Tangerine

For those praising Malik’s performance it was better than usual. But there is a clear reason many get frustrated with him. He can only pass backwards and sideways. For anyone who has ever played in a midfield alongside this kind of player it destroys a team’s momentum. He is a passenger most of the time we have the ball - not sure we can afford these against better organised teams.

TTIM - Season is only over a week and already rival clubs are phoning our players to try and poach them.

Can't blame 'the gays' for anything written above. The institution of marriage is without doubt failing but that is a different issue to marriage equality / SSM. As someone raised by a single divorced mother I completely agree - would have been much better to be raised by Ma & Pa. But while people get pregnant at young ages and outside of marriage and we put no restrictions on their lives (in fact we support through welfare payments) I see no reason to restrict the right of same sex couples. P.S. I turned out fine (even with only one parent) and am getting married to my wonderful fiancé later this year as is my right as a straight male.

With respect (and noting you are quite young) I'd be careful about calling others 'brainwashed' given you appear to be a practicing Christian. They are your values and beliefs to hold dear but to others they are magic stories. We we are all brainwashed, bigoted and biased in our own ways it's just that most people never admit it to themselves. Each to their own i say (straight, gay, atheist, religious, pious or greedy). Same sex couples already have the legal rights we are only voting to change the word. There may be ripple effects but on balance I think that is an acceptable risk. Societies, values and norms change over time....that is just life.

Went away to Geelong on Saturday night, played in a gale. Probably best team performance of the season so far for us, 1-0 win. Now sitting 3 points off top with 5 games remaining (still to play the top team). As a club we're not ready for promotion (only came up this year) so kind of hoping we finish just outside the promotion places.

Would be better if our club badge wasn't also round. Pair of headlights right there!

I don't understand the sudden faith in Mauk's abilities. He was ok with us in his last half season but hadn't cemented a starting spot. Then he suddenly looked really good when he went to Adelaide. That was of course a championship winning team. Everyone knows that individuals look better when surrounded by a team that is clicking and working for each other. And then last year he tanked in Europe. If he joins us good, he clearly has potential. If not I couldn't care less, there should be similar quality we can source from somewhere (or through a visa spot). Troisi is twice the player Mauk is.

What's quite amazing is that when our starting midfielders were truly out of form, he didn't even get a run. I don't see the point in a squadie if they don't get used when the team is playing like crap. One of the few games Retre started was the 2-2 with Brisbane which most on here have heralded as one of the most satisfying performances because there was more energy and fight (even with kids) than in previous games. For me, the club should keep him but I think from his perspective he should try and leave. He's clearly not going to get opportunities at City.

My ten cents: Keep Bouzanis but get someone in who can really push and challenge him (I suggest Tando). I respect Rose's defensive abilities. He started poorly and improved but he is woeful going forward. Our attacks breakdown when it's switched to him. We didn't have the midfielders to switch it through the midfield so we always went back and across which ended with our fullbacks. He is not an attacking full back and doesn't fit that system. So either he goes (and is replaced with someone younger and more dynamic) or we start dynamic midfielders who can get on the ball and switch the play without going backwards first. Shame that young Pierias kid isn't a bit older (and a left back). Muscat started the season in excellent form (think round 2). I think he's better than he showed. Best position was RB but lost that to Franic (who never set the world on-fire). I would keep Muscat for his versatility. Malik is not good enough as a CB and not good enough as a a DM. Technically he's shit and worse than that, for someone his size he has no presence. Get rid, simples..... Kilkenny is good but needs better players around him. He doesn't really get on the ball and doesn't really have enough presence to be imposing. Technically probably our best player but needs someone good beside him (either someone creative or imposing). Start Caceres every game (if he's here). He's the only midfielder who showed the ability to create. He's not great but could develop if we actually gave him a chance. Brattan needed dropping by half-way through the season. Retre should have been given a chance. Not that he's great himself but why have a squadie if you don't use him when your starting players need a kick-up the arse and are playing like shit. Genreau showed plenty and must be given a chance next season. Fitzy is obvious. Kamau needs time on the bench to understand what to improve. Cahill exceeded my expectations in terms of scoring. But he's not a midfielder. And he's certainly not one when you need creativity. Can not play with Bruno. Simples.... Bruno needs to be left one-on-one with a defender. Have creativity and movement in midfield and this can happen. Good players create space for others. Have Kilkenny, Brattan and Malik in the midfiled and what the fuck do you expect to Bruno to do. Should not be captain. Should not take penalties.

Clearly Retre has no friends on here so I'll stand up for him....... One of the better 'squadies' in the league. Newcastle, Adelaide, Central Coast, Wellington would love to have him. Shouldn't be starting with the list we've got but when the 'first 11' aren't performing (all of 2017) I have no concerns at all with him starting mid or RB. One of the main criticisms of City this season is they don't play forward, or with pace and have to go out wide to get anywhere. Retre offers an option through the middle every time when he is on. He works hard. Last night we were more direct and had more fight and yet no one seems to see that Retre was an important part of that (Kilkenny bringing the ball out was also very important). Having said all that Genreau had a fantastic debut and looks very assured on the ball. For me, no danger in throwing either in there when we need a bit of energy and fight.

I assume you are asking about energy policy only? There are some positive gas market reforms underway - to increase competition and pricing transparency. However, on the electricity side I don't think I have an example (maybe retail tariff reform). My negative view is that politics is failing at the moment on a range of topics - the rise of populism, the inability to balance the budget, workplace reform, health costs increasing (ageing population) superannuation, tax concessions etc. etc. It feels like we've all collectively lost faith inexpert option, lost respect for politicians and they in-turn have lost all respect for each other leading to the incredibly partisan politics we see today.

Dr Finkel appears to have a good grasp of the material, is consulting widely and is being provided useful ideas from a broad range of stakeholders. I have faith that he will make some strong, needed recommendations on NEM re-design ('NEM 2.0' as he calls it). So yes, fingers crossed. It is at that point that the politicians will get involved........(that is where my optimism expires).

Surprisingly sensible and measured discussion (given the topic). As someone who has worked in the climate change / energy policy space for a decade there are many reasons to lower Australia's emissions. And the aim should be to do this efficiently, effectively and at least cost (without sending industry/businesses offshore). But any policy / carbon tax / ETS / regulation CANNOT be an excuse for wealth redistribution. This is where the arguments of the left seem to have failed.....it is seen as some lefty/green scam to steal other people's money. Any carbon price must be used to lower other taxes so that the overall tax take is not increased (as Tesla says above). However, this was actually tried under Gillard - the tax free threshold was increased and income taxes were lowered by around $4 Billion per annum - but no one noticed, and it didn't cut through against Abbott/Barnaby's great big tax on everyone line. In short, the energy sector is absolutely screwed. Not because of renewables (yes they are one part of the problem) but because the whole sector has become utterly un-investible due to the two major parties backing themselves into their respective ideological corners. There is ZERO chance of sensible policy before 2020. Most of the informed, intelligent rational people i meet in the energy sector are pretty close to just giving up.

Cahill isn't in our best starting 11 for the regular season. But in the big games and for big moments off the bench he needs to be there. Caceres is still underwhelming and i don't think our midfield has been that creative all year. Malik's cup final was his best game by far. We can only hope for more of that type of performance from him. Muscat has been consistent and if he doesn't make the 11 he should be the first sub named.

Connor Metcalfe Younger than the rest and better. Won't play 1st team for a couple of years but definitely has talent.

Surely we can all sing the Super Mario Bros theme in his honour?

Surprised there's so much support for Brattan. Was good on the ball but was 'marking' Keogh for their first two goals.