titan_uranus

Judd not only making it, but being captain is abit of a joke IMO. Getting by on reputation now. I know he was right up there at the top for contested possessions this year, but there were still players, especially midfielders, who were far better this year. I'd say Sam Mitchell was one of them. Brett Kirk another.

Really didnt deserve it, and Im sure Chris would be the first person to admit that.

Wankfest.

Yeah I thought the same thing. Can't believe these selectors think Judd is a better captain than Harley. Not only has Harley had to work for his position (and hold it in an extremely good team), but surely the win-loss ratio means something?

Aaron Sandilands is the most undeserving All Australian I've ever seen

Yeah, well name another ruckman who had a better year than Sandilands (other than Cox of course).

There isn't one. Hille played 4-6 outstanding games, but went midding for the other 16-18. Petrie was just an average player for the first half of the year.

Sandilands was consistently the second best ruckman in the competition this year. He excels not just in hit outs but also clearances and contested possessions.

The All-Australian team is a team consisting of the year's best 22 players. Sandilands' 2008 was better than any other ruckman's (bar Cox).

How long until we have a player that even gets close to AA, and who was our last one? Sad times.

'Tis sad, especially when Robbo missed out in '06 (I think). But notice too that Collingwood rarely gets a player in, even though they made a prelim final last year and a semi this year. I think Medhurst is their only player in the 44 selections over the past 2 years.

We are Melbourne.

We may not have kept the same moniker, or the same jumper, throughout our history, but we have always been Melbourne. Without "Melbourne" we are nothing.

Correct. If we drop the Melbourne we will die.

Try this on for size, 2009 approximate salaries: $

Judd 1m

Fevola 750k

Stevens 500

Warnock 400

Murphy 400

Thornton 350 ( wanted to leave and got more )

Waite 300

Gibbs 300

Fisher 250

Simpson 250

Houlihan 250

Cloke 250

Kreuzer 100 ( 300 at least 2010 )

Betts 200

Walker 200

Carazzo 200

Hadley 200

Bannister 150

Russell 150

Wiggins 150

Ackland 150

O'Hailpin 150

Gee, if I were one of those three I'd be enjoying my time at Carlton. That kind of money far exceeds what they deserve based on their ability.

At first I had reservations in any trade involving pick 1, but thinking it over it does make some sense, provided a sensible deal is struck. I'm not sure we need to offer Fremantle anything else other than pick 1, that is, the deal could be Pick 1 for Mundy and/or Warnock plus pick 3. In essence, Freo gets Rich, we get Mundy/Warnock (we already 'have' Watts).

Adam is spelt the traditional way...So it's a no in my book

Whoops. Thought the two articles had diffferent quotes. How stupid.

http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/news/midf...1330747367.html

Adam Thomson seems to be coming back to Victoria. Anyone interested? I don't know who he is.

From http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/news/midf...1330747367.html

Sydney coach Paul Roos has ruled the club out of pursuing former Melbourne and Fremantle ruckman Jeff White as a replacement for the retired Peter Everitt.

‘‘I think Jeff still has something to offer AFL footy, to be honest, but I think from our point of view, probably not.

‘‘We’ve got Daniel Currie, who is a young ruckman coming up, and Jake Orreal, so probably not is my initial reaction, with no disrespect to Jeff,’’ Roos said.

I have to say, this says quite a lot about Sydney. They must think a premiership is still near. I know they don't believe in bottoming out, but I seriously can't see White giving much to the club for more than 2 years, and they haven't got a chance of a premiership in that time.

I love his consistent work ethic. I'm not sold on his ruckwork, but I reckon he has the mobility to be a decent forward. But whatever, at least he can play.

I don't think Bell as a forward holds much merit. He just isn't good enough in any position. When you're not in the best 22 of the Melbourne 2008 team, you just aren't good enough to play AFL.

I reckon a good portion of our future rests on his development. We really need him to turn into a quality player, not only to justify our selection of him but to have a star in the team. If he does become a great player then we'll have something to build on with him in our midfield. But as far as 2008 goes, I couldn't have asked for more really.

I have never barracked for the Saints as hard as I did last night.

