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I voted "other". If you are going to put a mix of current and past players on the banner then I suggest you keep it to those who have achieved something meaningful. Our captain has, three time winner of the best and fairest (admittedly not against the strongest group of players) qualifies him. Robbie has. Jimmy has. And David Neitz has. Unquestionably. Most number of games for our club. Most games as captain. Most goals for our club. A two time All Australian. Loyal in difficult times and just a ripping person. Many may not know but David received a career ending neck injury in round 5 2008 in the final year of his contract. As such he was entitled to something in the order of one years pay as compensation and of course his salary (contract) at that time was significant as he was captain. The cost of that compensation was the liability of the club and as we all know our financial position was poor at that time. David declined the payment. It cost him many hundreds of thousands of dollars. He had been playing footy for all his life; his career and earning capacity was over and in all likelihood he would never earn that sort of money again. But for the good of the club and at significant personal disadvantage he passed on the money. You'd go into battle with Neita knowing he'd always cover you. He's never received the recognition he's deserved IMO and now would be a terrific time to recognize his achievements and contribution - both on and off the field. Without disrespect Paul Roos is a Jonny come lately as far as our club is concerned. Dom Tyson has achieved nothing by comparison (and I love him). And Lynden Dunn? Drafted in 2004 and has put together 139 games. Having Dunny up there would just remind me how poor we have been. Let's recognize Neita, he deserves it.

Today was the first time i've been able to get to training for a year and the first time to try the new camera. Tried to get some good shots but still learning. Enjoy! https://www.flickr.com/photos/129227293@N07/sets/72157650107777609/

2013. It would not have happened had Hird not stabbed his "best friend" Evans in the back. I know for a fact that the AFL and their legal and PR advisers, with the cooperation of an Evans-lead Essendon had a formula to resolve this with the support of ASADA/WADA . Once Little came to power, all this went out the window, and Hird and his wife's sociopathic personalities took over and the upshot is that it has landed the game in this mess. Demetriou was beside himself about it when it occurred because, whatever else you might say about him, he was a very astute political player, and he knew exactly what was coming down the track as a result. I believe it had a direct bearing in his leaving the AFL. The commentary now from our tame journalists that it is not ESSENDON or the players' fault is an unbelievable joke. It is totally the responsibility of Little and Hird. The fact that most of the chattering classes can't see it is a very sad reflection on our public life and the sense of decency in our society in general.

I think this year we should only Have the Captain, Robert Flower and Jimmy. How do I vote this way? If I tick "other" it asks me to specify but wont allow me to make any comment? look forward to your thoughts.

Went along today at about 10am and it was a beautiful morning... not too cold, not too hot. Fun session to watch today, pretty much all skills and match sim stuff. So much more interesting than fitness work! Got breezy towards the end, which did affect some kicking. Jake Lovett hey? I was wondering who was in the #50, seriously stocky and solid in the legs / glutes! Took me awhile to work out who was in the 2nd #9 as well (not Dawes), pretty sure it was Vandenberg As TDI mentioned, it's hard to remember everything so I'll just list comments below: A lot of full and half ground drills with real hard running. One was clearing the ball from defence to the other end and then clearing it from that end and so on and so forth, with a few defenders in harry high viz. Then some clearing defence and finishing with kick on goal or trying to pick a forwards who are in 1 on 1's with defenders. HL stood out to me in these drills, as did Garlett, N Jones and Newton. Garlett has some serious speed spears off kicks barely breaking stride. Frost has great closing speed and was congratulated on a few efforts punching the ball out from a leading forward. Lots of voice today from many players. The usual's Dunn, Dawes and also Jamar and McDonald barking out directions when watching drills or technique advice. During a couple of the drills Salem was put in deep defense, usually against one of the rucks, and instructed on continuously making body on body contact to keep the taller defender off balance. Praised for his work. Jamar, Spencer, Gawn, Watts and Hogan did some 1 on 1 key forward wrestling drills where a coach would kick inside 50 they'd alternate between defending/spoiling and being the forward. Hogan through Jamar to the ground early, made me chuckle. Jamar did well though, out-muscled most of the others. Watts got onto a few engaging defender then breaking away at speed. Spencer didn't make many early but made up for it by clunking a few towards the end. Miller instructing the boys here on body contact and pushing off. While this was going on the rest were doing ball movement drills. Vince did laps early then left. Pedo was also doing laps. Grimes also wasn't there that long - he was kicking with O McDonald when I arrived then both must have left. Terlich and Kent took part in drills but also spent some time doing laps. A few times during the ball drills Most players all seemed fairly solid throughout. The session finished with basically all players practicing set shots from various spots around the 50. So many balls flying in it was hard to keep track of who kicked them! If only game day felt like that... Jones and Brayshaw got into bit of a 1 for 1 goal kicking comp, which Jones won and made sure Brayshaw knew all about it. Until Brayshaw called out "what are you laughing at, you're 27 and bald!"... touche! Had the crowd laughing. On Brayshaw, he's definitely looking fitter / more defined. I've said it before but I'll say it again.. Petracca is so solid through the upper legs / hips! Did well in the drills today too. Hunt linked up pretty well in the ball movement drills. Someone mentioned M Jones - a bit like game day, he was racking up the possessions in the drills - a lot of run and carry. He's not slow! Garlett has that laconic sort movement, a bit like Watts, but he looks like such a natural when kicking at goal. They all seem to go through no matter where he's kicking them from! Quite excited by him, but I've always been a fan having a Blue bagger for a bro... Newton seemed to do everything well, really like the look of him. Reckon he'll slot straight in. To me Jamar looks the #1 ruck. Now that I think about it I didn't see much of Garland, he was there early but must have left..? Toumpas zipped around and he's handballs were all accurate bullets. Unsurprisingly Cross and McKenzie were 2 of the last 3 out (can't remember the 3rd). Jones and a few others obliged some young fans by having photos taken and signing autographs. I remember not really be impressed by Harmes in previous sessions, but today he seemed good! Quick and some good kicks on goal too.

