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We really do overrate our own in here. In the last 4 years, Merrett has won 2 BF, finished runner up and come third. He is an All-Australian and 3 times made the Under 22 team of the year. He is a very, very good player who would instantly make our team better. He is an outside player who has been forced to play an inside role due to Essendon's needs. He would be our wingman for the next 8 years. Apart from one good year, what has Brayshaw achieved? And people think a straight swap is fair? Crazy. Merrett was forced out of Essendon's leadership group last year by their players because he was considered too driven to succeed and he needed to work on building relationships with teammates. These are not problems Brayshaw has. We would demand Brayshaw and a late first/early second round pick.

Merrett is a gun. I'd love to get him, but it's obviously unlikely. His disposal was always exceptional, but it has dropped off recently. I've seen enough to know it's far from an issue. A happy mind would fix things pretty quickly. Brayshaw is an interesting trade proposition. To get Merrett you'd do it in a heartbeat. I've not pined over a single player that's left us recently (including Howe), because I've known what you're going to get. Brayshaw is the one player that would have me nervous. Why ? Because I'm not sure what he could become. He has the natural talent to be elite. For me it's above the shoulder with Angus. If the penny ever truly drops he could come back to make you regret trading him. But for a player of Merrett's quality you'd definitely take the gamble. With Merrett you're certain what you're getting and he'd add exactly the polish we lack.

Simply have to sign JV up for a further 4 years through to end 2024. He has the heart of a lion. You just can’t replace players like Viney. 2016 B&F winner. 2017 runner up in B&F. Had foot issues which impacted his 2018. 3rd B&F in 2019 3rd B&F in 2020 Leadership award in 2020. Heart and soul of the club.

Also, Scott brought him in to add to a group he thought would compete for finals. Scott’s not there now and there is a different direction for the club. Polec is something of a luxury item in this scenario. It shouldn’t reflect as badly on Polec as it has done.

I'm still unsure why John isn't a life member of the club. He coached 7 seasons but coached more games than Brian Wilson played for the Demons in 9 seasons yet Willo is in (quite rightly) and John isn't. His accomplishments as a coach at Melbourne are quite outstanding even if he couldn't land the elusive flag. 5 successive finals series, each time making at least the second week; one GF and a prelim. All up he coached us to 13 finals for 8 wins; 2 Night flags and a record against Hawthorn the envy of any club of that period. In fact we stopped their run of consecutive grand final appearances in 1990. There'd be few more deserving, and he clearly still loves the club.

For those scoffing at Preuss potential worth need to consider the following. He is in contract. There are a few clubs in desperate need of a primary ruckman and it looks like a year where they are in short supply. We are paying him fairly for a plan b for if Gawn got a long term injury, LJ may be second ruck preference but not for full games or runs of games. He showed in his 2 full games that he can more than hold his own now with improved endurance. He held his own and we squared the stoppages against the pies and he smashed English. It will come down to how much a club needs him and what they have that we may value highly.

Came across this beauty from the National Film & Sound Archive while researching something else. First 40 seconds will give us all a glimpse of past glories. I was lucky enough as a young kid to be there and in those days took premierships for granted. How times have changed. The rest of the promotional film is well worth watching if you'd like to time-warp back to the sixties in Melbourne. https://youtu.be/TC7D5T_m_-k

Or don't overthink it. If we can't accommodate the game's most consistent goal-kicker over the past few years (legit reasons for the slump this year) then we may as well shut up shop. On the market for cheap in terms of trade cookies, late starter, will release Fritsch and co. to do things you don't think Brown can do. I'll say one thing: while we are a serious offender (albeit improved this year), just about every fan laments their club's inability to hit up targets and the bombing it long. You think North had sublime delivery skills all the years Brown was kicking bags? Straightening a team up is a fairly common phrase for a reason. Brown will be our TMac of 2018. Presents on the lead and opens up the angles and further options. You don't ambivilate when a KPF of Brown's quality is on the market for cheap.

if it was zerrett for gus brayshaw i personally couldn't sign the transfer papers fast enough can't see peptides doing that

Thank you. I'm taking that the nuffies who don't want him CLEARLY haven't watched him play. Exactly the type of player who would compliment our midfield perfectly.

