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You've seen the expendables... What people know is Viney had his jaw broken. What people don't know is Wojcinski has retired because his body can no longer take the pain after the collision with Jack's jaw.

To say that we have had a disappointing season under Mark Neeld would be a gross understatement. MFC fans anticipated huge improvement on 2011 but were hugely disillusioned. I have nothing but praise for the manner in which Mark Neeld and the football department have reacted to the disaster that has been MFC this year. Enticing 'good' players to our club has been an almost impossible task these past couple of years. It would seem that things have changed. Neeld has set standards from which he has not deviated. He knows exactly what needs to be done to transform us to a tough and competitive team. By the end of next week we could well have several experienced players from other clubs who will become positive role models for our youngsters on and off the field. Neeld's has been a polished performance and I, for one, acknowledge his huge efforts. I'm excited!

INDIGINE - THE POSTSCRIPT by Whispering Jack The recruitment of young indigenous footballer Dominic Barry as part of the deal that brought seventeen year old future star Jesse Hogan to the Melbourne Football Club might appear to some as a mere postscript to a piece of complex trading but, to me, it comes as a revelation. In many ways, Barry's story echoes that of Hawthorn star Cyril Rioli who left his native Northern Territory as a fourteen year old and came to Victoria to study and to play sport. Barry ended up at St. Pats College Ballarat and developed a reputation as an exciting footballer possessing pace and smooth skills despite his light frame. He represented the Territory in this year's National Under 18s and was also a member of the North Ballarat Rebels who were TAC Cup minor premiers but fell out of the premiership race in the preliminary final. More recently, his stocks soared after some stunning results in the AFL Draft Combine. He speaks well and looks to have a strong, intelligent mind. Dominic Barry's transition from a young Alice Springs teenager to playing member of the country's oldest football club has already been one to marvel about given the circumstances and the age at which he embarked upon his personal journey. The next stage will be even more daunting as he faces a long, hard development period during which he will be prepared to become a senior AFL footballer. Barry will be doing all of this under a shadow that now hangs over the brotherhood of the indigenous players within the environment of the game at the elite level. I recently came across this article in the Northern Territory News - Why NT players don't last in AFL. It discusses the difficulties that many indigenous Territorians have in adapting to life in the big smoke. It also evokes thoughts of the controversies that saw Matt Rendell's sacking from his recruiting job at Adelaide and the unseemly false slurs of racism directed at Melbourne coach Mark Neeld earlier in the year. To be sure, there have been many success stories like Maurice Rioli and his nephew Cyril, Michael Long, Andrew McLeod, our own Matthew Whelan and Aaron Davey but the stories of those who did not succeed got me wondering. This is due to the sad fact that one of the list of "failures" is someone who I always believed had the strength to reach the greatest of heights in our game. So what is it that can explain why the bookmark in my copy of Bruce Hearn Mackinnon's book The Liam Jurrah Story: From Yuendumu to the MCG lies unmoved since early September when the news headline read Jurrah quits Demons? Where did it all go wrong? After all, this was a story that had provided so much inspiration before the book was even conceived. In 2009, l heard it direct from the author's mouth at a small gathering of Demon fans at the Richmond Hotel that was once owned by Demon great Ron Barassi. Liam was already an elder among his people in his early twenties and was set to act as an example to the desert inhabitants from the centre of Australia who suffered poverty and whose youth were exposed to alcohol, drugs, petrol sniffing and rampant crime. The Warlpiri Wizard's journey to Melbourne and his role as an athlete was already creating excitement in AFL circles. The story of that journey from Yuendumu to the MCG was meant to establish a new pathway out of hell for some of these kids but none of us could have predicted the intensity of the raging storm about to envelope the remote desert community of Yuendumu. The feud within Liam's community is well documented hereand here. It lingered and festered and ultimately led to the events at an Alice Springs encampment which resulted in criminal charges being laid against Jurrah and others within his family. The repercussions appear to have rendered shut many of the doors to the pathway out of hell. Even in the likely event (based on what I have read in the media of the evidence from the committal hearing) that Liam is exonerated in the eyes of white man's law at the trial set to take place next March in Darwin, those doors will not reopen without the intervention of a great deal of tribal wisdom that is beyond our reach and understanding. We can only pray that peace return to their homes. Meanwhile, these events were taking place many light years away from the Melbourne Football Club which had its own problems throughout the year in other areas. The reality in the case of Liam Jurrah was that despite the support of the club and its members and fans, it was becoming impossible for him to remain a part of that other world with its own heavy commitments and workload while he and his community occupied such a dark space. There are some who feel animosity because Jurrah left the club and headed towards the sanctuary of his family without a word of thanks or without seeking a way out that would have left his club with compensation for an exciting young player whose career had stalled. Others blame it all on his heritage. Those views are uncharitable and selfish. He gave us enjoyment and he provided us with thrills every time he took the field in his short career. He has fulfilled his obligations to us as ours have been satisfied with him but it’s over now, If we must talk in terms of compensation, then I am grateful with the realisation that the Melbourne Football Club has not shunned the Aboriginal footballer as a result of this year's experiences with Liam Jurrah and to a lesser extent with Kelvin Lawrence and with Austin Wonaeamirri before him. That is our compensation - the fact that we continue to openly embrace the talents of our indigenous players after such a difficult year enriches us as a football club. It is what elevates Dominic Barry's arrival this week from a mere footnote to a revelation.

