deespicable me

I don't think we have the money. Menegola is a very good footballer and a great wingman, exactly what we need, but either way it would be nice to see one of the Cats good players leaving.

I do agree we can be successful, but ours is like the Bulldogs, it will be an outlier, a once off, hard to maintain for the very reason others have made clear (stadium, lifestyle and success over money). But the thing that is a worry and not right is the probability that Geelong finish at least top two and have an era of success, as much as any Melbourne supporter or at least 10 other clubs would love to see and then after that they go into 2021 STRONGER. That's wrong. I understand it's important to incentivise clubs and give them something to work for but the fact Geelong enter the next season even stronger than their successful 2020 campaign is a complete disincentive to every club below about 6th. Supporters are an optimistic bunch but geez that is just wrong. The very system that was set up to equalize the competition is being manipulated to create a constant outcome that nobody except Geelong supporters want to see.

They don't. They are the team that have avoided the bottom 4 the longest. I have this argument all the time with people and generally lose, but most team sports have a few dominant teams and the rest make up the numbers. There are clubs that develop talent only for the bigger clubs to pay massive salaries to bring them across and continue to rule the competition. The AFL has some rules in place to keep this in check which is good and may be as good as it gets. Some people already complain at the equalisation structures the AFL already has in place. It's not easy for the AFL to come out and say they will be continually interfering with the draft or free agency in order to make it harder for the top teams to stay at the top and to constantly look to get the bottom sides back up the ladder. It would be political suicide though, they would get undermined and voted out by the stronger clubs. Also the majority of people don't want it because the majority of people barrack for the top teams. I still maintain that its not just talent that keeps the top teams up the top but development of the talent, retention of good players, well structured playing lists on well structured pay that is equitable to talent and output. There is a myriad of ways the AFL can [censored] clubs that are successful. Lets say the top 2 can't get in top talent without at least paying some sort of penalty . So for Geelong they can get Cameron but they have to pay overs in their salary cap. ie 10% so if they pick up Cameron and pay him $700,000 a year then given they are a top team their salary cap reflects a yearly cost of $770,000. Or the opposite. If a bottom club persuades Cameron to come and play for them and has to pay him $1,000,000 a year they get a reduction of 10% only reflecting a payment of $900,000 in their salary cap. I believe the draft should be much further skewed towards the bottom teams. The top teams have great players who are very handy at developing talent both on field and as future father/sons, so arguably they don't need the ready made players. Imagine if Geelong had our recruits Jackson, Kossie and Rivers. They would be future champions of the game. It is certainly no guarantee of that happening at Melbourne. So the top two teams should be locked out of the first round and their first pick should maybe be around pick 27 or so. The bottom team might already be getting 2 picks say 1 and 16 before some of the top teams have even had a pick. This at least gives the supporters of lowly clubs some hope, as we know. But if Geelong win the premiership and then on top of that have the best off season recruiting as well I can only suggest the system even with its equalisation triggers in place, hasn't gone far enough. They can paint it any way they like, but thinking about supporters of these two teams sitting around gorging on another feast of wins and silverware, well fair dinkum, it's just not sport. Boring!

One of the main reasons Nev only got a few games this year was his concussion issues. He was getting more reckless with his attack on the ball and the man and getting injured about every third game (as an estimate). The last time which was in the second or third last round (I think) I couldn't help but think he needed to make the sort of decision in his life that is very hard to make, that of taking care of his long term health and his young family and bowing out. He is only one concussion away from becoming another statistic in long term damage tragedies. I think it is possibly irresponsible of both clubs to continue his career beyond his current contract given Nev's circumstances. I will say I am no doctor and these thoughts are only from watching Nev over his career, as a brave warrior for our club. But if Melbourne know Nev has these sort of issues they should make it clear to Nev and Collingwood that we aren't happy and steps should be taken to support Nev in another way without putting his long term health at risk. He's got a son or two that have the "devil" in them and I want to see Nev watching his kids grow into champs playing for the Red and Blue in the future. Whatever Nev decides I couldn't give a stuff about draft picks. I just hope it is the right decision for Nev and his family.

Yeah happy to be labelled a hater here, got too hard and he ran away. Of low character in my harsh opinion

Totally agree. He is now ready to become a man. Like Trac did this year, I believe he can be top ten in the comp in the next year or two. I know Trac took a year longer than many hoped and hopefully Clayton can do it next year and we are the top 4 side your mate is talking about.

Thats right across our window of opportunity. Hope he gets a flag. Good luck Jack.

Pike was mad and pretty uncoachable. Wasn't unpopular though Played at 4 clubs for multiple flags. Fourth club Brisbane really knuckled down for I think 2 flags He could be the difference for us. I think Polec chased money and team mates thought he needed to do more for his salary. I reckon North players have got their noses out of joint coz he's come on at good money. I think we can probably get the player without the baggage

I like you

He is that outside mid-fielder with class that would really suit us. Not sure about the coin but in the right team he could be a match winner. It compliments our midfield and I think we could become a very dangerous midfield with his addition. There is a spot waiting for him that we are sorely missing. I don't understand our desire to pick up another backman. Midfielders and half forwards with class. Yes please. Just on North, I reckon the coach can't coach and they are all gettable. In a terrible, terrible place. Like at the beginning of our decade of bottom four results. Hope we get to play them twice next year.

