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And a truly remarkable achievement to finish 3rd in the b & f considering he wasn't in the best three for his team more than once or twice during the season. I think it might have something to do with the unique voting system at GWS where they weight the votes by multiplying the score by each player's pay packet.

Well done to young Tom. The former no. 1 draft pick seems to have been successfully turned into a tagger. The fact that he averaged the same amount of possessions and had an inferior rating to our own Jack Trengove, who we and the industry considered to have an exceedingly poor year matters not.

While Neeld was one of the great coaching disasters, conversely Hinkley and Lyon show that a club's fortunes can progress quicker than people think. Freo was already a decent team, but Lyon now has them as the most structured and disciplined team in the AFL. Where would Melbourne be now if he was in charge the last two years ? Obviously no-one knows the answer, but I reckon it's a certainty that we'd be light years ahead of where we are now. Lyon learnt a lot from Paul Roos, so that can only augur well for our future. Last year Port won 5 games and the year before they won 3. I'm not suggesting we can make the same inroads, as our midfield isn't of the same quality, but I reckon Roos will be able to do a lot over the next two years, especially if we have a win or two over this next trade/draft period.

I continue to be amazed that Nathan Fyfe was taken at pick # 20 in the AFL National Draft and that we had four chances to pick him but took $cully, Trengove, Gysberts and Tapscott ahead of him. Mind boggling.

This might be a real line in the sand moment for the MFC. Time to develop that "us against them mentality and gain a real ruthless edge". This concerted campaign against us over the PP and AFL assistance is getting somewhat vicious. I think we need to get on the front foot. Eddie talks about all things being equal so lets get that out in the public arena. I agree, all things should be equal. Lets call for each team to get the same amount of interstate games, friday night games, sunday 4.40 games, games at Skilled stadium just for starters. Lets call for all other teams that received PP's to be investigated for 6 months over tanking. Lets stop the 18 games at the G the Pies get. Lets make all sides wear genuine away strips. Brad Scott attacked us last night. Lets examine how much AFL money was given to the new North Centre at Arden Street. How much diod the Bombers get. The Pies for Lexus etc. The AFL is about money and not fairness. The reason we will get a PP is not because of altruism by the AFL, but rather that it doesn't want empty stadiums and non watched telecasts. A non competitive MFC will affect the next TV rights deal as we will be an impediment. I say lets get on the front foot and bring these issues into the public arena. It is time for us to play tough and be tough. I am not attacking the AFL here as they are there to run the game over the self interest of the clubs. That is what is happening here. We would have romped a PP in under the previous formula but the AFL changed it and all clubs agreed the AFL could still award one. Now when we look certainties to deserve one under the agreed criteria, the other clubs are bitching. I think it is time to get aggressive and put them back in their place. We should be on the front foot and start bringing into the public domain the hypocrisy that is the other clubs.

I had a few too many beers for Roosy Friday night, still hungover #beersforRoosy

Choko, cutting away all the soin, the real reason behind the shorter contract is Roos's ability to hold the club to accountability and ensure the improvements and direction he has been promised are maintained throughout. If, in two years the club is 'wandering off course' or characters like stockdale are meddling, Roos has ensured he will be able to pull up stumps and leave. Think if it as Roosy's insurance policy. However, should the club be tracking along the path he has been assured it will be then I am very confident of the information ive been given that he will be most definitely be extending that contract. It is actually in our best interests as supporters, this shorter contract. The club will be forced to tow the line or their golden boy will walk out the door. No more Scwab like egos coming in and &*^%ing around if they want Roos to renew. Im very comfortable with how things sit.

There is no way a 17 year old can be truly evaluated as a footballer. Players get overlooked because they mature slower than others. Some players mature early so therefore get picked early. It's not that complicated. Some players never get any better than their last under age year - impossible to predict that too. For those of you who played competitive team sport, just think about the difference in your own abilities at age 17 as compared to age 23. And more importantly, others around you. However, development is a huge factor as well ... Roos himself has mentioned a number of times how important it is in those first few years of a draftee's career. He has spoken about the right environment, culture and coaching. We've really got ourselves much more than just a coach.

It doesn't reinforce anything other than the fact that Oliver Wines is currently the better player. Taken in isolation, Melbourne made a mistake. But the fact that Toumpas supporters can't point to any evidence of him being a better player is not an indication of anything yet; the sample size of games is simply too small. Recruiters do not have the job of picking the player who will perform best in their first year; their job is to pick the best long-term prospect. That may turn out to be Oliver Wines, but to say that Wines is "there" implies that the best that could be hoped for from Toumpas would be to match him. Did you ever stop to think that Wines is already at (or near) his best, while Toumpas' version of "there" is likely miles ahead of Wines'? Had we made the reverse decision, what would you have said in five years time when Wines were Moloney Mk II and Toumpas were Scott Pendlebury the Second? "Oops. I guess I was wrong on that one. Maybe next time I won't blow my load so quick." I doubt it, since you be too busy complaining about the next long-term prospect we pick up.

