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I remember taking my young cousin to a footy clinic run by the MFC, and Troy was in charge of his age group's session. He was so kind and caring with the kids and you could just tell that he was a ripping bloke. I only ever spoke to him the once, but I can't help but think about him every year at this time. His final act was the most noble thing that anyone could do-- he sacrificed his life for somebody that he loved. RIP Troy. Gone but never forgotten.

As the old joke goes Paul Roos asks Santa for a unicorn. Santa says 'don't be silly, you need to be realistic'. So Paul says 'Well I'm coach of the Melbourne Football Club and I'd really just like an injury free Jesse Hogan, for Jack Watts to reach his potential and for consistency at the AFL tribunal". And Santa says 'What colour unicorn do you want?'

Merry Christmas all and thanks for helping me retain some sanity this year. This one is tinged with sadness as it's the last one I'm having with the wife and kids before separation in a week or so. But the end of something is always the beginning of something else. On the upside, I might be getting to a few more games next year! Hope the boys make it worth the effort. Cheers, bj.

Best of wishes, mate. When I became separated from my wife, and then divorced, I thought my world had ended. It floored me. Floored me for a good two years. But I survived it, and once I got up off the floor I found a whole new and wonderful life. It will hurt, and hurt for a while, but that will pass and better things will replace it. I won't lie to you and tell you that not seeing your kids 24/7 is something that will be something that you'll ever get used to, but if you can swallow your pride on some matters concerning them that might make you feel as if she's scored a point on you, but deep down you know it's the best thing to do, then your conscience will repay you in spades down the track as you see how you have done the right thing by the ones that really matter in all of this. After a couple of rough years my ex-wife and I are pretty good friends. Not buddy buddy close, but we talk open and honestly, and even share some laughs. Would I go back? Not a hope, but it's nice to know that even after all the crap both of us gave each other in the early days, we are still a team that needs the other to help them with the raising of our children. Hang tough. These are the worst days and they'll be over sooner than you expect, as much as I understand you might not see that right now. And anyway... late to the party... happy boxing day all.

No he's not. Watts is simply a very good player with the ball in his hand and we shouldn't expect anything else of him. He is no good at getting it or competing one on one. He never will be. He doesn't have the appetite for a contest. He is an outside distributor and almost always delivers the ball to someone in a better position down the field. The question is whether you can afford to have him in the team with those limited attributes.

Thanks guys, one and all. Sorry to bring down the tone and yes Nasher I've thought the same as you but the real thing after 28 years is so confronting one can't imagine it or prepare for it from the outside. But I'm not the first and others like Jazza have had no say in their tough situation. I have a few good mates - unfortunately followers of Essendon Richmond and Carlton, which is why we called ourselves the MERCs as a cycling group, as well as 3 great kids and good family support. No need to grovel for a room at the Gat just yet. Just give me an actual good year in 2015, Dees, instead of a promise without delivery. Let the normal programming resume!

There are some who regard the draft as flawed to a large extent ... these kids are 17/18 years old when evaluated and I would argue that at that age, it's impossible to evaluate these kids with any sort of real accuracy ... if we went through any draft prior to 2007 we'd find that the true order bears no resemblance to the original order decided upon by the recruiters. I'm by no means excusing Watts as a footballer but if we didn't have a draft, there's no way he would attract the criticism that he does. Judging a footballer (a kid) because of his draft number is unfair in my opinion. Judging Watts as just another recruit is perfectly acceptable ... the trouble is that it's difficult for people here to ignore the draft number when appraising any player.

Going through a similar thing.{different reasons though} My sanity was gone until i discovered low degenerates like BBO,biff and of course froggy. Fishing with these blokes has got me through some pretty tough times. Good luck for the future,and if you EVER need a shoulder,dont hesitate or even consider being alone. We will help you get over the line mate.

Perhaps it's because it's his club/list now.

He really doesn't have to contest as he makes space and as has been stated in many other threads he does repeated leads which are too often ignored. As you say when he gets it he almost always delivers to someone in a better position and often receives it only to have no one in that better position. While it is easy to blame Watts if he is used correctly he will be our elite player who will help win us the flag. Every premiership winning team has someone with limited attributes who performs on the big occasion. We havent had enough of them to be certain but he outperforms many.

Interesting to watch Roos preseason update. Seems different to last year, I'm not sure what it is or how to express it but maybe he seems more invested, a part of the club now whereas before he seemed like a consultant or something like that. There was a real steely resolve in his presentation.

Could we ever forget? Two very close family members of mine were lucky to get away with their lives at Khao Lak which was wiped out in that terrible event. Troy was such a decent young guy who was making a footy name for himself and had the makings of an elite footballer. Another in a long list of quality players who for various reasons have been lost to the club during the past few decades. RIP Troy.

He's proven at Collingwood that he can't. It's one of the reasons they traded him out.

