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Garland re-signed yesterday. not sure of terms.

You don't think Dom Tyson would have the same valuable information???

DEMON SELECTION CONTROVERSY ADDS TO AFL WOES by a staff reporter The AFL is confronting yet another crisis at the weekend in the wake of its endorsement of decisions by both Fremantle and North Melbourne to "rest" players for its final round leading to allegations that the moves might alter the course of the finals series and seriously compromise the integrity of the competition. The new controversy came to light when the Melbourne Football Club mysteriously omitted fan favourite Jack Watts from its line up to play the GWS Giants at Etihad Stadium on Sunday raising allegations on national television by a Fox Football panelist that the Demons were not taking their final round match seriously in the hope of falling to 15th place to improve their draft position and their chances of selecting a highly fancied midfielder in this year's AFL National Draft. A Melbourne Football Club spokesman told reporters that his club was angry at the claim and said that Watts would be of more value to the club and to the AFL's cause sitting in the stands at Etihad because this game was in desperate need of having as many "bums on seats" at the ground as possible in light of fears that the final round fixture had the potential to highly embarrass the competition with a record low crowd. The official added that Watts was face of a club promotion to help make the ground look at least half full by giving away life size cardboard cut outs of human figures to be strategically placed on seats around the stadium. A local business has also joined in on the promotion by providing 500 plastic inflatable ladies which can later be used for other purposes. "The AFL allowed Port Adelaide to do the same thing for years, so I don't see what their problem is," said the club official who preferred to remain anonymous. He also said the club will be pumping crowd noise recorded in last year's AFL grand final through the ground's PA system to add atmosphere to the occasion although there was some concern after a rehearsal yesterday failed to co-ordinate the crowd's roar with several Jeremy Howe screamers. Meanwhile the AFL's Integrity Office is poised to launch a tanking investigation into the Gold Coast Suns who are likely to finish the season in 16th place if they lose tonight's game at the SCG against the Swans. Allegations of bringing the game into disrepute arose against the northern franchise team which is likely to have third or fourth selection at this season's AFL national draft after critics cited this 2013 article in which their captain Gary Ablett claimed the club was "on track to win a premiership by 2015" - Suns on track for 2015 flag, says Ablett. When questioned by Brett Clothier of the AFL Integrity Unit on Friday afternoon about his club's failure to live up to his prediction, Ablett is reported to have told him that he was "joking at the time". Clothier immediately contacted the Gold Coast Suns to inform them that he expected charges to be laid against the club early next week. Eric Blair, the AFL spokesperson on these matters said the leagues policy was not to comment on integrity-related issues but in this case he was able to say that the AFL was gravely concerned that a senior player had the temerity to take these things lightly. "There's too much of this hilarity going on and people need to realise that football's a serious business," he said. Former Purana Taskforce detective superintendent Gerry Ryan who joined the AFL last year as part of its beefed up integrity unit is likely to head the investigation and also report on the cardboard cut out situation to his boss Gillon McLachlan before the next AFL board meeting due in October.

Watts is like any other player, he will be traded if the price is right.

give it a break mattjm, you're repetition is becoming boring besides we've all heard the same stuff endlessly before, here

And on top of that he's hard to work out.

You mean like beating Geelong at their home ground when they are celebrating one of their all-time favourite players' 300th game?

If Jack was to be traded, I would be extremely disappointed in the club not allowing him a final game in the red and blue. He has been a staunch and loyal player and works beyond the call of duty to meet kids, members etc. Deserves the game, if to be traded that is. No final game would leave a bitter taste as did the attempted trade of Jack T last year, which by all accounts he only reluctantly agreed to. So, don't think he is up for trade.

Same as dawes, allows his opponent to mark too easily, turns what should be a 50/50 ball in the forward 50 into a rebound and potentially two goal turnaround. Hogan is the only one who consistently either marks or brings it to ground

"Hi, this is Todd Viney, is this the bloke who lives next to Tomlinson's sister? Meet me in the Laverton maccas car park in 20 mins. I'll be wearing a red beret"

Great photos. My highlights - seeing what a "fat" beast Petracca is - evidence that despite clearly losing his toe, Frost is still actually alive - Jesse Hogan *swoon* - Daniel Cross and his son on the track for the last time

Garland isn't a world beater, but he has done more than Lumumba on the field this season . Garland has copped a bashing for his shortcomings, yet there are other senior players that skate by and get minimal criticism. Would have Garland ahead of Dawes and Lumumba this year.

