KingDingAling

Hawthorn are in a position whereby they can just fill their list with role players. The Hawks are all about structures.They look for role players. Whoever fits their structure better, what is missing. They managed to get decent use out of Cheney (who was of no use to us). Just because someone leaves Melbourne, and performs at Hawthorn (new club), doesn't mean they would've performed to that level, had they of stayed at MFC. I expect Fitz to play a role at Hawthorn, especially now Roughead is unavailable (in the short term).

No real need to release a statement, Gary should've just went fishing up Marlo for a few weeks, it would've died down. A lot of these media types seem to think they are getting on the front foot these days, but they aren't, they are making it worse. I don't know what Gary's problem, and its not my business, but he isn't helping himself claiming a mental illness at a time when speculation is surrounding his personal life.

I think we can - and will - make the 8. No excuses this year, boys are ready. Its finals time.

I anticipate that MFC will put a beat down on Essendon. We will blow out a lot of clubs this year. I expect we'll make the 8. Essendon will be bottom two.

On the plus side, when he is out of contract it will free up some decent $$$. Hopefully we can throw it at a decent CHF to give Hogan a chop out, meanwhile, sign Dawes to a further 1 year deal on a much smaller salary (mentor role/back up CHF).

The fact that the broadcasters could even be in a position to do that is a joke. But, they are. That could be a very good argument for them if they were to put pressure on the AFL. That isn't the broadcasters fault either. It is the fault of the AFL to allow themselves to get so hankered down by business. Now the shape of our great game can be drastically influenced - or changed - at the will of broadcasters. That is the trouble with running the AFL as a business, you make deals taking things into account (like sponsorship and broadcasting), then it makes it near impossible to cut back on either. The end result is that TV rights and sponsorship practically run the game. Free agency, player movement, and other things that ruin the game - wouldn't exist if it wasn't run as a business. Players have become nothing but commodities. The game itself (the end product) is absolutely rubbish, and it is rubbish because the AFL are not running it as a game. I would like to see them strip it all right back, but, they couldn't do it now even if they wanted to. The game is stuffed, the best hope we have is to ensure the rules at least remain the same - so the players can just play the game in its most basic form. Rant over.

I have said that for years. I no longer bother though, I think the AFL is primarily a business, and I think the game died a long time ago now. The AFL just use the game to make $$$, it is no longer even about the game of AFL, it is about people making money, about the brand (AFL) making money, etc. Now even the business is being pimped out, and just becoming an echo chamber for certain political agendas. I pulled my kids out a long time ago, I anticipate the AFL will start to discourage aggression, and merit based performance. Gil likes to tell everyone how to think, what to do (while his brother continues to be a muppet), and Wlad used to like to harp on about integrity (while he had none, and while the AFL encouraged and enabled gambling, pokies, drinking). Hard to take this mob seriously, but people do.

Small part of its fabric, but large part of its history. Perhaps they should've shown old footage (if it existed) of MFC dominating the G in the 50's.

Geezus. I bet Carlton wish they could clone him. Would solve their midfield/forward woes. If he grows anymore, he could rotate as a ruck/ruck rover.

We should kick up a fuss. The MCG is ours. Perhaps we could put some pressure on the MCC to have us included in these things (in the future at least).

I think Cowan is a great appointment. If I were a player, I would prefer a female in welfare (that's just me). Eventually females will coach, and some players will respond better to that, others will respond better to a male coach. They will have both options, I think they should have both options. The only challenge I see is the mixing of genders (from an off field standpoint), that is going to present some complex challenges for the AFL. But, that is Gil's problem, so long as he keeps his brother away, he should be ok to.

Where the bloody hell are we? I think we were at the bar.

Yeah, Oliver moves better (more mobile, evasive), but I think Vandenberg has better skills. They are both going to be very powerful players. It is good that we've been able to add these two - along with Brayshaw and Petracca - to our list over the past couple of years. I think we will all look back at the past two drafts as very strong drafts for MFC.

Well said. I think Viney was similar, but once he slowed down, harnessed his aggression, he has been able to use it (aggression) more effectively, and as a result of slowing down, his decision making and kicking has improved. Additionally, I think Jack's tackling has been more effective, and by slowing down, he is able to repeat second efforts quicker. Vanders can do similar (his flaws aren't as bad as Viney's were). The beauty of Vandenberg is that he can push forward, he is a strong overhead mark, and is an accurate set shot. I expect big things from him (obviously), but I have been known to get ahead of myself.

