27 hitouts to 59. That's a smashing. No wonder they did so well in clearances.

Dermie was just saying he rated West Coast well ahead of Carlton and he expects West Coast to finish between 12th and 15th.

...like I've been saying, Bottom 2.

The Saints may well get over the top of them.

On another note, how in hell did they get 6 Friday night games. 7 will be pushing the AFL to change the draw mid season if not sooner if this keeps up.

...like I've been saying, Bottom 2.

The Saints may well get over the top of them.

On another note, how in hell did they get 6 Friday night games. 7 will be pushing the AFL to change the draw mid season if not sooner if this keeps up.

My understanding is 7 dictate the Friday night games, hence Carlton getting 7, Richmond 7, Collingwood 6, etc.

Clueless broadcaster and they have 5 more Friday night duds with Carlton to look forward to as a result of their shortsighted stupidity. No wonder they're pushing the Stevens/Mick drama so much; they know any match with Carlton from here on will be a dud.

And to think the Bulldogs get none despite their exciting young list and performance last week.

...like I've been saying, Bottom 2.

The Saints may well get over the top of them.

On another note, how in hell did they get 6 Friday night games. 7 will be pushing the AFL to change the draw mid season if not sooner if this keeps up.

Mike Fitzpatrick

My understanding is 7 dictate the Friday night games, hence Carlton getting 7, Richmond 7, Collingwood 6, etc.

Clueless broadcaster and they have 5 more Friday night duds with Carlton to look forward to as a result of their shortsighted stupidity. No wonder they're pushing the Stevens/Mick drama so much; they know any match with Carlton from here on will be a dud.

And to think the Bulldogs get none despite their exciting young list and performance last week.

Wow...if that's right they have no idea. I used to enjoy Friday night footy but I looked at this years lineup when the draw came out and thought there was only one good game listed and that was Port and Hawthorn I think somewhere near the end of the year.

23 rounds, 18 teams. Shouldn't every team get at lest one Friday home game in an even and fair competition? What happened to ours?

Mike Fitzpatrick

I'm sure he would have taken himself out of the room when this was discussed 'Macca'.

This is where you come to the understanding that the AFL's Integrity Commission is named ironically rather than descriptively.

23 rounds, 18 teams. Shouldn't every team get at lest one Friday home game in an even and fair competition? What happened to ours?

We have the good fortune of being the opponent for one of Richmond's 7 Friday matches.

On Carlton's performance tonight, both Norman & Julie would get a game next week.

Probably go OK too. May be a bit of a problem with the blood rule.

And with Mary Poppins on board they could ditch the pre-game hovercraft.

I'm sure he would have taken himself out of the room when this was discussed 'Macca'.

I'm assuming you're being sarcastic rjay but just on the commission, when was the last time we had some representation there?

The Blues list reminds me of some of our lists from the recent past - not much top end talent and a whole bunch of C & D graders ... they are in for a painful year - 6 wins max.

Carlton looking to be in a very familiar position to what we were in a few years ago. Mick admitting the list obviously isn't great and no one wants to come to their club, free agents leaving as soon as they can.

Personally I look at their list and feel it's in horrible shape - the worst thing they've done is not realise the trouble they were in after last season and continue to trade in second rate players on top of already losing their own free agents and whole forward line from a few years.ago. To add to that - the recruits who haven't quite come on yet and the BlueBaggers are in big trouble for a couple of years, one can only hope.

I'm assuming you're being sarcastic rjay but just on the commission, when was the last time we had some representation there?

The Blues list reminds me of some of our lists from the recent past - not much top end talent and a whole bunch of C & D graders ... they are in for a painful year - 6 wins max.

Yep, seems to be in the air tonight...

Of course 'Macca' technically we always have representation because the commission is independent and sits for the good of the game.

Among other things it's because of this independence that we got investigated for tanking and another club didn't. The very independent Chairman Fitzpatrick made sure the right club was investigated. Who did he play for?

The same man that see's Sydney games played at the great Olympic stadium instead of that substandard SCG. Which financial interests does he represent?

The Blues are up the creek, no doubt about that. Of course the independent commission will have to look at giving them a priority pick. Who did the Chairman play for again?

Good old Mike 'I leave the room' Fitzpatrick. One of the many famous 'I leave the room' AFL people of integrity.