As we've seen so far in all three finals, coaches definitely can make a difference. Perhaps it's because Freo are more out of sight but I've never rated their list. I thought Geelong was a class above. Yet the Dockers answered every challenge and are now in a good position to make it through to the grand final. Ken Hinkley was superb tonight against Collingwood and outcoached Buckley who has yet to prove himself given that he has a strong list to work with. I'm not saying we'll make as dramatic a rise as Port Adelaide under Roos but we're not far behind where they were 12 months ago.

I take Roos at face value - in 2 years of 3 years time, he will handover the head coaching position to someone else. Now, I console myself with this fact in the knowledge that 36 months is enough time to get this place right - it is, and with the possibility Roos will play a 'Craig' type role after those 3 years or some other role at the club. Guys, get your head around it - within weeks we will know who our next coach will be and they will take over in 2016 or 2017.

Wingard has had a breakout year but i'm sure port fans would have been spewing they didn't draft so and so instead of wingard when Primus was in charge. I am a big fan of Toumpass. When he gets the footy I stay calm unlike when most of our butchers have it. The pure excitement he had when drafted by us is something I won't forget. Nathan Jones wasn't who he is today as a footy player when he first wore the red and blue. But he has busted his nude nut to get to where he is. Don't discount Jimmy doing the same.

Some wines that mature early, are really crap if you leave them for 10 years or more.

Some Wines mature exceedingly well and quickly! Just like the "Ollie" variety! Particularly in cut and trust "Finals" Pressure! Named in BEST, 2 Crunch goals, An irresistable package! Hnmmmm, not a bad player!

Was funny watching Fox Footy and seeing Roos sitting there in his suite and thinking bloody hell he's our coach! Still pinching myself tbh,

Cracking finals series so far. Roos asked a few times in the post match interviews why Duigan wasn't getting a game. Would love him at Melbourne. Was chuffed to see him get a chance and do well.

Jack reiwoldt rivals that GWS player for being overpaid and over rated.

+1 bb Wines is playing his second finals game next week. Toumpas is struggling to maintain a spot in the worst team in the competition. Who knows what the future will bring but right now the are in different leagues.

I have said this a couple of times on different threads. The answer may be in a pick coming back our way. If we get PP1 then it's Boyd and quite a few clubs will get very friendly with us. The best deal may be a couple of good players and a pick back. In other words, clubs could be so desperate to get Boyd, that they might pay slight overs and trade a couple of good players and say give us their first round pick, or maybe their second round pick and then swap rounds with us all the way through the rest of the draft. Who knows, but PP1 would put us in a great position to get players that immediately improve our side.

Pick 2 for Adams and pick 10 Pick 10 for Shuey/Selwood/Sloane/etc.

Me too. Malthouse to progress further in the finals than Buckley. Sign me up for some of that. Plus all this "Go Richmond!" crap that seems to have permeated across the league is grating on me. I want them to be bundled out at the first hurdle.

The mods must be spending half their time shutting down Ollie Wines threads. It's time to get over it. We may lure him home in the future once we're a good side, who knows. For now he's a Port player and he seems pretty chuffed about it. Move on.

He got his wish. Collingwood have a significantly larger break than they thought they would.

Mark Neeld linked with North Melbourne - Jordan Gysberts rapt!

He lied to a very sick jim stynes. To his face. I will not forget or forgive.

Ah yes, good ol' Jimmy provided a great bandaid solution -- like those before him -- in keeping Melbourne afloat for a few more seasons. His overseeing of Bailey, Schwab, 186 and beyond are indicative of a fantastic stint as club President... With all due respect, Jimmy was a fantastic man and servent of the club, but his legacy was and will remain the Schwab era of the Melbourne Football Club. Jackson and Roos are basically starting from scratch and have very little to salvage from the era before them. Let's get real. Jackson has been a far more important figure in 6 months than Stynes was in his time. Granted he demolished the 3-mill debt, but let's not thank Robin Hood for throwing money at a town but being unable to create a system that constructively uses the money to maintain sustainability. Best we forget the Stynes era. His hard work would have been forgotten and ridiculed if he were still alive considering the eventual path the club took. And yes, I think we'd still be in this position if he were still alive. 186 happened under his watch. Harsh truth.

Don't want them? I want every supporter we can muster. Those returning should be welcomed back. It's not like they're riding on the coat tails of success, they just have a reason to believe again.

Ive decided after all these years, much thinking and considering of all the things that really matter that this is my preferred away jumper. F*#K them all . We are Melbourne

I bloody hope we can crack 40 k and I don't see why it can't get to 45 k before the start of next season. We currently have just over 33 k members, PJ has stated we have lost ~ 12 k in the past two years, 45 k should be the target... not to mention the potential of any new additional memberships. I hope the staff and volunteers have been back tearing up the phones in the hunt for new or renewed members whilst the Roos hype is high. Let's hope Stynes wish finally comes true.

