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So I hadn't really had time to reflect on the off season changes until last night. I opened up the MFC website and went through the list. And boy did it fill me with some satisfaction. A few things first: This isn't a dig at departing/departed players. This doesn't mean I believe we'll make the 8 next year. But with Morton, Bennell, Gysberts, Martin gone, its a release of anxiety and frustration for many years. I go through our list and outside of those that are new/haven't been blooded yet, there aren't many I wouldn't be happy with going out onto the field of battle for the MFC every week. Why? Because they give it their all. They put their hardness and their soul into it. And that is all I can ask for from my beloved boys each week. Anyone else feel like a massive weight has been lifted off the team? It just feels like things are changing for the better. Ps. I know its offseason, so I may just be having withdrawal symptoms.

Agree wholeheartedly with the OP. It's like the club sat down on the bog, clenched it's teeth and shat the remnants of the failed Bailey/Prendergast era out in one big, foul motion. And boy didn't it feel good!

For mine it's quite obvious which is the easy choice to make. Ollie Wines may be a brilliant talent but Jimmy T fills a whole heap of needs for the MFC. We lack any midfield class, other than Jones and potentially Sylvia if he plays there we have absolutely no goal kicking mids. When Collingwoods forwards struggled this year, their midfielders picked up the slack and provided the class. Toumpas reminds me of Beams in a way, he's very much an outside player but when he needs to get contested ball he can and he is just a bonafide finisher. Melbournes smallest issue last year was contested footy. Im quite confused as to whu everyones opinion is that we so desperately need tough ball winners. We have a top 50 in the league hard ball winner and now the best inside mid in the draft. We actually won the contested ball on countless occasions but it was the spread and uncontested that we struggled at. We've added J.Viney who will increase that mdfield hard ball but we NEED someone to run and spread. As mentioned Wines will be fantastic but Toumpas if available would just hit so many more of our needs.

This is the last straw for me. I thought she had some credibility, but I won't believe a word she writes from now on (assuming I'm bothered to read it). She is either a fool, in thrall of someone at Carlton or trying to insert the 'suggestion' by the underhand method of saying no one has made it. Either way, she should hang her head in shame. Where is the Age editor?

Ms Wilson cannot resist the urge to put Melbourne into the mix each time she talks about the Tippett affair. The issues are entirely unrelated. It's such a long walk from where Ms Wilson's at to intelligent, quality, well written and reasoned journalism. Such a long walk. As an aside, if Tippett takes an early pick in the ND or pre-season draft from either GC or GWS, obviously that's going to be good for us. It essentially bumps us up a pick.

He wasn't limping the last few times I saw him. But that could be because I was watching him sleep. But seriously, I didn't notice a limp the 2 times I've seen him recently.

Adrian Battiston vs Chuck Norris

I don't think you can draft a player with a view to trading him two years later.......You must draft for the player who you believe will be a 100 to 150 game player for yor club.....

I am getting sick of this "inquisition", which is what it is. Threatening and intimidating of witnesses belongs somewhere else than an AFL investiagation. Computers now confiscated. I think the next step should be forceful injection of truth serum, to any witness who has given a statement the investigators didn't want to hear. Are we now living in Russia? We have had the man who made the famous remark state it was a joke, several players including the captain, who have said they did their best and the Coach admit only to experimentation and list management. Why then if this is the case is this this still an ongoing investigation? Why also are we the only club being investigated when the Tigers Coach has admitted a breach of Rule 19A to get Cotchin, he admitted doing nothing which is a clear breach of not performing on his merits and the Blues with Fevola and Libba both saying they tanked. Yet on the word of a former player with a less than perfect reputation who has never used the words "tank" or "deliberately lost", we are being subjected to the most intense AFL Investigation ever. All of this after the AFL CEO has cleared and endorsed our behaviour. I am sorry but this is now a bloody joke and a major embarrassment to the game and the AFL running it.

There's nothing wrong with Toumpas' frame whatsoever and I have no doubt he'll quickly bulk up to a satisfactory level. It's sheer lunacy to even consider overlooking him because you don't think he's big enough. I remembered watching him in the championships and thinking that he had a really nice frame that would quickly fill out. When Viney was asked a few weeks ago on radio who was the one player that he hoped would be available at the Dees first pick he named Toumpas. He's in a far better position to judge than anyone who posts on here.

It's true Bobby that plenty of crap has been written in this thread but we have a policy of not closing threads about stories written by members of the journalistic profession until they contain as much crap as the articles which inspire them. On that basis this thread has a little while to run while "The Wilson File" should see it it out to the end of the decade.

