DemonWheels

I'm too young to remember this match Picket - but I've spent quite a few summer hours watching our previous season's wins at least 3 times each and can't wait for the bounce of the ball in 2016. Boys are looking good and hopefully by the end of the first few rounds we're mentioning some new names in a similar vain.

Loving these reports, thanks WW

There are a few of them who do it - but the main culprit is Alex Neal Bullen, I think. Might need to go back and look at his highlights from this season but I seem to recall always seeing him with his tongue out and fearing for the worst (you'd hope someone at the club would pass that on to him / them ?)

Re-watched our last game of this year against GWS and the commentary team suggested Hogan's run up approach to goal was 'setup like he was going to kick on his left' - which could explain the stuttering approach as he walks in to manipulate himself to kick on his right.

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).

Thread to be renamed "Trade Radio and Chinese Traffic Jam Discussion"

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!

Keep him, lock him in the gym till Feb with self motivation audio playing non stop and then we'll have a player.

Surely St Kilda have enough of the Smaller to Medium size running midfielders in their team already? (Jack Steven, Armitage, Billings, Weller, Dunstan, Geary, Savage). I'd have to think he'd be behind quite a few players by moving to St Kilda.

Would be pretty peeved if he left us after only one year in the job, actually only about 8 or 9 months since he started I think? As a side note: in the same way that we're concerned about picking up an Essendon player who could be potentially banned by WADA in the coming months, how would anyone take on the coaching job with the possibility that the majority of the players could be banned? Tough gig I reckon.

He kicked a bullet straight to Big Jake Spencer who took the grab at full stretch against two Cats backmen in a very open forward line - the kick was absolutely spot on. Pretty sure Spencer went back and kicked the goal too.

Grimes having a blinder so far

Awesome game - both teams scoring over 100 points - happy to watch good hard footy like this. Sad to see the dogs go out - amazing year from them. Crows V Hawks next week? I give 'em a bloody good chance against a sore Hawthorn.

Umpires can't bounce the ball up at the Centre Bounce - only been watching intermittently and they've had to recall every time!

His attack on the footy and aggressive tackling is something to behold. His love for the jumper is so evident in the way he plays and I have no doubt he'll be leading the team in years to come.

Well done to Bernie and Jack - both played with amazing spirit for the pride of their jumper and are now being recognized on a personal level. Speaks volumes about the type of player we all value. CONGRATS!

Thanks again for the updates! Love that Jonesy hasn't won it again (as much as we all love him) - as mentioned if we are going to improve he had to be overtaken. Feeling like Viney might take it out.

Thank you for the updates so far!

Looks genuinely hurt by the Geelong non-contract offer. Wouldn't be a good fit for us but I hope he gets a 1 year contract somewhere else just so I can see him kick 5 against his former club (and hopefully see them spiral down to the bottom of the ladder).

Loved watching Byron Pickett chase, tackle and hurt the opposition, plus score a few goals on the run (if I remember correctly). Big fan of Stephen Powell, Dutchy was frustrating at times but also had a couple of good days out. Huge Jeff White fan, he was enormous for us - still don't think we've seen a player quite like him.

Watched the replay and thought I'd add that Michie found himself in defence a number of times purely through gut running - even got an intercept mark or two. Hopefully thats now the benchmark that he sets for himself because I can see him being a great accumulator of the footy if he can build on his tank and get around the ground more.

Don't want to throw fuel on the fire but here's what a friend texted me a few days ago (I've waiting to see if something like this might happen): "Hot news for you mate... We did a membership poster thingy for Melbourne footy club with jack watts as the front cover. They just rang and asked if he can be replaced. Hmmmm" Obviously it might not mean anything - but if you add that to his unexplained dropping this week then it starts to feel like something MIGHT be happening.

Massive Tyson fan so disappointed to see him miss this game - but given the heavy strapping on his knee and now a hamstring injury (of some sort) I'd be keen for the coaches to put him on ice. We need him back on the same trajectory he was headed on last year and I don't think a few missed games at the end of the year would be a big deal.