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Watts will talk about the disappointment of last week and how the team is "looking to bounce back against the Doggies" Sam will make a couple of jokes about how crap Melbourne are/have been, with some chuckling from the audience. Garry will tell him to ease up. They will show some embarrassing photos of Watts as a kid Everyone except Garry will tip the Bulldogs There you go. You no longer have to watch it.

Has had to work very hard to get there, but seems to have established himself in the side for probably the first time in his career. He's a quality person too by all reports - that attribute in conjunction with his determination on the field is the reason why so many of us hoped he'd make it. Well done Nev.

If we lose chip I'd happily cough up pick 5 and a juicy contract for sheil Petracca, sheil and trengove would be very handy additions to our midfield

ASADA hasn't outlined its case against the players but they should have a fair idea now as to what it's all about. They have received show-cause notices and what they have to do now is simply tell the truth. What do they know about the supplements programme they were subjected to during 2012? ASADA wants to expose and charge Dank and any other Essendon official complicit in the programme. The co-operation of the players is likely to result in sanctions against these men. Yes, it will also result in infraction notices against the players involved as well but they have the opportunity to minimise the sanctions against them - a chance that might not otherwise be available if they don't act soon. What I'm advocating for the players is obviously problematic for the players and their advisers. We're not a nation of "dobbers" and in the general scheme of things we don't like self-incrimination. Co-operation would also hurt and possibly deeply wound their employer as well. We're also not a nation of drug cheats either and while I believe most of the players didn't intend to cheat, they certainly failed to be vigilant enough about what went into their bodies which is what is drummed into them on a regular basis as AFL players. Chris Judd spoke earlier this year about players being "capable of individual thought". "If someone said to me you are going to have multiple injections off-site at an anti-ageing clinic, I would be able to say, no, that doesnt sound right for me. "Real heroism is when you are able to stand up and be different to the crowd, when you get that feeling in your stomach that something is not right." The players still have the capacity to ensure that by standing up now they can avoid some very hefty sanctions and a lifetime of carrying the label of "drug cheats".

It's all ultimately a question of priorities.That Frawley is entitled to wait until the end of the season to attract and assess the best offer is absolutely beyond debate. Of course he is. That it is apparently controversial to suggest that such an approach from a senior leader of the club is not necessarily beneficial to this club in its current circumstances is ridiculous in the extreme. Now, I get that you think every player is entitled: - to seek for himself the best possible contract; and - to seek for himself the ultimate finals glory with another club. I don't think anyone would seriously argue with that. But they're not especially endearing priorities to a club supporter - they're all about the player first. For me at least, I'm not going to get sweaty in the pants over a player who is either mindlessly following his manager's instructions to the letter or who is simply motivated by his own perceived best interests. If Frawley were to sign a contract a while back, like Lyndon Dunn, it'd have been massive for this club. That he's elected not to until he's assessed all other options at the end of the year doesn't particularly endear him to me. True clubmen don't do this - after all, he's not going to be hugely out of the $$$ with us - any offer we make will most likely be in the range. But he has to love the club, and the concept of being a one club player, to be in that headspace. After all, there's a reason clubs like the Swans and the Cats have stayed so dominant for so long. Look at their leaders and then assess the behaviours of those players. No bounty hunters in that lot. Cop a tip - Tom Scully wasn't the first choice marquee signing for the GWS. $$$ alone didn't work for many players - it did for Tom. And it's the very reason as to why Robbie Flower is iconic at this club. So yep, in short, Chip is absolutely entitled to wait until the end of the season to make his decision. Does that approach make him a really good and effective senior leader at the club though? I think not. And, for me at least, he's unfortunately become just another player.

Regarding the East Germans. At the time, I was actually impressed by their groovy and luxuriant moustaches (male and female athletes)

He is such an honest footballer. What really impresses me about him is he is a "contest to contest" footballer. He doesn't drop his intensity or his head if something doesn't go his way. He was stitched up twice in quick succession by Zaharakis but straight after gut run to be the last link in the chain that got the ball to Salem. He is a total professional.

BB, did you read my last reply to you or just not respond? Based on this post you don't quite grasp the show cause notice. They aren't being asked to take a ban at this stage. They are being asked if there are any mitigating factors as to why they shouldn't be banned. They can respond protesting their innocence, that is entirely within the spirit of the show cause notice. This is their opportunity to provide their side of the story. After both sides are received, the evidence will be reviewed by the panel and if the panel believes an offence has occurred then they will be placed on the register of findings. Only THEN can a penalty be made by the AFL.

