Who Will be Melbourne's Senior Coach in 2008?

[Jumping Jack Clennett 1,749]

You would be doing yourself no favours Jack.

Connolly was a skilful players who was cut down by injury before he had a chance to hit his peak. He never reached champion status and its debatable if he ever would have.

We were a mile away from the 1987 flag and Connolly on one or two legs would not have got us closer.

Rhino, Waynewussell said that Connolly was an "average" player. You are backing up my contention that he was better than that by agreeing that it was arguable that he may have reached champion status had he not been injured.

You say we were a mile from the '87 flag. I say we were a 15m. penalty from the GF. Carlton won a lack-lustre GF. We were on an incredible roll. We beat Carlton 3 times in 1988, including in the finals. I say we would have given them a blooody good game had we made the GF. I have it on good authority that Wilson was the only player who'd have missed the match (NOT Flower) and Dirty Dave Williams would have been an excellent replacement.

[Kit Walker 225]

Latest Odds from SportsBet. Bloody Conolly's shortened.

Any other person represent's good value given that Sheedy, Pagan or Laidley could be available.

Chris Connolly 3.00 Any Other Person 4.50 Mark Riley 6.50 Guy Mc Kenna 8.00 Todd Viney 11.00 Brett Ratten 11.00 Michael Voss 12.00 Chris Bond 12.00 John Longmire 17.00 Mark Harvey 17.00 Peter Sumich 34.00 Damien Hardwick 51.00 Brian Royal 67.00

It's interesting that Hardwick hasn't had much media attention in being a chance to get the job. Hated him as a player but I remember that Mark Williams (Port Adelaide version) recruited him as a player for his finals experience and leadership. He was a vital component of taking them from a great home & away team to premiership winners. As a player won a B&F at Essendon, All-Australian and won premierships with two clubs.

Hardwick was also not known for his softly-softly approach. I don't know what he's been like in the role of an assistant coach at Hawthorn but would be interested to know.

[Yze_Magic 3]

Mark Williams had CC pencilled in for The Demons this morning on SEN

Wont happen

Well, better not bloody happen

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

Rhino, Waynewussell said that Connolly was an "average" player. You are backing up my contention that he was better than that by agreeing that it was arguable that he may have reached champion status had he not been injured.

You say we were a mile from the '87 flag. I say we were a 15m. penalty from the GF. Carlton won a lack-lustre GF. We were on an incredible roll. We beat Carlton 3 times in 1988, including in the finals. I say we would have given them a blooody good game had we made the GF. I have it on good authority that Wilson was the only player who'd have missed the match (NOT Flower) and Dirty Dave Williams would have been an excellent replacement.

JJC,

No I am not. I am saying that Connolly injured his knee which preventing him from potentially ever establishing him as more than an average player. I never said he would be and I never said it was likely. You have alrwady claimed as a champion. He was nothing of the sort.

Our incredbile roll came to a halt in the second half of the final. We were a mile in front and fritted opportunities away in the last quarter. We choked big time and lost the belief to nail it. I do recall the match be a hard fought and physical game to the finish with both sides coming off battered. You are fantasizing JJC about Flower. He did his shoulder and was not coming back that year.

It was a lacklustre GF because Carlton were playing another team battered on a 28 degree day. before A friend of mine who played in the Hawthorn side admitted they had burnt up their fuel at VFL Park and were sore and emotionally spent upon winning that final. I cant see how MFC would have been any different. We would have been as close as Hawthorn that day. A mile away.

And Chris Connolly would have need to be Chris Judd to have made a difference. And they only shared their first names and nothing else.

[Elmag 5]

Why not go after Mark Thompson -especially if he wins the flag - if I have heard it right he hasn't be re-signed as yet, they're doing that aat the end of their season. If we don't chase him Carlton will - as Dick Pratt says : the best man is often doing the job somewhere else

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

Why not go after Mark Thompson -especially if he wins the flag - if I have heard it right he hasn't be re-signed as yet, they're doing that aat the end of their season. If we don't chase him Carlton will - as Dick Pratt says : the best man is often doing the job somewhere else

Three things:

1. If Bomber wins the Cats first flag in 44 years, he aint going anywhere. In fact unless they crash and burn from here, he aint going anywhere period.

2. What makes you think we can outbid Carlton for a new Coach?

3. Why after 5 years at Geelong and having a flag would Bomber toss in his cookies and walk out to an underperforming club like ours?

[Elmag 5]

Rhino - I agree with you on all three points - but if you never ask him, you'll never know.

If he stays at Geelong like we expect, great. But I'd hate it if Carlton asked and got him and at price we could have afforded, and we didn't even ask.

If melbourne want to get better, they have to be more aggressive both on and off the field.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

But I'd hate it if Carlton asked and got him and at price we could have afforded, and we didn't even ask.

Elmag, its a low probability ask so I think you can relax on that one. Cheers

[whitito 187]

Can you sack a caretaker coach?

Only Joking.

I hope we dont go through the "process" and miss out on the best guy out there, as the Blues must be close, the Dockers have the cash to splash and what do we have to offer?

What we have is the ability to offer a job NOW!!

[Demons 32 235]

I will be shattered if Connolly is coach.

He had a marque guy. Pavlich. If we had a Pavlich we would be in the 8.

If you are lucky enough as a coach to have a marque player then you better win because if you don't you are seriously bad.

I DO NOT WANT VOSS anymore, I used to, not anymore.

Viney is the man. 3 years as an assistant, a former Melbourne captain. Coached Moama in the country league. Expirience, knows the club.

However Ratten is a terrific choice. Amazing player, great leader and was an assistant at Melbourne.

The final strong option is Mark Harvey. If he only manages to win 2 more games as caretaker. Freo will go for Neale or Peter Sumich. Therefore he would be available. Less likely choice but still a possible option.

NO CONNONLLY.