dpositive

Brilliant thanks HT

Ahhhh so much negativity. I understand entirely your position Hemingway but implore you not to ignore the pleasures of life. By my nature I cannot dwell on the likely defeat. I still pick Melbourne in the local tipping, it does create much discussion, while removing me as a threat to those leading the comp. The local side was travelling well until a loss last week and travel to Dederang for a match they should win before meeting the undefeated ladder leader Kiewa the following week. I only get to home matches as I maintain a retail shop working Sat morning. Footy is like Dland a bit of a diversion from the more significant issues that are surrounding us all. I refuse to let it bother me as I know that with the cold misery of winter comes the joy of skiing, after that the flush of spring and another summer, and throughout it all, the warmth of human companionship. While I would like to see a premiership for the Dees in my lifetime I too despair but as indicated in other posts there is still much to look forward too. The refreshment that a new Viney and Stretch bring and the beauty of Watts on song. I can live for the isolated moments as they are a brief but enjoyable part of a glorious whole. Flower Neitz Schwartz Jacko etc all provided wonderful cameos but no ultimate prize. I do fear that the next generation must have some success or they will be lost especially with their shortening attention spans. I dont want to put messianic pressure on Hogan but he really is the most exciting prospect. His performances like Watts fill me with joy even in defeat. But we do need to diffuse the pressure on any individual through the team focus and perhaps we need another Barassi an individual who can take that burden while inspiring and allowing those around him to greater achievement. I do genuinely hope that the line in the sand I mentioned is being laid down. A statement from Howe, a resigned contract not just for the $$$$ followed up with a greater input immediately would help But if it all just a pipedream I will continue to support the club, team, players, as always Go Dees

Your welcome to come to my place and prune the orchard Do I need to arrange a 457 visa??

Must admit I am waiting for your erudite and convincing tale of the journey to Simmonds Ernie

Its a pity that the reality bus has always overtaken the dream machine and ended in some sort of wreckage. But after a lifetime of disappointment in the big things we can at least revel in the minutiae. We have Hogan to look forward too I just hope we can hold him and Watts and the Toump, Salem, Stretch, Brayshaw Crikey even Gawn and Spencer can hold surprises etc Whats not to enjoy

alright I know it was a fairy tale but surely someone else can do better

Would that be because they were not comfortably satisfied about players actions but do still need to have a scapegoat?

page 35 36 and 37 even more so

Its fortunate that the tribunal members were not comfortably satisfied that players Hird and EFC were responsible for Danks experimental pharmacology and did not have to contemplate any sanction. They can now sanctimoniously pronounce "Whether he knew or he was wilfully blind, the appropriate sanction is lifetime ineligibility." Oh well whatever it takes!

The Melbourne Football club approached the match against Geelong with a team with a greater resolve after the disappointment of the last minute loss against St Kilda last week. Captain Nathan Jones said that this loss was 'more compelling than any of the past as it was after positive signs of improvement had been seen right through the club". "With the new players there is now a core of players who recognise that we are capable when playing our best football of matching any side". The committment was recognised not only by an increased intensity at training that saw four players sustain match day injuries after a vigorous session but also saw players sign continuing contracts. This novel approach to list management secured all players under 27 years of age sign for the next 5 years, while those over 27 approaching the last years of their contracts were provided with ongoing coaching and mentoring roles with the club up to the next 5 years. Payment would be performance based with a total pool divided amongst the squad based on a complex formula compensating for necessary list management decisions with success bonuses included. Contracts could of course be terminated due to exceptional circumstances but would be subject to group endorsement. "The money is not the significant issue though" said Jones on behalf of the players "we know we are well rewarded for doing a job which while it requires dedication and single minded focus is also what we all enjoy doing most". "We also recognise that the best reward is success and we are committed to winning a flag for our long suffering supporters within the five year time frame". The Sunday result saw a visible indicator that something had to happen and it is appropriate that the return to the scene of the notorious "186" comes so rapidly to the club. Paul Roos said that he was gutted with the loss " not for himself but the players and the club". Clearly we have improved and that was recognised after the performance against Collingwood, but we need to take our best football to the next level where we can perform under extreme pressure for the full 120 minutes or whatever". There was again a further recognition that there is a foundation of talent and skill levels for all features of the game that must be managed to the full by coaches and players. "We all have to be aware when to handball, when to shepherd, when to kick short or long, when to slow down and when to speed up play, but more importantly we need to do this as a team and not as individuals" said Jones saying these were the recurring comments coming from the players themselves. "For a brief moment we had team unity after Howies goal only to lose focus and the match " he said. all players agreed that they do not want this to happen again and will not only practice at increased tempo but will ensure they leave the field utterly physically exhausted, "expect to see this after every training session and every game from now on" The club hopes that Geelong brings the same level of intensity to this weeks game as they displayed against Port last Friday. The players were extremely vocal at training and aware that they have the support, the skill and now the desire to put their body over the ball, and keeping their emphasis on making and creating space by sacrificial acts to ensure their elite play will be rewarded. Analysis of the game showed that many basic errors were because their was a lack of awareness of their teammates so expect a louder more cohesive group of players this week. The team will be selected from those who survive the rigorous training scheduled for this week. There are some sore bodies now but they contain healthy minds committed to improve. Fans can be assured that win lose or draw, this weeks match at Simmonds, will constitute a "line in the sand" moment that other successful clubs have displayed. Any less and the mighty Melbourne Football Club may as well look at dissolving and the contracts will be worthless.

