That's one change I expect. He just needs to regain some touch. His disposal has been embarrasing. Not sure what has gone wrong. McLean to replace.

We are getting smashed around the ball, so get McLean in there. We know that he is slow and not a great kick, but we need another body on the inside to try to get some ball going our way and he can at least provide that.

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Formerly Blues-Back2003.

If he can extract anything out of those muppets he is doing well!

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"Who discovered we could get milk from cows, and what did he think he was doing at the time?" Billy Connolly

He's all white lace and promises that guy.

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That’s not a political statement — it’s a harsh reality, and we must act,” she said. “He is a clear and present danger to the things that keep us strong and free. I support impeachment.”

Don't like that green jacket Ratts has got and Sticks is looking a bit blue in the face.

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I hope Essendon* folds.

I agree Wojee. Although it willl be a week late it's time to stop worrying about what shape we will be in come September, and start worrying about the now.

The club should treat yesterday's loss like Brisbane did when we did them at PP in 2001 by 74 points in a game that Leigh Matthews still quotes as the turning point and the catalyst to their success.

Geelong was another one in 2007 who had flirted around the finals like we had, but with no success. They were perceived like us as having talent, but no real substance. After Round 5 Nth beat them at Kardinia Park to put them 2-3 and the place was a rabble. During the game Nth players reported that the Cats were arguing, finger pointing, blaming each other for mistakes on the field etc.

The next week they went out and beat Richmond by 157 points which was the first of 15 in a row, and 19 out of 20 that saw them take the flag.

Do I believe they will turn it around? Probably not, but there is some talent on this list, and the only thing 'new' about this secret to beating the Blues is that it is now common knowlege to the media and general public. Hawthorn, Sydney, St Kilda, and Adelaide have been doing it since the mid 2000's

It's only Melbourne, but the mindset on the man and ball shouldn't change. The players have no control over the President, trading, drafting, game plan, membership, marketing, coaching staff, training methods but there are some things that they can control and it needs to start Sunday.

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"They're [REDACTED]'

If we had players half as good as Voss, Lappin, Black, Lappin, Power and Akermanis, or Ablett, Bartel, Kelly, Chapman and the Coreys on our list - then I might even half believe you.

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

Winston Churchill

At least we have a good late blooming coach like Ratten ... tracking beautifuly to emulate Thompson... and a president wwho promises to deliver 5 flags in 3 years.....

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Due to recent budget cuts and the rising cost of electricity, gas, and oil....... the Light at the End of the Tunnel has been turned off. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Naturally not a fan of the Brock trade. Not then and certainly not now. However, the bloke hasn't had a decent run at the Seniors even once - something a fair few of our players have had despite off patches. I think he should come in this week and help out in the guts. Free up Judd (who may get more attention now Murphy isn't there to tag) a bit more and get some clearances hopefully. He should be told that he is in for a month to show his wares and prove to the MC that he should play. Now, I am not really expecting him to be playing for us in Rd 23, but we don't know. He might grow in to the role again.

Besides, it will be nice to see good form in the twos actually rewarded for a change. Despite what some think of Ellard, McLean and others - if they are doing the right thing in the twos, surely they should get a go at some stage. Might even have a positive cultural benefit if people are promoted on merit instead of being elevated on name, or Thorntoned back to the seconds (should that be the new verb for ommitted?).

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I would like to thank Collingwood for helping me keep faith in my old man. He always told me that 'People are thick'.

Brock McLean isn't in our next premiership side. Play a kid instrad

Either is Chris Judd.

Thats not the point.

The point is he should be played in the guts.. cos hes there and a kid wont make any difference in that area .

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Due to recent budget cuts and the rising cost of electricity, gas, and oil....... the Light at the End of the Tunnel has been turned off. We apologize for the inconvenience.

My changes would be
out - murphy, henderson, kreuzer, duigan, curnow, russell, touhy
in - mclean, waite, watson, collins, buckley, bootsma, dale

assumption is henderson/duigan are injured, kreuzer rested/omitted (hasn't been right for a few weeks), curnow/russell/touhy dropped

As for lucas, given that he has had opportunities earlier in the season to impress, I think he needs to earn his next game rather than just being given it (hence behind bootsma/buckley/dale). It means that we will be carrying 3 very light players but realistically we don't have any other options that would push for a spot at the moment.

I'm getting on the Dees, before the rush.

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"You can't polish a James Hird"

Mckay on SEN......didn't sound to convinced that Waite would get up for this game. His back is still stiff.

Confirmed also that Murphy will be out for 8-10 weeks.


Things are coasting.........

Pretty much confirmed Bootsma and McLean will play. Buckley in consideration as well.

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#NewBlues beginning 25th August 2015

Given what has been said we could easily look like this:

B: Armfield Bower Bootsma
HB: Yarran Watson Lucas

C: Simpson McLean Scotland Robinson
Foll: Hampson Judd Ellard

HF: Walker Thornton Gibbs
F: Betts Kruezer

Int: Collins Buckley Garlett Touhy

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#NewBlues beginning 25th August 2015

Nothing frightens me more than McLean on the MCG.

I was happy to see us recruit McLean, I thought here was a hard body to help out Judd in the middle. Yes, he's been a major disappointment, but now is the time to say to him that due to injuries a great opportunity exists for him, that a permanent senior position is there if he's good enough. Tell him he's going to get a block of games (three?, four?) in the seniors regardless of how he plays in one or two matches, (should have been retained for the GWS game, another rested) but it's last chance saloon time. He's still only 26, could play for us for years, but if after given a decent run at it he still falls short should never play senior footy for us again.