rjay

It doesn't look good from an MFC perspective if the article is right that we wanted a full-time coach and got rolled. The relationship does not seem to be harmonious. Can you shed any light on that KC?

The big thing I have noticed is when this FD came on board during last years pre season they were continually on his back about his work rate (he wasn't the only one there), he would kick the ball and just wonder off like some dopey player in the local comp then wonder what all the yelling was about. This year I haven't noticed this at all, he seems to be training like a real AFL footballer, the transformation must have happened during the season or he would not be on the list. Time will tell if he makes it but at least he has pulled his finger out and is giving himself a chance.

He made a comment at an early press conference that would have me believe he did. Asked if he was surprised by the (poor) result he answered no. He needed to weed out the players he wanted to keep and the players he wanted gone, that was what last year was all about. Is that tanking? who knows, one thing I know is that you can't get a batch of new players half way into the season. We've used our compo picks, have our father son pick and have turned the list over so now it's time to start moving up the ladder. Good recruiting from here on should ensure we are able to build on a strong foundation.

Hadn't really thought about it until now 'Fan'. It depends on the old definition chestnut but in a way I think we did. Neeld wanted to have a look at a lot of players on the list before making big changes. Many players didn't deserve games on performance and others were moved to uncharacteristic positions so last season could be seen as an exercise in list management with an eye to the future. It certainly didn't hurt us at draft time with Viney, Toumpas, Barry, Dawes and Hogan. If we didn't have pick 3 then chances are Viney would have been our first round pick, there would be no Hogan in the wings and Toumpas would be lining up in other colours, who knows what would have happened to Barry. Would we have had enough currency to trade for Dawes? The cards fell pretty well for us.

The MFC had him at 78kg a week or so ago when I last looked so they have changed their details. It was pretty obvious to any of the observers, and many remarked on this site that he would be more likely around 68kg so 70kg seems about right.

No it's not, a lot of attack now comes from deep in defence. Scarlett and Fletcher are prime examples, yes I know they haven't been taking the key forwards but they have been set up to attack from deep in defence. The game is so quick and the ball moves rapidly from end to end that you can't afford the luxury of having someone who is not able to exert the required pressure. Do you think Clark would stand there and watch an opponent run off him? I've said that the only way to match condition is by playing as you've also pointed out but he won't be played until he has the fitness to get through a match, apart from the above it only opens him to further injury. So lets go back to your point of when he gets into full training, that's the critical thing now. He needs to get some run in the legs, is there enough time to get enough miles before game one. I hope so but I'm sure he won't go in under done with the hope he might pluck one or two from the square.

Talking to a Collingwood supporter today who watched a bit of Melbourne training on his way to the tennis last week and said he didn't realise how big Watts was and said he was really impressed with a mark he took running flat out with the flight of the ball into a pack of players coming the other way. I hope this is a sign of the season to come.

He will need to build match fitness and the only way is playing but will need to come in with a good level of fitness to start with. The game these days doesn't allow anyone the luxury of playing out of the square, defenders will take advantage and run him into the ground. Your caveat was his training to ramp up soon, if it doesn't and they are being conservative there is no way he will play to build up his fitness base.

I think there will be a lot of anxiety at Tigerland this year, there seems to be a belief that they will take the next step. Can't see it myself, they are getting ahead of themselves again. Apart from that who knows, I wouldn't make a prediction on us until I see the new group on the field, to many changes. Feels good at the moment though.

Well I know you think Hogan and Barry will be and I think Viney and Toumpas will so we have nothing to worry about. ...but I get the point, we haven't had one since Flower and that's a long time ago now. We can't take the big step unless a few of these guys come up to the mark. *now wait for the posters on our last one....

Brown and Cloke might have already done that, sometimes it is a bit of a cop out.

From the club site Upcoming open training sessions: Wednesday 23rd January - 9:15am - Gosch's Paddock All other training sessions are closed sessions.

Spot on 'old dee', I think we will find our backline will become one of the best if they can get some support from further up the field.

...because he played in the midfield last year and is training with the midfield group this year.

...and most of those kicks went nowhere. A highly overrated performance. This is the year the heat comes on for him. Being hidden at GWS last year I think is the only reason he didn't receive more scrutiny.

Pretty sure he is with us, saw Rendell, Taylor's replacement in his Collingwood gear a couple of weeks ago.

