TeamPlayedFine39

We've got something pretty special here. His vision in traffic, exemplified by THAT handball in the fourth quarter, is amazing! In the team for round one on the back of the past three games. He's the kinda player you'd love to play alongside.

My recollection is that Whitnall had been carving us up. Carlton had been all over us all day, but couldn't quite put us away, we seemed to be lingering between 3-5 goals down. We then, as history shows exploded on the final quarter- very exciting day!

Pre injury Schwarz was an amazing talent. He was however, IMHO, a rung below Carey, which, as others have pointed out, is nothing to be ashamed of. Carey is the best player I have ever seen play the game, Schwarz (for that one year) is the best Melbourne player I've seen. What may have stood in Schwarz's way was the numerous off field demons he was dealing with. The fact that he played so well in the '94 finals, despite the turmoil in his off-field life is amazing. His book is an incredible and terrifying read.

Him and his mates were trolling the draft pages before he was drafted- some very funny stuff; was positive the MFCwould have put an end to it.

Champion, courageous and brave. There were some pretty average things written on this site about Jones last year; regarding his leadership and commitment. Hopefully he can play at 100% this year!

Has the commentary mentioned the rotations? Are we and/or the WB trying to stick to the cap this week??

Never one to celebrate an injury to a player, but that's the 'out' we need.

Without that caption, it looks like he's done his knee and is in the hands of the trainers, twisted round in pain... nearly spewed. (Maybe send that pic to Freo... he's not worth the risk)

I was never happy with having GWS in round one and they are looking alright tonight - a very healthy looking list for this time of year. The NAB Challenge is up a notch in intensity this year. I think teams are less willing to 'ease into' the year and wanna hit the ground running for round one.

I'm confused by Jetta's name on that list. I was under the impression that he was delisted and by the club at the end of 2013. As he was then re-drafted through the rookie draft, then elevated at the end of 2014, wouldn't that mean he's only been on our list for one or two years??

A very interesting article in the Age today by Emma Quayle, of who I'm an unabashed fan. It basically details the development that goes into young players entering the AFL system. It's fascinating on many levels, but mainly it shows the detail and attention that goes into these kids / young men and how the club basically takes hold and control of every element of their life. Player development has, up until recently, been a a central criticism of the MFC and it's interesting to read the programs that Collingwood have in place to support / indoctrinate / control / develop their talent. In some respects it also highlights why so many players have so much trouble adjusting to an independent life away from the football club when their careers come to an end. http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/how-to-build-an-afl-footballer-20160229-gn66qg.html

Hopefully gets a run in NAB three. Then... who knows?!

Fantastic debut for Oliver. Seems a natural footballer; finds the right position and the ball seems to find him. Actually reminds me a bit of vandenBerg. If he plays like that in NAB two and three, then he'll be playing round one.

McDonald's signature doesn't worry me at all - fully expect him to sign. He's a gun CHB and would walk into any back six in the league; we're lucky to have him.

Players don't undertake the negotiation, managers do; if it was simply a matter of clubs giving out fantastic contracts, then threre'd be no need for managers or negotiation. And yes, if a club can sign a player for under market value, then it's a huge win for the club. A manager has to maximise their clients earning potential. That doesn't mean threatening to leave, it simply means leaving it un-said.

Because if Hogan said this his negotiating power is reduced to zero. By saying 'I'm gonna sign on no matter what' he goes from potentially 1 million a year to a small fraction of that. To negotiate a suitable long term contract, threre has to be an element of danger there- in this case, pay me what I'm worth on the market or I'll leave.

Its just a disappointing thing that we're all now focusing on this, after a week of optimism following the intra-club last week. Demonland has been a lovely place to visit for the last couple of weeks, now this kinda casts a shadow over everything. Of course Hogan shouldn't sign until (1) CBA is decided, (2) he's further into his current contract and (3) he sees how things are shaping up with the list, gameplan, etc. Unfortunately realism doesn't really come into football analysis analysis and media anymore, and the good press that MFC has been receiving recently will be overshadowed by this speculation. Every MFC article this year will have a Jesse Hogan footnote. Ps. He'll stay.

I feel that his value is only going to get higher; the longer it goes the better the contract will get. His manager is doing what managers are employed to do.

I voted Trengove, as I voted with my heart. However my excitement for seeing Oliver in the NAB Challenge is growing by the hour. Have a sneaking suspicion that he might pull-a-Brayshaw and play round one.

Thanks for the great report. Was Trengove doing contact drills?

No, not jesting. While not the ideal situation, having a big bodied ruckman who can make a contest and negate the influence of the opposition ruckman is a reasonable option should plan A be unavailable. Jake Spencer is not anybody's first choice, but I (non-jestfully) believe that if Gawn was injured and Spencer was called up, we would not be smashed by the opposition ruckman. However, if Spencer was delisted and we called up King instead, then we would be destroyed by the oppostion ruckman; whether it be at stoppages, forward line, backline or anywhere in between.

Article lists Oliver 188cm tall and a very, very slender 68kg. A typo surely?!?!

Nothing wrong with fielding a strong side. He does go on to say that it's an eight man bench, so in reality, it's your best side plus four playing emergencies. The idea being to have the team fully firing for round one. We don't have the luxury of easing into the season, nor will we be resting any stars so they're fresh for September. The MFC list, if anything, needs every possible opportunity to play together as a team as there has been such a big list overhaul once more this preseason.

Spencer is huge, aggressive, dirt cheap and if he was required to play during the year, while not a match winner, he wouldn't be smashed in the ruck. We have talls on our list to develop and Spencer is a bit of protection until they emerge. The only issue is that if he and Gawn go down we're in a bit of trouble.

Agreed. Brayshaw was always slated to start the year in the VFL and played the practice match for them the week before round one. His form at that level was irrepressible, so he got the early call-up. Not to put the pressure on Oliver, but it's good that he knows you have to earn your spot through performing in the 2nds.