DemonWheels

I swear we’re a team full of dumb footballers. Switch ON!

My hate for Essendon runs deep, much much deeper than my hate for Collingwood – which is actually really deep itself so that shows you the situation I’m in with Essendon. Tear them apart Maggies.

It finally clicked for Collingwood in the finals last year when rather than just bombing it in, they kicked it to a spot in front of Mason Cox which allowed him to run and jump at it. They took height off the kick and kind of just 'popped' it to him a bit lower and flat, allowing him to get a little separation from his man and if needed the ball was kicked on top of the head of an opponent which allowed Cox to jump all over them. With Weid's jump and reach we should be doing the same thing. So often it's just bombed and it comes down on top of him which is easy for the opposition to spoil and nudge him off just a little if needed. If we lay it up properly he either gets a good run at it and will crash the pack at the very least, and if he's blocked before he gets to the ball he gets a free kick. Pretty simple but it seems we're instructed to just get it in as quickly as possible.

Fantastic idea and proposition – well done MFC! I can understand critics suggesting that it won't get through the necessary red tape due to protests by those that believe any development will 'ruin the park'. But, in my view that 'park' is really just a glorified car park for most of the year – it could do with some work to polish it up a bit and make it more accessible and ensure it is used more than it currently is. For the amount of land Yarra Park consumes it has nowhere near the amount of users compared to other inner city parks such as Botanical Gardens (The Tan), Fitzroy Gardens, Birrarung Marr, etc. Given there are no buildings added to the park itself I think this shows how well thought through this is from our end and increases the likelihood of the development going ahead.

He’ll get there, just going to take some (more) time. The club knew at the time of drafting him that he would need a few years of development – hopefully we start to see a few more signs this year. After seeing him at training this preseason he is looking physically more ready.

From the 'Fox' website: MELKSHAM WORTH THE MONEY MELBOURNES acquisition of Jake Melksham raised plenty of eyebrows, but according to list manager expert Chris Pelchen he is worth the money. The Dees parted with their second selection at the draft pick 25 for Melksham, who has never lived up to his potential at the Dons. Melksham, 24, has played 114 games with Essendon after being taken with pick 10 in the 2009 national draft. Although he has averaged just 16.5 disposals per game in that time, Pelchen believes a second-round selection still represents fair value. I think its a fair price for both clubs to pay, he said. Ultimately, Melbourne gets the player they want and Essendon gets fair value in return. Coming through the TAC Cup, he had enormous potential. He was a leader both in endurance and speed. Hes a prototype AFL player in terms of size. Unfortunately, he hasnt lived up to his potential. In saying that, hes 24 and hes got over 100 games of experience. He should be ready to play his best football. I say should because at the moment he hasnt reached any great heights. Melbourne would be investing in the fact his best football should be ahead of him. They will know in the next 12-24 months whether it ends up being a good buy. If he becomes the player we thought he would become, then its a cheap buy at pick 25.

We desperately need an injection of pace and some outside runners. Before Essendon imploded they were playing some super quick football (2 years ago now) and I recall Melksham being a big part of that - is that maybe why I don't like him? Either way I'll put all that dislike aside for now and hope the Footy Dept have pulled another 'Bernie Vince' type trade here. I genuinely think he makes our side stronger than without him and look forward to seeing what he can produce - hopefully in a new and fresh environment he can replicate his form from 2013 (Ave 20 Disposals and almost a goal a game).

Billy Hartung dropped from Hawthorn's Grand Final team, been the sub for quite a few games now that I can remember this year. While there will be no Sub next year and you'd expect him to move further into their preferred 22 over the next 12 months I hope someone from MFC has got someone on the case. He'd have to feel a little burnt and now would be the best time to enquire - he's pretty close to what we need with regards to outside run and spread.

Damian Barrett's 'sliding doors' piece on AFL.com: MELBOURNE "IF... there's a team we feel is keeping its cards close to its chest as trade period looms ..." "THEN... it is this one. Predicting a massive play from left-field." http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-09-25/sliding-doors-finals-week-three Hurry up and get these finals out of the way and bring on trade week!