Goodvibes

Not sure where you're coming from Bob. I agree that Lumumba has under-performed but I think you're reading too much into that interview in regards to excuse making. At no point did he talk about his own performance he only talked about how challenging it was coming to a new club. From what I've been told he's quite an introvert and a new environment would indeed be quite confronting for him. His praise of our young list, environment and coaching staff seemed genuine. Like you, I hope he improves. That 4th in Collingwood's B & F was surely not fluked. He finished ahead of some pretty handy players. Perhaps the increased midfield time early in the year impacted on his confidence. He rarely played in the midfield at Collingwood and struggled to have an impact when given the job for us. The disappointing part was his failure to settle when returned to a back flank. The best coaches and managers of men appreciate that every player needs to be treated individually and therefore differently - even if they have played 199 games before they get to you. I'm sure our coaching staff learnt as much about Heritier as he did about us this year. I'm confident his output will improve in 2016.

Now you're just being silly.

I'm a bit disappointed everyone has failed to piece the jigsaw together. It's clear that Franklin is out of Sydney and a big chance of ending up at the Dees. We got into Dangerfield's ear with the news. He deliberately didn't name a team of preference because he has assured Melbourne that if Buddy signs so will he.

Thread needs more riddles.

Made me giggle. Titus O'Reily ‏@TitusOReily 1h1 hour ago What's exciting about the Dangerfield news is that it shows people can still find a job in Geelong.

Wiseblood, you just killed Christmas.

It's a good thing AFL clubs aren't run by mugs like me. I'd be attempting to broker megadeals like Bennell, Dixon and Prestia for Watts, Howe, 2015 first rounder, 2016 first rounder.

I just love that Garry acknowledges his bias because he's a former key position forward as opposed to being a former Melbourne captain.

I'm interested in us getting better. Redden would make us better. He can turn it over but usually pretty reliable by foot. He's a very solid player. I was hoping one of Newton, Riley or Michie would make it. I don't believe they will. Redden is a massive upgrade on them. I think a change of scenery would freshen him up too. He's a B/B+ midfielder. Similar to Jones leading into his three B & F years. I want pace, contested ball winning ability and elite kicking as key criteria for future mids but that's a very tough thing to find. It's even harder to find if you're us. We need to be realistic about where we're at. Redden is the type of trade that would make us better. We've got to draft A graders and trade for B graders until we become a potential top 4 team and then we might be able to pinch an established star looking for a premiership. Jones, Vince, Tyson, Viney, Brayshaw, vandenBerg and Redden is a good start with genuine hope in Petracca, Stretch and Neal-Bullen. That's 10 midfielders plus Kent, Salem and Watts. Add an emerging A grade ruck in Gawn and we're getting there. It's still the midfield isn't it?

We need a collective noun. Anyone?

Sadly, Michie and Newton can't run. Big ground exacerbated the issue. Riley has always been my favourite of the three but his engine is also a concern. I'm a little confused by the Footy Dept thinking here. ANB, Stretch and Brayshaw, however, know how to cover the ground and will all make it. They all crack in, all use it pretty well and have superior engines to the recycled trio above. We've been burnt before but I'd be putting my faith in the draft again as opposed to looking for recycled second and third year mids who are currently outside the best 22 of their respective teams.

Gawn was excellent. 30 hitouts against Sandi, 10 marks and a heap of the ball and most importantly looked like he ran the game out well in the last quarter without Spencer to help him out in hot conditions. Max is going to be a huge asset going forward.

Farren Ray might serve as an interesting comparison moving forward.

A convincing win over Carlton and we'll be talking up a last round win over GWS and the prospect of 8 wins. 8 wins after 4 last year will seem like solid progress and a good launching pad for Roos' last season as we attempt to make the top 8. It's been a rough week but we've got to take a big picture approach.

I'd like to take some credit but she was a freak before she got to me. She'd already been playing for 7 or 8 years bullying the boys along the way. As opposed to some of the other exhibition game girls who are talented and co-ordinated and take up the game as young adults, Tayla has always played footy like most senior AFL male players. Once the national comp is embedded this will become the norm and the standard will go through the roof. We will start to pinch the best soccer, netball, cricket and basketball girls when they see the money that will be on offer and the quality and depth will further improve.

I'm a little bit proud to say I was Tayla's first senior coach a few years back. She missed four games and still won the League's B & F as a 15 year old. The kid is a star. Bit surreal to see images of her popping up on my favourite football forum. A national league now seems a formality. 220,000 viewers watched a game of women's footy on free to air footy. Exciting times and no less than girls like Tayla deserve.

Do we have to hear this after every bad loss? It's actually disrespectful to Hogan.

Did Fitzpatrick just say that it was surprisingly tough? We've got a ways to go.

This might be the last exhibition game. Really hope the MFC is keen to obtain one of the licenses once the national comp is launched. I've been really proud of the role our club has played over the last three years in the rise of women's footy. It would be a real shame if our involvement didn't continue.

Like the vibe binman. Hogan and Dawes in form. If Maxy gives our midfield first use we may just cause an upset. Shame vandenBerg is missing.

I left at three quarter time. That's a first for me. Horrible game, no atmosphere.

He's a winner.

A lot of focus has been rightly placed on Jack's hardness, tackling and work ethic but I've been equally impressed with his clean hands around the contest and his clearance work.

Someone recently highlighted the need to celebrate our wins. He suggested that if we don't enjoy our successes then what's the point. Live a little old dee.

North - Leigh Adams (ret)