Gator

Sydney have this tradition of applauding every time one of their debutantes gets a possession. I like it. I don't know how long they've been doing it, but it's great reinforcement and a nice touch.

I'm just being a realist. They should see who the possibilities are and try their hardest, but don't hold your breath. Who's available anyway ? Most have resigned.

Menzel is a terrible example. He was a star in his second year. Of course they were going to stand by him. That list is very thin on the ground. Is it all you could come up with ?

I suspect OP had tongue firmly planted in cheek. Clearly not a serious suggestion.

Very talented, but quality young players won't choose Melbourne as their destination club. At the end of next year Prestia may be interested due to the family connection and there's always the chance of perhaps a GWS player who's not getting much of a look in, but other than that you can forget it.

He also confirmed he wasn't personally looking after Hogan. Despite the incorrect reporting of what was actually said, and I agree the lily was gilded, I'd be very surprised if Hogan doesn't extend over summer. It's the contract after that will be telling.

It was the correct decision. I doubt he would have been much value as a 33 year old, but even if he was still best 22 it's a sensible list management decision.. Tyson, Viney, Brayshaw, Trengove, Petracca, Salem, Stretch, ANB, Kent are the future and we've already got Jones, Vince and Lamumba. Signing Toumpas for another 2 years would have also influenced the decision.

Jones is a B grader with one A grade year. A player needs multiple A grade years to be considered genuinely A grade. Well they do in my book. Redden is also a B grader. I'll let you worry over the degrees of difference. Btw, it wasn't overly difficult to win a B&F at Melbourne these last few years. Do you need reminding that Matt Jones and Terlich have come top 5 ?

I disagree. It took Jones 6 years to average 23 possessions, while Redden did it in his third. Just once in 10 years has Jones averaged 100+ rating points, Redden has done it 3 times in 7. Jones' career rating is 79.2 and Redden's is 95. Melbourne supporters overrate Jones. That said, I'm not fussed on Redden.

Some people rate Jack Watts but not Redden. It would be funny if it wasn't true. Redden makes us better, but he has stagnated. He's on a par with Nathan Jones, but is he too similar with our other mids ? I wouldn't knock back anyone who makes us better. But he's not a 'must have'. But why would he want to leave a bottom club to join another bottom club. I wouldn't.

The guy is a disaster with the footy in hand. He doesn't know what to do. You don't win a GF with this spaced out cadet in your team. But I do respect you as a MFC player - if that makes sense. I'll think of you more fondly in years to come. Please go.

But Masten was crap for years ? Even in their superior development program. Clearly some players take longer. I'm in the "recruiting was crap/development was crap" camp when it comes to the MFC. It's not an either-or.

He did say that. But considering his Father was involved in recruiting that year what do you think the likelihood was that he knew some time out we'd be taking Toumpas ? Lucky guess ?

FMD. The poor bugger had Kirner's mess to deal with.

Different players, but that's a very good analogy.

I'm not sad for Blease, but sad we wasted another top 20 draft pick. He got his pace back after the broken leg, so that wasn't an issue. He had no tank or any appetite for the contest. Not up to it.

Well, Bimbo, I think most of us are far more impressed by playing well when the game is actually up for grabs and not when your opponents know they have it won. Especially players that don't want to get injured on the eve of the finals.

Tom McDonald needs to play within his limitations and take the first option.

Just another dud that club and supporters cling on to. A bit like a blankie when you're a kid. It's just one spot on a list, so I'll cope. But FMD things never change at this club. Cut your losses.

I can't believe people are even critiquing a first gamer. Extraordinary.

Much prefer this red alternative strip.

Cat’s core 10 building to premierships <50 games Going into season 2003 Age (Mar 30) Games Played Flags Ling 22 44 (246) 3 Chapman 21 29 (280) 3 Corey 21 39 (276) 3 Enright 21 33 (307*) 3 Kelly 19 15 (271*) 3 Johnson 19 12 (251*) 3 Mooney 23 47 (221) 2 (Cats) Bartel 19 11 (281*) 3 Ablett 18 12 (274) 2 Wojcinski 22 37 (203) 3 Finished 2003 with 7.5 wins and 89.8% Won first flag in 2007 - added Ottens, Joel Selwood, plus had other good depth with Max Rooke, etc. Dees core 10 <50 building to premierships going into 2016 ??? Bolded

It's far from a massive call. It's just plain sense.

Dermott mentioned my Mother's favourite player Des Meagher in an example, but unfortunately Dermott got it wrong. Dermott said he retired on 199 games and they wouldn't give him a 200th, because it was a GF. And nor should a player be given a 200th in a GF if he's not best 20. Clearly a GF is too important. However, Meagher didn't finish on 199, he finished on 198 and no decision had to be made because there was only one more game for the year, not the two he required. My club has been horrible with the way it's treated its players. And it's not just recently. From Greg Wells to James McDonald they've showed the world how it's not meant to be done. Even now, players like Bruce and Yze are important cogs at another club and I wonder how they view their exits from the MFC. If it was an important game with finals on the line I'd say no, but in our circumstance we'll gain much more by showing a departing player the respect he deserves. And it's not just Jamar, it's important to show his teammates that also want to see him off that we are now a club that does things properly. I'll be disappointed if he doesn't play next weekend.

Agreed. I won't be tuning in for a win, just "measurements".