I like this but would add Roos.

Apparently Collingwood are pushing for Father/s/son rules to be changed. This will help them draft guys who they know are Collingwood sons but they just can't remember exactly which one is the Father.

What a first rate crap post. Who are you to judge a player for the life decisions he makes after his football career has gone down the dunny? Sooner or later all footballers have to recognise that the dream is over. Some recognise that their body is not up to it, or just plain don't want to spend the next few years flogging themselves physically and mentally for the 0.001% chance they might make it. It's their life and calling it the "easy option" and just makes you sound jealous and bitter.

Lifted from the Six6Six galleries I found this shot of the Wild Man of Borneo taken on 28th of January 2013 at the paddock. Or is it a shot of a previous 'carnation of somebody we all know with trusty camera in hand?

Well to be more specific, I think the Hird court case will be tossed out within two weeks, and he may well be forced to resign as a result - this time at last by Essendon. The findings from the AFL Tribunal will I think be handed down within a month of the season starting, and l am expecting them to be favorable to the players which will allow them to continue playing, with probably several of the coaches including Hird receiving longish sentences (maybe a couple of years each). This will be unacceptable to ASADA who will appeal it, l assume through the AFL appeal mechanisms. They will then probably confirm the AFL Tribunal findings, but this could take another month, although as it is in the control of the AFL they clearly have an interest in accelerating the process. WADA will then step in and appeal this to CAS which may take as long as a further four or five months which will get us to the end of the season. CAS will l suspect impose at least two year bans on the players (dated from the CAS hearing as that will be the first time they will actually be banned from playing IMHO), and Hird will, like Armstrong, get a life ban from all sports. That will be the end of the formal sports judiciary process as CAS's word is final on these matters, and we will know the formal outcome therefore by the end of 2015. However, that certainly will not be the end of the consequences. I expect all the players (and possibly their parents as well as Essendon have been regularly briefing them over these last three years saying there is nothing to worry about) rubbed out will sue the AFL, Essendon, and Hird in the courts, and they will win but it could take a further two years. No doubt given the Hirds' personalities there will be appeal upon appeal going right to the High Court as each court finds against him and Tania, and that could go on for years. Hird of course in this process will counter sue the AFL - God knows how long that will take, but in this process it will probably send the current EFC entity to the wall, and the brand will be sold by the liquidators into a new entity. Then there is Workcover.........

Today Robbo at the HUN has return from holidays and he has a back page article on Hird and Little and what went on just before the AGM last year. There is not one gram of new information in this article. Back Page to tell us nothing new wow. The HUN / Robbo at their finest What a load of crap

Wow. Two highly optimistic statements in one post. I'm not confident 12 months will be long enough for anything to play out. And, however the matter plays out, I'm not expecting the truth will ever see the light of day.

