45HG

If I were you, I'd pick Henriques...

If you can't spell his name, you shouldn't get to keep him...

Our defence seemed much better structurally around the ground than it did for much of last year. We defended the opposition's second kick out of defence very well for the most. Jesse Hogan will be a star. Dawes will be very handy when Clark comes back. Breaks packs and presents well. I love Jordie Mckenzie but it's very difficult to carry a player who simply cannot kick. Jack Watts' use of the footy is fantastic. If he can develop a real appetite for the contest he'll be a very, very damaging player IMO. Just saw the replay and noticed that after the game he went to Kent with a bit of a shake of the head. Depending which side of the coin you're on you either say he wasn't being a good leader and should've looked after the kid - but in my view it was good to see him get a bit of mongrel, wanting the win. Still don't know why Howe wouldn't have a ping. On the downside, it would've been fun to watch. On the upside, it's good to see players stick to structures and (probably) coach's orders (uh oh!).

Cop that, Rogue!

I feel a bit bad about it but I'd like to choose Powell and I suppose he'd have been there all being equal. Sorry Django.

Talk about agendas, though. Hutchy clearly saying 5 or 6 sides tanked. The Carlton and Richmond stuff has been well known, even spoken about here, for some time. Yet all of it comes out after the findings are revealed? Why not 7 months ago when the investigation started? I think Anderson smelt an easy target and a career boost. IMO we proved him wrong, career-fatally wrong.

The way Kennett is going, she'll struggle to get her spot back in the pocket.

Is it too narcissistic to think you did that just to spite me? Jacques Rudolph (SA)

Bah! Rage against Django!

Despite knowledge to the contrary I feel that, with this positive attitude, you haven't been a Melbourne fan for long...

Is there also a part where the AFL didn't want one of its clubs done on such a charge?

I'd rather tip against us and have us win than tip us and see us lose.

I'd never tipped against Melbourne until two years ago. I decided it was pointless and that I should just tip who I thought would win. Won the comp. No, it doesn't make you a bad person.

I think I know what you're saying, but I doubt it - in one case in particular.

How did he act with regards to the comments? What are they saying that Bailey actually did? Without serious behinds the scenes backscratching, there's no way these would be the final results.

It's an especially strange concept that a team pays the organisation that licences it and, later on, gives out funds for sides to support them. A very strange time in the history of the game, one that I'm glad to see the back of with draft picks in place. Not thrilled for Bailey, we really did knife people at out club and he and Junior stick out to me. Hopefully we've turned that corner now. Onwards and upwards - go Dees!

Interesting results last week. Only the Dogs failed to get the win and we saw, as opposed to last year, that the team with the break had the advantage (especially if it was hot). Of course, the Mighty Dees are in action this Friday night and it'll be very interesting to see how we go. Friday night sees the young gun, up-and-coming teams of circa 2010 go head to head to head. I think the Dees will want to make a good fist and I wouldn't be surprised if we walked away with one or even two wins. I'd be equally as unsurprised if we walked away with none. I'm leaning towards one, however and I think it'll be against the Tigers. North are always for up and that will continue, but it'd be nice if we could roll them (even in the Mickey Mouse Competition). North vs Richmond should be an interesting to watch as, you'd expect, both teams will be vying for at least the top 8. Gold Coast will push the Lions I think and both Qld teams will want to stand up to last year's proper season runner's up. You'd think the Hawks would have too much class, however, and should come away with a couple of wins. Likewise, the Blues should account for the Giants before facing up with the Premiers. Games between these two are always good to watch and I think the Blues will start the year with two wins. Game of the Week Richmond vs North Melbourne/Carlton vs Sydney Interesting Game of the Week Melbourne vs North Melbourne Toughest to Pick Gold Coast vs Brisbane Upset of the Week Melbourne over the Tigers For the record: Land went at about 460% from the 9 games, leaving a 51% accuracy rate (I assume that works - as I'm doing it on overall tips rather than our rate for matches - or do posters think we should go with per game?)

So that the poll doesn't clog up the boards, I'm locking this thread (can't find a way to simply lock the poll).

Just quietly.

Posters on here think we're tough on them when they're sanctioned for swearing, flaming etc. Try getting an 11 month ban for an in-house, off-the-cuff joke.

Yeah - in between some NAB cup, domestic cricket an A-League. A decent Sunday!

Lucky he came back - his 3 from 17 wasn't sparkling at the top before he did!

And a difference between wanting to lose and orchestrating a loss.

Um, yeah, I suppose...

I wonder if the attitude has changed substantially.