I'm keen. If we disregard this year and look at his three previous years then we can see that he's averaged around 23-24 disposals per game, had elite ''metres gained'[ and kicked 36 goals from a wing. He also 'regularly gets on the park playing 66 games, which I've learnt to value. In his last year at Port - 2018 - he finished top 5 in their B&F and I compared his stats that year with Ed Langdon's from 2019 (Freo) and they were almost identical with Polec probably just edging him. If his heads right I think he's a good fit.

I know there is always a lot of talk about trades and improving the list at this time of year. But I believe that the path to our next premiership can be from internal improvement by a small number of our key players. The coaching, the list construction and our depth is not the major issue. While I think a better winger and forwards will improve our side at the margin, really what we need is our best young players to take the next step. The 5 key improvements we need to have are: 1. Oliver’s disposal Clarry is obviously one of our best players, but I don’t think we will never win a flag unless he improves his disposal. He so prolific at winning the ball (top 5 for total possessions in the AFL but top for Clangers), and turnovers are what kill you in modern football. When Oliver gets possession all the other Melbourne players are working hard into space, so we are out of position defensively if he turns it over. Clarry is the source of our greatest strength and our greatest weakness, so our destiny is heavily tied to his disposal. 2. Petracca improves his consistency Trac was great this year and he has now learnt how to win the ball consistently. The next step for him is to improve the consistency of his kicking. We will be almost impossible to beat if Oliver and Petracca have high disposal efficiency. 3. Jackson needs to transition from talented kid to star player Jacko moves like a gazelle and is well skilled. At the moment I describe his game as being similar to Bontempelli, Blicavs and Mitch Clark, but he currently also possesses all of the flaws of those players and just glimpses of the best bits. If he can improve his marking, to be able to catch the ball at the highest point, it won’t take long before he is a top 5 player in the competition. 4. Weideman takes another step Sam took a major step forward with his marking this year. He also improved in bringing the ball to ground when he was out of position. But he needs to do this every week. And he needs to improve his goal kicking because his set shot technique is good. 5. Fritsch transforms from dead fish to deadeye Has there ever been a player who has been talked up more as a great kick to miss so often? Fritsch will always be just an ordinary forward pressure player, so he needs to capitalise better when he gets his chances in front of goal.

From AFL.com, here are our speedsters for 2020. Interstingly, many teams that we think are fast are significantly slower than us if you compare results. It is not speed of player, but speed of ball that counts! Would these have been your top 5? Top-five fastest players in 2020 Christian Salem, 34.8km/h v Sydney, round 15 Michael Hibberd, 34.6km/h v Collingwood, round 12 Aaron vandenBerg, 34.3km/h v Fremantle, round 16 Kysaiah Pickett , 34.2km/h v Brisbane, round 8 James Harmes, 33.9km/h v Collingwood, round 12 Fastest speeds clocked in a game in 2020 Christian Salem, 34.8km/h v Sydney, round 15 Michael Hibberd, 34.6km/h v Collingwood, round 12 Aaron vandenBerg, 34.3km/h v Fremantle, round 16 Kysaiah Pickett , 34.2km/h v Brisbane, round 8 James Harmes, 33.9km/h v Collingwood, round 12

I’d like to see us make a try for Alex Witherden from the Lions. Seemingly out of favour with Fagan. Would fit in perfectly to MFC as the small defender to replace Jetta. He had excellent skills, good pace and composure. Offer a nice 3 year deal and perhaps a pick acquired in a potential Preuss trade.

