Gator

No-one said we lost just because of inexperience. We lost because our midfield was beaten, we were outnumbered around the footy, we were out pressured and we didn't run hard enough defensively. We also played off our man too much. But, as stated, "young sides will have days like these". Our best and most important players are Hogan 21, Viney 22 and Gawn 24. Your leaders are usually your best players and the bulk of ours are young. I'm treating this group separately to others before the Roos era, because we've turned over 30 players. You can lump them in with previous regimes if you like. I couldn't care less, although I disagree. Once the bulk of our young midfield have played 50-60 games these types of results will become rare.

We were the second youngest team on the weekend and bottom 3 or 4 in games experience. We'll have other days like Saturday. There were only 7 players that played in the round 1 loss to St.Kilda in 2014. I'm treating the current group and list as quite separate to the team of even just 3 years ago. We've turned the list over and this rebuild has to be treated as (virtually) a separate entity. So I don't see the "trends and inherent problems" quite the same way you do. I see a 2 win/54% team that 50 games later is a 3/3 102% team. Brereton made the comment this afternoon that we're heading in the right direction, but any time we're looking at 3 in a row between now and round 22 2017 tip against us, because we're young, inexperienced and still learning our craft. It takes games and time. Hogan is smart and has a better handle on the list and its direction than you, me or anyone posting here. He's also been told by Goodwin that perseverance and endurance = satisfaction. He'll get much more satisfaction doing the hard yards than bailing to an already strong team. Goodwin's point being, "who cherished the flag last year more, Hodge, Lewis and Mitchell or James Frawley ? It's an obvious answer. Think about what that flag meant to the players that have been on the long journey compared to the fly in. We have to hope that Hogan wants to be part of the journey. I'm confident he will be. He loves the club and especially his mates at the club.

Why are you asking big fella ? You've already made up your mind.

I think the only issue will be dollars. I have heard he's wanting very large coin, although I can't confirm the reliability of the source.

It's one thing hearing that an ex-teammate will coach a club and another that a player will leave in 2 years. There is no "mail", it's merely his feeling. If there was "mail" it would be leaked everywhere.

I assume you mean MMM. He's not on SEN.

Really like this.

Your gut feeling (and that's all it is) has as much weight as my gut feeling that thinks he'll stay. Neither is worth more than the other. The only difference is that you'll say it ten times more than me. It doesn't matter how often you say it. It still won't carry any more weight.

Best bit of news I've heard all day.

Roosy has been great for the club, but I'm not sure Goodwin will want him hanging around. I'm not sure I do either (not that that matters).

Gerard Healy had a superb debut year for Melbourne as an 18 year old.

It's everything. The size, pace, agility, aggression, skill, and best of all he makes really good decisions in a split second. It's great to see a player with such footy nous.

They'll all be regulars by round 3/4. Their all best 22 now. Their best footy will come after the age of 24.

I'm not sure of Petracca's pace. My Brother doesn't think it's explosive, but he's quick enough and just so powerful. He's also an elite mark. The comment was that despite his 186cm, he could play full forward and kick plenty of goals. He also noted that he certainly isn't a lazy trainer. He's fully switched on.

My Brother told me this afternoon that he'd pay to watch Petracca train (he was at Gosch's today) and that he's the most exciting talent he's seen come to Melbourne since Jakovich. Best of all, they're all different and will complement each other. Petracca, Oliver, Brayshaw and Viney will be as good as it gets in 4 years time.

You can still get $15 at Sportbet.com.au

Some people are self effacing. You're reading too much into his comments (I know you're being jovial).

Are you really using the Lions as the poster club for retaining talent ? Yeo, Docherty, Aish, Redden, Polec ring a bell ? Also, you're aware Zorko was coming out of contract at the end of 2016 and Hogan is coming out end of 2017 ? And you're familiar with an article in the HS last year stating "Dayne Zorko in no rush to extend his contract past 2016 as rumours of unrest persist" ? http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/teams/brisbane/dayne-zorko-in-no-rush-to-extend-his-contract-past-2016-as-rumours-of-unrest-persist/news-story/c1e233904c88607224ff87cc8003611a How about we let things unfold...

Even Ross Lyon just admitted on SEN that the "tyranny of distance" is a major reason they can't attract talent back to WA. Who wants to put up with two x four hour flights across the Nullabor every second weekend ? Especially when your 195cm with back issues and have already missed a year of your career. And especially when past West Coast players are on record saying that the travel shortened some careers. Hogan's manager has already stated that he wants to live in Melbourne. He may leave the Dees at some stage, but it won't be to WA.

Looked at Parish closely and I'm rapt we chose Oliver. Parish will be a good player in time, but he's a mile off competing against strong bodied mids (who he didn't come up against today).

We get it. You're fazed.

Others brought him up.

The AFL investigated the Essendon saga and obviously found Goodwin had no case to answer. As an assistant coach he wasn't in charge of "governance". If you weren't "fazed" I doubt you'd be bringing it up. I'm genuinely unfazed.

Unlike Jordie, you want the ball in Oliver's hands. That sweeping handball on the wing to the player in space epitomises his composure and footy smarts. He's a different type of player, but he'll be as good as Brayshaw. Gawn, Brayshaw, Oliver, Viney, Salem, vandenBerg, Tyson, Petracca will be a formidable group in years to come.

Like a dinner.