Essendon, Dank and Hird are all deep in this but going on what was claimed by Peter Jess, the manager of two Essendon players, the AFL doesn't come out smelling of roses. Jess outlined his concerns but what did the AFL and it's so-called "integrity" people do? Nothing. Probably too busy trying to nail Melbourne because Chris Connolly stuck his head in a room for a minute and cracked a joke. I'm not trying to minimize the severity of the tanking charges against Melbourne but here you had the AFL selectively attacking one of its poorer and weaker member clubs for doing what had been going on for 10 years by others and condoned with a wink, wink, nod, nod while ignoring the possibility of systemic drug cheating going on under its nose by one of the stronger clubs. Shameful.

Disappointing that Blease wasn't even named on the bench. He's certainly done more than guys like Nicho and Barry to earn his spot. The same could be said for Michie as well. Oh well, In Roos We Trust

I think the onus of proof within the WADA code is designed to stop unscrupulous teams/organisations pumping god-knows-what into young athletes. Thereby protecting their health and the integrity of their sport. Therefore the code's onus is guilty until proven innocent. If the code were innocent until proven guilty then doping could become more prevalent because drug-cheats would know that they could tie any cases up in court for years, with the likelihood being that the athletes career could be over by the time any judgement was handed down. You either sign-up to this code, or you don't, but once you have - that's the way it is. Or as John Wayne put it "you buy the land you get the indians". (P.S. This post has been authorised for distribution by the Ministry for the Bleeding Obvious).

I just want Melbourne to win, I dont care who plays for us. I want the best outcome for the club

Why do you refuse to see it as it really is Bob ? There's a set of Rules. With these rules are protocols. These protocols outline responsibilities , pathways and requirements of all parties. They also are set by and agreed to by all participants in these sports. What in effect happens here is WADA/ASADA get wind of a transgression. They investigate. If they find that is most likely happened , and theres sufficient proof to instruct for a 'show cause' to be issued, it is. Its then incumbent upon the accused to proved their innocence. If they cant then an infraction is issued. its simple.. Some is told....You have done X, prove otherwise. Its actually the accused that ought to be putting forward the evidence of their innocence. its not really that hard

The Bumbers appear to isolated themselves from the AFL administration and most other clubs and have renderd it impossible for the AFL, ASADA or any other agency to work with them in any way. Most agencies apply the law with a degree of discretion through the prosecutors office and that is always in favour of the accused. What Little and Hird have done is ensure that the law will be applied to the letter and that realy is not in the interest of the club or the players. There is no chance of the AFL or politicians attempting to apply any influence on the outcome of this now. The AFL is now in defence mode regarding the conduct of the initial investgation and cannot support the Bumbers even if they wanted to. If Essendon win the Federal court matter they are likely to lodge writs against the AFL and seek compensation for punishment already received. The AFL's interests now firmly lie with the success of the ASADA case as do the interests of the other clubs that rely on the finances of the AFL and that cannot be good for Essendon. There is a reason Bomber Thompson stated in a presser that the club felt isolated and alone, its because they are. The realy stupid thing is that even a complete win in the Federal Court in favour of the Bumbers it will see them condemed for ever more as drug cheats because it only reinforces their guilt.

I know. The paranoia makes me even think that one day the fixture could be done in such a way, that lowly clubs like Melbourne will be disadvantaged, by getting all the worst times, so as to kill any chance of financial improvement.

JT said on 360 that he saw his surgeon a couple of weeks ago and that he was really happy with the way his foot was healing. Said the bone had fused well. He is starting to bike ride and swim now that the moon boot is off which only happened yesterday or a couple of days ago. He is off on Sunday to the commonwealth games to cheer on his sister who is running the marathon. Good luck to her. Also said he would give the Girls Demons a few words of wisdom prior to their game on Sunday before the main act. Will be good to c him running around in the red and blue again next season (and preseason).

Saw Kristian Jaksch was at Dom Tyson's 21st birthday. Mingling with a few young MFC lads. I've heard Carlton offered him bulk cash, but they need the assets to get it done. Mail is they're willing to let him go home due to so many talks, and he certainly isn't against it.

At another club that doesn't have so many I50s to deal with - he would be dominant - especially with a highly skilled HBF to handball to...

Toumpas on extended bench of Casey while Wines tearing it up in the midfield for top of the table Port.

50 of the hardest fought. He has the tenacity, young Neville. Good on him!

