SaberFang

Gillon, Richo, KB are all on the panel. Apparently there's a lot of former KPPs which means Hogan's merits will not be underestimated. Lynch and Brown have both gone to strenuous lengths campaigning for him so hopefully it pays off.

The clear mantra Roos will be sending this year is "if you don't buy in, you're out." Too many players aren't buying in often enough, and sadly it's a big chunk of the senior group. Howe is a huge part of that. Has to go.

Last year I was on-board with recruiting an established mid, but seeing the potential of our properly developed youth, and the seeming rot that inhabits some of our older players, I'm happy to see us keep bringing in high draftees for another year. The successful model of other clubs seems to be establish your core group of kids, develop them on smaller salaries, climb the ladder enough to look attractive to A-graders, then use the cap space to buy a free agent. I reckon if we can climb between 8th and 12th next year, we'll be in the bracket to achieve this.

Howe, pick 6 & pick 24 for Prestia & pick 9 (from Dixon trade)? We can dream!

Actually an extremely sensible 3-way trade for all 3 clubs. GC won't give up pick 3 for Howe, they'll probably consider pick 9 adequate compensation for Dixon, and if the rumours are true about Howe wanting to go north then a mid-first rounder is what we'll be asking in return. He's actually a solid replacement for Dixon. Can play forward or back and provides marketability in a tough region. With injuries sorted next year I could easily see them bouncing back into the top 10.

Yep, pick 1, possibly pick 2, and Carlisle for free. There's no way Essendon will be reasonable in their demands (likely pick 1).

Sounds like Crossy will take a few weeks to let the dust settle before deciding on whether to continue at the MFC under a new role. Really hope we sold him the opportunity to stick around with our victory today. The group clearly love him to bits.

I wish they'd break the annoying record of losing whenever I tip them and winning whenever I tip against them. They cost me $200 today because the pricks underneath me had nothing to lose and went the Dees.

His response was pretty point blank in the presser today. "We only want players that want to be here." Seemed to sum it up.

Who said I was referring to the bird?

Because the AFL only want the northern clubs to have an unfair advantage.

I wonder how pick 6 will challenge him. By all accounts it seems we've been putting a lot of work into kids that likely won't be available anymore.

It just gives the whole team a positive springboard for the off-season. Would've hated to end on a loss. Funny to read all the Saints fans wetting themselves about possibly getting Parish now. Yeah, until your list management decide to skip the best midfielder for extenuating circumstances again.

Good to see the boys are heading out to celebrate. Love it!

First time I've gone into an off-season with genuine optimism about our future. It's clear we're still miles off, but our youth development is finally on track.

Essendon pull an impressive win out of their ass as soon as pick 4 is locked up. What a coincidence. Been saying it all along, they were underperforming for draft picks.

4 wins, 7 wins, ? wins. 10 looks like a good number to me.

Happy to finish the season on a win, even if it meant losing my tipping comp. The one time you don't tip the Dees and everyone else does... bloody hell. So happy for Crossy!

Anyone else find this video a bit disingenuous at the end? http://www.melbournefc.com.au/video/2015-09-03/howies-top-5-hangers He couldn't have seemed less enthused.

They have to move towards a 17-5 fixture, it's pretty clear the table is split between the top 12 and the bottom 6 who are miles off the pace. Frankly, the bottom 6 teams should get the top 12 picks before the rest even get a chance at the draft. They have the advantage of free agency.

Just imagine if Champion Data recorded stats for "shirking the contest." Thank Christ he's McCartney's pet project, alongside Toumpas.

Jesus, the scoreline is certainly reflective of the free kick count. Disgraceful.

Really gotta wonder how many draftees will be Melbourne supporters in 10 years time.

After today's stellar performance, I'm convinced Brisbane were explicitly told this week that no PP is coming. Raises all sorts of questions about their form pre-Round 23. Ultimately, whatever Kreuzer gets depends on whatever he's paid. If a club is actually dumb enough to give him a Frawley-esque contract, they should fire their list managers. His body can't handle the AFL and you'd be foolish to offer him much more than $350k/year. Apparently Robbo said on SEN today that he turned down a $1.5m 3-4 year deal with Carlton. Interesting.

You forgot that he takes good marks! He's destined to be a dual mark of year winner. You can't pass up players like that!