dpositive

This is an interesting point and reflects many of the coulda shoulda quotes about ricky It does however point to the coaching. Arent they supposed to get the best out of the player and use them in the role that best suits their talent. Or at least let us know what is wrong (ie injury) If ricky was talented at forward defence (tackling) that would seem to be a role the coach (hardest team to play) would want to exploit. Maybe we just didnt get the ball enough into the f50 and there wasnt enough other defensive forwards to really benefit rickys strength. Would hate to see him go to another club who use his strength aginst us because of better structures/ plans/ coaching But if he really doesnt fit our list then at least try and trade effectively as othrers here are suggesting for someone that does fit our requirements.

Must admit I was surprised to see the original from Ton as well. But Goose he may be and arent we all at some stage but this does reflect a more positive attitude from Ton We need to show some tolerance when there is a softening of bile so lets just like it and hope the mood continues. I think its also Ok to criricise one performance eg as coach and support a different role Eg asst so maybe the softening is only in my interpretation. Hope not and look forward to many more likes.

Re the decision making process What would his success been at applying a front on tackle aginst a player at speed? Arrival was hastened by the leap and it does appear he realised collision was on and braced himself while the exposed Carlton player had no such opportunity. He did appear to arrive at the ball before the Carlton player who was exposed by looking over his head and had arms out wide Had Z not jumped impact would not have been as brutal Had the carlton player braced for a collision impact would not have been brutal or injurious for him But had bothplayers been open for recipt of ball and for tackle impact for both may have been worse Would z be instructed to do same again? would Carlton player be instructed to do same again?

KC fantastic report again loved that "rich vein of form" line Did Gent run out the game? After a long day is this an indicator of an emerging fitness level? Also what is his height weight etc physical attributes?

Thats agood point it happens more regularly than it should Also aligned with that is the need for players to look forward FIRST as they often look around for ahandpass or a backward/sideways movement while a player in front of them is running into space By the time the double take has been done the player is covered and the opportunity is lost Watts is particularly good at going forward as his natural instinct and often he has made that reaction before anyone is ready to receive thus he is often committing a second or third option.

Yeah youre right Jose Its difficult for me to be specific coz I really only know what I see on Dland (which I value and appreciate) and the small time I get to actually see the side. BUT to try and respond I guess I am saying the value could be in the squad rather tahn the individual. Jamar Spencer Fitzpatrick Martin Gawn are all specialist ruckmen but all have totally different attributes. JUst speculate that all were at their maximum and fit would you play the one guy against Natinui and Ryder and against Cox and sandilands AND then would you use a slow lumbering tap ruck if your game was built around opoen clearance and spread rather than congestion footy Do we have the players in the squad to match it against the different styles of play being adopted by teams MAybe I am being unrealistic but I do see the varying results of other teams realted to the different styles they play. HAppy to continue discussion coz nt really sure where I am headed or the answers but perhaps I am positive and therefore hopeful that the coaches do know those valuable attributes. I guess I am stimulated sometimes too much by the divergent discussions on Dland.

watching our local footy I am told over and over that we have a group a kids they are underdeveloped against some of the older bodied sides that we can play 3/4 or even win a game but we are not consistent because theyre only kids AND just when theyve got the body and the systems and the desire for success half the side goes off to uni or to a bigger league where they get paid bigger$$ and dont have hassles getting to training and games. and yes we have won only a couple have been competitive and have trouble running out games All sounds familiar BUT I still see a lot of positives at Melbourne and getting those injured on the park through improved fitness and getting the depth in the squad will happen \ But we do need to recognise that some of our squad are just kids still developing and maybe need exposure to the highset level but may not be able to perform at that level every week. We did see against the GWS that we match up well as a squad against their kids and I think if we can use the rucks as an example Jamar Spencer Martin Gawn can mix and match injuries aside to play a different style of game suited to the opposition of the day and the level of the player. MArtin got plenty of hit outs and not to his feet which didnt suit Moloneys game and maybe would have been better with Morton in the side. Spencer has shown great signs of development does seem to have some intensity and may develop a more rounded game of hit out for the stoppages. Keep trying him at the higher levels but also let him work with confidence againbst his peers rather than sacrifice him against opponents who will exploit his weaknesses and maybe destroy confidence.

What about those of us who think he has limitations but can still perform a valuable role if played in the right position against the right opposition. He did get B&F despite many on dlnd saying he was flat track bully or similar I would hope that the coaching staff recognise his strenghts and use them while woeking on his weaknesses. I think someone else said that he may well have been asked to get the ball and bullock out with little emphasis on a structure Did have good relationship with Jamar but as said those tactics and times have been worked outby opposition Perhaps Brett could be the ball getter and feed it out to Morton and we could get a greater output from the two differing players? I am not ready to ditch him but I also dont want to carry him and deny a better player a place.