Hird is a cheat: Hird and Dr Ageless go back to the early 90s when James was recieving "dietary" advice ie doping. Hird is an abuser: harming the reputation, careers and possibly the health of 34 people in his "team". Hird is a bully: using expensive PR and legal tactics to attack those who dare criticise him. Hird is a Psychopath: self centered, unable to show remorse, blames everybody but himself, no concience, win at all costs attitude ETC. The only difference between Hird and Armstrong is the amount of sports geography that they sullied, apart from that I would say they are brothers in arms! PS retracted "Hird is a criminal" but may repost when appropriate . . .

done, and continues to do everything he can behind the scenes. Now it's up to the players/coaches etc. to do the rest.

Richmond?

Gee sorry I started this bun fight it was meant to point out how ordinary the Hun and Robbo are. Not start a session for love and hate of Caro.

Of course, Caro may have been right and then the EFC reversed their decision. Didn't we do the same with Schwab (or was it Bailey...I can't remember now)?

I am sure he has done more in afl life than any of us could have dreamed of. Goodluck Tappy.

Comparing Hird to Lance Armstrong is interesting. I don't know who is worse, but i firmly believe they are both psychopathic serial offenders...

Roosy will most likely be included.

251.00!?!?!?!

I'm impressed. I got lost in this morass quite some time ago. Whether you're right or wrong, I admire your willingness to (a) take a position and (b) give it a timeline.

We knew this three months ago that Caro was right Don't expect an apology from the HUN it took the UK police force /Parliament to get one out of them. Fat chance they will apologise to Caro

Except that they now owe caro an apology as it appears essendon were going to sack hird.

The truth will out - just multiple versions of the truth from different sources with different agenda's, replete with glaring additions and more glaring omissions.

If we vote "no" for the second question it says we must still vote for third question. Maybe add in a "N/A" option for third question?

This is wrong and it is why I like the current system that exists. In the current system it basically goes through every teams draft pick, if Melbourne had pick 2 the only way we would use this draft pick on the father/son is if the team with pick 1 bid on him. Whilst this means that teams like Sydney were able to reap the benefits as they were able to get a top 5 pick for pick 18, we also have recieved the benefits by being able to get Jack Viney with a pick in the 30s. Had collingwood been able to finish in the top 8 this year or even the top 4 they would not have been complaining as it would have made Darcy Moore much more of a steal. The main argument against the current system is that these "academy players" should be available to all, but I think let the system be despit Isaac Heeney and Callum Mills being incredibly highly ranked players it helps promote the game in these areas and converts rugby league/union players into footballers. Let it be, the AFL have been fiddling with too much of late.

With the honourable exception of Caroline Wilson. Smith and her have been impeccable throughout this sorry saga.

Whoops

I mentioned this before - Brett Lovett was too short, carried too much weight, had thighs like tree trunks, couldn't really jump, slow as all slow and was one of the best players I have seen at Melbourne, If we recruit this kid and he is half as good as his dad i will be happy.

I've had a couple of chats to him, from what I can gather, he now has a good understanding of the issue, Wednesday is always a shorter session for him, if he reports any tightness they tend to stop him training and go to the pool etc, this is has only happened once or twice, believe he had a good chat with Tom Hawkins before pre season, and this helps his and the fitness teams understanding of the issue, when he does train fully, it is at 110%, think he gets a bit sick of everybody asking about his back, he knows I post here and is happy to tell me how he is going, he had the answer today before I asked him. Personally I think he and the Club are handling it perfectly, if he is fit for Round 1 and in form, then I think Roos will look at him, same as everybody else

This is really hard to do... There are many players who I can't seem to fit in and they're players that would have been staple 22 two years ago. A great sign. For round 1 against The suns I think we need to be playing guys like Toumpas, (as long as he performs during the NAB cup) as we'll need guys who can use the ball well against this mob. We'll need a good mix of inside grunt and outside skills. I remember how easily they moved the ball against us at the 'G' last year once they got their hands on it but I thought we competed really well in the scrap/contested ball. The exciting realisation for me is that we now have many more options for that midfield/half-forward role. Guys like Michie, Newton, Petracca, Kent, Salem, Toumpas, Jones, Bail, JKH etc will all be fighting for that spot. Then we've got the same problem if we're wanting a half-back/midfielder with some of the same guys plus Grimes, Lamumba, Howe and Hunt competing. The competition for spots has gone through the roof over the last couple of years and I'd argue that we've got more talent and individual drive than in previous years when we had players like Blease, Strauss, Gysberts, Tapscott etc. Roos has clearly loaded up on midfielder types with the ability to play HF or HB as well. It's very exciting knowing Matt Jones, Bail or McKenzie are not lock ins. In fact, skill and talent wise, they're on the lower end of the pecking order. It's only running ability that keep Jones and Bail in front and as soon as we see some of our more talented and skilful players build their tanks, we'll see a squeezing out of some of those less talented players. Can't wait to see how some of these guys perform during the NAB cup.