I think that alot of D'landers are neglecting Viney's true value, should we take a mid with pick 4 (and GWS take Grundy) we have 2 of the best 4 midfielders in this draft as well as Barry (ranked a potential 30s pick), add to that Taggert who is effectively a new mid having missed last season and you have 4 highly rated young new midfielders coming in to our midfield. Add to that Dawes and Pederson who will bolster our forwardline (whilst simultaneously bolstering our backline by allowing Garland, Watts, McDonald, Riv?, to remain KPD). They will also aid the development of our young potential superstar in Hogan and Byrnes will fill a role that this year was a clear void in our playing list (might even rejuvenate Davey having another small forward around). And I think that in the first week of the trade period we have filled (to the extent we can) almost all vacancies on our list, obviously an experienced midfielder (I still think Wellingham would have been great but you can't win them all), would be amazing, but it still may happen, Farren Ray would be icing on the cake. Dawes is a great pickup, he is an experienced KPP coming into what is meant to be the prime of his footy career (25-28) he has played in a Premiership, proven that when in good form is a 50+ goalkicker and pack busting machine. He has been out of form this year, but I think that between Nathan Buckley's new style (it could be they don't get along, lets face it Nathan is notorious for this), being forced to play the ruck role which he isn't good at, Cloke's bad form putting extra pressure on him and the fact that his confidence has been low there are plenty of reasons to assume this is an anomaly. I suspect that coming to a new club with two coaches he knows well and gets along with combined with getting to play his favoured role could see a Mitch Clark like spike in form. Not only that but he could be another 7 year player for the dees, we may well could have a Clark, Dawes duo for almost a decade. Also, should the Dawes deal turn out to fail we still have options to replace him (Hogan and Pederson) so he will still have to earn games. Well done Mr Neeld.

I posted in another thread some time ago now that I thought Neeld would revolutionise the Melbourne Football Club and drag it out of the past in to the present, well he hasn't let me down. We are starting to behave like a professional club and not like a bunch of rank amateurs, this is only a start but it brings me joy, we are going after what we want and getting it. Baby steps we have to get some runs on the board but in a few years to come players will want to come to our club and won't have to be enticed. Well done Mark and crew.

Love it how channel 9 reported that they have it on good authority that Melbourne and Collingwood will meet on Monday to discuss the Dawes trade. No Sh!t channel 9 ya knobs.

Due to a shipping error Jack Viney is currently overstocked on wacky waving inflatable arm-flailing tube men and he's passing the savings on to you.

I actually think that this is a great sign for Neeld. If all the potential trades go through and Dawes, Pederson, Viney, Pick 4, Ray and Byrnes run out for the red and blue there will be very few excuses for the type of performance we saw this year. Bailey constantly had his recruiting team go it about it in a way that gave him a youth and inexperience excuse, we need KPF, we draft Watts and Cook and preach patience. We need mids, diddo Scully et al. Neeld took a year to give the whole list a chance to prove why they should stay. Now he's sorting the wheat from the chaff and will stand by his results. Its a brave approach, its a daring approach, but overall I think its a hugely positive move for a club that has been playing it so safe for so long. As for standards, he has doubled the FD, increased training loads, attracted one of the best fitness guys going around in David Misson who has put the club through the hardest pre-season in memory and set clear goals for every player that must be reached, no excuses. Has refused to play players on reputation and has dropped several who would not have been dropped under Bailey, providing positive results for Watts, Blease and a few others, and sorting out which of our players were total sooks for those that couldn't handle it. He hasn't told us as supporters that success is just going to happen on the back of good draft picks, he has basically attacked everything that came before him in terms of elite performance in all facets of the club and he is putting himself in a position where he has backed himself completely and will live or die by it very early in his coaching tenure, rather than trying to preach in a way that keeps his job. He has also taken the most agressive approach to a trade period that our club has taken in a very long time in response to poor performance this year. Pretty good if you ask me. Lets see if it works before we bag him out.