It's leadership on the field. If you look at the three areas, forward, mid and back, it explains quite simply our problems. It also would suggest we are a couple of years away from fixing it. On field leaders are very, very important. We only have one area sorted. The backline. Clearly May and Lever are in charge. May is so angry when things don't go right, he points and scowls and sorts things out. There was one comment that Rivers said after his great game against GWS. he praised May for telling him what to do. That is so important. The midfield has problems. We had the Viney/Brayshaw issue. Oliver and Petracca are still too young to be leaders yet, they are all about give it to me. Look at the run ons sides like Port, Richmond and Dogs got against us. Even GWS fought back into the game with multiple goals, turning what should have been a comfortable win into tight fought. I must say I'm dissapointed with Max in this space. Viney is probably our best chance and important we keep him. Think Boac and Grey at Port, Cotchin at Richmond, Danger and Sellwood at Geelong. Bont at Dogs. Even Fyfe at Freo. All these players insert themselves into the game when needed and intuitively know when to act to either get away from your opponent with a couple of goals or keep the game in the balance if its slipping away. Petracca and Viney are probably our versions and may come on in the next year or two. For some of the posters wanting it to come along this year and getting all upset and impatient and branding the year a fail are fools or delusional or both. Finally on the midfield leadership issue, you cannot import it. If you look at the teams above and their midfield leaders they are generally developed from within. This is the area Goodwin has to get right, the development of our mids leadership skills. The forward-line lost its main leader in Tom McDonald. This is a serious blow. Our forward-line is now devoid of leadership. Melksham was the only one who had leadership qualities and the main reason he kept his position in the team. Its funny coz I think ANB struts around like hes a leader of men out there and hes so far from it. Weidemann shows no skill in this area and really needs a leader to help him out down there. We need a Reiwoldt or a Tom Hawkins (obviously not but his leadership skills yes). I'm not sure if you can import leadership into the forward line but it is a serious problem for us. So finally I don't think next year will be our year either unless those midfield boys mature into a much better unit. Given Jackson, Kozzie and Weids are the forward line we will probably build around I would suggest they are at least a couple of years away as well. We may not get all three areas of the ground sorted properly and never get there. But to think we had all the pieces in place to get further than we did this year is pure folly, I think we had a good year and am hoping for top four next year.

His kick to Weideman in the second qtr (I think) was fantastic. He waited and waited then Weid led and he kicked perfectly. Weideman dropped the mark but it was good footy and if you keep doing it they'll start to stick. Spargo is generally a very good user of the footy. His returns for goal assists and goals etc for a small forward for the games he's played would be pretty good. He can still go missing for part of, or indeed whole games, and consequently the haters on here carry on and demand he be dropped, and it is clear he needs to work on being effective when he has a good opponent or things aren't going his way. But a game like he had against GWS is becoming more common and as he gains in confidence I'm sure he can keep his spot and become a top ten player for Melbourne. He is still very young. The haters here (and you've named yourself early in the piece) are just too impatient. Not all players show up like Kozzy, Jackson or Rivers in their remarkable first seasons of footy.

All this scuttlebutt is why it's so important to win against Essendon and finish the season with two solid wins. Wilson always has stories on a number of clubs, she can wheel out to keep herself well within the AFL system. Melbourne has always provided stories. We don't really do losing well (not many do) and we are like St Kilda the most losingest club. That's a lot of baggage. It's sad because it means until we win another premiership we are never far from imploding. I, like a lot of Melbourne people think there is a lot of promise out on the field and I'm sure just like us all, didn't like the losses to Freo and the Swans and like many on this forum, voiced their opinion. Saw the need to change. Including some of our supporters who are well off and have the ability to make a contribution to the club on a number of levels. And just like the majority, they are going to calm down and trust that the men in charge, continue to develop this upward trend we are hopefully on. Most of all, we recognize that upheavals and acrimonious splits aren't good for anyone and generally end in rebuilds and further years in the "wilderness". This is such an important game for quite a few people, I hope they realize it and make sure we win.

Whats wrong with both clubs getting it right! Melbournes trades are looking as good as anyone over the last couple of years, so stop suggesting otherwise. You're just showing yourself up to be a dill. Or a troll. Or just an agitator who doesn't even believe his own posts. Also Salem is turning into a gem as well. Having his best year to date. Taking responsibility finally. As you know but conveniently leave out we got Salem in the Kelly trade as well as Tyson. I'd have Salem over Kelly any day.

Dr D cool your jets a bit then, its hard to have a balanced discussion with someone injecting so much emotion into their posts. It is more than likely our last game for the year and the difference between winning and losing is immense. If we don't win against Essendon all hell will break loose and the whole club will be de-stabilised. I know some people want this but I personally don't. If we win as we should and head into the off season feeling we can push for top four next year we can retain players and maybe even attract more. The club is in a better position. So at this stage not many changes. There was a lot to like last night from players that offer good depth. Spargo, Baker and Hunt played well. This is our Grand Final. Lets just win it.