Judging by recent pictures and training reports, Vandenberg is in for a massive year. He now has a season under his belt (which he exceeded expectations), comes into his second pre-season, and looks in tip top condition. Vandenberg could become an elite footballer (A-Grade). I didn't see many flaws in his game last year, he does everything very well, and should only get better.

Nothing wrong with a bit of school yard gossip. Welcome aboard Jrono64.

Physically, he looks a lot fitter. His arms are chiseled and he added pure muscle. Previously it looked as though he didn't do a lot of gym work. He'll make it back IMO. We didn't see the best of him. I still believe we will see the best of him.

The Clark situation has opened up the door for clubs to send their own psychologists to other clubs, declaring their (opposition) players 'mentally ill', and giving them a justification to break contract. It is quite possible that Fremantle could send their club psychologist to GWS, declare McCarthy 'mentally ill', and give McCarthy an out clause. After the Clark situation, I think this will eventually happen.

Well said, I agree with that. The only thing I would add. What is best for the game? The actual game of a AFL (which is separate to business).

It isn't naive of the Giants. They have a whole list to manage. They need to set a precedent, and they have a lot of talent on their list (currently contracted). One of those players is McCarthy, so I doubt they will let him go. After last years trade period, McCarthy would be aware he'll have to see out his contract, so now he looks to be taking steps to get around that (one of those steps is to sit out the year IMO). If the Giants can keep him legally (as he is contracted, so they should be able to), then they should make him see his contract out. McCarthy either sits it out, or plays for GWS (till he is uncontracted). There is nothing to suggest GWS will let McCarthy out of his contract (Dave Mathews has been strong on this), so it looks as though he is there to stay.

I just read this on Big Footy (make of it what you will). "Picks for last years draft weren't valued by GWS at the time due to how things stood with academy prospects and how they were moving about for later picks and points. Freo never put a realistic offer to GWS" So perhaps Fremantle's offer wasn't satisfactory to GWS.

Start discussions with West Coast in order to force Freo to offer up more (If Freo don't offer up more, send him to WC for unders). I would be doing something like asking for West Coasts 1st and 2nd round pick. If they decline, ask Freo for their 1st and 2nd round pick. If they decline, go back to West Coast, as for their 1st round pick, and if they accept (which I think they would), I would then go back to Fremantle and tell them they will need to offer up their 1st and 2nd round pick, or McCarthy goes to WC. GWS would be silly not use WC in order to force Freo's hand. That way they still get roughly what Fremantle offered last trade period. GWS can just put it down to backing themselves in to keep McCarthy, but unfortunately not being able to.

GWS should just refuse to deal with Freo. I think McCarthy has been disrespectful, he didn't get his own way, then his manager decides to make the point (when he didn't have to), that McCarthy definitely wouldn't be at GWS in 2017. I just find the whole thing childish (on McCarthy's behalf). If he has depression, then sure, that is a legitimate reason to want to leave, but that doesn't excuse some of the behaviour during trade period. It isn't GWS fault McCarthy signed an extension and they wanted to hold him to it.

McCarthy signed as extension. It is hardly a case of being drafted to GWS and having no choice. He had a choice prior to signing his contract extension.GWS are well within their rights to hold him to his contract finishes. If players don't like that, it is simple, don't sign contract extensions.

"We remember him as not being to run out of sight on a dark night but forget the 1% stuff he did while not having spring or speed" But that is his recent form, he did look slow, and he did look sluggish. His defensive game might've been sound, but Trengove didn't look up to pace. What is more, I don't think he looked up to scratch either (physically), I thought he looked unfit at times under Neeld. His 2010-2011 form is roughly what he is capable of, but even that is a very long time ago now. Any talk of potential is just that (talk). IMO, Trengove will need to find his very best form (even better form than 2010-11) to break into the midfield in 2017. Perhaps he could play a back flank, or elsewhere, but even then, he will still need to be in career best form. This year is just about getting back on the park. That would be a massive step. I think Trengove is an interesting case, because we know he does have a lot of potential, and has been injured, but also, his recent form is lackluster and uninspiring IMO. It makes it hard to preempt his realistic capabilities.