Having an argument with a friend of mine the other day about Richmond. Because this guy is always in my ear about how great they are going to be and how their list is the making of a team of the century, i have grown to hate Richmond. I always want them to lose so he will shut up.

I have made a bet with him already, and it is still a year being off complete, but the bet is that Melbourne will finish higher than Richmond on the ladder next year.

Was this a stupid bet?

Personally i think it's a lock for me to win.

If he wins i have to nude run a Km on Nepean highway, and visa versa

Their side is pretty bad, but ours isn't much better, if it all. All I can say is I hope you're prepared to put up, because that's a risky bet.

50/50 I reckon.

I think you're safe. Richmond seem to have a long road ahead of them. I would be very, very dissappointed if we finished below them.

Was this a stupid bet?

for him...most likley. Richmond are heading for some pain.

still I keep my bets to bottles of Port......ya just never know !!

It's an interesting bet.

Hardwick will strip [pardon the pun] the Richmond list back to the bones, whereas Bailey did that with Melbourne when he took over, so Melbourne are probably in a better position to push forward in 2010.

Injuries will come into it, as both teams don't have alot of depth. You'd be hoping Richo and Cotchin don't play full seasons just like they were unable to this season.

In the end, there was only 1 and a half wins between the 2 this season, so it's a close thing.

Good luck, what part of Nepean Hwy? Near Southland, or closer to Frankston, or up near Elsternwick?

I put it about 60/40 our way all other things being equal.

Good luck, what part of Nepean Hwy? Near Southland, or closer to Frankston, or up near Elsternwick?

I think it will be the equivalent of Gardenvale to Elsternwick along the hwy

I think it will be the equivalent of Gardenvale to Elsternwick along the hwy

good choice, not too populated until you hit Elsternwick.

You should be fine. I really think our list is well in front of Richmond's. We should be aiming for the 8-10 win mark next year, whereas I'd think Richmond won't do much better than their 5 and a half wins this year.

Richmond's list has so many holes in it. Threadbare forward line, some good midfielders surrounded by rubbish, and one or two decent KP defenders alongside more rubbish. No ruckmen either.

Threadbare forward line, some good midfielders surrounded by rubbish, and one or two decent KP defenders alongside more rubbish. No ruckmen either.

A harsher critic than I could say you are describing Melbourne!!

Still bleeding_R&B - I think you are safe.

I think it will be the equivalent of Gardenvale to Elsternwick along the hwy

I hope you'll give us Bayside residents a bit of a warning before you or your mate decide to go for a nude run.

In my very biased opinion we are a better side than Richmond and we'll finish higher than them on the ladder next year.

easy win by you.. tigers have been trying to win the end of this season and are still crap.. we could have won a lot more games if it wasnt for our tanking/injuries.. when we get our players back and picks 1 & 2 next year.. top 8 here we come!!! (ok maybe not top 8.. but higher then tiges thats for sure!!)

I think you may be laughing at your mate come this time next year.....

good bet,i think Tigers n Swans be in the running for last,as will Freo like usual.We prob finish 10th-12th area

I think you are 95/5 safe.

Richmond not only have a new coach who will most probably develop a new game plan that will take a year to be played well. AKA Melbourne 2008, St.Kilda 2007 (under Ross Lyon). They are also rebuilding and have slashed their list which as we know too well means initial pain. Further Richmond play Cousins, Richo, and Newton who are their best players, but also old. I can't see these guys being as good in 2010 and see likely injuries due to age.

Melbourne beat Richmond twice this season (yes round 18 was a win on all levels). We were a better team this year in all manners except the ladder........... and we all know that story. I certainly don't expect Richmond to improve more than Melbourne next year. Infact I expect them to be last most years for the next 5.

Think you can keep your pants on!

I hope you'll give us Bayside residents a bit of a warning before you or your mate decide to go for a nude run.

I'm probably gonna put it in the Bayside Leader. headline as follows "Hwy Streaking benefits disgruntled housewives."

I hope you'll give us Bayside residents a bit of a warning before you or your mate decide to go for a nude run.

Jaded waiting for the warning:

Either way I reckon.

You can't forget that the Toigs were widely tipped for top 8 this year, and with a new presence off field, they've got a decent chance of knocking us off.

For some reason I thought that from the thread heading that this would be something about Mad Monday.

Anyway, I think youre pretty safe. I think we'll finish higher than the Tiges next season.

I think we'll do it comfortably.

Having an argument with a friend of mine the other day about Richmond. Because this guy is always in my ear about how great they are going to be and how their list is the making of a team of the century, i have grown to hate Richmond. I always want them to lose so he will shut up.

I have made a bet with him already, and it is still a year being off complete, but the bet is that Melbourne will finish higher than Richmond on the ladder next year.

Was this a stupid bet?

Personally i think it's a lock for me to win.

If he wins i have to nude run a Km on Nepean highway, and visa versa

Tell me one thing.

Are you male or female?

A harsher critic than I could say you are describing Melbourne!!

Ha, yeah maybe. Well I rate our backline well above their's, our midfield, whilst it doesn't have the stars that they do (Deledio, Cousins, Cotchin, Foley), could easily compete with their's, and we have a better forward line. And Spencer and Jamar are better than Vickery and whoever their other ruckman is.

easy win by you.. tigers have been trying to win the end of this season and are still crap.. we could have won a lot more games if it wasnt for our tanking/injuries.. when we get our players back and picks 1 & 2 next year.. top 8 here we come!!! (ok maybe not top 8.. but higher then tiges thats for sure!!)

Good point. Richmond really did look awful for the majority of the year, and that was a team that wanted wins. We didn't look any worse than they did.

If we are not clearly better than Richmond next year Dean B will really start to feel some heat.

They are poor and we had to work at losing to them.

I am a fan of Richo but I don't think he can make enough of a difference when he comes back.

Keep yer shirt (and jocks) on.

If he wins i have to nude run a Km on Nepean highway, and visa versa

I'm not far from Nepean...do you have too? But don't worry, you'll be safe. I can't see us finishing below Richmond next season. Or any season for many years.

go dees

It's a good bet in the sense it's in your favour. He wouldn't have risked so much unless he thought the dees were bad. It's just McMahon has given him a false sense of security.

But it's a long way from a lock. Even if we win 5, 6 or even as many as 8 next year, they could just as easily have a lot of luck with injuries and end up higher up than people expect, especially if Cousins plays more than he misses.

I'd be nervous if I were you, as either way I think you're unlikely to find out until at the earliest, the last few weeks of the season. Neither team will win many, but they'll be close on the ladder.

Richmond are more headed for long term pain.