Statue of Norm Smith gets put up, curse ends.

Jack Viney knocks on your front door and tells YOU to fark off.

I don't know if this guy can coach yet, but with his GM skills he would be unbeatable in Madden.

Before we got Mitch Clark, out of our 44 players on the list, only 1 had come from another club, Moloney. Here in lies the problem..... The culture wasn't developing, it was the the old passing onto the new, no diversification. Now the new attitude of this authoritarian style coaching is questioning everything, and new players bringing what they know about successful cultures (without knowing it). This is all leading toward a new (hopefully) successful culture.

Good call. I wonder how long it will take before it is hijacked. The other thing i really like are the players that Neeld has got are all training animals who are fully commited to doing the work required to play AFL. Couch, Magner, Clark, Sellar, Byrnes and Dawes are all highly respected in terms of their focus on training and are all solid citizens (Byrnes is doing the Kokoda train in his off season FFS).. To me this is so important and is a clear statement of Neelds approach and what he considers to be to key to success (as he has made super clear time and time again). I honestly believe this point can't be emphasised enough This is how you change culture. The young players (current and new guys) will be surrounded by older blokes who go for it 100% and not only will set a great example will also not hesitate i suspect to make it clear what is required to succeed. In essence its like drafting in a new leadership group. very instructive that Clark was put in the LG from the get go. It would not shock me for one or more of the new recruits going into the LG next year. This will be the culture Hogan will be joining. No short cuts and the party boy element cut out of the club I love it

Who are these accumulators that you speak of? We never have hardly any players with over 30 touches, and generally jones was the only one you could count on to get more than 20!

Assuming a few things still to go right ... BUT am I justified in sensing the page turning over in the Demons story? Additional to physical capability, these new incumbents seem to bring a bag of maturity, responsibility & positive attitude that has eluded us for a little while. Is Neeld getting together a fresh group of Demons who are going to role model his objectives? So far so very good!

Mate please please stop

There'a a lot of potential there, but only one player listed has ever had one A grade year in the midfield. It's clearly our greatest area of concern. That said, 2 or 3 'A' grade mids completely change the fabric of a side. I watched Hawthorn a lot this year and the significance of Mitchell and Sewell was extraordinary. With those two dominating, plus help from Lewis when he wasn't forward they were clearly a top 2 team. Without those two they don't make top 4. Carlton were flying until Murphy and Carrazzo got injured. With those two playing all year they make top 4 and without them for a chunk of the season they don't play finals. Two more A grade mids with Jones continuing to improve (making 3) and we play finals, imo. That's the significance of quality midfielders. We had Jones having an A grade year and our next best mid in my opinion had a C grade year. Some will say Grimes had a B grade year in the midfield, but on the whole I'd rate his year as C grade, but there was enough promise to show he can significantly improve. He trained with the back-line all preseason, which wasn't ideal for a midfield role. But as you point out we should start developing an array of young midfield talent from next year. How quickly we can develop some A graders is the key.

If he can do it from an accident early on a Sunday morning............

You need to listen to your own advice champ. A more negative nancy, I have not seen.

We need this kid, Im sick of us picking up thin kids who are athletic, they maybe able to run all day but when I comes to playing with the big men they can't hold there own cause they have no size. Then they 4 pre seasons to develovpe there size, that if there not injured. This guy is already big for age and will be ready at to compete with the men from round 1 not round 1 in 4 year like the rest.

