pringle

I'd consider him as a late pick or rookie. Maybe worth a gamble at pick 50 or our 2nd or 3rd pick in the rookie draft.

What I am reading here is that we have managed to score big time, with Carlton rubbing us up from the front, and Chris Judd from behind... Actually... Doesn't sound as good put it that way... Ughhhh!!!!

Even better!!! I like!!!

Comparing the likely picks 1 and 2 in this year's draft (Scully and Trengove) to last year (Watts and NikNat) got me thinking about which year would be best to have the luxury of the PP. I am not sure of the exact rule, but it then got me thinking that we may have lucked out in this situation. Had we not beaten Carlton in that late season farcical "Kreuzer Cup" back in 2007 and consequently obtained a PP in 2008, we would have chosen Watts and Nik Nat. Now, assuming we had the same year in terms of win-loss this year, would we have still qualified for the PP again even though we got one the year prior? Does it have to be another two consecutive years of less than 4 wins each or would another failure have sufficed, or would we have missed out on Trengove and only got Scully this year? And regardless, if we had taken both Watts and Naita last year, would we have tanked to try to get another pick this year? I think it's unlikely and FWIW I think we would have finished about 12th to 14th in 2009, fully believing we were on the rise having completed the bulk of our rebuild by taking two such highly rated boys - sort of like we feel about the club this year. So I came to the conclusion that IF (like myself) you believe the combination of Watts, Scully and Trengove is better than Watts, Naita and Scully (or another lesser player if we came 12th - 14th), then we probably had a win out of losing to Carlton in '07 and delaying the PP a year. I always felt quite peeved about winning that day, but now I see that this game could still be viewed as a good win that will help the club build a winning culture. Of course some may think we lost out on this one (ie. Watts, Naita and draft pick 1-6 in 2009 > Watts, Scully and Trengove). Feel free to disagree. And also, I'm not 100% sure if losing to Carlton would have got us a PP in '07 or not, and whether we would have been allowed to have another PP in '08 etc. But regardless, I think we lucked out in terms of timing. Thanks therefore go not only to Jordan McMahon for sponsoring this message board, but also to the Carlton FC, for showing DB how to tank properly and allowing Jordan to seal the deal when the time was best for the MFC. I may have hated karma in those days for rewarding Carlton for it's cheating, but the events of the last couple of months (Fev etc.) and now the upcoming draft have helped restore my faith a bit (though they did steal Brock...)

Is the thread title a statement, question or suggestion? Has this been announced? Link? Seen at training? Source?

It is very slow. Don't know why it doesn't play properly on the slideshow. Audio seems to work fine, but not the footage. Oh well. This was my first ever attempt at using iPhoto, and I think it turned out ok. I'd fix the typo ("with gusto" instead of "wigusto"), but can't be arsed right now. gotta go get my free grill'd burger for participating in Movember. And guys, remember anyone interested, I would love to put your headline/s and article/s into the link.

Pringle is indeed onto it. The link to the photos and video is below. If someone sends a match report and new headline, I will paste them in (best headline and as many articles as people want to send; I'll whack them all in). I hope this works. Forum Foty - Articles, Photos and Video

Just got back home from work and would already have posted a page with photos and the video of the team song, but just got a mac recently and not so sure how to do it on iPhotos. Once my brother answers his phone and explains how easy it is to me, I'll post it. If anyone has written an article, I can paste it in to the page. It would actually look quite good, because if anyone knows iPhoto, I have set it up like the front page of a newspaper. I have come up with the front-page headline, but happy to accept suggestions/input from other posters who were at the game. Rollo, maybe once you post your report I'll paste it in. And mac users, if anyone here can give a simple explanation, the snag I am hitting is how to 'publish' the page on to the internet and then post the link (I haven't paid for mobileme... do I need to? Is there another way?) And btw, I was ridiculously sore today. Could not walk at work today (and my job involves walking up and down stairs and following people in a hurry around a big hospital all day). One leg has a corked thigh and won't straighten, whilst the other knee and leg are badly 'carpet burned' and won't bend from being thrown to the ground like a rag doll twice in 3 seconds by that massive Carlton bloke. And I think I broke my little finger!!!

