We've had our annus horribilus and now things are on the up. There's no mistaking it.

Who will be on the receiving end of the endless negative media glare next year?

I'm thinking Essendon and GWS' pursuit of Hurley, Ratten under the pump at Carlton to make the 4 and even Hardwick on shaky ground at the Tiges (with favourite son Malthouse waiting in the wings).

Any others you can think of?

It will be nice to see clubs other than us feel this unwanted heat for a change.

Melbourne overpaying Clark...

Matthew Bate playing 22 games in the VFL, when we had the opportunity to trade for pick 39...

Eyes will still be on the MFC Yoda, especially if we start the year 1-6.

St. Kilda & Goddard will simmer like $cully all year. Can't wait!!

Matthew Bate playing 22 games in the VFL, when we had the opportunity to trade for pick 39...

We should give him the first five rounds form permitting.

We either wanted him to stay or we are massive d!cks.

We should give him the first five rounds form permitting.

We either wanted him to stay or we are massive d!cks.

I think it's this part RPFC. Neeld obviously sees a role for him, can offer no other logical reason for not trading.

Wonderful to see such a positive outlook, billy2803 - you must have really enjoyed the last few seasons !!

I don't think we overpaid for Clark at all. We have been searching for a bloke his size since our previous captain departed. We bought what was needed. It is now the coaching staff's job to make it work. (wirh Clark's help of course)...

I don't think we overpaid for Clark at all. We have been searching for a bloke his size since our previous captain departed. We bought what was needed. It is now the coaching staff's job to make it work. (wirh Clark's help of course)...

I don't think we have either. Posted this thought on the Mitch Clark thread but worth pasting here ...

What many of the media numbskulls can't get through their heads is that the $600 grand plus a year (if that's accurate) we're paying for him is money spent not only on the player, but also on a much needed marketing and morale boost for the club.

So we threw an extra hundred grand a year at him than most thought we should. So what! It was time for our club to be bold.

Hope Harrington, Neeld and co know what they're doing with Bate - I can't see it, but defer to their greater knowledge. Other than that, a bloody outstanding trade week.

I don't think we have either. Posted this thought on the Mitch Clark thread but worth pasting here ...

What many of the media numbskulls can't get through their heads is that the $600 grand plus a year (if that's accurate) we're paying for him is money spent not only on the player, but also on a much needed marketing and morale boost for the club.

So we threw an extra hundred grand a year at him than most thought we should. So what! It was time for our club to be bold.

Absolutely. If he plays a few vote pulling games on class opponents watch the Greg Denham's of the world clamour back on deck. Footy is a controlled gamble in trade week. We took one. I am glad my donated $$$ to jimmy's 100 fund this year helped pull it off.

Overpaid is so subjective. To land a "big fish" you have to pay a premium - thats the way of the world. 4 years time will tell if we under or over paid. I am glad that we went in hard and succeeded.

Wonderful to see such a positive outlook, billy2803 - you must have really enjoyed the last few seasons !!

Hey, there is a lot of sarcasim involved in my post. These are far from my personal views!

Hope Harrington, Neeld and co know what they're doing with Bate - I can't see it, but defer to their greater knowledge. Other than that, a bloody outstanding trade week.

I stand by my 'give Bate a go in the midfield' idea.

He wanted to go but we put a price on his head that suggested we never intended to trade him, that tells me that Harrington was told by Neeld that he saw him playing a role in his gameplan.

I can only see him as a big body with Beamer in the midfield - as Beamer is the only other one that doesn't get pushed off the footy.

I hope we treat him well at the start of 2012 and give him every opportunity to resurrect his career.

We should give him the first five rounds form permitting.

We either wanted him to stay or we are massive d!cks.

I dont disagree with him getting ago, but we arnt in Kansas anymore people.

Games will be earned on merit alone under Neeld, i dont think he is one for, games into the kids, see if he can play yadda yadda

Bate was seen as worth more than 39 in Neelds eyes, so was going nowhere for less than this, lets hope he can bring what he did in the VFL to the AFL.

With his big body he may be the one nobody expects to benefit from Clark>Watts>Jurrah>Green> BATE being the fifth target should suit alot of our guys

Howe and Petterd are in the same boat

I don't think we overpaid for Clark at all. We have been searching for a bloke his size since our previous captain departed. We bought what was needed. It is now the coaching staff's job to make it work. (wirh Clark's help of course)...

I agree, and Tim Harrington mentioned that we are still only paying 92.5% of the cap with the deal made to Clark. Had to be spent somewhere why not on securing Mitch.

I agree, and Tim Harrington mentioned that we are still only paying 92.5% of the cap with the deal made to Clark. Had to be spent somewhere why not on securing Mitch.

Agree totally and with Green & Davey being two of our main payouts coming to the end of their careers we will have plenty to manage our list over the time to win premierships.In particular with free trade coming on board from next year.

I stand by my 'give Bate a go in the midfield' idea.

