The players would not want to entertain the doom and gloom stories they've had to hear for the first 3 rounds.
The players need to square the ledger and hope Richmond lose next week.

They can't drop their guard just because they're playing Melbourne

Our boys have been ridiculed at 0-3 situation and it looked like the season was over.
We could have won those 3 losses....coulda, but those games are gone.

One week at a time.

I agree with a defense first strategy. I like how its not full on yet but seeing it work better.
We all know we are an attcking team when we go for speed so I dont want to lose that.

I want to see MM changing the side around in small doses for learnings sake. Find out what players bring to the table and let them learn more about themselves.

I'd like to see Ellard come in for Gibbs and Laidler for Jamison.

Lucas has something in common with these guys: Murphy, Judd, Yarran, Armfield, Garlett, Walker, Betts and Buckley. What is it? Its speed.


What will make us even faster is to improve our efficiency by hand and foot and keep up the effort to shepherd and block.

Melbourne will give it their all. We have to win by at least 10 goals. Bombers got em when the Dees were a complete rabble. Theyve shown a bit of ticker in the last fortnight.

Maybe Waite playing back instead of Laidler.

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

Commentators are often referring to him as the best tagger in the game these days. An amazing effort coming off 2 rookie lists

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Only if he plays in 3 premiership sides ......... preferably for Carlton.

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"Hence you will not say that Greeks fight like heroes but that heroes fight like Greeks"?

Winston Churchill

Yeah, that could be a fly in the ointment.

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I hope Essendon* folds.

Just had a little look in the Melbourne big footy board, and some of the comments are pretty amusing. They were talking about how this game will be a percentage boost for us and someone came out with this gem

"The sad irony is that the game will probably end up a percentage booster for both sides."

and then this one

"Malthouse Judd and next top 5 could all sit on couch at home and we would still lose this by nearly a ton if weather fine."

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That's not a good thing. The AFL is at its best when all supporters have hope for victory.

For example I still hope for premiership success this year even though logically I know it aint happening.

I hope none of our players are reading it!!

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I'm shocked to be sitting here

Was always going to happen. Yes, it would of been nice to win the first 3 games but it didn't happen. The improvement in our style and effort compared to previous years was immense. The harmony among the group is first class.

We still have room for massive improvement but the signs are good. A soft run now to get some wins, build confidence and test players out.

We will get so much better in the second half of the year and will have a real run at finals. Of course a lot will depend upon injuries. As I said we could easily be 7-5 by halfway. Not bad base to work on!

Add fit and firing players like Waite, Kruezer, Ellard, OKeefe, Graham, Laidler, Menzel, Bell, McInnes to that side, some more cohesion and game plan understanding and we will be so much better.

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#NewBlues beginning 25th August 2015

I agree - time to give Bell an extended run in the seniors.
He has the potential to be the big bodied midfielder we need so badly - just needs to iron out some flaws in his game which will hopefully happen with more senior match experience.

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There is no footy god

In place of who? I like Bell and he has some real potential but there are some basic skills he needs to work on and they may be best done at VFL level. His positioning, reading of general play and getting to right areas at stoppages is extremely poor. He wears himself out unnecessarily. It will come and he is improving, but I'm not sure doing it at Senior level is the right thing at the moment.

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#NewBlues beginning 25th August 2015

Mike Sheehan OTC last night ''Don't be surprised if Waite and Kruezer play this week against the Demons''.

Waite possibly (but doubt it, needs another week in the 2's IMO).

But Kreuzer, no way.

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WADA medical director Dr Alan Vernec describes Essendon* FC drug case as biggest scandal in team sport the world of sport has seen. #WC2WB

#GUILTY

It sounded like Mike had got the information from "inside'' not him speculating.

IMO if he's fit play him. Got through a game and looked fit. Get him into Seniors asap to get used to speed. All about timing with Waite.

At his age he knows whats required.

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#NewBlues beginning 25th August 2015

Hope your right! 2-3 weeks after a broken thumb??? It will still be sore and have some numbness and probably have to where a guard. Why risk it?

We have a long break to St Kilda game and Warnock is doing well.

Long season, let him come back refreshed. Wont be losing any fitness over this.

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#NewBlues beginning 25th August 2015

Kreuzer won't be replacing Warnock, he will replace Hampson.

But he will take game time off him on the ball and Warnock is only just finding his feet.

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#NewBlues beginning 25th August 2015

He will only take game time off Warnock if he is not doing his job. For the overall benefit of the team Kreuzer will need to play forward this year and pinch hit in the ruck. That's the way I am seeing at the moment.

Well, it is a long way down.

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Harsh call !!!
Against Geelong I thought we defended the flanks expertly !
(Shame we left the middle wide open though)

More seriously, I think our system for kicking out after a point has improved this year. That's something.