Found this thread on BigFooty and thought I would post it here Found this piece of gold while browsing through it. Wife finds her husband in the garage... Wife: 'Good EVANS, WATTS GAWN on here?' Husband: 'Sorry about the mess honey, just doing some adjustments to the DAWES of the MAGNER before we SELLAR next week.' Wife: 'HOWE long will you be? Dinner's on, but I've gotta quickly pop down the RODAN drop the kids off at SYLVIA's.' Husband: 'I'm nearly DUNN. I'm chucking out that old COUCH and the pile of clothes too.' Wife: 'Hmm...there's some good clothes here, I'll see if this jacket FITZPATRICK.' Husband: 'Good idea. Also, have you seen my wrist-watch? I think it's MISSON' Wife: 'No, haven't sorry Darl, look I'm gonna BAIL. Can u check on the oven before the roast BYRNES and don't drink from the kitchen sink, I think the TAPSCOTT rust in it.' Husband: 'Sure thing, bye.' Credit goes to the BigFooty user Gybrush Threepwood

Can also mark overhead and has 2 years at senior level under his belt which he wouldn't have played if he was scared of the contest or not strong enough.

If you can't get excited at this time of the year then you probably won't again.....I love this time of year....All teams are equal....New recruits to discuss.....Hopes are high.......Boys are training the house down.......Draft in 2 days time....Christmas just around the corner......Nab cup starts in 3 months time......Sure beats the hell out of being 1-13 half way through the year....Relax and enjoy it Demon WA....

Alot could unfold, Menzel and Stringer could be genuine chances at both our pick or GWS's imo both rated top 3-5 minimum on talent by many just injured and we have seen these types the Judds and Selwoods come back and say Really? you all missed me ? i just dont think Wines is the top 4 talent with these guys floating around

He will fire next season just like many of the other players. I have high hopes for '13 and look forward to witnessing a massive turn-around.

in her latest article Tippett legal demand to be set free, Wilson has the following to say regarding Chris Judd and Visy:- "There has been no suggestion that Carlton wrote to Visy to set up the deal." For someone who is meant to be an investigative journalist she is shocking at missing the obvious - which is that Carlton's president at the time, Richard Pratt, was also in charge of Visy and that even now, Mrs. Pratt is the Vice President. Surely, Wilson can add 2+2?

I know BH has me on ignore but he really needs some meme-learning... This would be more appropriate... OP - "Watts will be a star..."

He just need to discover some balls. One hell of a talented player who'll never amount to much until he commits to the contest when it's his turn to go.

We are flying RobbieF You know we have not lost a game for eleven weeks. Our form is so good I reckon we could end up with 21 weeks without a loss. Imagine that!

They have an in-house Chemist who does al their testing and.....

Get the F over it already, it's been done to death.

gee mate you should start writing movie scripts. That is an academy award winning story. Brilliant and we all know you have to take the long view. I reckon we get the vault crew on to the middle east problem. It should all be fine by 2016.

You're right Old Dee, you'd have to be silly, so therefore I'm not putting it past the 2009 FD!

I agree PaulRB IMO we wasted most of our early draft picks between 2008 and 2010 by using the wrong criteria We are IMO back at 2008 and starting again. We have added some experience to help out over the next couple of years. If drafting was easy no one would every make a pick that did not pan out. We are still at the start of a long road to the top hopefully we now have a better chance.

TS was just an elaborate ruse, thought up in the vault, to get Toumpas, Hogan and Barry. I'd say our recruitment department don't get the plaudits on that pickup that they deserve. ;-)

Yes, if I could put what Neeld and the FD have done this off-season into four words: Too Many F___ing Projects.

I'd be surprised if they found anything on computers. Are they looking for "Tanking for Dummies" pdf or something.

It makes you a union thug who covered up shonky business practices a decade ago while paying for pros on your government credit card in between selling state secrets to South Korea. You bastard. Caro's on to you. Just as well you hold the balance of power.

I hope you washed it after

She's a hack and a puppet; someone's got a good hold on the strings. How in God's name can anyone support her and the crap she writes.

It's starting to heat up with regards to the playoff picture - especially in the NFC where up to 10 teams have a realistic chance of grabbing a spot. In the AFC it seems a bit more clear cut with only 7 teams vying for 6 spots at the moment (that may change if one or 2 of the 4/6 teams get on a roll) . The playoff standings can be found here

Would we overlook the next Judd or Selwood ect for the same reason? both injured during their draft years? I think Toumpas is a better player than Wines, can play inside even though his inside game is not really pushed as a strong point and is damaging on the outside with pace skill and on the score board.

I'm not sure what to be more disappointed in - the obviousness of the 'strategy' or the fact that it was published as a news story.

Think developing Jack as an attacking rebounding defender is perfect for this stage of his development. Would like to see him play stints on wing and to sneak forward when the matchups suit. Ablett (Snr), Fraser Geric both played some of their early footy on the wing while their (already bigger than Jack) bodies developed sufficiently to hold a key forward spot. With confidence in his physicality and his natural atheticism he should evolve into a player we use to exploit the weakest opposition attacker (to rebound in defence) or the weakest backman when shifted forward. As mentioned having Clark, Dawes, Howe, and Pedersen up forward and Frawley, MacDonald, Sellar down back means he can be played to his best position.

