Bang Bang Bang

Grimes was hardly a regular in the first half of the year when we had a healthy squad to choose from. I'd be wary of Moore though, often fringe players at good sides are fringe players for a reason.

Nope, Neeld can be blamed for most things, but he had no bearing on this one. Terlich signed a 2 year extension at the end of 2014. Still not sold on our List Managing prowess, sure it's easy to be critical but these types of players (Terlich, M Jones, Evans) will never, ever have clubs chasing their signature so why do it? Surely 1 year would have sufficed.

If Mark Stevens is to be believed (and he probably isn't) then Bennell is highly likely to go back to WA.

Richmond remind me of Melbourne in the mid 00s.

Not sure why people want to see him move to the midfield. He looked totally comfortable in defence and that's where we need his skill set the most.

I hate Tory Dickson. Diving, ducking, whinging [censored]. He's a good enough player without having to resort to that rubbish.

Matt Jones did crack it for 9 games this year, nearly half the season! if getting Melksham helps decrease that figure to 0 in 2016 then I can see the rationale. It's a fairly weak argument though.

I'm not overly surprised by his debut year. Anyone that saw him in the flesh at Etihad Stadium against North in February 2013 knew we had a very special player on our hands. He had an aura about him even then. It's just a shame we had to wait longer than expected to see him in the real stuff.

I'd rather see us retain Pedersen on a 2-year deal if it comes to it. However, Walker might be useful depth in case Dawes spuds it up again or if (heaven forbid) Jesse picks up an injury! Not everyone we target this off season needs to be a best 22 player. Building depth in our squad is just as important.

I can normally rationalise and mount an argument for any player we're linked to at this time of year, but I can't even begin with Melksham. Would be up there with drafting Gary Moorcroft all those years ago.

He debuted in the last round of 2014, so this year was pretty much his first year. 35 goals. The guy is an absolute gun. $700,000 a year to live at home and have the #1 forward position all to yourself. I can see why he wants it.

Free Agent, we get him for FREE. Of course we should be chasing his medical records! He'll surely sign with a destination club though.

They are both on the voting panel so I'm expecting Jesse to win it. I don't really care if he wins it or not tbh. Cripps is awesome and it's not going to make him any less of a superstar if Cripps does win it.

I was actually referring to Newton who kicked 11 goals from 11 games. Dawes kicked 11 from 14. Obviously they're not competing for the same spot but goals are goals. Newton matched Dawes' output this year on the scoreboard in less games. Garlett did well to play 22 games this year. It's not easy to play every game in a season especially when you're as skinny as him. It would be very useful to build some depth in the small forward ranks which is where I fit Newton in for 2016.

Why would you rule yourself out of the race now? Why not test the waters and see what his asking price is? What if Gold Coast simply want the draft equivalent of a packet of chips and can of coke for him? I bet Garlett's off-field record scared other clubs away, and it didn't stop him kicking 40 goals did it?

I really hate this increasing practice of young players (< 23) 'nominating' clubs and invariably getting to their nominated club. If you're out of contract and want out, then clubs should be able to trade you wherever. Stop putting a gun to your club's head and at least be a bit flexible, either that or wait until you've done some hard yards and qualify as a FA.

Newton came to the club with a reputation for hard tackling and contested work. I haven't seen that at all, but think he could be useful as small forward depth. We can't rely on Garlett playing 22 games again next year. He managed a goal a game this year (same amount of goals for the year as Dawes, with less games) and could have kicked 5-6 with better accuracy yesterday. That's where his future lies. He looks substandard as a proper AFL mid.

Didn't really notice Dwayne today. What I did hear at some stage was Brad Johnson questioning the decision to move Salem to defence, and for Alistair Lynch to agree with him and imply Salem has had second year blues. FFS guys, at least do A BIT of homework. Salem has been injured most of the year and has been much more effective in defence than he was in attack last season.

A once off with Dawes/Pedo both injured I reckon. He looks far more comfortable in defence, he doesn't seem to read the ball anywhere near as well in attack. I loved his set shot goal in the third quarter though.

I actually thought OMac's decision making was a bit iffy and reminiscent of his brother at times. Just saying, just saying! He's still tracking well.

He doesn't bother with dinky handballs to inflate his stats. Hope he can start playing more in the midfield next year rather than the HF role he mainly played this year.

What's his contract status? I thought he was cooked after the Collingwood game but he has finished the year strongly. He's not best 22 but depth is important and I think he can provide that.

Hogan ragdolling Rance in the wet way back in Round 4. We sort of already knew he was awesome before then, but that was when he officially became awesome and got league-wide recognition. I was sitting in the Ponsford Stand, getting soaked, when he slotted the sealer from the boundary line. That's #1 for me.

Season is officially done and dusted - what a rollercoaster it was! For the first time since 2011, I don't think Nathan Jones will win the Bluey, in fact I think it's very open. My top 5 prediction: 1. Vince (faded a bit after the Collingwood game but offensively and defensively did his job most weeks). 2. Hogan (ultra-consistent, a match winner at times too) 3. N. Jones (didn't have the greatest of years, but will still feature heavily) 4. T. McDonald (started brilliantly before falling away, but always kept at it) 5. Viney (probably our best player since the Bye, but missed a lot of games earlier in the year).

Forget Howe, that was the best mark I've seen from a Demons player this year. The context of the game and then to go back and slot the goal made it even better.