If Champion Data had Dean Terlich as "best general defender" (whatever that means), it says more about the weaknesses in Champion Data's methodology than the strengths in Dean Terlich's game.

Thanks RedYes Nutbag Abbott gave me the knighthood. I didn't ask for it, but it does look nice!! Edit: At least i am an Australian Citizen!!

Good, we are in furious agreement. The 'ties' you mention in your last sentence are just the sort of thing to help (note: help) stop us from being relocated. I'm sure there will be other benefits and hopefully the relocation issue will never arise. Who knows, U Melb seems keen to emulate big US unis and their football teams are a big part of how they develope their communities (and alumni connections, ie. donations). If U Melb tries something along those lines pretending MFC is 'their' team, it could be quite significant.

So are you saying a memorandum of understanding could potentially stop us from being reallocated? (If it were ever suggested by the AFL).If the AFL ever wanted to move the MFC a memorandum of understanding with a university would hold no weight whatsoever. It's basically a feel good, nothing more. May or may not have some benefits.

Wow that is a very long bow sue. WE will only leave Melbourne if we go broke. I am not sure how this influences our general finances. Look it is a no negatives idea IMO if it generates some benefits good But I don't expect anything above modest from it.

Nine tenths of bugger all I would suggest. Feel good story IMO

Congrats, you obviously did well in the Australia Day Honours list. They must have forgotten to mention that 3rd knighthood, after Prince Phillip's shocker.

Have many memories of Bombay Rock...

& PJ the fab 4 the re-builders of this once great old Club. this is enough...................................

please, only put our success stories up there,,,,,,,,,, recent first, Tulip, Jimma, Sean White, Captain NJones, some Legends of our Great Club & maybe fill spots with our most recent cups, which could slowly be replaced as we unearth some tried & tested AFL champs.

Just from reading the training reports I would not be surprised to see Newton in the Round 1 team and also Mitchie who I think is underrated on here and had a great finish to the year. If I was a player right now I would be wanting to stay injury free over the next 5 weeks and making the most of my game time during the pre season.

And I never once suggested you did... it was a comment on why the thread starting post was rubbish; tonatopia is possibly the only poster to have given enyaw a run for their money.

I think that's mostly fair, but Gillard did manage to pass 500 pieces of legislation in a minority government, which is nothing to sneeze at. Legacies would include: - steering through the GFC (not to be dismissed) - dismantling WorkChoices and establishing Fair Work Australia - disability care - education reform - reforming secondary and expanding tertiary - improving the pay of low-paid workers - removing over 80 forms of discrimination against same-sex couples - Royal Commission into Child Sexual Abuse - Murray River water management reform Contestable would be the instituting of the carbon price, which was a major reform that they did achieve despite Abbott tearing it down. For whatever Abbott has attempted to dismantle, Labor established agencies such as ARENA and the Clean Energy Finance Corporation to mobilise capital investment in renewable energy, low-emission technologies and energy efficiency. Despite having their funding slashed and massive investment uncertainty now prevalent, they are still kicking around. The stolen generation apology is also contentious as some would argue it was a Rudd ego exercise, but it was still noteable. My interest isn't in being a Labor apologist. I do maintain that Abbott is, already, the worst Prime Minister we've ever had or are likely to have.

I didn't think it was possible to have a lower opinion of Armstrong... apparently I was wrong..

How wrong I was.

I don't mind the sound of this. We could then potentially have the Melbourne Uni Blues as our 2nd's team in the VFL and still keep an association with Casey by using it as a sumemr base while the cricket ground is in use at the university, allowing us to have a presence in Casey still, whiel still finally establishing ourselves in the city!

Unless Shane Woewodin is the best candidate for the vacancy and not just a past players favour, I dont want him in an MFC coaching position as we head towards our critical window of opportunity.

If he were to come back as an assistant it could be a grand gesture to mend a bridge that was once considered "burnt". What happened is in the past. Woey did win a Brownlow here, so he knows a thing or two about football. Good luck to him finding a coaching gig at the top level. There are a few assistant spots opening, I am sure his work at east freo will help him find a spot somewhere.