We've seen it all before Actually string a few wins together, that will impress me

I went back and listened to the SEN recording and to some extent 'Members Wing' is correct but it needs to be put in full context of the discussion:- The Ox asked Petroro: whether they are negotiating with Melbourne to get a long extension or a multi year contract...for Jesse? Petroro's (not quite verbatim) response was: ...we will sit down over the summer and start a discussion...Jesse is really happy in Melbourne...when the time is right both parties will sit down and start to look towards Jesse's future...but he is obviously a huge part of Melbourne's future. So in the context of the question, the response to me meant the next contract will keep Jesse with us 'for a long time to come' but to be fair Petroro didn't use those words. You can form your own view at the 12 min mark: http://www.sen.com.au/programs/the-run-home There seemed little doubt that there will be a contract extension negotiated over the summer. Jesse is contracted till 2017 so even a 'short' extension eg 3 years will keep Jesse a Demon till 2020. That's a long time to me and I would be very happy with that sort of contract extension.

Brett Anderson just tweeted that he is apparently putting on a clinic. Could have had about 5 or 6 goals in the first term. I have moved from Parish into this kid as our first pick while ago. 191cm tall 94kg who plays forward but has huge upside to run through the middle like Jake Stringer.

Haven't been around for a while but thought I'd drop down to training for the last session of the year. Here are a few pic's from the final session for the year. I'll be back again for pre season. Enjoy ==> http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-DL4jtP/i-tDSVBsC/A http://www.smugmug.com/photos/swfpopup.mg?AlbumID=51763012&AlbumKey=HBwxqz

#keyboardwarrior

All true - but Natanui would have retreated back to his native WA within 4 years of being drafted - guaranteed. At least Wattsy stuck by us and signed a long contract during the height of our incompetence.

Would Andrew Moore from Port Adelaide be worth a look. 189 and quick? Cant get past Gray , Wingard, Hartlett and co. but has done well in the SANFL. Also a Melbourne supporter as a kid I believe.

The Dees have really Jetta-son'd their opportunities this season. We've Gawn and Dunn what only Melbourne could do. Like a Neal-Bullen a China shop. Howe this could happen time and again is Watts really disappointing. I'm con-Vince'd we'll never shut the Dawes on these dark years. We've Cross'd the line with the self-Harmes Sundays. It really Grimes my gears. We're all Terlich'ing our lips hoping we'll be Bail'd out in trade week but even that's a Stretch. So Brayshaw selves, the Hunt is on. Let's hope we can Petracca good midfielder down. If we Kent, I'll be drin-King a slab of Frost-ies to numb the pain and there will be some Michie trigger fingers on Demonland.

Carltank are now primed to win the spoon. Love it.

Brissy giving their supporters some optimism and joy to go into the off season with. This is what we need tomorrow.

Geez u have a lot of crapola after your posts Dee-luded.It makes me dizzy!

On Grimes, I disagree. He's a turnover king, is slow, hand passes to players who are in imminent danger of being tackled, can't kick, and can't make quick correct decisions.

* Who's coming in.

That and the fact he's not worth anything near that.

Yeah a fringe player that's played 20 of 22 games so far...

He's been dropped. No biggie. Personally, I don't think he was our worst last week, but that's the world of Jack Watts. Perhaps Jones won't get up? I hope he leaves or retires - never, ever, has one player faced sooooo much scrutiny at such an inherent microscopic level. Look after your mind, young man.

And if they replied to them, it'd make them look pretty amateur, IMO.

Clearly Jack is an A grade superstar in the waiting guys!!! He is a number 1 draft pick who has been in the AFL system for 7 years now and returned 7 brownlow votes. He has only been dropped twice this year, thats common for #1 picks isnt it??? Lets hope brayshaw and petracca are as good and deliver the same output.. We are in safe hands if so. Face facts everyone. He is a slightly more skilful morton with less tank and same lack of agression.