I don't think we were ever much of a chance. We just can't compete with the other clubs until we show that we have decent prospects in the forseeable future. Money is one thing, but I reckon the biggest thing that got Warnock to Carlton was the fact that they have a genuine chance of finals next year, and a reasonable chance of a premiership in the next 6 years. We don't. Players like Warnock don't want to come to Melbourne, especially when they can earn more money at a club where they will experience more wins.

Thanks bub.

If Carlton can please Fremantle, Warnock will go to Carlton. Compare the two clubs. Carlton has stability off the field, a more realistic chance of a premiership within 4 years and a great midfield that any ruckman could work with, a midfield that includes Chris Judd.

Melbourne, on the other hand, have off-field troubles, a comparatively worse list, a comparatively much worse midfield and less of a chance of a premiership than Carlton does.

The best thing we've got is the offer of being number 1 ruckman at Melbourne. Having said that, I'm not convinced that he wouldn't be the number 1 ruckman at Carlton either. There are other factors too, like Matty Warnock, the Fremantle presence of Connolly and Schwab, but if Warnock had to sit down and compare the two teams, you would think that Carlton would rank higher than us in most categories.

Positives from the Article:

1. MFC seeking realignment with MCC. Early days but this is something that IMO should definitely pursued.

2. Casey deal - Close to finalisation including alignment with Casey.

3. AFL has its financial people activately involved in the devlopment of the business plan. This should not be underestimated in the scheme of things.

4. AFL supported the MFC push with the MCC.

5. MFC making a clear submission to the AFL for $3million. Best it be done out in the open rather than rumoured and speculated about.

6. On track to have its HQ at Olympic Park by 2010.

And also:

7. MFC looking to pay out Nathan Carroll...

By the way, can someone explain to me what an alignment with the MCC would entail? I wasn't alive when it was ended 25 years ago, so I don't know what it really means, especially considering it isn't of a financial nature.

Miller definitely improved this year. Would probably have done better if Robertson had played out the whole year, just for someone to take a bit of the pressure of him. Looks to have worked on his goal-kicking, but needs to put it in practice more.

God this is reminding me of last year and the frenzy regarding Judd. Except Judd is 10 times as good as Warnock.

From Melbournefc.com.au's player reviews:

After finishing third in the club's best-and-fairest in 2007, Bate battled a hamstring injury early in the season, missing the opening three matches. He resumed in round seven and remained in the side until round 21, but he was disappointingly dropped back to Sandringham for the final round. Still only 21, the talented forward looms as integral part of Melbourne's long-term plans, having signed on until the end of 2010.

Bate let me down this year, so I hope he makes up for it next year. The fact he's only 21 helps.

I don't really agree.

If Jimmy wants the Demon back in Melbourne, there's a good chance he'd want it shown on our clash jumper IMO.

Yeah I reckon we're more likely to see the demon on the front, considering Jimmy's push to bring back the demon. But I'd hope he listens to the members and goes for the MFC insignia.

Tough one.

He was screwed over i felt by CA last Summer, but he also bullshited his way out of the Pakistan tour "travel fears" rah rah but was happy as Larry to go to India.

I feel he'll do what's best for Andrew Symonds. If he can find another niche I don't think we'll see him in the Baggy Green again. But i don't think he'll get there yet, and I think he'll ease his way back in, maybe after the Indian tour.

I think there are serious 'travel fears' associated with Pakistan that do not exist in India at all. The situations in those 2 countries are vastly different, so I take Symonds' side on that one. As for whether he'll play again, that's up to him I guess. I reckon he will, because if he doesn't, he'll lose out on all the sponsorship deals he would otherwise get.

I thought he was awesome between rounds 3 to 14. Those 3 MCG games against Fremantle, Hawthorn and Collingwood were vintage McLean at his best. I reckon he'll snag about 6 votes in 3 games. Also had 20 touches to half time against the premiers and was solid against Carlton in round 5.

I don't think there's any coincidence that those three games (Freo, Haw, Coll) were three of our better games for the year.

i have just heard from someone at an mfc lunch that we will have a red clash strip with a blue logo next year!

Best thing that's happened to this club this year if true. Oh please let it be true. Please.