I agree but posted elsewhere that this is a progressive learning point and could be the significant one. Players now need to buy in to make sure they win these close ones and decrease the poor passages so that we are winning by better margins. They need to improve under pressure and play with greater intensity when required. I would be gathering them together and saying this is the beginning if you dont want to break yourself to win then leave I would be wanting Howe to sign up now or he is not part of the group going forward he would be expendable and only in the team if all alternatives were injured or when playing a top team and there is a need to rest one of the committed players.

It is the step up that is expected. It is good to be able to expose them to the higher level and then step them back to concentrate on improving Keep the rotations up so that they are not overwhelmed This can apply to all players May even have something to do with Watts resurgence No one can sustain peak performance and must have relief and support structures to continue development I am sure Roos understands this.

So So disappointing BUT These players have not experienced how to win a close one and don't really know how to respond to pressure I think that this is the next most important learning curve for this team I heard the commentators saying the Melbourne players were emotionally exhausted I hope Roos got them and told them this is what they have to get used to Every stupid mistake can be overcome by an extra effort I would like to see more intensity and pressure at training to instil and reward the good actions Yes this is really the beginning If they choose it but it takes real team committment It will be interesting to see what happens now

Can't believe that with Prime, 7TWO and 7mate that ch 7 couldn't get a telecast organised for us in the country

Thanks J Would think you have just identified that H goes at 110% so there is some possibility of judging. Perhaps that H does that is a characteristic he learnt winning premierships. I know anew today stories of successful teams having injuries at training as players fought each other for positions in the team. That raised intensity established the behaviour for match dy performance

Thanks TDI Congrats on the job Hope it still allows you time to continue to provide the odd bit of inside info from training. While I agree with the repetition producing instinctive action, it is also essential that this action be instinctive under pressure, I see our players with the skill but not the ability to maintain pressure and therefore to become used to that pressure. Their roles and tasks cant be that bloody difficult to learn they are full time professional footballers Applying the role in the pressure cooker of a match is certainly the distinction So I guess there is still not a lot of intensity if one Roos bellow is noted as out of the ordinary. I have seen other comments about last nights match and I despair that our players are ever going to be able to match that without real intensive training pressure.

I am almost reluctant to ask but given that Toumpas and JW are mentioned what about the rest of the squad. If you watched last night Port andCats played at an intensity that would be foreign to most of our squad. While it might be pleasing that Roos bellowed at them at one stage (reported by TDI) the players running around within their own comfort zonemaynotbe the best training. I have a lot of faith in Roos, the coaching team and the players but have seen them fail to impose and react to pressure. They need to learn this and apply their fitness and skill under pressure. Was there an appreciable level of intensity at this training session?

Will Abbott regret saying he will do "whatever it takes" in his fight gains tax terrorism?

An apple a day keeps the doctor away A phone "made from Apple" is unlikely to have good reception Sorry too obvious

Delivery is affected by pressure on kicker. Possession is improved when player delivering has time to be balanced and be composed with their delivery. This also affects the receivers UP I noted again against Collingwood the number of times their players were under no pressure. Without wanting to start a JAck Watts thread I also noted again that he puts pressure on by coralling and smothering the ball or the passage of the ball. I would like him to effect more tackles and the one he received the goal for was an indication of what is possible. however the pressure he often applies is almost subliminal forcing poor delivery or receipt. Our players also too often hold the ball too long allowing themselves to be put under pressure which creates a poor disposal and then a poor receive. Confidence is one of the key aspects which I hope the coaches are working on as well as the ability to apply and perform under pressure

Gongs are awarded to recognise far less significant efforts. Unfortunately the only reward for "untiring MFC support" is the inner feeling of peace and tranquility in knowing that you can overcome the deepest extremes of all emotions to triumph and place the rest of the tawdry circumstances in life into their shallow perspectives. Expect same to continue today.

liked Tim "the evidence just didnt stack up" That would be the evidence that they dont have to prove their innocence. The evidence that would prove that the drugs that were ordered, compounded, and paid for were legal and not the drugs that they were supposed to be. The evidence that the injections that were reported by his own son to have been administered in large numbers were some benign vitamin supplement. Oh its ok That evidence doesnt stack up either to any comfortable satisfaction. I have been guided by their own internal investigator who indicated that "whatever it takes" was a "pharmacological experiment" While Tim and players may be satisfied with reassurance from the club that everything was and will be fine and that they will be well looked after if anything goes wrong, If thats what they have been told, I am still disappointed that this experiment has not been acknowledged as what it was, performance enhancing drugs in sport. I hope WADA can enlighten us. And while Tim, Hirdy and the players, supporters, etc, may want it to go away, until someone, Essendon or the pharmacists can provide some facts it is unlikely to. I do await Danks evidence which he has said from the outset exists and which he has said he will provide to the appropriate body. World Anti Doping Agency should be big enough.

weell It might reflect what a lot of demon supporters think and it may be a bit brutal. I personally think its a bit harsh but would like to see Howes response to such comments. If he wants to show, Roos, supporters, future teammates that this is incorrect he needs to show the team and individual effort that proves it wrong.

Any training this week?????

Hope Jackaub read this. One of the the best posts Ive seen on Dland It is pretty deep stuff and as complex as the selection, the game plan, Jack watts etc but you have shown that we all benefit from the discussion. I hope our players are making similar progress.