Said it earlier, will say it again, lynch (crows), vickery, day, dixon all have more currency than watts. Open your eyes people and be unbiased...

"The beauty of this industry is that if you do it right for long enough, you hold your nerve, you’re patient and you believe in yourselves and still find that balance between high demands, yet empathetic understanding, it can turn."

But with knee issues

Old, slow, selfish, struggling with form and his career ending.... perfect fit. Get him.

Unless your Tomlinson's manager, I wouldn't waste my time hitting the refresh button on your email inbox.

Went to training today and Jane from the MFC introduced my son to big Max Gawn who had a nice chat with him about recovery etc. really wonderful guy and my son was absolutely over the moon. And just when Liam thought nothing could be better than that, Jane has organized passes to the changing rooms post game on Sunday. I'm really happy that this trip to Melbourne has been precisely the lift he needed and I really have to thank the MFC (again) and more particularly Georgina and Jane for going that extra mile.

There is a real sense that something is going on of significance. Have the feeling a big fish will be landed from left field.

Conspiracy theories will abound over the coming weeks that Jack Watts may well be put up for trade. However to me it seems a little strange to drop him for the last game if trying to maintain his trade value. Jeremy Howe could similarly have been dropped several times for indifferent form during the season but wasn't. Again theories on keeping up Howe's trade worth were touted as reasons for not doing so if he chose to leave - or the club wished to move him on. My theory on Howe was that they were keen to get him to 100 games in case a spring-heeled baby with a great work ethic came along and we could take him as a father-son! My theory on the dropping of Watts is that while his form has been better in the second half of the season, he still has some work to do over the summer and the clear message is for him to not get too comfortable in his own skin. McCartney and Goodwin have put alot of work into him in terms of improving his competitiveness and the results were starting to show. He is such a great decision maker and user of the ball, I would be disappointed to let go what the team has been crying out for in that regard. This may also send the same message to the rest of the playing group that there is still much to be done and everyone needs to improve. If Jack was sick or sore for this week's game, I think he would have been listed as such. His eligibility for free agency next year and Roos' views on potentially trading away a year before only adds intrigue to the situation. I hope he stays.

a bloke i know caught a lovely aussie salmon off moggs creek that bled red from the blue sea. Clearly the deal is done.

I'm sure they get plenty of these types of messages

Spot on Redleg - an overly zealous understudy (Anderson) thought he could stamp his authority while the Grand Poobah was out of town. Sadly for him, instead of stamping said authority, he ended up stamping his own papers and being given the Tijuana. Altho' I am no real fan of Demetriou's, I think he massaged as soft a landing as possible for us. Harry Hindsight suggests that AA would probably like to press the rewind button on this one. BTW, why do Libba's revelations re Carltank never seem to get much airtime?

We are the only club that hasn't had a true superstar in the last 30 years. It is a sad state of affairs. Every other club has had multiple superstars in that time. I agree pay him whatever it takes.

I think Melbourne would have the capacity to offer 50% more than Geelong.

Without wanting to get anyone's hopes up too much, he has decided where he will be playing next year. The only thing I can say, he won't tell me where ... now I know that sounds pretty tame, but if he was going to stay in adelaide, he would have said. Despite speculation, Hawthorn were not a factor. I believe the Melbourne offer was huge, and dwarfed the offer from Geelong. I genuinely believe it's very likely he could be at Melbourne next year. If he isn't, then don't blame anyone at the club for lack of effort.

Jesus H. Christ. Watts get dropped and it's meltdown central. Way to go Demonland.

I said an equally silly remark at the end of David Cordners career.

I can't wait for the Chris Dawes annual February pre season speech.

I am so sick of people at this club saying all the nice things I want to see something tangeable happen on field The fact is that the last 4 weeks we have played teams all over the ladder and lost them all by an average of 9 goals Worse, we have done it in a way that looks like the team is not particularly interested in what's going on In fact, you could easily argue that since the bye we have regressed to being the worst side in the comp again No amount of platitudes from the staff, admin and players will make any impression on me while this is happening on the field

Tom Pretoro from Jesse's management company was just interviewed on SEN and said they will sit down with the Dees during the summer to discuss his contract. He went on to say that 'Jesse will be part of Melbourne's future for a long time to come.' Almost form the horse's mouth!