My biggest problem with Dawes is the cost, but let's put that aside for one moment. Dawes was on track last year to kick 40 goals, average 16 possessions and average 5 marks per game. They're very good numbers for a CHF. Early in the year even Collingwood supporters were talking about him overtaking Cloke. Then he fractured a knuckle and missed two months. He wasn't the same player upon his return. He didn't have a good year in 2012, but he has shown that he's very capable as a big bodied competitive CHF, which is exactly what we need. So, in form, he's a very good fit. It's easy to forget that 12 months ago Dees supporters were saying that pick 12 for Dawes wouldn't be enough. How quickly we forget. We started the year with picks 3,4, and 13, plus wanting Viney with pick 26. From that lot I wanted Hogan with pick 3, plus 3 other quality mids in order to turn the worst midfield in the league around. Pick 13 became pick 20, which I can live with, such is the promise of Hogan, plus the potential of Barry. And there will be decent mids available at 20, such as Graham and Towers, among others. But if we use pick 20 on Dawes we'll be back to (at best) two quality mids from a midfielders draft. Is it enough ? I definitely value pick 20 more than some others. In a strong draft any picks in the top 20 are valuable commodities. Nathan Fyfe was a pick 20. Dawes is a strong need, I really like Pedersen, Byrnes will prove to be good value, I like the acquisition of Ray on a wing, Barry is for down the track, Hogan is a tick, plus we should get at least two gun young mids, one being Viney, who's already locked away. It's impossible to solve all of your ills in one draft, but I really expected that third top-line young mid and it appears we won't keep pick 20 to get him. All things considered though, you'd have to say it would be a good result. This is the "net effect" Harrington has been talking about. In essence Scully leaving will have delivered Hogan, Barry, and either Wines, or O'Rourke. But things still have to play out. If Rivers leaves we may end up with pick 27 and along with Martin as trade bait there may be other scenarios.

All part of our growth as a club. Clark and Dawes act as calling cards to other potential draftees over the next few years. The Dees are demonstrating ambition which appeals to competitive players. Rather than seeing it as an isolated recruiting decision; Dawes should be viewed as a further lure to other quality players. MFC are investing (some might say "over the market value")in their future by bringing players like this into our list. When finals aren't on offer it will require something else to get players to want to join our club. $$$ and the chance to be part of the leadership group are the attraction. If getting Dawes and Byrnes allows us to rise up the ladder by 8 positions it takes us away from the cellar dweller set and brings other even more highly fancied players into the frame by dint of our proximity to the finals window. As they say in the classics "youv'e got to give a bit to get a bit" Ge Dees

I think he's the albino?

I couldn't agree less. Sellar can play the gorilla back role and Martin (apparently) has intrinsic trade value.

Jack viney can kill a Living Room

[censored] the haters who said nobody wants to play for Melbourne. And ADC, FFS I think you need to end the torture for yourself and find another club to support.

Jack will have his spot on the wing or half back. Has all the assets to play the wing really, really well and in addition he is 196cm and 95kg - imagine trying to match up on him. I've said it before and I'll say it again, Watts is a prototype outside mid.

Jack Viney CAN knock a guy into next week! Jack Viney went to Dave Misson and said my pre game snack will be a grilled cheese sandwich...Misson complied. Jack Viney has already been announced the 2013-2033 brownlow medalist. Jack Viney has a bigger heart than Phar Lap Jack Fitzpatrick, tried to give Jack Viney fashion advice...sadly Fitzy died from a headlock related injury. Jack Viney last year challenged to Brent Moloney to a drinking contest..the loser had to [censored] against the bar and be ejected from the club. Jack Viney sells his urine to Dane Swan and Lance Franklin.... Feel free to add your own facts!

If he is offloaded this soon we could very well regret it. But Neeld has no time to wait for stragglers who cannot adapt to his methods (the elite standard). If it is meant to be it is meant to be.

[media=] What a spud.

Chris Dawes is not only a hard, disciplined trainer, but a solid citizen - he is a role model and leader (similar to our captains) Also, he's interested in coaching and will be a perfect mentor for all our young players. Pick 20 is a steal.

...as Martin Luther said in1517 - October 31st I believe, so very late in the trade period.

It's too easy to criticise the approach the club is taking. Ithink we're doing very well with our list management. Clark last year. The Viney management, the Hogan selection and now pursuing Dawes whose market value is currently low. How about giving us your recipe for success. Trade pick 13 for Pendlebury and pick up Buddy in the PSD?

Jack Viney rebooted Demonology

Add to that list Grimes' continued improvement and hopefully (oh dear) an injury-free pre-season for Colin Sylvia. I'd love to see him play next year in the guts with those boys.

