I would like to throw a BIG THANKS to the following

Grand New Flag

RobbieF

DD36 (even though your joke was in bad taste!)

demoneyes (even though your dates were a bit off!)

Really appreciate your information and it was spot on.

For someone like me who has no contacts or sources it greatly appreciated.

Cheers fellas

Well said Ox. GNF in particular. Given the year we've had (actually make it 2) getting some inside running gave some hope in an otherwise horribilus time.

I still don't believe it - surely something will go wrong? Doesn't it always?

Sorry - I cant wait to see the line up of players and assistants that want to work under the great man.

That's the point though Norm. We have our man. THE man. He's been all the way and can do it again or will at least set us on the correct path to a achieve the ultimate success. I have complete faith that he is the right man who came to our rescue at the 11th hour. Roll on 2014 and beyond.

I can't believe i'll be calling out the "Roooos!!!" chant once more. Only this time he's on our side. Still pinchimg myself!

Look at that banner! And no I'm not referring to McKenzie's bloated "smackos" arm

Edited September 7, 201312 yr by Rusty Nails

Interesting article in the age today

Roos may hang around

Seems Roos was offered a new contract to coach the Swans academy acording to Ireland.

Looks like he chose us over them.

Must like the challenge of us better.

As we've seen so far in all three finals, coaches definitely can make a difference.

Perhaps it's because Freo are more out of sight but I've never rated their list. I thought Geelong was a class above. Yet the Dockers answered every challenge and are now in a good position to make it through to the grand final.

Ken Hinkley was superb tonight against Collingwood and outcoached Buckley who has yet to prove himself given that he has a strong list to work with. I'm not saying we'll make as dramatic a rise as Port Adelaide under Roos but we're not far behind where they were 12 months ago.

What if there's no helping us? What if we destroy Paul Roos' reputation and ruin the career of another would-be coach before it's even started? What happens then?

I had a few too many beers for Roosy Friday night, still hungover #beersforRoosy

I get tired of this journalistic culture of tearing us down. Easy target and there is more mileage in us stumbling.

We all know the best way to shut the naysayers up is by performing out on the field.

In the meantime, the fact that the club brand is constantly in the news should be a positive in terms of attracting new sponsorships and the association with Paul Roos and his standing in the football community can't do anything other than help us secure additional sponsorship dollars.

And now that all the election argy bargy is behind us I'm told there will be more positivity in the economy after so many months of uncertainty. Time for sponsors to get on board.

As we've seen so far in all three finals, coaches definitely can make a difference.

Perhaps it's because Freo are more out of sight but I've never rated their list. I thought Geelong was a class above. Yet the Dockers answered every challenge and are now in a good position to make it through to the grand final.

Ken Hinkley was superb tonight against Collingwood and outcoached Buckley who has yet to prove himself given that he has a strong list to work with. I'm not saying we'll make as dramatic a rise as Port Adelaide under Roos but we're not far behind where they were 12 months ago.

I think people fall into the trap of thinking Ballantyne, Dawson, Mzungu, Clarke aren't excellent, reliable players. And that's the B-grade players.

Fyfe, Hill, Pav, Sandilands, McPharlin. Great squad they have.

I continue to be amazed that Nathan Fyfe was taken at pick # 20 in the AFL National Draft and that we had four chances to pick him but took $cully, Trengove, Gysberts and Tapscott ahead of him.

Mind boggling.

Admittedly I haven't gone through 238 pages, but am I the only one whose enthusiasm is somewhat tempered by the 2 years (plus possibly one) bit?

I have read the rationale, and I am not critical of the club, because it's clear from what PJ said that we wouldn't have gotten Roos at all if we insisted on 5. But in terms of Roos' motivation, I am just a bit concerned he has set himself up in a "can't lose" situation without enough skin in the game. At the end of 2 years, he may do a 3rd, but after that, he has made it clear he would walk away to a coach he anoints. We all know you can maybe set the course within 2, but the real test of whether this list can deliver success will be in probably 4 - 6 years. Given that he would be appointing his successor, all things being equal it would be hard for him to stay should be wish to "stay the course", as that would involve screwing around a successor.

If Roos' motivation is not right, then time might prove we would have been better off with a Choco Williams, who may not be as compelling in the immediate term, but is absolutely committed.

I trust in Roos' professionalism, and I just really hope he is doing this for the right reasons. 2 years is not long.

I continue to be amazed that Nathan Fyfe was taken at pick # 20 in the AFL National Draft and that we had four chances to pick him but took $cully, Trengove, Gysberts and Tapscott ahead of him.Mind boggling.

There were also sixteen chances for other sides to grab him so clearly we weren't the only ones who knew little about him or underrated him.

There were also sixteen chances for other sides to grab him so clearly we weren't the only ones who knew little about him or underrated him.

And who knows if we drafted him he could have turned out like Cale Morton

I continue to be amazed that Nathan Fyfe was taken at pick # 20 in the AFL National Draft and that we had four chances to pick him but took $cully, Trengove, Gysberts and Tapscott ahead of him.

Mind boggling.