You're right. He wasn't so bad from 45+. But I remember I used to say every time he had a shot in unison with my brother, "distance no problem, accuracy is..."

With some talk about Butcher's potentially flawed kicking style causing him to slide down the draft pecking order, I have spent more than a few of my precious moments considering his potential worth. Over the years there have been plenty of good KPF's who were not great shots for goal but crafted handy careers. Nick Holland, Jade Rawlings, Earl Spalding, Paul Salmon, Robbo (in his early years), Richo, Darren Bennett, even Sticks Kernahan etc. The list goes on. There have also been numerous ruckmen who couldn't kick to save themselves rotate through forward lines and kick decent bags. I'm still as yet undecided, but playing on my mind is the fact that these types are becoming fewer and fewer with the change in playing style in the modern game. In fact, tall forwards as a breed are dwindling in number (though not value in my opinion). Anyway, the closest I have come to an opinion (not set in stone yet) is that I'd be willing to draft Butcher or another KPF if they can at least kick a long ball. For m distance is the key, and it stems from watching Brad Miller play for the past whatever years. Miller gives me the absolute irrits at times, but not because he can't slot them from 30m consistently (though that would be nice), more because any further than 40m and you just know he won't even make the distance. That is not good enough for a KPF. The days of a Plugger type plonking themselves in the square are long gone, and with modern zones, a large amount of set shots are from 45m+. If Butcher can kick 55m+, is the best available KPF available at 11 (or 18) AND can kick a long ball, I would probably take him (assuming we take 2 or 3 mids) first. Considering we're likely to take Scully and Trengove with 1 & 2...

It's not too shabby so far given that I (and presumably all of you) have yet to receive a renewal package.

What he meant in that quote from the article was that so far in the post season he hasn't been able to eat much due to having had a nose operation. Pain in the initial recovery period may have hindered his eating. Now that the recovery period from the operation is over, he can start to plough into the weights and food and try to add some bulk to his frame. The operation was to help clear a minor obstruction to airflow by correcting a deviated nasal septum (the barrier between the two nostrils). This will improve his breathing and potentially increase his aerobic capacity. No effect on eating however, which is a shame. Otherwise I'd send a few more boys in for the same procedure.

My little cousin says he and a friend are very keen to play (so that's 2 more Rollo). As I expected, my cousin in year twelve has to focus on VCE exams. And BL3281 is an emphatic no. Still sufferring from 'general soreness' following his last game about 2 years ago. He's a slow recoverer. And Whispering, as for my older cousins who could play, I think it's up to you to do the convincing!!! I'll try to add my powers of persuasion this Friday, but they are both fully aware of when the games will be and I can't think of any reason (including smoking) that should stop them from playing. It's about time they made their long-awaited debuts!!! Looks like we're shaping up nicely. Plenty of numbers will be important, as I am sure we will have some people pull out in the last few days, some will just be too tired to last 4 qtrs, and some (like myself) are not expecting the hammies to go the distance.

I have a tentative yes from my mate Daniel, who is a good forward-midfielder. Can play anywhere from wing forward. Have seen him kick big bags of goals too over many games together in junior footy. Still to speak to my big little brother BL3281, but will try to call him today to confirm. And I'm trying to get my two cousins down as well. Have just texted them. But one is in yr 12 so may not have time, and the other may be too young (what would be considered too young to play do you think? That little guy who played for Talking Carlton couldn't have been more than 13!!! My cousin is 14, but he can play and would tower over that talented little blueboy).

:lol: :lol: :lol: It worked It's on!!!

