Northern Summer

Just putting it out there? Matthew Lloyd asked him on radio today and he responded by saying something to the effect that he is over 60. . he didn't discount it. Reckon with his profile, and given he's not the head of the HS anymore and probably has time on his hands, we could do worse. .

Interesting who I saw out last night where I was. McLean was there ... and a few of the Melbourne players were there. Let's just say they were standing nowhere near each other - I was happy to see that!

I like the look of the new Guernsey for 2013. The brighter red (i.e. the same as that of Sydney, Bulldogs, etc) looks far better on the navy blue than does that other colour we've had for the last 2 seasons. I always said while I was growing up (i.e in the 1990s and 2000s) that we had the best Guernsey in the league, however, this has been far from my view in 2011-2012. Thankfully the club listened to the supporters on this one! Just a small note, the emblem on that Guernsey pictured above still had the 'aweful' red - to be contrasted with the red in the Guernsey itself - hopefully this is changed as well!!

meanwhile, over in India, what a magnificent innings from both Cook and KP, and bowling from Monty. . looks very encouraging for those of us that like seeing the old dart do well. .

Why did we ever leave Sandringham?? Ever since we did, we've headed south on the ladder. Really was a great marriage!

Ho Hope you're all right, that was 7 years ago that Freo stuff and in fairness to him his mind was on the coaching job, though I still have to say that a simple hello here and then wouldn't have gone astray. Maybe he's changed since leaving the coaching scene.

I used to work for Freo as part of its interstate support staff when CC was coach (n.b. always been a Melbourne supporter even then) - all i'll say is all the Freo people were lovely and had a time for a chat, everyone!! - except CC - never bothered to even look at me in the face once. I thought that was poor form and I don't think much of him as a result.

Let's face it, nobody here really knows whether what she is saying is true or not, however I would think like has been posted that she would be treading on extremely rocky ground if she was making assumptions and there was no fact to what she was saying. That's the concern for me, that there is thought that has gone into her articles, and she obviously thinks she has a basis for what she is saying. However, on the other hand, it's surprising that it's only Wilson who is saying much at all on this topic. Most of the other journos, for instance from the Herald Sun, are reporting things fairly generally and not being brash at all. It's rare for this type of thing to happen, for only '1' journalist to be 'in the know'.

I am not just saying this because I barrack for the club, but the AFL will be making a very big mistake if it decides to impose draft penalties on Melbourne. The club has been a basket-case for want of a better word for the past 6 years. By imposing draft penalties will only ensure this continues, and in reality, will not do anybody any good. All it effectively does is punish the supporters - those who made the bright decision to 'tank' are still getting paid hefty salaries whether from Melbourne or another club now. They are in it as a business, so it doesn't really matter to them. The only real option the AFL has is to clean out the administrators at the club that were around and had a bearing in these decisions back in 2009, so if that includes CS, CS and even JH, so be it. Irrespective of what penalty the AFL imposes, I think Melbourne would have a fairly strong case if pursued through the courts, particularly because the AFL firstly is guilty of a lack of action years ago when this occurred, as well as not paying proper due diligence to other serious claims made at other clubs, particularly those claims by Liberatore and Wallace.

Got a feeling we'll trade Martin for Ray, just a feeling, nothing more.

So too was Chris Heffernan, Simon Buckley and Brent Moloney. .

I hate to say it but there is cause for optimism every single off-season until the disappointment starts when the season begins. Let's hope it changes this time around!!

The reports state Brisbane has offered him a 4 year contract. Not sure if that length is accurate, but their recruitment manager did say on radio tonight that the club would be serious about him, so I think it's safe to say he'll be at the Lions

Gold Coast are clearly calling Melbourne's bluff. Melbourne know it too. That is why Todd Viney did not look overly concerned on the TV this evening when asked about it. He and the club knows Melbourne will get him, whether with pick 3 or 26 - but as I say, i'd be stunned if it was pick 3.

Gut feel is that Rivers will end up staying. . I reckon he's just seeing who the club brings in, and I think he'll be impressed enough + his salary offer at Melbourne won't be beaten by any other club. Just my view.

Get the feeling this won't be the most popular of threads, but seeing Collingwood are going to delist him, I reckon we should try to get him back with a late selection in the draft. Won't cost us anything, and he showed right up until he became injured that he's a decent ball magnet. Disposal a bit iffy but with another hard preseason i'm sure that can be improved. He definitely would fit into our best 22, no doubt about that, and he's at that perfect age bracket for our list.

Rollinson65, thank you so much for organising but I'm an unlikely starter as carrying an achilles injury after doing a marathon a few weeks ago. If it gets better would love to play.

Absolute crack up - doing a rejig of Garry Lyon being carried out by a stretcher. Have to see it!

Jason Taylor is coaching the Sydney Roosters Under 20s squad

value for money bet: Melbourne team votes - 'ANY OTHER PLAYER' - paying $7 Mitch Clark is not listed as a player - so falls under this I reckon he's a monty for our most votes given we'll barely get any votes and when we do, he'll get them because he dominated so much. Jones may have been our best player for the season but this is irrelevant with brownlow votes because in most of those games the opposition will get all of the 3, 2, 1. .

Sydney make good of players from other clubs, why can't we???

i'll play - I just finished the Sydney marathon yesterday so the fitness is there, I just need to be able to walk again first

If Adelaide traded Tippett to the Gold Coast and received Pick 2 in return, what's to stop them from bidding for Jack Viney with pick 2? I remember reading a few years back when Todd Viney was working at the Crows that Adelaide were trying to woo Jack Viney - apparently there's some loophole where they can do it under a similar fashion to the father-son rule - can't remember exactly how they were going to do it, but apparently it was legitimate. This means Adelaide might be serious about him if they could get him, and further, it'll be more difficult to get him back to the Demons after 2 years because he's actually got some background in Adelaide, having grown up there in his teens. .

thanks for the update, but not sure running around the Tan means a hell of a lot. . i'm doing the sydney marathon this week but i'm not looking for a professional sporting contract, it's part and parcel of staying generally fit. .

and that was a fair comment too, why Melbourne didn't put a call out to R.Lyon to inquire of his situation. . successful clubs have to be brutal, and it finally seems as though Freo have taken this path. . (but this subject matter has already been discussed on another thread, so end of story)