Dees2014

Needs to start holding his marks. Then we can take him seriously against his (internal) competition

I agree completely. We should be moving asap towards our best 22 and stay with it as long as we are able. Petracca is certainly in our best 22. Weideman will be second half of the year. As are Brayshaw, Trengove, Dunn, Lumumba, Garlett, Oliver. The task for the selectors is to move to that asap. End of story. Others will have to make way. There are several who will be unlucky in this: M. Jones, Harmes, Hunt, Pederson, Garland maybe even Vanders and Frost. I would also like to see Jake (once he gets over his injuries) and Max in tandem like last year's game against the Cats, although I know it will depend on match ups. We need to become as ruthless as the Hawthorns of this world, which means we have good players playing in the twos. The Hawks have been doing it for years, and most of those players stay on because they hope to play in a premiership. Hawthorn have also been the biggest beneficiary of free agents, because they are the club of choice. Melbourne can and will get there, but it means a large dose of objectivity, and a willingness to make ruthless decisions. By the way, I think the MFC management shows every sign of adopting this. Perhaps a few of us posters need to as well.

Any doubt about the Jake/Max combination is dispelled by watching the Geelong game from last year. It was awesome. Can't wait to see them both back in harness, but sadly I suspect not this year due to injury and fitness.

I agree about Brayshaw. I have no doubt he will be one of our A graders in the future but seems underdone and tired at the moment. I hope it isn't a concussion issue. Best for him to go back to Casey starting with limited game time and building back up to optimal fitness and form. We need him not only up and firing for the second half of the year, but also to make sure of his longer term fitness.

Watts, Brayshaw, N.Jones - equally good both sides.

When we get our finals side in I can't see him getting a game. For me his strengths are undoubtably his size and his speed. His biggest weakness is his kicking. Those who can't reliably kick will not play in our future champion sides. That also applies to players such as Tyson who has a habit of shanking his kicks particularly for goal, although that seemed to have improved over the last couple of weeks to his credit.

I like Hogan, Weideman, Watts being our new Neitz, Schwartz, Lyon. Now that would be something...

Well I think there is a case for ASADA to go after not only Robinson, but Reid, Charters, Thompson and Hird. I get the impression ASADA/WADA believe their job is done, and they think they have made their point. I suspect this has something to do with their own internal funding where governments around the world, especially our own, are cutting their funding. There is a case though here that the suspects above will get their comeuppance via the courts where the litigation is only just beginning.

Easy explanation IMHO. The nay sayers (Robbo, Holmes etc) have already pointed out the so called inconsistencies between Brock and the 34 by ASADA and are calling for the 34 to be re-instated. It is nonsense of course, but Dank is merely fighting his relevance deprivation and making himself feel important. Justice and the rule of law are seemingly irrelevant in this.

I'm tipping 8, Watts 5, Jeffy 4, Vanders 3 to win by 100 points, and go to second on the ladder...

I prefer Watts, Hogan and Weideman myself - but we may need to wait another couple of months. That will be our premiership combination I have no doubt

And he appears to be loving the increased responsibility and the challenges which leadership brings. You have to adore responsibility and the immense satisfaction which comes with making organisations successful. I saw that in Watts on Saturday. Once he gets it, it will be like a drug. And the dividends for the MFC will be incalculable. Viney is a natural leader and gets his satisfaction from that. You can see how immensely he enjoys it. With Jack Watts, I think by far the most naturally gifted player on our list (although Petracca looks to be giving him some competition), if he can combine his sublime talent with a Viney style "take no prisoners", we will be unbeatable.

Yes, you would expect this weekend's game, and the Collingwood one in a couple of weeks to be crucial for the numbers, particularly if we are undefeated. 40000 looking very possible...

I'm putting it out there... FB: Jetta. Dunne. GarlandHB: Vince. T macd. SalemCC: Trengove . N Jones. KennedyHF: Watts. Hogan. VandersFF: Gartlett. Weideman Petracca Foll: Gawn. Oliver. VineyInterchange: Brayshaw. Dawes. Kent. Tyson Emerg: Grimes Pederson Stretch M Jones If Spencer is fit, I would substitute him for Dawes. i reckon that looks like a finals team.

How do we prevent it happening again?

Although I, like all demon fanatics, am ecstatic about our win on Saturday, the fact we only played effectively one half is a huge concern. The question is why? Watching the replay now a couple of times, in the first and last quarters the run on game was apparent, and accurate kicking into the forward line was effective, as was our ability to hold the ball into the forward half through continuous pressure. None of these were effective in the middle quarters. What was though was close checking defending down back - I don't think it was an accident that GWS kicked so inaccurately. How do we avoid this happening again? Perhaps it is as simple as analysing the differences and eliminating the negatives, although it is still a mystery to me. I'm sure those on here more familiar with football tactics than I am could expand on this. I would be very interested in the various theories.

I was not talking about either of the macs. They are wonderful players...

Unfortunately, this has been apparent for some time. I wish it were not so but it is. We now have other more effective options, which we should take until this particular affliction improves. There is nothing like competition to make the whole group better. Fortunately we have that now, unlike past years..

Dom Tyson is an extraordinarily talented player, but his inaccurate kicking can no longer be tolerated until he corrects it in the twos. There was a time when we could tolerate this, but no longer. We need to demand perfection. We are not getting it from him. Some time in the twos could be very productive for the team.

Good backup, no more.

Quote I heard with reporter talking to camera this morning: "demon practice match today in preparation for their clash with the Giants, they had in their inter club practice match their Giant future on display" or words to that effect. He went on to single out Petracca, Trengove, Weideman, the Kings, and Lumumba. It was very very positive, even if you discount commercial television's tendency towards the sensational. Whether this goes to air is another matter, but it does illustrate the positive vibes about MELBOURNE developing in the media. And about time too.

Agree, but after seeing him today am more convinced his comeback will be successful. That would be a huge boost for the club - like having three number 2 draft picks "debut" for the club in the space of about a month: Oliver, Petracca and JT. When fit, all of them will be A-graders. I'm predicting Petracca will debut against Norf, and JT comeback against the Pies. Weideman, mid season. Cant wait to see Petracca and JT feeding Jesse in the square.

I thought he was extremely impressive on the wing today. Once he has gained the fitness his strength and speed would be gold in the mid field.

Just back in my car after watching the match. Some comments: - Petracca is going to be a superstar. Much quicker than I expected, an excellent accurate kick, reliable overhead mark, and a mongrel in close. Can't wait to see him open in the square with Max, Jones, and Dom Tyson. We have a beauty there. - Jack Trengove was as reliable as we remember him in 2011. Took a couple of great marks in the goal square, his kicking is as good as ever, and seems to be moving smoothly at good pace. I know it is early days, but in some ways Trengove at his peak is similar to Petracca, and what a combination that will be. - Weideman is impressive: great straight fast lead, but too often drops simple overhead marks. Good, long kick for goal - Hunt is starting to use his considerable pace better than previously and is not getting caught as much. His kicking, particularly on the run has improved considerably. - Angus Brayshaw looked short of a run, and on that performance not surprised he was left out of tomorrow. - Max KIng was having a great game in the ruck and up forward - reminds me a bit of joe Daniher. Limped off towards the end with what looked like a serious ankle injury One guy who did impress me was number 25 for red - I assume that was Mitch King but if it was he looks taller than his listed 199cm. Reminds me a lot of the woods newamerican import, and absolutely dominated the rucks contests, particularly after Max King went off.

DL has gone more mental than usual, and that is saying something - and it is not even round one yet. Chill pills all round me thinks, or is that left for bomber blitz!