Sydee

We need to be in the 8 by the midpoint of the season - therefore need to string some wins together - lose this week and it's a long way back

We are definitely not travelling well enough atm to play anything less than best 22 available each week We are 1-3 and hardly setting the world on fire - this week will be a massive challenge imo - the saints made us look pretty ordinary last year at the G and they will not be easy and should go into this weeks game as clear favourites We need to get cracking and string some wins together otherwise finals will not be happening

I agree they made us look hopelessly slow last year we must go with our fastest possible team and play full four quarters to win Sydney are not really traveling well at all so we can’t get too carried away with that win albeit a positive step I like Petty for OMac but still have nightmares about his debut game last year where he really was found wanting big time largely due to zero pressure up the ground

Personally, don't think he's earned a call-up but good luck to him and hope he goes better than I expect If he can do more than 50% of the ruck duty, earn his fair share of hit-outs, take a few grabs around the ground and allow Max to sit deep in attack it will be a boost to our chances We need something to go right - right now - so fingers crossed

I wasn't declaring his career over simply stating the facts - his playing future must be in doubt given his history of concussions - just like it was for Angus Brayshaw

I really hope not - like to see Preuss ruck the majority of the game and stick Max within 30 metres of the goal line - hard to match up him Let Weid and TMac run around 50m arc hopefully taking some marks

KK out with a head knock - has to be serious doubts over his future as a footballer

"The Tigers successfully argued Martin's elbow to the back of Adam Kennedy's head last weekend only constituted a low impact grading, reducing his ban to just one match." What an absolute joke - this peanut gets a week for clearly elbowing a guy in the back of the head intentionally - nowhere near the ball and finishes up with a week Compare this with Steven May and it's a complete farce

Perhaps this was a topic discussed at the honesty session? You would hope so plus a microscope applied to several others

I guess this is the area where people will differ in opinions I have plenty of friends that continue to say Melbourne has for many years been below average - hard to argue with that statement given our past performances Last year we made the finals - Yay - we won two which was great but tbh both could've gone the other way with some change in luck/circumstances V Hawks - they have momentum and Gunsten doesn't smash it into the post running into an open goal then it goes to the other end for a 12 point play - if he kicks the goal it was definitely game on V Cats - they have momentum and Selwood has a brain fade running off the ground and strips Hawkins of a very gettable shot at goal - Hawkins keeps the ball and slots it was definitely game on This year, so far we look well below average and yes we could turn it around but to believe we are anything special based on the output of this team is fools gold if you ask me There needs to be a much larger body of evidence to suggest that we have risen from the below average category I'm afraid - this week there's is another chance to prove they were worthy of a finals prediction this season - let's see what is served up

Not sure what the relevance of the top 4 finish the previous year is (we finished 5th in 2018) However, Freo finished 1st in 2015 then 16 in 2016 The other thing I thought was interesting looking at those seasons was that at Round 11 the final 8 teams are pretty well locked in and generally there are only one or two teams outside the 8 at the midpoint that sneak into finals In 2016 the final 8 teams did not change at all from Round 11 - just the order All a bit sobering for those that believe in miracles after a 0-3 start

Well actually it's not that ridiculous at all if you look at where teams that have started in a similar way have finished the season over the past 5 seasons The list below shows season - team - ladder position for 1st three weeks and position at seasons end 2018 WB 18,18,16 - 13 2017 Freo 13,18,15 - 14 2016 Freo 18,17,16 - 16 2015 Bris 13,17,18 - 18 2014 Melb 14,14,18 - 17 It doesn't exactly fill me with confidence that a miracle turnaround is imminent - and I did look at these ladder positions calmly over a nice cup of tea

Not sure about you but I'm always prepared for the inevitable lack of success and consistency that seems to follow the MFC. Dubious draft picks, terrible luck with injury, prodigious talents that just never seem to reach their potential long term (Jakovich, Jurrah, .....) - it all comes with the territory. The current malaise is no great surprise to me, in fact, I probably would have been more surprised had the glimmer of hope that occurred late last season continued this year

Are you serious they beat us last season when we were travelling much better than now - they would be licking their lips at the prospect of playing us atm

I used to think Buckley was hopeless but I actually think he’s s good coach - they play for each other and seem to have a really good team spirit going Jealous

No we are so good at that

I think we'd all like a second ruckman at our disposal - the problem is they need to be up to scratch - that's the bit that's missing right now

Jack's father was Jay - what would Todd say about that I wonder?

May likely to be out for three games “He’s probably likely to miss the next three games - Essendon, Sydney and St Kilda,” Misson told Melbourne Media. “He’s had some good improvement in the backend of this week which we’ve been encouraged by, but it’s about setting him up for a good year.” Pretty crappy start if you ask me

I wish we were looking so slow and vulnerable

Actually, he has had a chance in JLT and practice games and has been underwhelming - he's also been injured as I understand and therefore not fit enough to justify inclusion He gets his chance this week presumably at Casey - start knocking the door down Mr Preuss and genuinely earn your spot rather than being gifted games because we simply want to protect Max - there are others arguably more deserving that could perform that function

So ? Not sure there would be too many takers based on his current output which is close to zero The guy needs to perform before he is given game time at any club, not just Melbourne Why don't you think he played at the North - maybe he just isn't good enough at that level He was a major risk as a recruit if you ask me - so far it's been a complete flop - love him to prove me wrong

I don't get all the love for Preuss - he really has shown nothing to warrant selection in an AFL team so far at Melbourne Simply being big doesn't equate to much at all - in fact, it is likely to be a big liability if he isn't marking, isn't chasing, isn't kicking goals etc. Not saying Gawny doesn't deserve a backup but Preuss would be behind Keilty for mine at this stage

Until they win a flag - preferably more than one - then I'm all ears

I saw little, if anything, last week to suggest a win is likely anytime soon These sorts of comments from the club really do set themselves up for some very harsh criticism should they roll out another insipid result Lose this week and I think a lot of people will be saying the modicum of success this team enjoyed late last season was an aberration - and the current state is simply a return to business as usual for this club