Whew Doctor tell it like it is. I dont disagree but also would like to add that we do have potential if we develop our players by recognising and improving their skills and playing them in positions they can use with game plans that put those skills against opponents that match up . I hope the coaching staff are gaining a better idea of the skills all the squad has and where thaey can modify them are doing so. with a bit of confidence in those factors your first pick forward can be an asset to the team in the back line God knows even Morton can be effective if used properly. Look for the upside and get the players to produce what they are capable of and we can beat ESSENDON (How did that happen???) It does look like we need more fitness and while I am disappointed with this year I do hope that we can improve that required fitness for next year and add the potential of new players with the experience that we must retain and who knows we may improve HOPE SO GO DEES

There have been many good memories created by Davey and ther is no doubt that he has been below his expected form output this year. With a contract finishing next year would seem that rest, recovery and fitness developmenty could see him perform at maximum next year to gaurantee a favourable contract renewal. I would prefer that scenario as I dont see Aaron as the type to "take the money and run" He still has much to offer and how his future unfolds which will set the legacy he leaves behind is surely up to him. For all the memories thanks and I hope fervently that there are more to come and that the DAvey name will join those many respected Demon greats

I would have thought that contracts can be signed for any period with certain conditions attached including ???need to kick better/ Howe certainly seems to have plenty of potential and could represent the highlight player that an improving club needs to become a force. He could also be injured and never recover to that status. Contract should be dependent on performance and would have conditions for terminating. Contracts need to be in line with industry standards and variation for achievment of extra or special results. Howe is well on the way to performing extra and should be encouraged to do even more to get greater rewards. I would imagine in a team game that some of the rewards are also dependent upon others performance and even this can be factored into an agreement. Obviously I have never seen an AFL contract but I would would hope that MFC has some of the best in the business working them out.

I thought the club had already put some effort into having jack play with us He did play at casey and appeared to show attributes that would be welcomed in a developing melbourne squad. without knowing what comments were made to him and among the players I would hate to see the integrity of the club compromised by any action of GWS. WE must honour our intention to Jack or it all becomes a little sordid. If we have to use a higher pick because of GWS tactics to honour any antention at least make that public and expose the GWS draft tampering.

after only a day with nothing here miraculously this morning all well Thought it was my end where power outages and coverage are always extremely dodgy and my steam powered equipment and redundant computer skills are often displayed. So thanks to whoever for whatever you did Like others my productivity is often down due to the best read in my system Glad to see most posters are back look forward to the continuing streams of conciousness

Thanks again for your comprehensive report. I was unable to access Demonland for some reason yesterday so I'm pleased to see all is well. Look forward to next week's televised game. Can you tell me who are no 26 and 27 at Casey. I noticed one of those numbers regularly on the last televised game and couldn't remember who it was. Will look for him again and will also watch Smith with interest as he seems to feature.

Only has to do it it once then Howe once then Martin once then Garland once then rivers once then Watts once Its the value of having some flexibility in the squad and not relying on one egg in the basket Thats the sort of flexibility that the coach canuse if he has more than one game plan. Of course it would be nice if they all played with Clarkes endeavour and determination but I am not sure that any of those above can sustain that sort of effort But then again either can Clarkeif he gets injured.

There has been much positive and negative in this thread that I agree with. Couldnt say I liked it but agreed with it We had lost Mitch and it was time to see how the coach and playing squad dealy with that. He wont be back till next season and we cant just accept that we continue to lose with that excuse as others say we are not the only team to have injuries. Howe has developed as an allrounder but has shown he has a prodigous leap and while he doesnt hold everything he makes a contest why not on the forward line when rivers and watts can provide run and delivery from back when Mcdonald went down. Why was it even contemplated to put Watts on Brown as noted by someone he is not a grunt forward nor is he a grunt defender, He is smart moves well gets the ball and delivers it well. Sylvia seemed to play OK but like Moloney places it all on a self delivery program and doesnt really use teammates well. Moloney points to others for tasks he knows need to be done and could provide more Jones type leadership by doing it . Too many of our players tried to take on stronger bodies and work through packs, it worked ok against GWS who were smaller and tackled in smaller numbers, Martin did seem to play well both when rucking and round the ground Spencer was useful for ruck taps and did notice that the ball didnt just go to his feet. brisbane didnt seem to get the clearances fron stopages as others teams have done. Need to see the replay again to reinforce my joy anger and despair probably wont. Enjoy the analysis hope that the players and coaches are doing it even harder than we are. I also reckon we have a solid squad with different skills and ability it is surely time to use what we have not wait for the next draft or the next season. Morton has deficiencies but we have to use him Blease has shown some attributes that can be valuable. The Watts experiment has shown that for all the deficiencies others have expressed HE HAS IMPROVED and is very valuable we should be demanding that of all our players I saw many that did improve but we failed because we did not use all that we had all that well. Hopefully there was something learnt and something saved for next week. I think I m exhausted End of rant for now