FB: Garland, Frawley, Nicholson (Rivers) HB: Watts, Mcdonald, Dunn C: Trengove, Jones, Blease(Ray) HF: Sylvia, Dawes, Howe FF: Byrnes, Clark, Pederson R: Jamar, Mckenzie, Grimes Int: Viney, Tapscott, Draft pick Looks like we have the 'solid core' of players that Mark Neeld keeps talking about, the forward line will look a lot more potent and difficult to match up on with the three talls down there. If one of them go down doesn't leave us stranded like last year with no one to replace Clark except Rivers. This will help add consistency to our side. Backline: Frawley will take the no.1 KPF, McDonald no. 2, depending on match ups may have to play Sellar as the third tall. Watts will take over the Rivers role he has played previously to this year as the third man up and be able to provide very useful run and carry out of our back line with dunn, both very good and accurate kicks. Garland will take the small forward. Now with this draft and hopefully development we will have more midfield depth with a core group of: Jones, Trengove, Grimes, Howe, Sylvia, Viney, Blease, Byrnes if we pick up Ray he will add more depth. We just need to see proper development to these players who hopefully similar to Jones this year will take the next step forward. Placing pressure on our midfielders hopefully will include: Taggert, Tynan, Bail, Gysberts (if he stays), Morton (big question mark still showed glimpses when he went into the midfield but needs size and confidence), Strauss Hopefully with the addition of Dawes and Pederson for the right price we will have a settled team who can further get used to Neeld's structures and hopefully provide more excitement and put a few more wins on the board!

Where are those irrational critics of Neeld at the moment? Is it not now abundantly clear that he is positively and actively trying to improve this list?

Our new two-pronged forward set-up ... * Credit to the poster on 'Ology who came up with this but I thought worth re-posting here

One of my all time favourites but I do question the part of the story about kicking the late goal against Hawthorn that got us into the finals. Pretty sure that happened in 1964 and not 1959 and that it was the second last game that season. It was also interesting to note the decision of the MFC chairman of selectors in 1968 that Hassa didn't have two years left in him at 28 years of age. Hassa had been the club's leading light along with Stan Alves for a few years and we hadn't been travelling very well. His departure saw us return to rock bottom in 1969 and we continued to struggle for years.

I will post this one again...

Firstly that's not funny, Yarran is crap. Watts is a gun... he played some real Goddard like football this year. Would not want to trade him! I would honestly trade pick 4 and Watts for Cotchin.. thats it

Dawes added to the forward line now means Melbourne can go longer into the 50, less backward kicking, more direct play (even if it is along the boundary). The inclusion of so many good players will definitely lift the spirits and the effort from our other players, looking forward to a rebuilt and revitalised Melbourne next year.

I can't see JW as a key forward. To me, he's a bigger James Hird, or a smaller Adam Goodes. Mobile, and dangerous any time he's near the footy.

Jack Viney has already been to mars....... that's why there are no signs of life.

Comedy gold! As a kid i loved Oscar the Grouch - thought he was hilarious. I'd never block you ADC - too funny. 1415 posts of pure comic genius.

Loving seeing that there is some fresh air about. I am honestly not too sure about Dawes, but that said he wants to come to us and that's a bloody big step toward making me like him. I really feel alot like how I felt last year when we got Mitch. Desite all our problems and issues, the club as a whole is able to target and successfully attract the players that they want, and considering our year, I must say I am quite pleasantly astounded by this. It is nice to feel positive again, isn't it.

Ok how many of us where massive Mitch Clark fans this time last year. I admired the way the bloke went about his footy but had no idea the impact he would have at the MFC I have a gut feel Dawes will make a similiar statement in the Red & Blue Thumbs up for a positive thread 19

A month ago, I thought that Neeld's problem would be that it would take him at least three years to transform the list into his image, but that with a poor run of results, he might not get that long. I didn't think it was possible for him to change things this quickly. The T$ compo picks gave them a head start but the recruiting job done by the FD has been very impressive. Time will tell if MN's game plan will work but he is giving himself every chance of success and you have to respect that approach.

Since 2008: New board New staff New coach No debt and profitable balance sheet New leadership team New young captains New experienced players New strategy First full preseason with all these changes It feels like being in a new car - everything is so shiny and smells so good!!

You've got some serious double standards poita. This is what you wrote about Cale Morton: "I have supreme confidence that Cale will be a very good AFL player in time. The question is whether this club has any confidence in itself to iron out his remaining kinks, or whether someone else will get all the benefits. If Cale gets a smooth, injury free pre-season" Im sorry but you cant tell me that a #19 draft pick who broke their leg, came back into the side, and clearly shows drive and improvement is worse than a #4 draft pick who has more experience yet never improved, impressively soft and showed the drive of Travis Jonstone combined with the skills of Richard Tambling is the weakest player to wear the jumper and should be delisted over Morton. This madness has to have a line somewhere