...like I've been saying, Bottom 2.

The Saints may well get over the top of them.

The Saints will be licking their lips.

What are the odds for Carlton to win the spoon?

I'm gonna get on it now.

Carltón are in very familiar terrítory, aren't they?? And they don't even have a Nathan Jones who keeps trying. Would Melbourne covet a single player on the Carlton list? I suggest not.

Μick Malthouse will be able to collect the pension ánd geta free bus ride to the ground when Çarlton are next çompétitive.

Regarding the Friday night tv games, I will happily watch 5 more Carlton drubbings if I çan't see the Demons play.

Another 5 possession game from Jones.. Oh dear!

Well, I wholeheartedly take back my disappointment that we didn't land Liam Jones.

My understanding is 7 dictate the Friday night games, hence Carlton getting 7, Richmond 7, Collingwood 6, etc.

Clueless broadcaster and they have 5 more Friday night duds with Carlton to look forward to as a result of their shortsighted stupidity. No wonder they're pushing the Stevens/Mick drama so much; they know any match with Carlton from here on will be a dud.

And to think the Bulldogs get none despite their exciting young list and performance last week.

What I don't understand is why they don't have 2 Friday night games like they do in the NRL and A League?

Surely this would help out the poorer clubs? No one likes Sunday twilight games so why have them?

Malthouse has just blamed free agency on losing Garlett. I'm pretty sure they gave him away and it had nothing to do with free agency.

Another 5 possession game from Jones.. Oh dear!

Don't scoff. You know you'd love to have him at Melbourne...

/sarcasm

What I don't understand is why they don't have 2 Friday night games like they do in the NRL and A League?

Surely this would help out the poorer clubs? No one likes Sunday twilight games so why have them?

I'm sure it's dictated by Seven and Fox's current broadcast agreement. We've seen trials of Thursdays and Mondays over the last few years as a test ground for the next broadcast agreement.

I reckon the ideal schedule would be:

1 x Thursday night (Seven)

2 x Friday night (Seven & Fox)

1 x Saturday day (Fox)

1 x Saturday afternoon (Fox)

2 x Saturday night (Seven & Fox)

1 x Sunday day (Fox)

1 x Sunday afternoon (Seven)

Two day games each day of the weekend, and two night games on Fri/Sat when most people get the following day off. Gives nearly half the league's teams the opportunity for a primetime evening match every single round. Absolutely no excuse to only allow the same rich teams being gifted these matches every week if this were the case.

So Mick reckons players don't want to go to middle to bottom clubs, off the top of my head, some handy players that have switched from one club to a mid2bottom are:

Mitch Clark

Chris Dawes

Bernie Vince

Daniel Cross

Dom Tyson

Jeff Garlett

Lumumba

Sam Frost

Shane Mumford

Heath Shaw

Jono Griffin

Billy Longer

Tom Boyd

Dane Beams

Allen Christensen

Paul Chapman

Adam Cooney

Jonathan Giles

And I'm sure there are a few more.

So an expansion team where no one cares about cares about footy, an accused drug cheating basket case and the Melbourne Football Club have all managed to pick a few cherries, Mick, so that excuse ain't gunna cut it.

So Mick reckons players don't want to go to middle to bottom clubs, off the top of my head, some handy players that have switched from one club to a mid2bottom are:

Mitch Clark

Chris Dawes

Bernie Vince

Daniel Cross

Dom Tyson

Jeff Garlett

Lumumba

Sam Frost

Shane Mumford

Heath Shaw

Jono Griffin

Billy Longer

Tom Boyd

Dane Beams

Allen Christensen

Paul Chapman

Adam Cooney

Jonathan Giles

And I'm sure there are a few more.

So an expansion team where no one cares about cares about footy, an accused drug cheating basket case and the Melbourne Football Club have all managed to pick a few cherries, Mick, so that excuse ain't gunna cut it.

You left off Chris Judd.

Don't write off Mick's concerns due to your hatred of Carlton. We've lost plenty of quality to top tier as well, if it's even all good and well but I do feel Roos and co have played a role in that.

If Neeld had been replaced with another unproven I wonder if some of those names you mentioned would be on our list.

Makes you feel sorry for Ratten. They were a much better side then but i just can't find any sympathy for Carlton.