Get back Roos. He owes us, is a clever man (had an exit strategy) was great with the media at protecting the team and individuals from being torched and if he had of stayed rather than passing on to Goody would have us in a better place than we are now. He also likes Melbourne and genuinely would like to see us win that elusive premiership. Given the list is in better shape than when he took over last time he might get excited by the idea. And he owes us. If he wants a succession plan get Hodge.

Stick fatt! Part of a strong culture is backing in your coach and playing group when you're backs are to the wall. Part of a strong culture is never admitting you got it wrong, even when it is blatantly obvious you got it wrong. How often did Sheedy suffer a bad loss and come out in the press conference and mis-direct the press corp and talk about anything but the truth. Keep telling the f#ckers to f#ck off even when they have a point. So Dermie et al can go and GET well and truly F#CKED. Even if they are right. I'm well and truly looking forward to tomorrow night. Does anyone really know if we're going to win or lose? Go Dees, stick it up "em!

While I totally disagree with your silly reference to 2014, I will concede he is more than likely done for the year and after a reasonable game against the Saints he should never have been put out there 4 days later. Consequently the poor game he played was enough to see the coaching staff can't and or won't protect him enough to make sure he only plays on his terms. Which is probably fair enough. Mind you after the game in the Alice to ask a team to perform as well 4 days later was a tough ask and the whole team was flat. The thing that stood out to me was how Langdon needed help out there and really Jones position would have been much better served by a young, fit kid who can run all day. Anyway, was well worth the discussion and bringing Jones to the fore as he reached the end and hopefully we all get a chance to farewell him at a Demons game at the MCG. i'll be there Jonesy.

Saw that. Unbelievable. For all the rubbish ones they give out this was the perfect example why they brought in the rule in the first place.

If umpiring was anywhere near up to scratch, those sort of acts could be taken out of the game, and to be fair they have to a great degree. The rules though are a mess, the adjudication of those rules is a mess (very hard game to umpire), the MRV is all over the place and yet no-one is allowed to speak up or they get fined and commentators get told off or run off the roster. Each year we are watching a different game. Not wanting to derail the topic but its hard to trust an organisation to make the correct adjustments to change when to a great degree it doesn't have a clue what its doing.

I wasn't suggesting gifting Jones to 300 and I agree Cheesy, he has earnt every game he's played. I just saw in Jones a determination that is important in a team. If it means that much to Jones the younger players tap into that. Also the one goal assist that he was involved in was at an extremely important time in the match. Matches turn on moments like that.

I notice Nathan Jones has got a bit of heat from posters over last nights game and I want to rally a bit of support for him to not only make the 300 club but to commit to a full season next year. He has had a year of continuing change being asked to play differing positions and styles. When he got back in the side he not only looked a bit confused, but unloved and I think he sooked a bit. But I thought Jones had a great game last night and we should shout out some love for him to finish his career on a high and in style. At the end of next year. To elaborate on last nights game and why I think he is working hard to stay in the team and that he is worth keeping in, of course everyone saw his lazy kick, that ended in Steeles hands, for a goal to end the first half. He was shattered. You could see him thinking that could have been the end of his career. But if you fast forward to the 10.30 second mark of the third quarter, St Kilda had got to the lead and it looked like they would run over the top of us. In one of our few forays forward which eventually ended in a snap goal from Petracca, Jones was twice involved in the play and even though he desperately wanted to kick the goal himself he still had the smarts enough to get it to Tracc for the goal. In the replay of the goal you can see Jones in the background half kicking the ball for Tracc and then pumping his fist when Tracc kicks it. He goes straight to the bench and you see him sitting there hoping he has gone a little way to erasing the mistake he made before half time. Then later in the game I saw him down the bottom of a pack for the first time in ages. It's as if he's been told thats Vineys space you are now an outside player. Geez it was good to see him burrowing in again. His specialty. You don't have to look far to see older players being integral players in top teams. Boak is having a stellar year, Rockliff is contributing. Zirco is still a big part of Brisbanes plans and even Stevens has a role at Geelong. So please post some wishes for our elder statesman, Jonesy and may he kick the sh#t out of 300 games and beyond.

6. Oscar (by a fair margin) 5. OMac 4. Oscar McDonald 3. May (but only coz Oscar was there to make him look good) 2. TMac for being the brother who got us OMac 1. The rest of the team can share this point (for all being aboard the OMac train)

I have probably got way ahead of myself here but I'm pretty sure we are a better side than dogs. As long as the players aren't way ahead with me and have a sense of reality we can and should win the game without a ruck. Need to shut down Naughton who can be a match winner and play a solid contested ball game and hold them to 50 - 60 points. They can't hold any side and we are a good scoring side. Should be approx 90 - 60 scoreline. Ha, I am delusional.

I want my daughter to have twin boys and name them Clayton and Oliver.