Col Sylvia to finally have a full pre season. Cale Morton adding some muscle and become our Adam Goodes. Jack Watts to monster fullbacks and kick 50 plus this year. Scully and Trengove to absolutely tear midfield opposition to shreds. Gysberts to be our new Pendlebury. Addam Maric to smile.

Sad to hear. bjDee, but hope things go as well as they can. I like to thing the Dees will put more smiles on all of our faces in 2015 than in recent seasons. See you at a game or two?

Jetta Frost Garland The Prince T Mac Dunn Cross Vince Howe Watts Pedo Kent Garlett Hogan Gawn Jamar Jones Tyson Int Grimes, Viney, Salem, Toumpas Emerg JKH, Fitzy, Mitchie I believe Dunn could become an effective rebounding half back along with the Prince. Dunn can also switch to half forward while Howe or Watts go back at times. Looking forward to the first practice matches to see what Roos is thinking.

Good day of cricket. India bowled well, Smith continued his amazing form, Haddin fought hard, Rogers made three 50's on the trot, Watson found some needed form, Burns looked alright for his brief stay and Shaun Marsh continued to do what Shaun Marsh does........

You beauty! This has made my christmas haha... Thanks macca I would have never known!

Completely agree - he will be our finisher.

Welcome to the comp.I have you marked down to join a league. For anyone wondering, there is plenty of room to join the comp leagues. This applies to past and new players.

10 years since The Big Red Fire Engine left us Having spent a lot of time in Thailand and Asia over many years I always take my footy jumper with me and wear it at least once in honour of Troy and all who died that day in 2004. Many people who worked at the Phuket beach i knew from a holiday in '99 would have been taken as was the hotel i stayed in. Live in the now. Tomorrow may not be....

Funny how we now label Watts as player with limited attributes who may perform on the big stage. I could accept that term for a Matt Jones or Rohan Bail, players who are indeed limited and were values picks late in the draft due to said limitations. But to put Watts, a former number 1 pick who is over 6 foot in the same bracket as them, he is not limited, he just doesn't want it as much as those limited players previously mentioned.

Yeah all the best bj There are worse things that can divert you than the insanity on this site so try and keep contributing. I am sure that there is much support within the dlanders who can even offer wise counsel at times. Try and retain most of your usual routines and the reassurance and confidence that sustains you will be there. The Dees will not only distract you but provide proof that there is something else beginning. Lets hope it quick and positive.

All the best 'bj', must be a hard time but as you say the beginning of a new phase in your life. I think the insanity of this site at times does help the sanity somehow. At least it is a well needed diversion when things get a bit tough. Now if we could string a few wins together it will be that much better.

Best of luck mate. Whenever I hear of things like this I try and picture myself in that situation, and the thought is too unpleasant to hold. Merry belated Christmas all.

There's obviously some AFL involvement in all the puff pieces appearing. They too have a vested interest in the Kool-Aid drinkers buying memberships and going to games. Actually the worst article was this: http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-12-24/please-santa- ESSENDON Seriously, do you even have to ask what we want? It's as obvious as the red nose on you-know-who's face. We need every Bomber to be cleared over the supplements saga so they can – finally! – get on with playing the game, free from all distractions. And for Bomber – Thompson that is – to somehow find a way to work with Hirdy and the boys again. Yes, yes, Santa, we know you're not a miracle worker, but see if you can have a word with Him. In the meantime we'll do three Hail Hirdys … er, Hail Marys, and hope for the best. I nearly puked after reading this. Hail Hirdys - WTF??? Who writes this crap? No doubt Bummers supporters lapped it up - they really are a breed apart. Any other club and the coach would have their head on a pike, but everyone else has gone except Goldenboy. He wasn't even that special as a player in my opinion.

R.I.P. TB

Trenners to have an amazing recuperation and play the last 4 games, getting us into the finals and being chaired off the ground (by the players, not medicos) at the end of round 22.

Unfortunately I got recalled to work early this morning and still here. Merry Christmas to all, if you're lucky enough to be with your families don't take them for granted and try and enjoy their company!

Roosy gets his revenge: Melbourne Demons v Sydney Swans - Round 17 ... - YouTube

Parole would be nice. An ankle without the heavy bracelet would be good too. Maybe next year.

Not only that, he hated doing it. It's not popular but Hogan should be given some technique work with Stafford - he would eat up those 25 minutes a game and love it on the ball.

