Straight Sets Simon

So does that mean that no other player can even at least stand in those positions? Yes, it would have helped if those players were out there, but it doesn't mean you don't do the same things when they're not.

Welcome to Demonland Mos Def. You're 100% on the ball. The decision to leave Buckley at full forward while Geelong dominated in the middle had me astounded. Like you said, and I've tried to spell out to the Daniher sympathizes, it wasn't who Melbourne didn't have that was worrying, it was what they did with the players they did have. Again, you're on the ball with what you said about the forward line.

I don't think Melbourne were ever going to win, no matter how well they played. My point is that they were never going to play well at all if they didn't have ANY options up forward. Put Aussie one out in the goal square and kick it along the ground to him. Anything.

Bartram - Never looked good Bate - Lazy, lazy, lazy Bruce - The sideways specialist Buckley - Glimmer of hope Carroll - Not to blame Dunn - Harvey was right Frawley - Surprisingly better performance Green - Barely even noticed C.Johnson - Never got going P.Johnson - Needs better presence Jones - Low on confidence? McDonald - Kept on battling Maric - The shining light Martin - Keeps on impressing Morton - Give him time Sylvia - Just about gone Warnock - Not to blame Wheatley - Just foats around Whelan - Surprisingly bad disposal White - Last ever game Valenti - Glimmer of hope Wonaeamirri - Does something everytime

No they didn't. They never got out of third gear, becuase they didn't need to.

You must have been pretty happy when Bruce had the ball 60 out from goal, then decided to kick it backwards (instead of putting it into an area that Melbourne could score from) which resulted in a turnover and subsequent goal to Geelong. I was thrilled.

If you were there, you would have seen that he didn't care. If he cared he wouldn't have been jogging around in circles with his hands in the air calling for the ball.

It's not a tactic that will win you a Premiership. You need forwards in the forward line to kick goals. Bailey got a coaching lesson last night and it's a shame becuase his player development has been very good. I just fear that we picked up another tactical dud.

Just one more thing, when a player does actually line up in the forward line, why does he stand 40 metres from goal with no one behind him? The problem for all of the Mick Malthouse's on this forum who can't find their sheep is that when that player then leads for the ball, if he receives it he will be around 60-70 metres from goal. Now, the problem is that because he was the closest player to goal initially, he has to wait for other players to run down so that they can receive the ball within scoring distance. The problem can be completely eliminated if the forwards start deep and lead to a space that they are within scoring distance from.

No, it's a two fold statement as is my OP. If you actually read what is said. "...when forwards would line up in the forward line (There is someone to kick it to) and those guys that run around in the middle would try and get the ball as quickly as they could to them? (The word "bomb was never mentioned. Quickly can be through running and long passing which isn't always "bombing")

The problem was that for most of the game there was no one there. Not a single player. How the eff is a team even meant to try and kick goals without a forward line? And I'm not just tallking about "forwards" as such, anyone. I wouldn't have cared if Carroll was one out in the goal square, at least give them something. That was my problem, not that there weren't any "forwards", there was bloody well anyone. By the time a player did get down there, Melbourne's indirect and slow ball movement (by the way didn't anyone tell them that when playing in the wet, you DON'T want to over possess the ball, becuase it might be a little slippery?) meant that Geelong were able to get numbers back and rebound quickly. You were watching it on TV I assume Nasher?

6. Buckley 5. Maric 4. Valenti 3. Martin 2. Frawley 1. PJ

...when forwards would line up in the forward line and those guys that run around in the middle would try and get the ball as quickly as they could to them? What summed the night up best for me was when Cameron Bruce was 60 metres out on the half forward flank, and instead of putting the ball at the top of the square he chipped it backwards 20 metres, the ball was turned over and Geelong scored a goal. What is Bailey telling these players?

No, I just think that people have written him off too quickly.

I'm happy with Carroll back.

Why this issue got so much coverage and will get more coverage if it happened to any other team. 1) Collingwood have a lot of supporters. 2) A lot of Collingwood supporters get their "news" from the Herald Sun. 3) When looking at point 2), consider which team sponsors the "upper class" Melbourne Football Club. 4) Those who don't follow Collingwood tend to hate Collingwood and like to read about their suffering.

Does anyone else just think of Nick Smith when seeing this?

I'll add to that.

Which perfectly sums up the stupidity of this thread.

I think it's pretty clear now that whoever designed the silver jumper just came off watching Cool Runnings.

I didn't see any of the game, but from the little I heard on Triple M, Lyon and Taylor were furious with one ump to the point of disbelief.

Red and blue only.

It's just Rock Eisteddfod on steroids. You won't miss much.

Good. They certainly wouldn't want to encourage these sort of actions.

Who do the AFL think they are giving Melbourne a Saturday game? For the past twelve or so weeks we Demons fans have been able to get ourselves into a nice little routine and rhythm whereby every Sunday we could sit down, relax and then be extremely tense and anxious as we watched our side get thumped. After everything the we, the supporters and the MFC have been through this year, the AFL have the nerve to fixture Melbourne on a Saturday! Who do they think they are? The AFL claim to want to preserve the traditions of the game and yet they break a tradition that has been with Melbourne for well over half a season now! Now wonder Melbourne can't draw big crowds, as most Demon supporters will be off to see St. Kilda v Port Adelaide on Sunday at the Phone Dome because for no other reason than habit. Shame AFL. Shame.