Merrett isn’t slow and is exactly the type of second ring player to take the ball away from the clearance and connect play down the ground. I am sure I heard quoted last week he has the best inside 50 effectiveness of any mid in the league.

Thought his achievements this year are worthy of special acknowledgement: Keith "Bluey" Truscott winner AA team on first nomination 2nd in the AFLCA coaches award which was won by Neale 3rd in the MVP awards, second to Neale and Boak Reflecting on those in total: he is voted the best by club coaches, AA by 'independent' AFL figures, top 2 by all coaches that saw him play and 3rd by his peers; some 800+ players. He has been building to this for several years and as he said has areas to improve and won't that be awesome! He graciously credited teammates, coaches and fitness staff at the Bluey. He has carried himself with maturity and humility. For the first time in eons we not only have a club champion we have an AFL champion, an elite player. Regardless of how mfc fortunes go in future he will be a joy to watch and people will go to games just to see his class. Rapt for him.

Oliver definitely has an issue with his disposal. How does a player lead the league in contested possessions, pressure acts and clearances and finish so far off winning the best and fairest? The reason is he turns it over too often.

Can't specifically say to much but my information comes from someone employed by the club. I don't post everything i'm told, but this will be announced in due course so i'm coming forth now.

I jumped on bomberblitz to have a read of the general feeling amongst the Bombers supporters and Jesus H Christ that forum is an absolute debacle. Hard to read and follow what's going on, sometimes posts are replied to without the quote embedded etc their forum software is second rate. Made me appreciate Demonland even more ?? @Demonland

Instead of making the first right decision, he tries to run through people. If he gets through, it's more often a rushed disposal. Because his play in unpredictable, his team mates are never sure whether to run forward or cover for the turn over, meaning we're nowhere. I think it's pretty clear that Jack will be playing at Melbourne next year, so he needs to play a different role. Forward pocket and defensive mid.

Unlikely I know, but anyone who says Merrett is a butcher, isn't watching closely enough. He's a gun. These highlights show how naturally he gets it on the outside. Not only is he a beautiful kick, he's quick, despite what some are saying. Perfect fit for our midfield.

I'm basing this idea on the belief that Viney has re-signed, I can see arguments both ways about that outcome ... I think my trade is like for like based on 2020 roles - Brayshaw wing-mid and Harmes half-back, although I acknowledge Harmes can be effective in the midfield. Oliver, Petracca, Viney, Merrett, Langdon. This means a couple of VDB, Melksham, ANB, Sparrow, Jordon and Baker (and Hannan?) have to play midfield in the 22 and I acknowledge depth does looks a bit thin. Using Tomlinson in the backline and adding Saad may free Salem or Rivers into the midfield. I believe that we can't trade our remaining 2020 picks because we traded already pre-traded our 1st this year - that's the rule on future picks and I'm not sure whether the restriction carries over into the next year. If that is the case then the only trade currency we've got is players or 2021 picks.

Pretty much every deal the guy is involved in is hard work From memory - Carlisle to St Kilda went to mediation Stringer to Essendon went down to the last day Shiel to Essendon nearly fell over Joe D didn’t get done Essendon supporters love him. List manager of a club that hasn’t won a final since Adam was a boy. Hardly a great resume. Long may he continue in that role.

Haven’t heard anything since last week. I’ll keep you updated if I hear something.

There's discussion on bomberblitz that he was too hard on the players/expecting too much of them but other posters shot that down so who knows?

So much for all the people who repeatedly say Salem is slow. #Salomyths

I hope not. Brayshaw would eat Polec for Breakfast. Polec is not that good and is bad news. Forr me Brayshaw has more upside remembering he came 3rd in the Brownlow only 2 years ago.

