rjay

Too old now, a bit like Scotty Thompson probably in the last year.

Very good...

The problem here is that we're always waiting for something. The new coach, new recruit, our best 22 to hit the park, if we get this then this. Life doesn't wait and nothing is ever perfect, we need to perform now without excuses. Last night wasn't good enough plain and simple and if it is a guide to the season ahead we will be lucky to win a game. I just hope it isn't a guide to what's ahead but the evidence to date is not good.

Mmmmm.....at the risk of offending the 'Vegies', I'm not sure that's a good thing in an elite sportsman.

No, Malthouses problem seems more with the media and fans. He has traditionally had a good relationship with his players, seems to see everyone else as the enemy and views them with suspicion (maybe paranoia).

No we didn't and the scoreboard reflects where we are at.

Looking at the other games played so far we are a long way off the pace. We have some better players but we have some that are nowhere near the level. Win or lose last night, the standard of the game and the way we played doesn't engender a lot of confidence in me at the moment.

...and that's the problem. He had that issue at Carlton and tried to address it. My belief is that you either have the ability to really relate to players or you don't and it can't be trained. Buckley has this problem at the moment.

I think he was ok and gives us something to work with.

I thought Michie showed some promise in what was effectively his first full senior game of AFL footy. Tyson as I've said before will be a gun, still only a 14 game player and needs to work harder off the ball and tidy up disposal by foot. Reminds me a bit of Sam Mitchell early in his career where he would always back himself on his wrong foot and came unstuck many times, Tyson backed his right in a few times came unstuck on one in particular but had a go later in the game for a good result. All class, will be good to watch him develop.

11 tackles from Cross wan't a bad effort...he still picked up a few touches but even if it wasn't a great accumulation game he did show the others that you just keep working away.

There were times the ball was given air but Howey couldn't get near the contest. He was being blocked from getting a run. As for Dunn, with Tommy Mc down he was pretty much needed in the back. Pedersen was just way out of his depth and as 'old dee' would say he is a VFL player, doesn't have any footy IQ.

Pretty much agree with most of what you say here 'master'. Basically it's because he is not a FF, he is not big enough to play the role and opposition clubs can deal with him when he is in a position where he has little room to move. Howe is a high half/wingman.

Some balls but got knocked off the ball too easily. He will be a liability if he can't get the aerial one on ones together the way the game is heading. With the push to taller mids it was interesting to see Port expose Murphy by kicking in the air to one on ones realising he wasn't a threat.

Anytime we did give it air the Saints defence blocked Howe from the contest, all teams do this to him now. For those who think Howe should play out of the square or deep forward this is the reason why he shouldn't. He doesn't have the size to get involved in the push and shove and he needs to play high half forward wing where he can compete one on one.

See, there's my problem. My fundamental belief is you can play or you can't...not inside and out and in the way the game is heading with less interchanges you need to be able to win the one on one's. Yes Jimmy can make good position but until he can win the one on one's he will be a liability.

If Roos and Jackson think they can come in and get this ship on track in a couple of years then they need to think again. We need a commitment from them for at least the next 3.

On last nights showing and the improvement of other teams we will be lucky to win a game all season, however we may have some forwards coming back which should make a difference. It didn't seem to be a problem for Port last season. It's the same excuse we used with Neeld and it doesn't wash with me. I reckon the worst thing he did among many was when he passed the ball to Tommy Mc, had plenty of time to look forward, a few good options and put the ball right out in front of him to run on to. Dumb footy, really dumb....Tommy Mc was playing forward because he couldn't run. His opponent jogged past him and took the ball with ease and another forward move was done. According to Roos Watts was really good with ball in hand. That's code for he didn't do enough when he didn't have the ball. I know a lot of others liked Toumpas' game but my personal opinion is he needs to learn to win contested ball or he is a liability. I would have him spending more time a Casey until he does. He is brushed off the ball way to easily.

No, I get that but I think we stand above all other Melbourne based teams. We are Melbourne, they're not so their mascot is important to give them more of an identity than a suburb. We need to brand the MFC...the mascot is secondary to my way of thinking and can be used for apparel etc. Not saying I'm right 'stuie', it's just the way I see it.

Not this year, if we have an early pick we need to use it. Some top talent in this draft at the top end. Trade a 2nd or 3rd round pick for another Vince/Michie type deal.

To me the name Melbourne, the colours and the MCG are the important things that identify our club. If we focus on something like the Demon then we have no real base or something that locks us into Melbourne. A logo, cartoon character or whatever it is can be moved to any location. The Hobart Demons for example, the name Melbourne can't. It is imperative that the club retain the MFC identity.

Team Hird...I doubt her decision to talk now would have been a unilateral one.

Looks like I missed something when I was out...

Struggles when he is I would think.

As someone else pointed out it was Dipper. ...even I've played at local level with cracked and broken ribs, concussion, stitches in my head and even for a little while with a broken collar bone, I'm sure there are quite a few on here who have done the same or similar but I couldn't play when I did a hammy, calf or thigh. You do one of those leg injuries properly and you can't move, not a good look in the modern game. some people have no idea.