top positive about Viv, he did look OK on the weekend in a shocking team performance. He was able to win the ball more consistently and get into space when most of the team was unable to do so. His goal assists over the past few weeks have been his strength. A couple of times he has stuck out because he has broken out of a pack, run forward and kicked quickly into space (e.g. kick into Brayshaw in a previous game). This goes against Roos' handball back out of the pack to a man with forward vision but has worked because the ball has penetrated the forward line a lot quicker giving less time to the opposition to fill the space. I agree his tank isn't great and along with Newton his defensive game still needs work (needs to run back a lot harder). But he has a solid body and decent push off a few steps. No standout qualities I agree but was told by a Freo staff member when we got him that he has a lot of grunt/aggression in and around the contest and just needed to keep his focus. Would like to see more of that in his tackling and attack on the football. When you give a player a string of games he can work his way into a side. I hope he plays next weeks and continues to work on his game.

So much better than the white clash jumper. Hope the Carlton team that killed Port with their pressure doesn't come out on Sunday.

This interview is a great example of why Jade has remained in the coaching department at Melbourne. Terrific breadth of knowledge about the game and impressed with his honesty and positiveness about players. As quoted "highly desirable among the coaching ranks". I hope he sticks around. An asset IMO.