Roos has stated he wants players that run hard both ways. End of conversation.

Not that it matters or that I care anymore (no really I don't) but $cully finished 3rd in the GW$ B & F. http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-09-07/cameron-the-top-giant I tell myself that he is probably spitting chips now that we've got Roosy and that helps me sleep at night (and dream about Hogan).

We should be going the best available candidates, regardless of whether they played for the Dees or not. Look what happened when we went after Dees people only...

Anyone else having withdrawal symtoms cause we don't have to hit "refresh" on Demonalnd as much? I am having cold sweats, the shakes and swaying back and forth! It's actually good to be a Dees supporter.

I forgot to say that we should tell Eddie to shut up about us and worry about his 6 day break this week.

You would have rocks in your head to think that Moloney would not have been a useful plus in our midfield this year. He is no star and is an honest limited C grade footballer. But MFC were an E grade midfield and Beamer tore us a new one when we p,sued them earlier in the year. But if we are truly serious about improving this year we need to focus our attention on mid field talents above players of Beamers calibre. I am not sure why there would be a groundswell to get him back.

We all know the best way to shut the naysayers up is by performing out on the field. In the meantime, the fact that the club brand is constantly in the news should be a positive in terms of attracting new sponsorships and the association with Paul Roos and his standing in the football community can't do anything other than help us secure additional sponsorship dollars. And now that all the election argy bargy is behind us I'm told there will be more positivity in the economy after so many months of uncertainty. Time for sponsors to get on board.

Seriously, this is pathetic. We chose Toumpas. Get over it.

We'll have Heppell and Zaharakis thanks

Bandwagon members means that there's a bandwagon to join. Great! I welcome them with open arms.

Yes, number one flog is my chief ambition. I'm not against differing opinions. I'm just not going to argue with someone who has at best misinterpreted, or at worst misrepresented what I have said in a gross fashion. You're clearly not catching what I'm pitching so I'm giving up. Edit: if it helps, in principle I'd love it if we picked up Scott Selwood and don't think it would set us back in the least. My problem isn't with Scott Selwood.

I don't want them but unfortunately the club needs them

Jim Stynes intentions were absolutely pure for the MFC, he will go down as one of the most important figures in our history. He'd of done anything for the MFC and hopefully we surpass his dream of having over 40k members. Thanks Jimmy.

Exactly how good do you think Aish, Kelly, and Sheed (midfielders) are? And which one would you take because that is the challenge. Also what do you base it off... media hype? Why not trade pick 2 for Coniglio, O'Rourke, or Macrae... they are in the same category as those stated above... I doubt anyone here would. I'm sure one of these three midfielders you've stated will turn out to be great, although it's likely in time one or two will disappoint and not live up to expectations. Also I ask would you trade pick 2 for Joel Selwood? I'm sure everyone here would in a heartbeat. If so what would be the maximum you’d pay, again I'm sure most people here would be happy to pay overs (more than pick 2). As for Scott he's not that far off Joel he matches him in nearly all areas of his game ex. shots on goal and assists. So I look forward to seeing what he'll produce within the next 2-3 years and YES I would want S. Selwood over 1 of those three midfielders that you've stated. If you still think little of Scott Selwood look at the statistics below in comparison to his brother. Both in their 6th season: http://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/ft_player_compare?tid1=19&pid1=2322&tid2=10&pid2=1725&type=A&fid1=S&fid2=P&fopt2=2012

Why don't you just take enquiries in the best possible way? There is no need to be passive aggressive, with what has happened these last couple days, I hardly think getting Ling as an assistant is out of the realms of possibility... I simply wanted to know the context and the source of the info. And, no, I am not convinced that Ling has signed already based on him having an unattributed interview tomorrow with the club. That doesn't make sense.

Too many false dawns in the past. I like the appointment of Roos a lot. But let's be realistic and not get ahead of ourselves.

Uploaded with ImageShack.us So We've got Dean Bailey on the left. His plan is to get a whole bunch of skilled players and play an attacking skillful game plan. Then we've got Mark Neeld on the right, he wants to make us the hardest team to play against and is full of tough talk. Paul Roos in the middle though, he's got this all sorted, he just wants more midfielders.

I was at the game in the Olympic Room last night I wore my MFC scarf with pride over dinner and Mike Sheahan had his MFC tie on at the next table. If I had a $ for every "I can't believe you guys got Roosy" comment last night I could pay our shortfall in gate receipts for 2013.

Damien Barratt, Jon Ralph and co would also like to say thanks for helping them earn a crust.

I hope Goddard leaves. That would be the ultimate pisser.