titan_uranus

North Melbourne - Shannon Grant to retire at season's end: http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl...2-19742,00.html

According to the HUN, both of them want to play on next year: http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl...3-19742,00.html

Except that it's at the Dome, which means many will likely be denied entry. North plays Port at the G on the same day, which will probably mean an outcry against the AFL's fixturing again.

Yeah, I've probably been harsh on Bate, all things considered. I guess a truer measure will be to see if he improves next year.

Surely Usain Bolt could fit into the forward line?

I've always thought Bate would become a star, but this year has made me question that. Only 2 or 3 good games, the rest of them he's been ineffectual. When he's playing well he does everything right, but when he's not playing well he looks slow and fumbly. What do others think, because I'd give him my vote for the most disappointing player for us this year

With the amount of clubs that will be interested (could be about 7 of them), the asking price will be high. Also considering Geelong's first pick in the draft is most likely to be 16, they may ask for a first round draft pick, or at the very most a second round pick.

I completely agree. This comes a close second to our skills as the thing that is worst about Melbourne.

I think a lot of people have forgotten how 'lucky' we were to be in a position to get a PP last year. The real issue last year is that we lost a lot of close games, that, had we won them, would have seen us well out of contention for a PP by Round 22. I speak of matches early in the year against the Bulldogs, Port Adelaide, Essendon and North Melbourne, all of which we lost by a goal or so, and all of which we led in the last quarter. If we'd won just one of those then Round 22 last year would have been a non-issue.

IN: Holland, Petterd, Maric, Meesen OUT: Newton, Bate, Yze, White I'd love to see Holland get a game. He's a veteran who deserves a send off simply because we know he will give it his all from the first bounce to the end. The same can't be said for Yze or Newton. Maric surely returns (school permitting), Petterd to get Bate's spot.

Neither did I. There were plenty worse than Bell. Which I guess is an indictment on how bad we were.

I really hope you're right, I hope the club makes the hard decisions and cuts the mediocre players off the list. Meanwhile they sign Newton to a new contract...

This report isn't in the hard copy of the paper, that's the (so-called) problem.

I agree, but The Age had him as our best player... How sad. This was something I noticed last week. It's such a big problem IMO. Too many of our players look scared when they attempt a tackle, and as a result the opponent just runs out of it. We are so soft it's not funny.

I'd love for him to play, but I don't know if the coaches will drop Newton (or anyone else) for him.

Don't think we'll be looking for another off-field problem. But I do like the way he plays.

I don't think the team is stronger with White instead of PJ (but we don't have a choice). I guess Dunn can tag Burgoyne or something but I don't know if Dunn is that much better than Valenti. Really, the only change that makes the team stronger is Garland for Frawley.

Correct me if wrong, but Canberra has the War Memorial, which would attract many people on ANZAC day. Which either means there will be plenty of people to go over to Manuka to watch the footy, or everyone will be busy at the War Memorial. I dunno.

For what reason RR? I'm happy in that we should lose this game, but I'm not happy in that Valenti and Frawley aren't playing. I think they should both be in the team over Yze and Dunn.

Well that doesn't really explain why you referred to them as "people", but anyway, I agree with you.

We finally win a game and we make 2 (maybe 3) unforced changes... Let's hope Maric is out for school and returns in Round 22, because he didn't deserve to be dropped. Disappointed to see Valenti and Frawley dropped. No real reason for either of them. And to top it all off, Yze returns.

I would think so mousey. Robbo's about the only MFC player who gets on the panel these days. Good to see Greeny there.

?

Jimmy does this? That's a good idea IMO. If this telethon is connected to The Footy Show then that's a good thing, hopefully we can make some decent money.

Well isn't this turning into a gripping contest... I think the only one remaining is Terry Dillon (assuming Waldron's out), so you'd think he's got the job if he wants it. But then again, we might find out tomorrow that Schwab is reconsidering...