Of those ins I'd be wrapped to see Barry get a gig. Met him once and he seemed genuinely shocked that I knew who he was. Really nice fella who was even more chuffed that I had named my Supercoach team after him (Dom Barrygnon FC). He asked if he was in the team. I said he'd need to get a few more games first, to which he laughed and agreed. Hopefully this week is the start.

If that is the official team, no Blease again is disappointing. Would prefer him over Nicholson any day.

I would have thought blease may have come in. Maybe he needs to keep working on his defence side of the game. Thought Viv may have been a chance.

Gotta admit pretty disappointed in some of the selections

I wouldn't. I'm happy for them to keep screwing up.

TMac at a good club may not yet have debuted. He is developing before our eyes rather than the VFL. I'm with Rono. A definite buy.

I'll buy the TMac shares. Has a tank. Can keep the most dangerous multi-dimensional-mobile-tall quiet. Without Frawley, with Dunn has held up a defence that has had heaps of I50s against it.

What if assuming we finish 16th and Chip leaves and we have picks 3 & 4 and say Saints and Lions are below us who need talls. Would you take 2 young mids like Brayshaw and Petracca or try for a Salem/Tyson deal with the extra pick. I could see the Swans being prepared to swap Mitchell and say Jones for pick 4.They have a great midfield, another youngster in Heaney coming and then say pick 4. They would win not lose.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-06-26/honeychurch-to-stir-the-pot Griffen and Roughead confirmed out They are also missing Cooney and Gia We simply have NO excuses this week. We must win.

If it's not fitness then what is it? Last year he was our best player after Jones, this year he's looked barely par. It looks to big a deviation to me which needs some explanation.

It's doing quite well without him... So if Dunn, McDonald, and Garland are doing fine without him - what does that say about his importance? There is a statistic used in the US called Wins Above Replacement Player and it essentially the worth of a player weighted against an average player for that position - how replaceable someone is. Frawley would not have a high WARP... He has moved out of the defence and our defence has improved by 7 goals. The causal relationship is not as simple as that but it is telling us that Frawley absence has been mitigated by the players that have moved down there (Howe, Jetta) or the improvement of those already there (Dunn, McDonald, Grimes).

if I may an interpretation: My explanation of this would be to draw a distinction between a transgression in the normal world such as speeding, robbery etc whereby you're subject to the law as it is. Here what we really have ( imho ) is an in-house violation. Imagine a group of lads are working for a Burger franchise. When they signed on they agreed to a set of fair working conditions and these have been viewed and considered reasonable ( but strict ) They are allowed to say eat a happy burger , the chicken nuggets and the fries but they can NEVER consume the Wopper or add from the condiments bar. Doing so will result in instant dismissal. They are the rules. Simple Here we have a bunch who have been hoodwinked into helping themselves to the Woppers and saucing up from the condiment bar. Theyre in trouble. Irrespective of what the ringleader suggested all things revolve around the condition they signed on to. If they didnt read or understand then its their own bloody fault.

Thats what i am led to believe, Dank claims he called ASADA and was told that it was legal but does not have a reference number of the call. But havnt ASADA left the AOD and moved it completely onto the TD-4 stuff?

If players allowed themselves to be injected with unmarked vials by off site randoms then they have really placed themselves in a very vulnerable position. How Dr Reid still has a medical licence is beyond me.

I am all in favour of the 30 year Casey alignment. Problems are Casey 'leaking' players to the AFL and other VFL clubs (this is a double edged sword. Players at this level will always aspire to advance to the next level or a bigger pay packet and having a good coach will help them get there). MFC not in a financial position to fully support the Scorpions. (AFL team comes FIRST, SECOND and THIRD and the Scorp's will be fully supported when finances dictate they can be, but not this year!) Benefits are Exposure to a young and vibrant growing community. (Auskick, Auskick , Auskick. = KIDS KIDS KIDS = Kids exposed to the game ++++ VFL and AFL (Casey/Demons) players in attendance = Interest, exposure, influence and potential memberships) THREE decades (GENERATIONS) to attract/convert future members. This agreement doesn't mean we need to put ALL our eggs in one basket but does ensure we DO have our eggs in the SECOND BIGGEST basket (in term of population size and growth) in the country at the current time. I am sure that if our arrangement folded tomorrow the 'cashed up' clubs would be sniffing around the 'corpses' quicker than a dog chasing a tennis ball. A question before I log out. Q. How often do you think the supposed 'ferals' living in Casey who support Collingwood travel to Victoria Park to watch their VFL team play? A. About as many times as the 'sheltered' MFC supporters from Eastern Melbourne go to Casey to watch the Scorpions....or LESS! Go Dees and Scorps

Don't be so paranoid Redleg. In the first place, Frawley has been a loyal servant of the club and any collusion to achieve such a result would be seen as a low dog act in similar vein to the little creep who was once accused of lying to our dying club president. And secondly, the new AFL CEO is well known for his desire to run a competition with "integrity" and I'm sure he would see draft tampering written all over such a proposal and ask some probing questions and make the appropriate rulings.