Best young footballer in Australia for mine, if we get pick 1 we should throw it on the table and ask for fyfe, it won't happen but at least give them something to think about

And who knows if we drafted him he could have turned out like Cale Morton

Maybe, in 2010 Trengove was definitely the better player of the two but in 2011 Fyfe took off while Trenners hovered.

Anyone else having withdrawal symtoms cause we don't have to hit "refresh" on Demonalnd as much?

I am having cold sweats, the shakes and swaying back and forth!

It's actually good to be a Dees supporter.

I continue to be amazed that Nathan Fyfe was taken at pick # 20 in the AFL National Draft and that we had four chances to pick him but took $cully, Trengove, Gysberts and Tapscott ahead of him.

Mind boggling.

I would "like" this post, but I hate it.

Really hope Paul Roos and Jason Taylor pull off a fantastic recruiting period and we manage to land a couple Fyfe types in this draft, if they are available.

out of interest where was Fyfe rated pre-draft, was he a slider or an unknown?

All picks are so important aren't they? Fyfe with #20.. we have had how many first round picks and we no one even close to a Fyfe.

I continue to be amazed that Nathan Fyfe was taken at pick # 20 in the AFL National Draft and that we had four chances to pick him but took $cully, Trengove, Gysberts and Tapscott ahead of him.

Mind boggling.

I can see us picking Scully, Trengove and Gysberts ahead of Fyfe (which is not to say that they're better players). Scully and Trengove were universally rated as better prospects, and Gysberts was the archetypal "in three years he'll be good" player (which we all know Melbourne loves).

But Tapscott? With him, you knew what you were getting from day one. How the brains trust ever saw anything other than a fringe footballer with him is, as you say, mind boggling.

I had a few too many beers for Roosy Friday night, still hungover #beersforRoosy

Hangovers.. lol. Good luck with them.

#lightemupforRoosy

#RoosYourDaddyAndWhatDoesHeDo?

While Neeld was one of the great coaching disasters, conversely Hinkley and Lyon show that a club's fortunes can progress quicker than people think.

Freo was already a decent team, but Lyon now has them as the most structured and disciplined team in the AFL. Where would Melbourne be now if he was in charge the last two years ? Obviously no-one knows the answer, but I reckon it's a certainty that we'd be light years ahead of where we are now. Lyon learnt a lot from Paul Roos, so that can only augur well for our future.

Last year Port won 5 games and the year before they won 3. I'm not suggesting we can make the same inroads, as our midfield isn't of the same quality, but I reckon Roos will be able to do a lot over the next two years, especially if we have a win or two over this next trade/draft period.

Edited September 8, 201312 yr by Ben-Hur

While Neeld was one of the great coaching disasters, conversely Hinkley and Lyon show that a club's fortunes can progress quicker than people think.

Freo was already a decent team, but Lyon now has them as the most structured and disciplined team in the AFL. Where would Melbourne be now if he was in charge the last two years ? Obviously no-one knows the answer, but I reckon it's a certainty that we'd be light years ahead of where we are now. Lyon learnt a lot from Paul Roos, so that can only augur well for our future.

Last year Port won 5 games and the year before they won 3. I'm not suggesting we can make the same inroads, as our midfield isn't of the same quality, but I reckon Roos will be able to do a lot over the next two years, especially if we have a win or two over this next trade/draft period.

Dockers were always on this trajectory and Harvey very very stiff to lose his job. Agree re Port, their rise has been nothing short of extraordinary and to me is the greatest indictment of Neeld and the MFC, but also our greatest source of optimism.

With the talk of the successor, it shouldn't be lost on people that Melbourne can offer the next chapter for Roos if he wishes to move into a club leadership position. In the The Age there is an article that touches on what that role might be.

It would be fantastic to keep Roos around, perhaps in a similar capacity to what Craig has been doing. I am not sure how the paid football director on the board would go, break new ground there too perhaps.

As we've seen so far in all three finals, coaches definitely can make a difference.

Perhaps it's because Freo are more out of sight but I've never rated their list. I thought Geelong was a class above. Yet the Dockers answered every challenge and are now in a good position to make it through to the grand final.

Ken Hinkley was superb tonight against Collingwood and outcoached Buckley who has yet to prove himself given that he has a strong list to work with. I'm not saying we'll make as dramatic a rise as Port Adelaide under Roos but we're not far behind where they were 12 months ago.

Ken Hinkley has an aura about him that shows a real care for his team. Very secure and has done a great job in buildig the confidence and belief in his side. Imagine if they get over Geelong next weekend.

Ken Hinkley has an aura about him that shows a real care for his team. Very secure and has done a great job in buildig the confidence and belief in his side. Imagine if they get over Geelong next weekend.

It's interesting that Adelaide under Sanderson in his first year were really good and nearly won the big one, but this year they are off the pace, that's without Tippett and Tex of course, but never the less they haven't been as good as they were in his first year.

A few players in or out can make a lot of difference and a bit of confidence can carry you a long way; the trouble is in the next year a lot of players just think it will happen and sometimes it simply doesn't.