rpfc

I've always thought FF was where Bate would be most value. He's tall enough, strong enough, and quick enough over short distances to be a good, lead-up target. He also has some smarts about him (knowing where to lead, double-leading etc.), hopefully he gets an extended run as FF.

If Jared Rivers is a list clogger, I think you overestimate what is out there to take his place on our list. You don't get to win a Rising Star Award and have nothing to contribute. Healthy, he is one of the finest readers of the play of any backman in the league. You may say that health is what he lacks, and he has lacked it for many years. Fair enough. But, considering where we are as a club, we can wait and take a gamble on a talent such as Jared. And BTW, the late, great Troy Broadbridge played most of the game on Hird in the 2004 Elimination Final.

There you go again... I recall your drivel about Bailey from last year. And now, we lose one NAB Cup game and you're picking at flesh again. Who says the players don't believe in their coach? Forget Bailey, I find your comments hackneyed.

Bate was fantastic at FF. Should be played there for the whole year, or until Robbo is fit enough, if he ever is. Jarka - Perspective is not apathy. They played an awful quarter of football, but it is an NAB cup game against a good team that must have been chastened after their awful third quarter. The MFC looks an improved unit. That is good enough for me at this stage.

I couldn't give a sh!t about winning this game. But if the coaching staff want to win this practice match, that is their prerogative. Personally, I never thought we'd see the stick figures of Watts, Blease, Strauss, Bennell and Jetta this early. And don't give this rubbish about 'playing the losers that have done nothing for 2 years.' Why keep them on the list, if you think that? Think before you type.

Have both and wear whichever one the AFL says clashes the least. I am sick of talking about the effing clash strip...

Newton worked hard but was cruelled by awful kicking to him and Garland being firmly up his... It was odd to see Macca, Green, and Bruce getting toweled up in the guts by Jones, Moloney, and Dunn. Moloney led the White's midfield and did a decent job. Petterd easily the most exciting thing from the day. Followed by Jetta, Spencer, Wonna, and Bail.

I've said it before and i'll reiterate - James McDonald, 32, is the most decorated player on our list and deserves to lead that list over any other player. McLean with Miller and Moloney (as VC's) was my initial preference, but on retrospect I think it would be premature to give McLean the captaincy after half a good season and 1 quiet off-season.

Jarka - My feeling has been that McDonald would retire on his own free will at the end of 2009. He will "delist himself" (i.e. retire) after 1 season or 2 seasons of being the Captain of this great club. There is nothing wrong with being led by a man reaching the end of his career. Leadership would be one of the skills that doesn't wane with age.

Some of you blokes are kidding yourselves if you think that Macca doesn't deserve his spot in the best 22. Just who is going to replace him? Noone on our list deserves to be captain more than Macca, he is the only AA player FCS. He won the Bluey in 2007 and suddenly he is the 25th best player on our list? Some on this site give our list of toddlers to much credit.

The WBFC would much prefer to play that game in Victoria and make the same amount of money than play it in Darwin. St.Kilda has one of the worst stadium deals with Collins apparently. Richmond struggle, like most clubs, to make money at the G against Freo and the like. All these issues lead me to believe they wouldn't mind playing two to three games each year at a small stadium that they can make money out of.

Bailey overreacted for sure but... If you have decided not to play on with a club don't... Let your agent tell the FOM before you do. Go to training and act like a decision hasn't been made. He should have turned up to training early in his civvies and told DB and CC himself.

Seriously hoping English is your second language... Finances are tough, but we will survive. A sponsor will come, memberships will exceed records, and AFL/MCC funding will be put to good use. Give us a stadium in Casey and we might even thrive.

Ideal world, yeah. But how can we hope to do that? Frankly, a boutique stadium will only come about with the strength of club numbers. MFC, NMFC, ST.KFC, RFC, and WBFC require a small stadium to make money out of.

I don't think it is on their radar. Any mention of it seems to be a desperate attempt to get some leverage over the MCC and Collins for better stadium deals. They believe the cost would be prohibitive. I really want someone with some industry knowledge to post on this site and inform us how much it would cost to seat 20k, or 15k, or have 10k sit and the rest stand.

You should read the posts carefully. Aside from one, the rest of us realise that no-one is going to pay for us to play there. But if we could manage to get 15-20k people to fit and pay, we would make hundreds of thousands of dollars. Train lines will go straight to the ground in a matter of years and traffic is an issue coming back from all grounds. I've been stuck at SC station for 2 hours after a footy game once. Ian Collins couldn't care less. Traffic does not concern me.

Not a big fan of commenting on rumour but the poster on 'ology isn't one to lie for kicks. Macca deserves it, as the most accomplished player on our list and a club champion in good times (2006) and bad (2007). The leadership group was always going to have Bruce, Green, and McLean but it is good to see Moloney and Miller included if ER is correct. They both seem to be leaders of men, I know they both have struggled for form and with injuries but McLean is going to need help in a couple years when he is captain and needing help from senior players - they'll be it.

Exactly. Selling games to Casey would be akin to selling oil to the Mid East.

Debt Demolition money is included. We would have lost over $3m this year if not for that. We need a sponsor...

Hawthorn were not playing finals and spending a lot of time in the top 4 when they traded Spida. Completely different scenario...other than they are both tall... 2004 we were 1st after Rd 18, 2005 we were 2nd after Rd 13, and in 2006 we were 3rd after Rd 20. Hawthorn were nowhere near there and only hindsight can tell us that trading our best ruckman was a good idea. The simple fact is that we understandably thought we were closer to a flag than we were and no-one would have traded an AA ruckman in that frame of mind.

Trade Jeff White at the end of 2004? Excuse me, I had something crazy in my ear?! We were top of the ladder 4 games out from the finals and we should have traded the AA ruckman?! FFS people...get with it, or give it up. As an aside, RR - We got Moloney in the Ottens deal, Pick 15, traded for Jolly got us Dunn. You can argue a causal relationship but Thompson for 12, 12 for Moloney.

I think you're both talking past each other. RR is basically saying that bucketloads of money shouldn't be required to help acclimitise players to Melbourne. And the fork seems to be saying that the culture difference is one that should be respected, as it will affect these kids more than draftees from Brisbane or...Oakleigh. Frankly, I think you're both right. Other than a few plane flights home, what has to be bought to settle anyone? (Outside of a home, and...groceries?) And the difference in culture will be a shock and a support network needs to be in place, which I am sure the club has thought about.

If he can handball and has vision he's ahead of every other midfielder in our team.

Nathan is a talent but he needs to learn how to handball in tight, and kick to advantage.

Great news, and when the train line is built (might be a ways off yet) it will be a special place for an elite football club to train and build a club.