Bang Bang Bang

IMO, just the one In. Sylvia Out. Bennell Bennell is far too soft, and Sylvia is obviously a certain in. I'd like to see Newton given a few more weeks to prove his worth, he is no worse than Miller in any case.

Awful feeling when that final siren went. Just awful. But on the whole just bloody stoked with Melbourne's effort today. A couple of errors here and there (not to mention the maggots) cost us, but we were the better team on the day. Whilst Jamar and Petterd were our best 2, it was Aaron Davey who I was most delighted by today. Just unstoppable in that form, if he finds some more consistency then Mike will be putting him in his Top 20 before long. And our young guys were fantastic. Really impressed with Jordie McKenzie... no wonder Neil Craig went after him so hard! Also I think Rohan Bail could turn out to be a keeper, his efforts were great today. Scullgove were OK, when you remember that their only 18 years old it just makes you smile. Not convinced with Strauss yet, but he will get there. All can hold their heads up high except Bennell who just needs to get harder and Bate who was awful at times. Crows, Tiges and Lions to come at the G. If we play like we did today then there's no reason why we can't be 3-2.

Yep, have to agree here. I very rarely if ever blame the maggots for losing a game of footy, it's usually just a couple of [censored] decisions here and there that give me the sads. But today they cost us the 4 points. No doubt about it. Worst display I've seen since Rd 4 1997 against Footscray (anyone remember that? One of the umps in question had a mental breakdown or something and retired). Actually it was probably worse!!!

6 - Petterd 5 - Jamar 4 - Davey 3 - Grimes 2 - McKenzie 1 - Green

6 - Green 5 - McKenzie 4 - Scully 3 - McDonald 2 - Grimes 1 - Jamar Green only played a half but we would have been murdered without him after half time. He was the spark!

Good to hear. Not wishing to be a negative nancy, but given Blease's game was all about run and carry before the injury, do you guys think he will return the same player? I hope so of course... but it was a pretty major break by the sounds of things.

One would expect that Fitzpatrick, Bail and Bell would be the ones to miss out. Interesting that Fitzpatrick is named in the squad though. I was under the impression that he was miles off consideration in 2010 but maybe he's closer than we think? Looking forward to seeing Trengove, Scully, Jurrah, Strauss, Frawley, Sylvia and Grimes in action. And here's hoping for a big demons win! Can't wait!

Remember when he was "Clarko" on Neighbours? Fond memories haha

Actually CAC was still in charge in 2007 when we got Morton, Grimes, Maric, Cheney and McNamara. His final draft in charge looks like it will be a fruitful one. I don't think CAC deserves some of the bashing he gets on here. He [censored] up in 2000-2002 with only Miller and Rivers really to show for it. Players like Molan, Rogers, Armstrong, Bell, Nick Smith etc were early pick failures. Compare them to some of Geelong's gems in that timeframe and it's no wonder they are dominating while we are down the bottom of the ladder. He has picked some good players in his time (Sylvia/McLean was a great combo when you look at some of the players taken after them in 03). Along with Bate, Jones, Frawley, Petterd, Garland and the 2007 crop. Our first 3 picks from BP's reign have played 3 games between them to date, I have little doubt they will come good but I'll give it a few seasons before labelling BP a gun recruiter.

Will be interesting to compare Gysbert's career with McLean's, and Tapscott's with Ball's in many years time. I think we did OK. Scully and Trengove were no brainers... Gysberts was a massive shock but I'm glad we went for what I assume to be best available over a Talia/Black type just for the sake of picking a tall. Tapscott, from what I've seen, is a Shannon Hurn type player, strongly built and kicks like a mule. I reckon he will be a beauty. Gawn at 34. At his size he'd have to be a complete unco not to at least be servicable. I suspect he'll end up somewhere in between Peter Street who was a total spud and Aaron Sandilands who is in the AFL's elite. Fitzpatrick at 50. Can't say I was too pleased with this selection. Would have much preferred Taylor. Fitzpatrick is built like Cale Morton and cannot kick, but I guess at pick 50 you can't expect superstars to still be around. * Keep in mind that my knowledge is based on a couple of championship games on Fox and YouTube clips so please take all with a grain of salt.

How come it says we are seriously considering Griffiths at 11 then has us overlooking him at 18? In this he slips all the way to 31. I find that kind of odd. Burgan is usually pretty close to the money and I like, on the whole, what he has predicted for us.

I would have thought that's a fair enough question re. Butcher.

It's official. Colin Sylvia is a gun

6 - Jordan McMahon 5 - Umpire 4 - Bailey that is all

I don't understand the context of the article - why was Jack Watts at Grant Thomas' house? and what was Riewoldt doing there at the same time. Maybe I have just read it wrong! interesting read none the less.

Jack and Fergus = no relation

Pretty easy to make up trade rumours and have them come across as Gospel. My take: Was speaking to a highly regarded journalist for the Age, who told me that Melbourne have had several offers for Colin Sylvia. We will not accept anything less than a first round pick. Prismall is as good as signed to the Demons via the PSD.... 3 year contract. I know this because I'm friends with Brent's brother Johnny. We are probably second in line to secure Warnock.... Blue baggers are still favourites but we have not been ruled out. Pick 19 will have to be given up. We have also shown interest in Farren Ray, Bentley, Danyl Pearce and Chris Egan. And a reliable source tells me that Cameron Bruce is set to captain the club officially next year! As I said.... easy :D

6 - Brad Green 5 - Brad Miller 4 - Colin Sylvia 3 - Chris Johnson 2 - Paul Wheatley 1 - Lynden Dunn

Since he has come into the side he has kicked 19.3. Very impressive strike rate! Has a very good set-shot technique... keeps the ball low and invariably finds the big sticks! No doubt he will now come out against the Lions and kick 1.5.... but I thought this was worth mentioning.

Best disposal in the team IMO!

6- Garland 5 - McLean 4 - Wheatley 3 - Bruce 2 - Green 1 - Miller Garland is a freak!!!

Look the fact we had so many key players missing is a perfectly valid excuse. But it is also a concern. Is the fact that we have up to a dozen of our best missing a sign of said players being extremely injury prone? Or does it mean our conditioning this pre season has once again been pitiful?

IIRC there is usually a 30 man squad named on the Wednesday?

Averaged just under 29 ppg in his 9 TAC cup games this year.

I propose the following: Cale Morton: #16 Jack Grimes: #25 Addam Maric: #3 Kyle Cheney: #30 Tom McNamara: #35