I am always happy to see him with the ball: off HB or wing he will deliver to the forwards with precision and thought, or from HF will slot a few goals. He has the skill to fulfill a role at either end: personally wing would be my preference. Dangerous and difficult to counter - do you play a tall or a quick on him?

Great tv show Watts can be anything though, that fact that he is our 9th youngest player is really interesting! He is definitely our best user on each side of his body, and if he kicks the ball 20 times we will have 17-18 really good passes! It's just getting the ball in his hands. Still young, I just hope he has a season which proves his doubters

His age is the key thing for me, only 21....should get alot better,but i think he is pretty good anyway.

good. Then i got the pH just right !!!

I reckon this kid will kick some arse! He's still only 21. He has sublime skills. He is a good decision maker. He came to the club with ridiculous expectations but with some big body support around him he has the chance to shine. BTW I believe Neeld has already stated that Watts will play back.

Don't you just love this time of the year old dee? All the players are geting fit, they all look good, there are only a few injuries and the times have never been faster. On top of that we aren't playing any games so we can't get beat, it's just heaven. No predictions from me this year I tipped we would do well last season and we all know how that went, so I'l just hope they pleasantly surprise me.

been postponed to 2030

I spent about an hour down at training this morning, and witnessed 30 minutes of light stretching followed by 30 minutes of intense boundary line running over varying distances (usually between 200-400m). Players were paired up and ran in the following order: Nicholson/Bail - Nicholson was machine-like, and clearly the fittest guy running today. Bail was gradually worked over, but not for want of trying. Spewed up post run Magner/Howe - Good contest. Howe shaded Magner early, but Magner kept going at a constant rate and ended up in front. Howe pulled out of the last 3 or 4 runs. No obvious injury Trengove/Jones - Even battle, with JT gradually gaining ascendancy. JT looked sprightly McKenzie/Watts - McKenzie slowly but surely pulled away from Watts. Watts tried hard, and avoided getting overtaken from behind (until a little fella got him on the final run) Burns/Rodan - Burns comfortably. Rodan started struggling about halfway through Strauss/Viney - Even for the first half of the session. During the final part of the session, Viney ended up eclipsing Strauss. Then Rodan. Then Burns. Then Watts. It was a super effort. Davis/Frawley - Davis ended up ahead of Frawley. There were various other groups after this, but I was more focused on the lead groups so didn't pay much attention. From what I did see: Pedo/Gillies - Ran together towards the back end of the group. Spencer - Fittest of the big men Davey - Clearly the worst performer Taggert - Clearly the second worst performer Tapp - In one of the end groups, but was better than that. Encouraged the otehr boys well. Looked for leaner and glided across the ground. Jamar/Dunn/Fitzpatrick - Did a lower volume of running compared to the others. Fitz, with his Forest Gump running style, was the stand-out. Jamar eclipsed Dunn. Grimes/Barry/Blease/Tynan - Did laps with each other. All moved nicely. Barry is whippet-like and easily kept up with Grimes. Tom MacDonald - Worked one-on-one with various coaches completing kicking and ball-gathering drills. Sylvia - Light skill work on the other oval. Gawn/Hogan - Walked laps then disappeared. Clark - Didn't see him today. Last week he appeared to be walking with a slight limp (for what it's worth).

I be prepared to look at Agarn - but a definite no from me on Vanderbilt. Shocking vision apparently.

silvagni further elaborated " We have a fair idea of who we want to select with our first three picks but a lot is dependant on who is left for us to select from - our strategy has always been to do our part to make this non story a really really non story non story"

The addition of Chris Dawes, will help players like Mitch Clark, Jeremy Howe, and any other forward! It means opposition defenders will need to be more mindful of our f50 and it will help give us multiple options going into our f50 not just Mitch. Blease and Byrnes will also benefit, as we will be able to have more contests in our f50 that we are able to be competitive and if not win these contests to positions on ground to our crummers advantage! If Dawes kicks 35 goals, Clark kicks 50 odd goals, we should have a decent season!

This is where I have a problem. The events that we're discussing took place in 2009 and many of those involved in them have either gone or are now employed in different roles at the club and are indeed, by all accounts, doing well. Should we upset the apple cart because certain malcontents have told their grubby little stories to an over zealous investigator who has in turn passed this information on to a person in the media who despises thes "senior personnel"? This is the opposite of a democratic and fair result and, as a member I object strongly to such an outcome which would be tantamount to handing a victory to those who plotted against these personel and thereby jeopardised the interests of the club. I can see how some consider that this is not really about tanking and breaking AFL rules (whatever they may be) but instead, its about doing a hatchet job on people at the club who might not be popular with their critics.

Thank you Jbag for broadening my education - specifically my vocabulary. I just researched the previously unknown "chode". Fantastic- I cannot wait to use it. In the most inappropriate circumstances of course.

Miller used to crash packs but they changed the rules and he got done a couple of times and changed his style, it was really the end for him.