I don't know the status of his negotiations but I would absolutely love Goldsack at the Dees.

though a lot of people here think that chip is not waiting until the end of the season to make his decision, but just to announce a decision he already made some time ago.

T. McD. Didn't cost us the game against Norf. There were about 7-8 others that didn't pull their weight that contributed to the ball coming in very quick. 1 week is a long time in footy. Agains the bummers he alone decided to go inboard with 1 min left and gave the ball to viney then crossy to Salem. End of story.

Where TF do ppl get this stuff from?? Tea leaves??

Thanks for this dee_luded, most thought provoking topic I've read on here! My partner is a vegetarian and I find myself eating less meat the more I hear about animal abuse and live export though I don't think I'll ever be able to pass up a good steak or veal schnitzel. I read a fair bit about animal rights too, thanks to a few friends who are right into it though I hadn't heard about this particular issue. I'll definitely be focussing my meat diet on red from now on.

We do this and we leave ourselves without a quality KPD (dangerous game to play). If we were to go down that path, then i'd take one of Petracca/Brayshaw and try and bring in another young afl experienced mid with some pace and skill (like a Shiel or Coniglio). But i'd prefer to try and bring in both a tall and a small with whatever picks we end up having.

Great post KC, whats your thoughts on the Demons giving everything to the venture as you say with a wholehearted effort and becoming the Casey Demons. IYO would an investment by MFC into the club see us developing a stronghold in the area and the flow on effect of solid long term supporter base, whilst also providing the community with a local side to watch. Even a team dominated by the Demons would be better than no VFL team at all in the area

Viv knows both Wallis and Libba really well. He was their captain in the private school rep team. Don't know where the query over his defensive game comes from because he was totally defensive in the 1st Qtr against Box Hill. I don't reckon he got a possession in the first qtr but ended up with 30 , 5 tackles etc and should have got a goal but for a rabbit umpire calling his shot on goal a point. ABC replayed it and showed it was not touched. Really don't know what game Allison was at but all pundits have said Viv was BOG.

Mundy will be 29 next year, just doesn't make sense to go after him imo. We should go hard to trade for Fyfe this year. When that fails we should be looking at Dangerfield who's a free agent next year. Probably not much chance with either but while we have Roos & Jackson at the club we should be having a go.

I don't understand the outrage of Frawley waiting until the end of season to sort out his contract........It is becoming the usual for UFA's to do this He has gone from being a best 22 player in our side, to posters who want to get rid of him because he wont show loyalty and now he has become a surplus to our needs..... Posters have no hesitation in wanting to get rid of players wether by trade or delisting because they think they are spuds(God I hate that word) He would get a game in every other side in the competition but somehow we don't need him now????? He is a KPD who can kick goals when needed.....A 100 game experienced big player who is only 26 and has at least 4 or 5 years left I want him to stay and I think we need him to.....

We had one his name was Liam Jurrah.

Are you mates with Roosy did he actually say that to you?Just finished reading the Wayne Carey book and he mentioned he met with Paul Roos after the cheating saga and he put to Carey a Lucrative package to join Sydney. He turned it down because he believed Adelaide was always his go and was basically his hometown. In Barry Halls book he mentioned how Paul Roos met up with Fev in 2009 about the possible of joining the joins. Again turned it down. Fev also mentions this in his book. Just because they are characters doesn't he completely crosses them off their list Saty. Talk about over reacting. He has the ability to turn these blokes into footy hero's Heck he even inquiried about Dustin Martin last year when he got the coaching gig. For Paul Roos if a player was available that would fit our need (Fyfe, Dangerfield) of course he is going to go after them. Not oonly does Roosy wants to set a direction for the club he wants to win! He will do what most supporters would do and thats chase after the best players. He has an ego and I like it. PS I am religiously into sport autobiography reading if no one has noticed.

A week is long time in football. This time last week he was a star.