He wanted to go but we put a price on his head that suggested we never intended to trade him, that tells me that Harrington was told by Neeld that he saw him playing a role in his gameplan.

I can only see him as a big body with Beamer in the midfield - as Beamer is the only other one that doesn't get pushed off the footy.

I hope we treat him well at the start of 2012 and give him every opportunity to resurrect his career.

I reckon Bater's been a bit unlucky and sometimes confidence plays a big part in that. The ball always seemed to bounce away from him and a couple of marks he would have swallowed a few years ago he dropped because he snatched at them. If he has confidence he can be a good player and if the hew coach can have some in him then he could be ok.

It's all looking good at the moment and without the black cloud of GW$culley hanging over us we could have a good year in 2012.

The extra money paid to Clark is simply a "go home factor" buyout.

And who else was seriously available to fill this kind of role for us....................Setanta O'Hailpin?

I'm just damn impressed by the clubs approach to getting Clark..........how many other clubs out there would have simply put Clark in the "he wants to go home, we are no chance" category?

This is simply some sharp work from the Dees here, and should be roundly applauded.

Agree totally and with Green & Davey being two of our main payouts coming to the end of their careers we will have plenty to manage our list over the time to win premierships.In particular with free trade coming on board from next year.

Hasn't the veterans listing changed to be 10 yrs service only? (i.e no age based factors) meaning that Jamar potentially qualifies now, or pretty soon is eligible to go on the veterans list as well.

I reckon Bater's been a bit unlucky and sometimes confidence plays a big part in that. The ball always seemed to bounce away from him and a couple of marks he would have swallowed a few years ago he dropped because he snatched at them. If he has confidence he can be a good player and if the hew coach can have some in him then he could be ok.

It's all looking good at the moment and without the black cloud of GW$culley hanging over us we could have a good year in 2012.

RobbieF every one of my fingers and toes are crossed or will be as soon as I stop typing.

We've had our annus horribilus and now things are on the up. There's no mistaking it.

Who will be on the receiving end of the endless negative media glare next year?

I'm thinking Essendon and GWS' pursuit of Hurley, Ratten under the pump at Carlton to make the 4 and even Hardwick on shaky ground at the Tiges (with favourite son Malthouse waiting in the wings).

Any others you can think of?

Impossible to see, the future is.

But seriously, I think it'll be Nathan Buckley taking the heat for Collingwood's loss of staff and resulting problems living up to the vast expectation of the media and their supporters. Richmond will also come under fire for the reasons you mentioned. Also us, if Clarke just sits on his hands all year.

RobbieF every one of my fingers and toes are crossed or will be as soon as I stop typing.

Fear not old dee we have months before we are going to be tested, just enjoy the "boys are flying, training better than they ever have" period coming up. I think with the burden of "you know who" no longer there and a new coach who is more interested in winning games that quarters, we might be ok.

I don't think we have either. Posted this thought on the Mitch Clark thread but worth pasting here ...

What many of the media numbskulls can't get through their heads is that the $600 grand plus a year (if that's accurate) we're paying for him is money spent not only on the player, but also on a much needed marketing and morale boost for the club.

So we threw an extra hundred grand a year at him than most thought we should. So what! It was time for our club to be bold.

Its not just Clark we are getting from this 600k. Its the ability to free up watts, jurrah and even Martin - thats the real value of this trade i believe. Its almost like picking up 2 extra guns if this move can allow jurrah and watts to get the lesser defenders. The knock on effect of obtaining Clark could be very beneficial.

Back to the distracting spotlight I wonder how Freo fans will react to Lyon if he doesn't get them in the finals? How will the free flowing Freo adapt to the Lyon defense and how will the fans like it?

What are the media going to say when GC only win a couple of games and play worse than they did this year? The reality of the situation may be a bit much for the GC kids?

How much pressure will be on You know who to perform next year, I did a calculation that if he averages 25 possessions a game he will earn $3600 per possession. How will the AFL react when they only get 10 or 11 games out of him?

I look forward to seeing him front the media as captain.

Essendon under pressure to push further. Plus Hurley to GWS talk to keep it lively.

Richmond under pressure to push further... and someone will start a rumour about Deledio or Jack Riewolt for sure.

Fremantle... fans will expect instant results after seeing the club knife the coach so ruthlessly.

Kangaroos are always under pressure.

Carlton, Collingwood, Hawthorn all 'have to' stay top four or there will be the proverbial 'questions raised'.

St Kilda... will be clinging on the edge of the cliff, desperate to not become the 'New North Melbourne' for the next 15 years.

Probably the only club without much pressure on them will be Geelong. If they do badly the talk will just be that they had put in a tremendous, superhuman effort to win that third premiership against all expectations, and now they have to reset with their quiet reservior of young talent.

Melbourne have to make the finals. We can't make any more 'developing' excuses, we can't sack the coach or blame anyone or anything. We have to show we are on the right path.