Straight Sets Simon

I can tell you why. Because he had no one to kick it to in the forward line. He looks up, sees no options and as a result is forced to chip and handpass sideways.

In: Sylvia, Rivers Out: Dunn, Newton Either Garland or Rivers to go forward.

They were supposed to stay in the forward line so when Melbourne did get the ball there was an option to kick it to. It happened at least four or five times where Melbourne players looked up the ground to nothing. The result was of course Melbourne players overusing the ball by hand and turning the ball over more often.

After a good game against Collingwood where Melbourne played man-on-man and left players in the forward line, why did Bailey revert back to not having players to kick it to up forward?

That's how I felt, he didn't do a lot, but what he did do he did pretty well. I thought at the very least he provided a solid target and for the first time he looks to have bulked up well.

Stolen from BigFooty:

Fair point, unfortunately "Pettard" is written so often I have grown to ignore it.

You don't rate him at all?

Agreed. I thought he had a terrible game and his last kick just capped it off.

The reason that the MCG has such a good playing surface is that they place strong restrictions on how often it is used. If you compare it to the surface at Docklands (who would hold a hole digging contest there during the week for $50) you can see why they do it. Despite the alignment with the MCC, I doubt that they would allow Melbourne and not the other tenants the right to train on the ground, even if it is just one session per week. It is a shame, but I would be surprised if it was to change.

Am I the only one that was appalled by Bate's performance the other day? It wasn't just poor disposal or a few mistakes, he just looked ordinary in every way and the kick to the contest in the dying seconds was the icing on the cake. I'm a Bate fan, but he needs to go back to the VFL.

The game plan was able to be executed because there was a solid structure in place. There were forwards forward of the ball and man-on-man defensive meant players were more accountable.

It scares me to say it, but at the MCG Melbourne are a good chance. It scares me because Melbourne rarely play well when they are expected to.

Melbourne haven't done it since 2006. I couldn't make it to the game yesterday, but that is good to hear. EDIT: This kind of thing is hard to tell from watching on TV.

I would normally agree, but I was expecting a massive loss and despite the hurt I was still quite happy. I was happy to see Melbourne play man-on-man, attacking football. Yes, Melbourne should have won and they shouldn't be happy with the result but there were a lot of positives to take out of the game. I thought that Bailey did a great in just getting the players up for the game. They didn't come out really fired up and then just fade after five minutes, it was good, sustained, solid football. But the thing that pleased me the most was that it was entertaining to watch. Even with the final few seconds it was just a good game of football and I really enjoyed it as a spectacle.

I just looked up the stats and it says that Bate had 16 disposals at 81% efficiency. I'm amazed.

I will be disappointed if Bate isn't dropped. He really annoyed me today and by the end of the game I was dreading when he got the ball. He looked very flat, maybe he is not fit but he shouldn't play next week. OUT: Bate, Bartram IN: Sylvia, Rivers Bennell holds on, just. Bartram would be unlucky but Rivers should come back into the side. I wouldn't mind seeing Newton get another chance as a forward/ruck.

6. Petterd 5. Jamar 4. Grimes 3. Davey 2. Green 1. Macdonald

Bail - Solid performance Bartram - Commendable performance Bate - Career worst game Bennell - Jumped at shadows Bruce - Lacked polished disposal Davey - Best midfield performance Dunn - Looked better forward Frawley - Good, but per disposal early Green - Looked great forward Grimes - WOW Jamar - Destroyed Jolly and Fraser Jones - Low in pecking order MacDonald - Justified drafting McDonald - Solid as always Moloney - Strong midfield presence Petterd - Best on ground Scully - Unfortunate dropped marks Strauss - Rarely sighted Trengove - Good then went missing Warnock - Better performance McKenzie - Good first half Newton - Wasn't bad, but wasn't good

I've always been a Bennell fan but he was bad today. Bate played one of the worst games of football I have seen by in individual. Everything he touched turned to crud. Unfortunately Scully dropped about three marks that he should have taken, but it's not the end of the world.

I wasn't at the game so it was hard to tell but it looked like Melbourne were playing man-on-man. I've been calling for it for a while. It showed how average Maxwell really is when he has to be responsible for an opponent and not just play loose.

Bate has been terrible up until half time. Good game of football, the big test is the third quarter. Definitely feeling the love for McKenzie.

Melbourne had options forward of the ball and they kicked it to them. EDIT: That tap by Spencer to McLean was brilliant.

As someone else mentioned, it's a good article but it's hardly ground-breaking stuff and most of it has been mentioned before on Demonland.

Clint Bizkit in April, 2009: Garry Lyon in April, 2010: Clint Bizkit in April, 2009: Garry Lyon in April, 2010: