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I think we would definitely still have drafted Watts because it was clear from the beginning that he had to potential to be a star... just as he is now starting to reveal. Yes, we quite possibly could have (and some might argue, should have) kept Junior. Scully would have been drafted as he and Trengove were streets ahead of the rest; and WYL, to say that Scully was a mistake is nonsense... no-one had any idea what would unfold there and at the time he was the obvious 1 or 2 choice. As R&BB said, hindsight is a wonderful thing. We got Tapscott, so which pick was used is neither here nor there. Possibly they might have gone with Darling over Cook (why am I thinking of Black Adder at this point?). The other one I think may have been overlooked at draft time purely for reasons of physique, might have been the Gys.. but no idea who would have been picked up in his place. Bailey had the unenviable task of essentially trying to rebuild the list from the ground up... overall, his legacy has been the makings of a team that WILL amount to something. And we should never forget the sacrifices (ethical and personal) that he made in order to achieve that; no matter what we might think of his coaching abilities, he put his own career on the line to help set our club up for a better future.

He rocked at VFL level, so i think the Redlegs will do fine with juice.

Guys, let's see what we are at Dec 22nd (one weeks time). My guess is we'll be nearly 1,000 or so ahead of last year. Good to get the 20,000 up a couple of days earlier than last year, anyway.

No worries Roy!

At an aftermatch function once I pointed out to Paul Gardner that it was easier to buy All Blacks merchandise in the city than Demons gear. If you're a tourist and you go in to a city sports shop, like Rebel, looking for Melbourne team gear - you'd have no problems picking up a Victory shirt, or a Rebels or Storm jumper. You'd have to search hard for Demons gear - even during the footy season. We don't get shelf space or prominence like the other Vic clubs. Fact. My suggestion then was that we should have our gear in a shop at Fed Sq. There's a tourist info / booking service flogging trinkets and souvenirs - with the the right kind of display they'd surely ta few shirts (footy jumpers don't have the same ready-to-wear around town utlity as soccer shirts and rugby tops). Ultimately though, winning flags is what sells gear.

Maybe if the NZ-Swedish Badminton player is attractive...

Welcome to pre-season.

Gawn set to have surgery Max Gawn MELBOURNE ruckman Max Gawn will require surgery after injuring his knee during training at Casey Fields on Wednesday. Gawn underwent scans this morning, which confirmed a medial meniscus tear of the right knee.

just relay a quick story. I recently began work at a prominant law firm in the city and met a bloke who had shifted over from N.Z. He has only been here a short while and was not here for any of the last season. He, like many new arrivals is living in the CBD. He, without my pursuasion has adopted the Demons as his team. I asked him why and he explained that being a Kiwi it is all about supporting the area you live in. With many new arrivals living in the CBD we have to push the 'Melbourne' name. 'This is Melbourne' or 'We are Melbourne' would be a great marketing line.

And it's an opiate.

With success brings recognition, the brand has been damaged and watered down over the past 50 years, but it seems the torch may have been re-lit, interestingly this seasons appointees have all mentioned the history of the club as one of the reasons they chose to come, I can feel the embers glowing and catching light when men like Jim and the board start encouraging them to flare. I now have great optimism, I have followed for the past 46 years but now it seems like our time is coming (and not before time) all the suffering will be worth it!. The Melbourne Football Club will take it's rightful place again at the top of the heap...Go Dees 2012

I reckon my analysis quite a few pages back did the job very well, especially considering I've seen no stats or information to support your stance - aside, of course, from stating that some Waugh and Taylor teams couldn't chase in the fourth innings. I'll give you some more info: Australia have won the toss and batted 295 times for 145 wins - 49%. Australia have won the toss and bowled 77 times for 40 wins - 51%. Game. Set. Match.

I thought Bart said the breeding quality is often is more about the dam. Do we need a new thread?

Our list needed a total renovation after 2007. Players of all types. We now have a far more balanced list. I think the recruiting since Bailey took over has been great. Gysberts still worries me a bit. $cully was a mistake, but overall Neeld was given a great list to which he has added what he believes is needed. Now the work really begins.

CAN WE STOP ALL THE TALK AND JUST GET THE SEASON STARTED??????!!!!!!!!! I'M SO EXCITED - BRING IT ON!* *Past preseasons which ended in shithouse seasons are not indicative of future seasons, or even of the future of this preseason.

Who cares. Horse racing is built around insider info. All this does is hurt bookmakers, since when do we care about them? His actions had no influence on the outcome of the game, only on the bookmakers accounts. Are the AFL ever going to reprimand bookmakers when they find out inside information and change their markets accordingly without informing punters. I doubt it.

You took a real situation, then chose to emit certain words to create interest. Thats what you did