Could be close to the mark 'Ron' it's a good comparison. Apart from the other things you mentioned expanding on his gut running and competitive nature, he is not a natural endurance runner but he just wills himself to get there.

Think you might be dreaming 'picket'. I like 'macca's' dream a whole lot more though.

So it goes to Gillon and he makes the decision if it goes any further. Do we take AD at his word? I guess we have to. Only another week or so to go and we will find out where it all sits unless there is a leak beforehand. The history of this investigation is that a leak is more probable than not.

My view is that AD as he has said in the quote will stay at arms length from the investigation. Once it is wrapped up he will be involved to either to say the evidence shows there is a case to answer and hand it on to the commission or say there is no case to answer. I would think he's seen the evidence now that the investigation is wrapped up and is waiting responses before he makes his decision.

Well that's embarrassing and might temper a bit of the enthusiasm around here.

So lets return the favour to 'Bomerblitz'. This of course is an outside view without the knowledge or some may say the rose coloured glasses of the true supporter. Starting with the FD. Hird is the golden boy, great player but this year comes under real pressure as a coach if the team doesn't perform. To me he has to many mates involved, Corcoran divides the club and is only in the position because of this friendship. They could really do with some senior outside non Sheedy people but I don't think Hird is comfortable with people he is not close to unless they are in more junior roles. Maybe a bit thin skinned, not good for a coach. They made a big mistake last year trying to fast track physical development and this could follow them over the next few seasons. The weapon who was a hero early in the year became a villain by the end when he was hung out to dry for carrying out the coach's instructions. Interesting to point out here that David King was lauding the Essendon approach last pre season to building big, strong bodies whilst being dubious about Melbourne's fitness regime. Essendon are now following the Neeld, Misson approach after realising their folly and the change in the game which will result in less packs and fewer rotations. The players. Well the defence is a bit of a moving feast and depends way too much on the veteran Fletcher to hold them together. Hurley adds some steel but he seems to be their Neitz, he can have impact forward but is a born defender. Carlisle is a good prospect and will need to replace Fletcher sometime probably sooner rather than later. Dempsey added a bit of run coming back last season and his mate Winderlich will have a full pre season after coming back from a knee. The midfield group relied far to heavily on Watson, Stanton had a purple patch but didn't handle a tag very well at all. Goddard has been brought in on big money to be the saviour here but he is not really a mid. Goddard is more of a floater who can pinch hit at both ends of the ground, I don't see him as the answer to the lack of midfield depth and again as Jordie McKenzie has proven he does't handle a tag. Let him run free and he will kill you. Zaharakis is the big plus here after missing a lot of last season with injury, is still a developing player a goal kicking mid could be a big plus. Heppel will probably develop as a mid and is going to be a good player, still has a way to go. Overall they still lack in the midfield area and lack run and carry. Watson is still the key, if he goes down then they are in trouble. Forward, too much is put on the shoulders of Crameri who really should be working as a 3rd option not the pea. Hurley as I stated earlier is like their Neitz and would be better played back but they can't afford the luxury. The other problem with Hurley is his consistent hamstring problems, a real issue with such an important player. Gumbleton can't get on the ground, pity he looked to have the goods so that leaves Daniher as the big hope. Trouble is the kid is prone to injury and is moving into a club proven to not handle injury prone players well, see Hurley, Gumbleton, weapon. Jetta is probably their best small forward option but goes missing for big periods of the game, if they could develop him as a mid it would help them with run and carry. The rucks with Ryder, Belchambers and Hille, they haven't worked out the best combination yet. Hille is probably on the outer, Belchambers still developing but looks good and Ryder very inconsistent, good on his day but needs to run the whole day in the ruck to give value. Seems to like that responsibility. Overall they come into this season with big expectations, don't seem to have added much with the exception of Goddard who is coming off a couple of average seasons. Big money is being paid to Goddard, Hurley and Ryder and if they don't give value early on the natives will be restless. Wouldn't it be good to see them come unstuck and the pressure on the golden boy, will make for some entertaining talkback radio. Mathew Knights anyone....

I think he is to 'Jose', I also think part of the issue is the injuries (I think osteitis) he has been carrying because when he does get clear he has not been confident to kick at all over the last 2 seasons preferring to give off by hand.

Thanks for sharing; great work mate, I really enjoyed it.

107 pages and counting.....