Scoop Junior

In regards to Godders and Ward, there is no doubt that it is the right decision. We need more talent on the list. I don't think it's correct to say that Ward wasn't up to it. He was a very serviceable player over the years with good speed and a hard edge. He's past his best and is no longer a best 22 player, but he was a fair player over the years. Godders got the absolute most out of himself. For someone not of AFL standard in regards to speed, disposal, decision-making and awareness, he can be pretty proud of his efforts in playing 100 games. Fantastic worker and great courage. Thanks to these two for their efforts. The decision is correct. But we can also acknowledge their efforts over the years.

While I wouldn't think Adelaide could win the flag based on their form over the season and their position on the finals starting grid, things may work out for them if they beat Hawthorn and Port beats WCE. They could face the Roos in week 2, which you'd be pretty happy about in a semi-final. Win that and then it's a prelim in Adelaide against Port, who they have a great record against. But no team has won the flag from 6th, 7th or 8th.

Hard to hear as the feed wasn't great on SEN. Spoke a bit about development - said that apart from putting game time into players to give them experience, there is all the off-field stuff that you need to do to help them develop. The aim was to get blokes on the park who, while only having played 20 or so games, play like they have played 40 games because of their development. Draft - said that you always go for the best available player. Players - no mention of anyone specifically, obviously. Said there were players he'd like to put in different positions and give them different experiences. This will obviously be seen in the pre-season. Interview - apparently he posed some questions during the match simulation to the panel, which I guess would have been a different approach to some of the other candidates. Marketing - said he's happy to adopt that role. Primary focus will be on coaching and developing a winning list, but having been at Essendon and Port he knows the value of coaches that do their bit for the club on a marketing level. I thought he handled it well and sounded pretty impressive.

Bob - Correct. And I'm not arguing that Sheedy has done a great job in the last 5 years. But Fan and yourself (any myself for that matter) have been a big wrap for ND over the journey and what I'm highlighting is that it's a bit odd to credit ND for his job while at the same time not giving Sheedy a wrap for essentially acheiving similar results.

Fan - Melbourne v Essendon from 2001: Essendon: 1 GF loss 3 Semi Final exits 2 bottom four finishes Melbourne: 2 Semi Final exits 2 Elimination Final exits 2 bottom four finishes Essendon may have been poor in 2005-6, but since 2000 they have out-performed us results-wise. And many would argue Melbourne has had the better list. If Sheedy did not perform well, how did ND perform?

How can we not play Buckley and Garland in this match? Astonishing. Carlton must be laughing. Watch two or three Blues pull out on Sunday morning.

Good stuff sylvinator. Like those changes and the reasons for them. I would also add Godfrey to the list of delistings. That makes 8 players - possibly too many to lose all in one hit. If so, I'd keep Jamar just because we are so light on for ruckmen that we need him.

Bizz - very good in 2002 and 2003, little value after that although he did get injuries. Has been a handy, serviceable pick-up, though not long term. Definitely not a dud. Holland - has done some good jobs. Again, a serviceable pick-up. Thought we paid too high a price for him. Not a pick-up you'd gloat about but hasn't been the worst.

You gotta be kidding me. He was well past his best, played a few good games but didn't have much of an impact. How do you rate Jeff White as a pick-up?

Another dud mature-age recruit from the MFC in the last 10 years. Chisholm, Carter, Ellis, Vardy, Heffernan, Moorcroft, Read, Funcke, Cook...the list goes on. Hopefully we do better with recycled players in this new era.

What also needs to be taken into account is Carlton's position. They are a competitor. Regardless of our draft selections, do you want a competitor getting access to two of the top three draft picks after years of high picks?

out: robbo and anyone else carrying some sort of slight injury in: neville weetra garland But we don't have the balls to do this. It's a shame.

They mostly want to lose. The ones that know anything about footy want to lose. The ones that don't know anything then either copy the others or maintain the stance that they want to win.

I'm not yet sold on Bate. I know he stands out with the red hair, the long left foot kick and the hard leading, but there are a number of queries on him. The two main concerns are his toughness and his ball handling. I don't think he attacks the ball hard enough. When there's players around the contest, he doesn't go in with full force. This probably affects his ball handling, especially at ground level, and perhaps he fumbles because of the perceived pressure of what's around him. He has some fantastic attributes but if he doesn't improve in this area he won't make it. I'll cut him some slack because he's young, but he needs to learn quickly that attack on the footy is non-negotiable. He has certain tools that will enable him to make it, but he must get better in other areas. The jury is out on him.

Yep Adelaide will really look to trade a gun FB like Rutten. Last line gorilla defenders are expendable

Would it be possible that fans of the team that is winning may leave early?

True DV8. I was thinking the same Tim! Apparently one of the biggest tanks designed in WWII was called the Landkreuzer. Ironic?

I went to that game too. Of course I didn't cheer Sydney. Just sat there quietly hoping they'd run over us, which they did. I also love the feeling of a win - but not when it costs you Brock McLean in the draft! That kinda makes the win an empty feeling! Any nice feelings associated with a win in those circumstances is short-term. I'm happy to sacrifice short-term gain for long-term gain.

See I don't understand this. By loving Melbourne, don't you want what's best for the club and what will best help the club in its quest for premiership success? Assuming you do, then let me ask you this: which scenario best helps the club, beating Carlton or losing to Carlton? It's not as if hoping we lose is not showing your support to the club. In fact it's the opposite. Hoping we lose is actually showing that you want what's best for the MFC.

How can anyone want to win this game? It defies all logic.

What seems a little strange is that Fagan has apparently been heavily involved in the selection process for a new coach. If he knew he was going, surely he wouldn't put himself in such a position. So it appears that it's a very recent decision. Hawthorn must have come up with a very good offer.

How about Rooney breaking his foot in the first game like Brock McLean did. Then Ronaldo sent off and missing for three games. Saha and Solskjaer already injured. No firepower whatsoever, just like the Dees without Neitz, Robbo, etc. 2007 has not been a good year for my teams! I like the Spurs, they've got a good squad and they really should push for 4th this year.

"Players could not hit targets and there were countless turnovers resulting in Collingwood counter attacks." Geddy Lee: Yeah, he's awesome. Matthews are a ripping band.

I don't think Johnson's a dirty player and I don't think he tried to knock Bell out. But certainly it was reckless and he'll go under that classification.

I love Jones - isn't it great to have a player who just rocks up week in week out and puts in 100%, runs till he drops, always goes hard and just brings that intensity to the contest. Very reliable for a player so young. His next task will be coping with closer attention that will come his way next year. He's earnt that respect from the opposition.