TGR

Definite no. We need speed, outside run, and boldness yes; but we need guys you can build a team around too.

Surely inevitable. I can't see how this guy will return to footy at full capacity. I know Webber is the above-the-shoulders x-spurt around here, but I'm calling it now. A successful result will mean that he is fit for normal duties; not the most physically demanding sport in the world. Gone. Finished. 2016....... B. Vince - Captain J. Viney - Vice - Captain to take over 2018 To hell with filling a void with a token leadership group. pTGR

Uncle Paul reckons he will go walkabout after 2017

Wrong. I was there at Subiaco last Friday. What Frawley provided in that final was typical. Don't worry about Tom Scully. James Frawley is the most overpaid and overrated footballer in the AFL. He is a shocker. Like Lyon said, with ball in hand, he is horrible. He wont have Hodge Mitchell and Lewis darting to provide clear options for him for too long. They are slowing up. As his choices get less and bunched, his decision making and execution will come to the fore. I am rapt he left Melbourne. Absolutely rapt. I may have called it in his AA year too. Reminds me of a chook with his head cut off when he has the ball.

Watts should go to a top 4 team. Ideally for him, I reckon Freo, Hawthorn (Brad Hill??) or Sydney, or Port (Pittard???) Maybe a swap to the Bulldogs for a bit of their speed. Don't touch Koby Stevens. His back aint good from what I have been told. The B&F result just shows everyone that the coaching brains have lost faith in Watts long ago.

Josh Walker would be our worst recruit, and that is even considering the garbage Neeldy brought in. If he wears an MFC jumper, we really haven't progressed. Thankfully, Roos doesn't make mistakes with second-hand players, so I know Walker won't be at Melbourne.

You shouldn't have rocked up to your honeymoon.

Worst call on here since some poster said Mitch Clark should do a bit of photography around the club after we delisted him.

I share your pain Fan. I would feel so much better knowing Cross was playing in 2016. I know he'd go back with the flight. I know his heart will pump at max. I know his hands are safe (marking and handballing). But Roos' record for trading players in and out, surely is beyond reproach. He delisted Terlich at Sydney once didn't he? I agree with your lists, but there is only so much they can turn over. In your delist list, I can't really argue against, but I hope Michie and Newton are the last to be flipped. Do you think Spencer is tradeable? I think he is a delist, but credit to Stafford about getting him to a level that is close to AFL. As for Lumumba, he isn't the footballer that the world (including me) thought he was 5 years ago. But for a team that doesn't run and carry and break lines, I think he is a keep. Having said that, he would be AA at Hawthorn or Freo. Actually Freo need him more than anyone in the window. Still, share the pain. I can't remember feeling this flat for another MFC retirement, and Cross is really a bulldog!

For a club with effort issues, it is hard to see him go. For a club with speed issues, the opposite is true. Early this year, I thought Crossy was having his last year. The last 12 rounds has made it more difficult. It is a ruthless decision, and I think the club are hoping that young speed can put a bit more inside bulk on over the summer. Daniel Cross has made watching this team a little bit easier in the past 2 years.

Matt Suckling - More style than substance. Luke Breust would kick 13 goals as a permanent in our forward line.

Stokes. FGS, a very average player that was lifted in a decent team.

My question is, when you have a team of introverts and followers, why do what every other team does and pick a leadership group? Roosy says you shouldn't pick guys for a game, unless they are pushing the door down at Casey. The same should have applied in relation to leadership. We haven't seen enough of Kent, but he is no doubt, an un-Melbourne like player that we need. Burst, intensity. The rare combo of speed and power.