North have a huge age gap from 25 to 30 on their list. Even if they move on Higgins their over 30's are ok - Ziebell, Hall, Tarrant, Goldy. But in that prime age they'll have Cunnington, Tom Campbell (a break glass if needed ruck), Atley, Walker, Dom Tyson (if they keep him) and Garner (if they keep him). They don't want Polec, they'll bring in Corr and they want to trade Brown now whilst he still has some value to get more draft picks. So they desperately need good solid citizens in that mid to late 20's because otherwise not only will the side be terrible but the leadership and training standards will fall off a cliff too. Tommy at CHF with Larkey as the main inside 50 target probably pairs better for Larkey's development than a lot of other options too. It's not as good as Brown in full flight and Larkey up the ground but it might not be hopeless. It reminds me of the way Brad Miller played 2 seasons at Richmond for Jack Riewoldt. Or even the same way Daniel Cross played 2 seasons at Melbourne on a wing or flank to help our young mids. They have to spend the salary cap someway and they won't be signing any big name free agents or trades (heavens knows how much they paid Corr but they didn't get Williams and will be long odds to get Saad). Jade Rawlings knows Tom so will know his character and off field leadership. If I were North I'd be reluctant to publicly confirm interest because it does look like a big step backwards going from Brown to Tommy Mc, but to me it does make some sense. If you delist 11 players and trade 3 of your best 10 you're going to have to find senior players from somewhere.

Attitude. We don’t have one yet

Hunt on this year's form is a much better option than either Hannan who goes missing for large chunks of games and Melksham who picks and chooses when he'll have a go - he's too half hearted when he tackles and is lazy at times.

I exchanged texts with one of the players this morning. I asked him about Clayton and he said it was crap and he asked me where I'd heard the rumour. (He hasn't tuned into any footy related media since Sunday.) When told it was Sam McLure who started the rumour, he said that Sam loves a headline and not to read anything into it.(He then inserted a Pinocchio emoji which I thought looked exactly like Sam.)

Few insiders blv dees not pursuing Williams leads them to blv Saad is a lock... Either way, Dees need to prioritise a fwd & if Tom McDonald is being pursued by Roos then Brown surely seems logical, however for whatever reason this seems unlikely despite it marching up on first look. Could this be related to chasing another big fwd? I think so but it’s a view not something I’ve got any word on. But I think we’ve been far “too quiet” which makes me think either Cameron or Gunston are heavily on the radar, Hooker maybe even as a plan C. I predict: Saad, I Smith, Cameron & Atkins are our likely ins. 3/4 with Cameron the Outsider & one of Brown, Hooker, Gunston, Wright or Curnow to replace him should it be a pipe dream.

A superb effort this year. He has shown a level of professionalism I did not think he possessed. We shouldn’t underestimate the effort and hard work required to get into the physical condition he achieved. He has improved every aspect of his game. We could not have asked for more in terms of professionalism, dedication and commitment. Christian has led by example this year. I hope the club match his level of ambition and make the changes needed this off-season to ensure the potential of our list is fully realised.

three clubs didn't 'offload' him, per se - he left bears as they were a dumpster truck fire at the time (he was one of the 'wantaway five', and got to go home to sa) and pear couldn't come close to giving him the sort of contract that north could all the pear people i know still really rate him, both as a footballer and a person

Seen him do ok for a quarter or two at VFL level off HB and in a HB / wing split role but then he'll go missing for the other two et al. If he struggles to hold down a similar role for 4 quarters at that level, while not impossible, there would have to be a big question mark at the elite one. A big no from me. He had his chance to step up after an injury interrupted 2019 and failed badly IMO. Time to look elsewhere. If 2020 revealed anything with Burgess on board it was the year that indicated who, of the non rookies, really wanted it. Unfortunately Hannan didn't step up and as i've said on a number of occasions, is one of the reasons why we often see too much left to too few far too often. Upgrade needed here. Will Goody stay true to his word? Time to get ruthless MFC or another bust looms in 2021.

North are desperate to get him and Brown off the books, even if it means paying a portion of their salary. I'd offer a 3rd rounder and i bet they'd take it.