I'm going to do my very best to get BL2381 to come out of retirement (ala Tony "Plugger" Lockett). He may just be rejuvenated after having his first child 18 months ago (though possibly a few kg's heavier still than his last outing a while back). His missus may have something to say about it, but whatever size he is, mark my words, he's a very good player. I also heard from my dad that he nearly lost a lung Tuesday night after trying to do a gym class for the first time in many years... Freak may have him covered in the beep test methinks :lol:

It's on!!! Can't say how pleased I am to have the Pies on board. Would love to cream those @#$% ^())_^#@ ^#())^# % &(&^$#nts. Blues will be looking to lift their game and avenge last season's close defeat at Gosch's followed by a solid beating in the return bout. Will be interesting to see if their scrawny youngster who went unmarked and kicked a couple of crucial sausage rolls to get them back into the game last year has bulked up over the pre-season. Saints... well, after a close early encounter a couple of years ago, they have become our whipping boy. Going on past form, we should take home the cup in a traditional Melbourne-Collingwood final. My major concern... having to cool down and warm up again more than once in a day. I'm in pretty good shape from a cardiovascular point of view, but I think even Nathan Buckley has better hammies than me. Very interested to hear some of our new recruits talk themselves up (or down ). Makes for fun reading. And of course I'm looking forward to the 1 or 2 posters from each site who will inevitably make their way here to stir up some banter. The Saints and Blues actually had decent organizers who only taunted in fun... I dare say the Pies may have a few more interesting characters visiting here to vent their incoherent dribble.

The only one of these traded players that is even remotely important in helping Brisbane win a premiership is Fev and Fev alone. And he makes a HUGE difference. If he plays most home and away games and all finals next year, then with a fair chunk of luck, they could pull it off.

My 1st ever favourite player (that i can remember) was Rodney "Balls" Grinter. I can still recall sitting in the red seat section in the Northern stand one day watching as he nearly had his head taken off in a shirt-front as he was steaming away from a pack toward an oncoming defender. Instead of falling into a heap on the floor, he just kept running. I wanted to be like that and always tried to play my footy that way. Plus he was always good to keep us entertained with a cheeky raised elbow in a bump, or sometimes just an accidental face re-arrangement to a toss-pot like TW. After Balls I then idolized Stephen "Stinga" Tingay. The way he turned his skinny frame into a massive unit and watching him plough down the wings of the MCG en-route to a 55m bomb goal... Tough and hard with class written all over him and destined for further honours in his career bar an unfortunate walk through a glass window pane. Special player. Presently... well unfortunately it was Brock, but I think I jumped prematurely into that relationship (based on the fact that we had little else to choose from) but now I think it's Col. But so far neither compares to my 1st 2 man-crushes.

Is there much difference between Neil Mitchell's description and what the Vex people 'reported'. Mitchell claims to be taking a moral high ground and attempts to protect his journalist colleague who doesn't want the story out, but all he succeeds in doing is placing the matter front and center. What a sneaky, conniving way to grab attention. I actually used to like him. I'm not against him breaking the story, just the self righteous and sneaky manner in which he did it has me a bit peeved.

I'd say the fact he has Brock in his username makes it more likely for him to react this way. Personally, I had Brock's number on my jumper from the year he debuted and loved the bloke, but after a very brief period of mourning started to feel very comfortable with the trade. I wish him no ill and agree that both Melbourne and Carlton benefit from the trade but I'm still a bit hurt. Yes I feel he's a traitor, but I know this is not really justified considering the modern football climate. Would have hurt less if it wasn't Carlton though.

Been away from the board all day, but it seems opinions are split. I feel that regardless of what we think, the amount of trading and time-frame over which it can occur will almost certainly increase in the future. Club allegiance is becoming less important as time passes, and one day I can foresee free agency and mid-season trade periods helping teams try to re-ignite a season. Sad thing is, that may mean the official end of an 'equal' AFL.

I understand your points wrath. But we are not the rest of the sporting world. We have a unique sport. An 'indigenous' code of football as they say. Where loyalty means something totally different compared to world football. Specifically, I don't think 2 or 3 days of trading makes it a 'non-event' as you put it. I think a non-event is two or 3 whole days where there is barely a real trade to be reported. Also, I think 'rushed' trades would be good for trade period and for footy. It makes more of an art of the process. It's like playing cards... you don't give someone forever to make their decision. Sure it would be lovely to have all the time in the world, but the recruiters who can hold their nerve, come in with realistic expectations and be willing to negotiate will be the ones who come out on top. If you want to compare us to the rest of the world, then there should be no question as to whether a player agrees to be traded elsewhere and hence no reason for the player to be consulted as to whether he agrees to a trade. The process is therefore speeded up and more trades go through. Finally, I understand the supporter fascination with draft period, but I'm not so sure 'the 'people love it' as much as you think. Obviously there is traffic on the board at this time of year, but I don't think it is because people love the trade period. I think it is more to do with people hoping for any word to allay their fears that their favourite player might be traded, their club might be making a huge mistake for which they have a right to tear up their membership, the anticipation of the position in which a team will be left at the conclusion of trading or simply wish ill fortune on another team. Either way, 2 or 3 days of trading compared with 5 would not do much to diminish the excitement of trade period, just condense the gratuitous voyeurism of the whole fiasco.