Compliments of the silly season. Just flicking through the last 600 pages here and wondering if the silly season ever had an end or a beginning. Jazza ,if you are going fishing, try having a shower as fish can smell the Bullsh!t from miles away. I am off to start some bush fires in Beech Forest with some CFA volunteer mates. We are going to be heroes if we can put it out. Nothing of any cultural significance there anyway. The land needs clearing. Col b- we missed that beer at the Bristol- she is all over as of last week. BBO. You have brought this Xmas solitude on yourself.Hope you enjoy reading the religious teaching of the Marquis. It is a tome written for the captive,solitary reader . Ethan - you are my fave gen y poster- keep up the [censored] taking. Red,WJ,OD. All the best gents and hope you are enjoying the festivities with your progeny. DC.Please give your urges a well earned rest today.It is a family time after all. The only stuffing should be in the Turkey. Frog. A picture paints a thousand words but if you could learn to write it would be a gift to us all. Hemlock. Your attempts to help the lost souls on here are admirable ,but ultimately futile.Carry on regardless. BJDEE.May you receive one today. Red and Bluebeard.Lay off the sauce mate. Earl. Stay safe and keep away from the Velvet Undergrads in Smith st today.There is a bad batch in town. Moonie - I hope you are over the trauma BBO has caused us all. Anyone else I forgot, see you at the Gat for a party tonigh.Top floor,up the back.

Never mind the great effort to chase and pressure a player twice his speed... The only false toughness in that clip was King raising his fist to someone lying on the ground.

Like to c that gift rapped!!

More chance of Norms wish being granted.

here are some selections........safewayis still open if you hurry......i presume even romsey has one Tuberous root Amorphophallus galbra (Yellow lily yam) Conopodium majus (pignut or earthnut) Dioscorea opposita (nagaimo, Chinese yam, Korean yam) Hornstedtia scottiana (Native ginger) Ipomoea batatas (sweet potato) Ipomoea costata (desert yam) Manihot esculenta (cassava or yuca or manioc) Mirabilis extensa (mauka or chago) Psoralea esculenta (breadroot, tipsin, or prairie turnip) Smallanthus sonchifolius (yacón)

A christmas root?

How many times has "I'll trust the coaches" been said over the past seven years? That's up there with "in Barry Prendergast I trust".

I think it is an encouraging sign that people aren't clamoring to throw Brayshaw and Petracca in at the deep end. Rightly or wrongly, I think there is more trust in incumbent players (both in clubland and on the boards) to get the job done in this era than when Trengove and Scully were automatic walk up starts after their draft. It shows three things: 1. Positive change in 'blooding' philosophy 2. There is genunie belief in the cattle. Whilst the list isn't perfect - it appears capable of executing Roos game plan 3. Those on the park are less likely now to give up their place so easily with good talent itching to get out there The capacity to climb is actually (finally) there now. Get it done Dees.

The value of Kent is that he knows how to kick a goal - so many midfielders don't.

JETTA FROST DUNN H MCDONALD SALEM VINCE JONES WATTS KENT PEDO HOWE GARLETT HOGAN PETRACCA JAMAR TYSON CROSS VINEY MICHIE TOUMPAS NEWTON I would like to see Salem/Toumpas start off a back flank as some elite disposal coming out the back half. Apparently being the captain affects your ability to kick a footy.

Wouldn't be surprised if Fitz replaced Dawes - he finished strongly last year and looks like he will get a full preseason for the first time.

Locks: Jetta, Dunn, McDonald, Lumumba, Vince, Jones, Watts, Hogan, Howe, Garlett, Jamar, Tyson, Viney, Cross, Dawes (omit) Likely: Grimes, Garland, Kent, Pedersen The next 4 spots will be where your tipping will be win and lost imo. Decent chance: Gawn, Frost, Salem, Toumpas, Bail, M Jones, Petracca, Newton, Michie, JKH Slim chance: McKenzie, Brayshaw, Neal-Bullen, Fitzpatrick B: Jetta, Dunn, Garland HB: Lumumba, McDonald, Grimes C: Vince, Jones, Toumpas HF: Watts, Hogan, Howe F: Garlett, Pedersen, Kent R: Jamar, Tyson, Viney Int: Cross, Michie, Salem Sub: Petracca Michie finished the year off well and I think that may tip in his favour, although it wouldn't surprise me to see Newton push his way into Round 1 the way Roos was speaking of him in the most recent update. My money would be on one of those two, along with Salem and Toumpas who are reportedly training well and bring that much needed class.

He's only had two years and in that time has shown some very good glimpses of talent, toughness and x-factor. Not bad for a bloke taken in the 50's. Petracca hasn't even played yet although you reckon he'll have Kent covered..

Fantastic news about the lawyers as Mrs Frog will be studying law soon.

As in captain or leadership group? I seriously hope its not captain because this year he just struggled to impact games this year through actions. He had the good occasional game against Adelaide and Richmond but he was pretty poor this year. Very inconsistent. While he provides voice and direction its still not enough. Lynden Dunn would be my smokey tip for Vice Captain. At least he backs up his voice with with actions aswell.

Also, the problem with judging players at training is that they are only "playing" against other Melbourne players.

So not one of the original families then.