Gator

Viney kicked our first goal in a final for 23 years.

Yes, the finals series was so fantastic as a Melbourne supporter. That goal from Viney in the first 30 seconds was exhilarating. But there was just something about being at Footscray that Saturday before when the realisation that 23 years was coming to an end and I'd see my team in a final that is hard to beat. It seemed a long time from 1976 when I cried as a kid when Footsray and Carlton drew to prevent the only other realistic chance I could remember.

Excellent summation, Wing. The dearth of our midfield talent (and I use the word loosely) over the last 40 years has been extraordinary. Outside of Flower, the best midfielder I've seen at Melbourne is Greg Wells (it's a travesty Todd Viney made TOC ahead of him - political reasons imo). I have to be honest and say that I don't overly rate Jones as a player. I have tremendous respect for him and he's as honest as the day is long, but for me it's certainly not a stretch to think that Brayshaw, Oliver and Viney will be better. Our dearth of talent these past 40 years can skew this view, because it seems unlikely that 3 starting off at virtually the same time will be better than one of our best, but it's such a shallow pool we have to use as a comparison that it's far from pie in the sky from my vantage point. Scott Thompson has been A-grade and better than Jones, it's just a pity we couldn't retain him. I've seen enough of this young triumvirate to confidently predict they'll be a rung or two higher than our current skipper. I wouldn't heatedly debate anyone who disagreed, it's just a considered opinion.

1983 State of Origin South Australia 26.16.172 d Victoria 17.14.116 Goals - SA: Lindner 5, Bradley, Kernahan, Motley 3, Naley, Aish, Platten, Schneebichler 2, Thomas, Copping, McAdam. Vic: Flower 4, Daniher, Wilson 3, Madden 2, Smith, Marcou, Cunningham, Ashman, Hawker. Best - SA: Aish, Bradley, Motley, Giles, Craig, Lindner, Thomas, Rendell. Vic: Flower, Daniher, Serafini, Wilson, Rowlings, Madden.

Standing in the outer at the Whitten Oval round 22, 1987 waiting with thousands post the final siren listening to the transistor to the Geelong v Hawthorn game. Only a flag will surpass it..

Correct. He should have said Victoria, because that is clearly what he meant.

No. Elite is better than A-grade in my lexicon. I define elite as someone who has had multiple all-Australians, or at least has one and is projecting to others. Some may think that B+ players like Nathan Jones are elite, so there's merit in your question.

The better posters here would have a far better understanding of our "current" playing stocks and list development than David. He's letting off steam, which is fine, but I wouldn't be asking him for an in-depth analysis when it comes to Melbourne.

Brayshaw is a Rolls Royce and I feel for supporters that don't have the ability to see class when it's smacking them in the face. Someone is even insinuating he's slow. Good God. This 20 year old 25 game player will be an emerging star of the game when he's played 100 games and is 24. He has genuine talent in close, can break away on smart angles and use it superbly off both feet. He's exceptionally tough and good overhead. He's everything you want in a midfielder. Until a player has 30 games under their belt they're really just feeling their way, but some of the things this guy does at his age smacks of a future star. He, Viney and Oliver will all be better players than Nathan Jones, so the platform for a strong midfield is well and truly in place.

Happy to flop them on the table with this bloke. Will be elite.

There are definitely scorelines that flatter teams. I don't think this was one of them, btw, as we won two quarters of football.

Neal-Bullen racks it up at this level and some will call for his inclusion, but I just don't rate the guy. He often makes ordinary decisions and his disposal in close is poor.

All year I've thought minimum 9 and haven't changed that view. I'm still ok with where we're at, but yesterday was very disappointing after a promising start. We still lack midfield talent. I'd play Oliver and Stretch for the rest of the year instead of Matt Jones and Grimes, who are clearly not the future.

N. Jones - didn't stand up Vince - some horrible errors Hogan - not enough help Watts - class went missing Petracca - getting closer Viney - did stand up Brayshaw - loved his return Gawn - kept fighting Tyson - has these games Kent - typical under-performing game T. McDonald - very good O.McDonald - not his worst Hunt - found it hard Grimes - it's over Kennedy - just a battler Garlett - picks and chooses vandenBerg - yeah nah Jetta - uncharacteristic mistakes White - no good Wagner - not our worst Harmes - stop kicking in M.Jones - must have photos

Jones has been a wonderful servant of this club in very trying times, but he's never been an A-grader and never will. He's not creative and makes poor decisions. He's overrated by many on here.

That's an excellent and insightful post. Nothing else needs to be said (although that won't stop the blowhard that grates on everybody).

Brayshaw is not slow or slowish whatsoever.

Since when did the word "drivel" become "dribble" ? Is it a neologism, Daisy ?

Once again, talk about Chinese whispers... Yes, it was Chris from Camberwell, but it wasn't him talking up the rumour, it was Brian Waldron after a caller made the claim and Chris was merely expressing his concern. The way it's been posted you'd think the rumour emanated from Chris. It didn't. He rang up expressing his confidence that Prestia was over the line, because he'd heard it from inside the club. Although I'm not convinced how keen the club now is. Can people listen to the radio or tv and actually remember what they heard and the sequence of how they heard it ?

Yes. Goodwin is no fool and clearly he agrees.

It's funny reading concerns about a player when those expressing those concerns have virtually no clue of Hibberd as a player. Hibberd is a very very good and tough player, who would immediately make our team and defence better. Be thankful if iwe land him.

The fact that so many are willing to return to Essendon validates your view. As you say, it's not black or white,

I'm not sure I share your view. I doubt they can emotionally get away from it being "Essendon". Essendon couldn't play finals, Essendon were fined, Essendon lost draft picks and Essendon players were booed, because they played for Essendon. Essendon lost their president, CEO, list manager and coach due to a reckless injection program. Heppell is suing Essendon. Essendon can't tell these players with absolute certainty what was injected into them. Essendon cannot guarantee, no matter how unlikely, that these players' children won't be born with two heads. And as far as Worsfold goes they may not feel the need to punish him, but I also doubt they've formed much of a bond or loyalty to him.

I hope so.

True. His run was important.