2019 taught us that it’s very difficult to manufacture a wingman. We tried half the list there and it never worked. Langdon is a natural outside player because he holds his space and he works unbelievably hard when we do and don’t have the ball. Lets recruit a natural outside player instead.

I'm in favour. He clearly has pros and cons. IMO, we need the pros more than the cons hurt us. His outside run on a wing could be huge for us. If he struggles with contested ball or hard ball gets, we should be able to deal with that as we don't need 22 players who are contested beasts. Where it won't work is if he doesn't run two ways to defend. We've been plugging the gap on the non-Langdon wing with a lot of vandenBerg, Jones, Sparrow - not great for the role but at least playing a role defensively. Unless we dramatically reduce our turnovers, we can't afford to have a winger who doesn't defend. Assuming we can get him running both ways, and assuming we work out how to deal with his enormous contract (i.e. North covering it or we lose a player or two to make salary cap room), I'm in favour.

A few blokes working out how to chase and tackle and bring the same effort week to week would make a difference.

Bit harsh expecting Trac to improve. He is the second best player in the AFL this year. If his kicking was off at times it was because he was constantly tackled whilst kicking

We must be the greatest off season "improvers" in the history of sport.

Agree with all of that. I think if we can add Saad as well, all of a sudden there's quite a bit of leg speed there and ability to cover the ground with Langdon leading the way. It means we can use Salem further up the ground too if we want.

Massive, massive achievements from Trac this year and I think this could (and should) have a monumental shift in the playing group from the guys that are younger than him that have seen what he’s done. This is HOPEFULLY the shift in culture we wish to see. He could have easily just kept plodding along (‘plodding’ is a bit harsh) and rocked up each season to play footy at a decent level. He hasn’t, he has changed the story/narrative - listen to any commentary throughout any game before this season - its all there - It’s all about ‘potential’ star. Hadn’t been done yet. And he hadn’t made it. Well now he has, but it took a massive shift personally. All younger players are told from the coaches and ‘older’ blokes (to them, 35+) within a club about ‘taking your opportunity’ but this is such a great example of an actual living example of a young player that has taken drastic measures, outside of his clubs mandated responsibilities/measures, to push beyond and realize his full potential (which I think we all agree, as he has stated – has not yet been reached/achieved). Sky is the limit as far as I’m concerned. (I’ve been a bit sour since our season has finished when we really should be at the very least playing finals with our list, but it’s important to celebrate a massive freakin achievement) Huge Congratulations Christian.

The tackling is definitely an issue and more generally we make quite a few mistakes or ineffectual efforts when we are in that close physical zone as defenders. Throwing ourselves at players we should be impeding, over-committing to tackles, or simply chasing to where the opponent is instead of moving to intercept. This is definitely something that can be coached, so, add to the shopping list 'tackling and pressure coach'. On the principle of send a thief to catch a thief, someone like Sam Mitchell might be an interesting person to approach as a specialist consultant.

Great summary! Neale has 3 years on him - Trac has time on his side to be absolutely anything. A very exciting few years ahead for Trac, and I hope a few more of his team-mates take a leaf out of his book and dare to put in the work to achieve their own slice of greatness.

We're not in a position to take an injury riddled forward who has shown very little, we need a proven full-forward.

Perhaps I'm wrong but I can't remember a single time a contract announcement has been done during the BnF. Doesn't seem like the appropriate forum to me, particularly with some players already shown the door and others most likely knowing they're up for trade. To me it doesn't seem very tactful.

This mail is wrong. Term's had been agreed on a contract for 2021 with Harley subject to the finalisation of list numbers not dropping below 36 (Unlikely).

John Northey My favorite coach for being down to earth building great relationships and getting the best out of his players. The facilities at the time when training at the junction oval were more than sub standard however he managed to get us into 5 consecutive finals series with a Prelim in 87 and a Grand Final in 88. Northey gave us some great memories.