Straight Sets Simon

Skill errors happen, that was a bad one but what was even worse was that Grimes had time to make a decision, with the ball at the fifty he chose to kick across the ground instead of into the forward line. That was just stupid and is much worse than a player dropping a mark.

6. McDonald 5. Macdonald 4. Bail 3. Frawley 2. Sylvia 1. Martin

To me the turning point was when Strauss didn't bother to attack the ball and assumed it would go out of bounds. The result was Fremantle took the ball to the other end of the ground and kicked a goal. Dumb and lazy, Melbourne in a nushell.

Why the hell would Grimes kick across the ground from fifty out? Dumb.

It would be good if someone could tell him to stop falling over too.

Strauss assumed the ball went out then, the ball stayed in and Fremantle kick a goal.

Who's playing on Walters?

I do like and rate Watts, but will he be considered top five from his draft in years to come?

I still think he was worthy at the time of going top five, but my point is that just because they are rated top five now, doesn't always equate to very good long-term players. To be honest I was probably harsh on Trengove but his lack of pace really has for a long time concerned me.

Watts, Morton, Scully and Trengove were all rated top five before their drafts.

Clint Bizkit, June 11: Mark Neeld, July 9: This really grinds my gears, you wouldn't see most players in the TAC Cup not getting the fundamentals right of moving back off the mark quickly, yet for too long Melbourne players have refused to do this.

How did Valenti go?

I realise there is a difference, but you would at least think he could consciously learn to improve in this area.

I just don't understand how one team can be bad for so many years and still not know how to do the basic things such as spread, chase, tackle, turn around after taking a mark and hit a target 20 metres away. The reaction times too of players is appalling, very few Melbourne players are able to think beyond getting possession of the ball. Bate is one of the worst, he get's the ball then has to stop to asses the situation, standard AFL footballers are thinking two or even three possessions ahead. It is also why Martin gets smothered so often becuase he is so slow to think, incredible for such an intelligent person.

Matt White is a dog.

Still in it.

Umpires pointing the wrong way is inexcusable.

I used to rate Bail, but elected not to sprint when he got the ball and almost cost the team a goal.

That boundary umpire should be suspended.

Richmond keeping Melbourne in it.

Eddie has just ripped into the AFL for that Video Review and rightly so.

A free kick to Melbourne? I don't believe it!

Not trading Bate to the Dogs was a massive mistake. We wouldn't get anything for him now.

Trengove loves rolling around on the grass.

I'd love to know what Magner's role is.