Gonzo, then you missed my most important contribution on page 6. Most of those "disappointing" performances have been since this artificial and sudden change in the game, orchestrated by the AFL who are so frightened how stoppages impact the growth of the game and $$$$. This also lead up to the rights deal. Do the maths. And Essendon, are you serious? So we are going to put inaccuracy into 'effort' and 'attitude' now are we. "If the players gave a siht they would kick straighter". The bulldogs are a top 4 side FCS. Their journey started years ago from the ground up. Whatsmore, Eade wasn't the wrecking-ball Neeldy was. Now, did I need this article to come up with my argument? No, actually I raised these issues long before these stats come up. Some of us can actually see what is happening out on ground before the "stats" and "facts" emerge. That is the difference between the 2% that barrack for Melbourne, and the other 98% who let SEN and pub talk and "stats" dictate their thinking. And this is a great strawberry patch....and we both know what you need for delicious big red strawberries.

Our youth have been in Asia this week, according to supporter sentiment.

Good call. I was greedy and chased the $1.85 GWS/GWS/GWS/GWS lead every quarter.

Exactly you less-rons. Exactly why Roos is saying, he shouldn't apologise for the past. The only relevance that the past has is the terrible insipid shambles this place/list was when Roos took over. Poor performance now, is treated like armageddon, because poor-us, we have endured so much for so long. My heart bleeds for you. And Geelong's performance last night, when everything was on the line against a club that hasn't won since Autumn(?), should be excused because of the victories and success in years prior? A seven goal to one first quarter, when I am sure that their plight deserved they come out like "maniacs". Seriously, how can our team toughen/smarten up, when the supporters are the weakest/dumbest link?

2. Get over Tom Scully FCS, this boy was given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that any son of ours (posters) would be crazy to say no to. Yes he lied. But look at Lachy Henderson's truth. Look at Wallet's truth to the Bulldogs re: Sydney. We say players are weak. Fact is clubs themselves can't handle the cold hard reality. OK, I enjoyed the banter of the money bags in the first game at the G, Melbourne v. Scully. The continuing angst is just petulance in my book. Extreme petulance.

The thread title says it all. Brilliant, and encapsulates what most of us have been thinking in an around-about way. St.Kilda under Pelchen have obvously targetted good kicks?

I beg to differ. I love how he chased a reject in Rhys Stanley, and with Blicavs, has changed the ruck (around ground) forever. His effort in his first year wasn't bad; but then again Alan Joyce did OK in his first year. Unlike his whinging whining brother, when Chris Scott talks, I listen.

Great post. I agree. This is the main reason why I have struggled with "give the captaincy to mature players". On the other hand, I realise you can't put pressure on a young ling, but many leadership positions have been given without merit at this club. We laud Jones. I don't. He has been a very good player in a largely average side. But then you get many of us knowldgeable supports critiquing "Viney's kicking is ....". You know what, desire, intensity & desperation is the cake here. I just reckon as a supporter base, we confuse icing and cake too much. We loved the icing that was the Daniher/Bailey years. And yes, looking back he (Daniher particularly) did achieve a hell of a lot at a club that had leaking holes everywhere. But finally, the club is getting the cake right. Not the microwave cake that many want here. It doesn't look pretty without icing, (re ugly Brisbane win), many see it as a curly turd.

AFL will still consider radical ideas despite congestion clearing This is one massive relevant reason for our recent plight. The AFL and the umps have conspired to take stoppages out of the game. Faster ball ups; different interpretation of holding-the-ball etc ... This would have impacted on Sydney 2005; as it definitely has on Melbourne in the past 5 weeks This absolutely kills teams who don't have much outside speed. But you have to have half a footy brain to work it out.

How will Geelong supporters react this morning? Call for Scott's head. Question the players' commitment? A club with everything to play for, getting smashed in the first quarter (7 goals to 1) by another club much lower on the ladder who had nothing to play for Geelong were out-tackled yet, Collingwood had much more of the ball. Obviously the Geelong players have an issue. Poor effort and intensity etc... Wonder if Frank Costa will raise his head to highlight his concern?

One win in Perth would convert Roos from pariah to messiah, as far as the simpletons are concerned.

If we win, we will remind Freo supporters about this for years, because one loss can mean so much for so long.