Jarka

I see what you're saying but it would make a mockery of the system if the player chosen by Bailey wasn't voted into the leadership group by the rest of the group.

What's more interesting is that it seems that Bailey will change the leader selection process. If he's picking the captain then it's obviously not up to the player group, what happens if the playing group don't vote either McDonald or Bruce in?

Gutnick definitely did a public hatchet job on him, my understanding though is that the overpayments were made before Schwabs time, I'm happy to be corrected though, I'm not 100% certain.

/start rant No player should be asked to take a pay cut, if a club is stupid enough to pay over the odds for said player then that's the club's problem. Having said that if a player manager is stupid enough to successfully arrange a contract that is clearly above said players ability then they're not doing their client any favours, in the end all that will happen is that enormous pressure will be put on the player to perform better. /end rant

Playing finals is one thing, hell, half the competition gets to play them every year, but it's how you peform in them that should be the way a club and its players should be judged. With that in mind I fail to understand how this club could be even close to 100% of the salary cap. What it does though is to reconfirm that we are finally headed in the right direction.

Over the last 5 years what the hell was going on with our list management?

I agree, I'm also very surprised that he's come back to the club, i honestly didn't think it would happen.

Sorry to burst your bubble but before Gutnick came into power Melbourne was not financially in trouble, we had no debt at all. Now the question of the state of our finances after he (and the people that he introduced to the board) left the club was totally different. I have no problem with people idolising past presidents, just don't rewrite history in the process. Have a great day

I wonder how Sandringham feels about the MFC footy operations manager making their team selection decisions....

Quick, get his donation before we delist him. I'm kinda half joking

Kicking was a bit iffy at time by gee, he showed some real class at times

Hey ash, love your work and all but I just can't get over the fact the you're one of them, What makes things worse is that your posts are mostly well thought out and accurate, I just don't understand how you could be part of the scum. Lobotomy at an early age?

I understand that you're just trying to be funny but that's just plain embarrasing.

It's not what I'd do but they probably explains why I work in finance and not an AFL coach.... Anyway, give the kid a bit of a break, he's been leading the midfield since McLean got injured, and it's a good move considering the bombers are pretty weak for inside mids. This is a danger game for us, bails is doing the right thing.

My understanding is that there will be no draft picks given to the new team next season, only in 2010. As someone stated on bigfooty the only difference next year will be the age raised somewhat, so if we do finish the season with less than 20 points we'll get the first 2 picks (or pick 1 & 3 depending on where we finish). I think there's every chance that this could happen, and even though the age will be raised there will still be some very talented kids up for grabs.

YES!!! I know it wouldn't be a popular decision but we could definitely secure a first rounder for him. There's a couple more that I'd trade away that would probably raise the odd eyebrow or two.

There is a very good reason why we're currently one game clear on the bottom of the ladder. Collingwood are currently in the top 8 with a team full of youngsters. Somehow I don't think they're too worried.

Thanks for the post LT, gave some good insights into what he's doing this year, greatly appreciated. We were always going to have a poor year this season, the fact that we have so many huge holes all over the ground guaranteed it. Any supporter with an ounce of intelligence woudl have accepted it and enjoy watching the team develop, of course I'm not happy with losing but it's nice to see the club finally try and work on our negatives.

Kevin Dyson even

When he gets the ball he looks nothing like Bartram

Welcome to posting at demonland. In reality Dunn wouldn't get a game for a good team because of this reason (among others). I'm hopeful that he'll develop his game however I'm not going to be all that bothered if he doesn't because I wrote him off a couple of seasons ago. If he makes it it's a bonus, pity we wasted a round 1 pick though.

Good debut, didn't look overawed with the pace of the game, good disposal and decision making. Looks like a player.

I can see Bailey and co trading heavily this year, even a couple of our better players in the mid 20's group. It will be very interesting to see what happens.

I think I remember that game, we had something like 4 key forwards playing, Lyon, Bennett, Schwartz and Jako. The day was a disaster but it signaled a new exciting era for our forwards.

Would you be unhappy if the new GC team offered a top 10 pick for him?