As a member of the leadership group, I have to say that there will be punishment for anyone not turning up to the 1st game of the season in less than top condition. Skinfolds will be tested this year, and there will be some gut-busting running required for anyone who doesn't toe the line. Despite dodgy hammies repeatedly falling apart as I approach the 30 y.o. mark, I'm definitely in and have been training my heart out all pre-season (after hitting the booze for the 1st 6 months following our last outing vs. the Blues). That's the kind of dedication I expect from everyone. I don't expect to personally make it past the 5 minute mark before I feel the first twang in the back of my thigh, but at least I know that if I don't tear a hammy straight away, I might just be able to run out the two 15 minute halves. This is our time Demonlanders. Don't think, do... Oh wait, that one's been used... Um, ask not what your club can do for you...no wait, um... P.S. Rollo, don't the Pies have a forum team? Surely amongst their 4 million fans they have at least 22 blokes willing to be subjected to a flogging at our hands? It's not like they's have to do anything difficult like buy mouthguards or something. I guess they wod have to learn to read though so we could let them know we want to play. hmm... Maybe getting a bit hard. Would love to pump those toothless !#@*s though.

I feel that trade period really drags on a bit too log. I understand that clubs need to sit down and talk, then go back and talk behind closed doors before returning for more talk and argy-bargy etc. However considering the middle of trade week is generally pretty barren in terms of actual trades made, why not condense the whole process a bit. I say 2-3 days is plenty. Here are a couple of reasons I think reducing the duration of trade week would make it more appealing: 1. Reduces the amount of rumour and innuendo that can possibly be leaked, thus preventing a scenario in which rumours could potentially personally hurt a player and/or their relationship with their club (ie. today's Campbell Brown fiasco). 2. It would possibly reduce the amount of game-playing and posturing etc. Clubs may be made to think on their feet rather that devise elaborate schemes and using 'hold-off' tactics to get more out of trade. This may lead to more trades being completed, as teams don't have time to have '2nd thoughts'. 3. It may reduce the mount of 'choice' a player has to decide how they are utilized during the trade period. I may be in the minority here, but I think it is absolutely ludicrous that a player is able to 'choose' the club to which he is 'traded'. This is an obscene indulgence afforded to the better players only, and very much against the AFL's 'equalization' policy that is supposedly designed to provide clubs with 'cyclical success'. All i see coming out of this farce of a system is that if you have the name, facilities and ability to pay players 'under the counter', then you will have players clamouring over each-other to 'choose' their new club. Feel free to agree or disagree, but considering the transfer of players (many of whom are much loved such as Brock McLean) is a pretty unsavoury business, I feel the quicker we get over this testing time for all clubs and players, the better. Personally, I will be happy when this thing is over and we can think about our daft picks and how to use them. Now that is a drama i'm happy to last and last for as long as possible. There's no greater contrast than the joy and promise of a new draftee vs the stoic acceptance of a traded player that he was unwanted in one place, but may turn it around at another. Yes i am aware that some players ask to be traded and some need to be traded for their own good, but there are usually people who get hurt in the process. Josh Kennedy had to leave Carlton to accommodate Judd. Campbell brown may have at one stage been headed to Port as a 'done deal', but due to a Hawthorn supporter backlash that deal never eventuated (yes, i feel that they tested the water on that one, got their clear response from the fans and then got the prez to come on air with head between tail and tried to convince us all that it never happened). Trade period is a necessary evil and should start and end as quickly as possible before it gets too ugly. Any thoughts?