I think thats the problem Never arrived in six years 35 for 25 aint that spectacular would rather have seen Howe leaping at FF rather than gathering in defense,mid and hf. we really did miss Mitch and the game plan needing someone to hit the pack make a contset and create space just diddnt work without him. BUT dont think juice is the answer

I reckon from limited speculation and articles I have seen that Melb FC has had serious contact with Jack and they know what is going on. There have been what appears to be a close relationship. Todd is involved in the selection process and knows the attributes required by both club and prospective players. I would rather we honour our displayed attraction for Jack He has played for us and trained with our squad whatever machinations GWS etc get up to, In a game of bluff they do really hold the cards as they can bluff and get our favoured son option. We lose. WE respond to their bluff and we retain our integrity for future bargaining WE win and win again. Drafting levels ultimately come down to how desperatley you want a specific type and you have shown enough of how imperfect it is. Get Jack who has a passion for our club and we may multiply the impact not only with him but with all players current and future. I think it is part of developing the culture that we need

Prowess not a lot to boast about merely an example of getting a result when all things align, We won our opponents who gota bit ahead of themselves didnt. Too stuffed to celebrate outrageously but do admire your selection On topic agree with all you have said wjhich is why I am heartened.

I am forever hopeful that the squad can be successful with both a blend of players and coaches. I think there is very little difference in all team lists as players are selected through a grading system to even the playing list. The differences come from developing those selected Its a chicken and egg issue. Do you select and develop for patterns and strategies or do you strategise and plan around the resources you develop??? Coaching including the above and expanding into opposition curtailment, match ups, and the most important mind game is the area I believe we have been lacking and I have been heartened with Neeld and the coaching team (mids excepted and including Casey) approach and results. Although I was surprised that Garlands forward talents were not known until Neeld read the file??? I reckon that the flexibility of team selection Garland Rivers Watts etc is acknowledgement of the skills and a stute coaching. I think with the match day moves I have seen From limited commentary is encouraging. From my above three quarter full approach I think we are closer than some recognise. This is why we beat Essendon and GWS by 10+ puts us comparitavely improved Our performance against the Lions will be interesting to see how the confidence and mind set has improved. Obviously Mitch has been a revelation and his attitude and output will be missed but if someone anyone can step up game by game and a few others also put in I believe we can have at least more wins this year and who knows next year could surprise On a personal note my squash team struggled on all year clinging to 4th possie and the top team was undefeated all year including thrashing us during the seaon. We limped into the finals and had two hard fought victories to make the grand final. On the night the cocky opposition lost sight of the game tally and we had a surprise premiership. Its difficult at any level to win a game , its difficult to get into finals But anything can happen GO DEES

Been waiting for the appearance of the Morton The Sam Stosur of MFC would be happy if he developed into a useful part of the Melbourne jugernaut now that we have tasted a win some of us know he can only improve

"What doesnt kill you makes you stronger" Neitsche??????

Its a return to the old Robbie Flower conundrum "The problem with Robbie Flower is he cant kick it to Robbie Flower" I dont think he is ever going to be the dynamic crash or crash through power forward ala buddy/brown/clark but i do think he is great setting up scoring opportunities and could score himself in a forward role. He may develop into something more and I just hope he does continue the trajectory he is on without becoming so defensive that his goal scoring kicking ability is blunted, Green may like Watts honouring his leads as a once prominent forward capable of a little bit of crash until the return of Clark

Wasnt it Martin who relieved pretty well for Jamar last year?? I thought he did ok but needed more development time I thought he looked ok at Casey but may be unfamiliar to the Jones Trengove Magner Maloney mid field. He is more mobile than Jamar and could be Ok against the Lions. Martin may be better in ruck with Jamar going into the forward contest /space maker role the clark did so well. he probably wont mark or kick as many as mitch but there was vision of him having a day out against Carlton so anything could happen Then mix it up for the next match as Neeld has been doing and play Cook who I agree Cook looks good but may be a bit underdone for the bigger bodies of the Lions. I reckon develop the squad against appropriate sides Yes its a bugger we have lost Clarke and we may now have to look a little more seriously at Cloke But as someone once said "everythings connected to everything else" this could be a development opportunity that we need

PS it surely must be Jack Watts fault???