old55

You are.

Yes, it would be major coup if MM agreed to join us before this seasomn plays out and it would be a major risk to tell someone who might be leaving the club. If he did agree before the end of the season that would need to be a super cone-of-silence IMO. That's why I think it would be unlikely - the best we will get is "it's not impossible" from his management and we'll have to decide whether we wait on that basis - I would.

I get exactly where you coming from - and I don't come from there.

I wouldn't - it would be deliberately misleading members. I don't know where your business ethics come from but it's a terrible internal message to send that it's fine to mislead members for commercial gain. That's not the way to run a business where I come from.

It would be one factor in the decision but I don't think it could be THE factor. If MM comes on board that wont be known until mid-October - I can't see Tom delaying his decision until then on that one factor. It would be apparent he wasd waiting on the coaching decision and I don't think that's feasible. And heaven help this forum if he does delay until mid-October!

Ummm - because we think it's possible we'll sign him too?

I'm definitel;y not saying we should let this influence whether we chase Malthouse but you're missing the point about QBW - Collingwood let us have it as home game every year, if we went with another club it's highly likely they'd want to take turns - Eddie could could request this and retain QBW. Essendon and Collingwood rotate Anzac Day home game. Eddie is many things, but he is generous to us on this point.

IMO MFC believes it is still possible that Scully will sign with us - why include him in the most prominent position in the 100% e-mail otherwise?

Except for last year with Ablett ...

It's a very good topic. Malthouse is really the key - we need to get some indication from his management that it's not impossible and if so then we need to delay the process until October. We do run the risk of losing other candidates to the Dogs, Crows and possibly Port. And having the coach on for the trade period is a big advantage. If MM's management says NO WAY KNOWN then we should aim to stitch up the coach as soon as possible, including considering assistants whose teams are in the finals - Scott went to North from Collingwood during the finals I believe so I think assistants are fair game. Clarkson is not a realistic prospect IMO - if Jeff was going to be there next year I'd say he is but that's not the case.

Result = Contested Possessions took a blow v Eagles

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/knee-problem-ends-adam-cooneys-season/story-e6frf9jf-1226116269981

There's a few players on our list that probably wouldn't have passed dud diligence Thought "nipped in the butt" took home the chocolates but we have a new clubhouse leader.

Fantasyland: Judd, Pendlebury, Mitchell, Goddard Realityland: S.Thompson, Kelly, Sewell, K.Cornes

About to be lapped again - just trying to do what I can.

Dogs will be in the market tho.

I think we need leadership and we need it where the action is in the inside midfield. I'd look at Scott Thompson - still only 28 with 3-4 years left.

Yes it was in the paper that he signed at Collingwood for $450K, $450K, $90K so Collingwood got a great deal. He still would've been value to us at $900K over 2 years though. You almost always have to pay over the odds to attract a player to your club - sometimes you need to take a risk. That other clubs passed on him means nothing - we have different, particular and obvious needs. IMO we would be better with Luke Ball than with Luke Tapscott. St.Kilda fans who were adamant his body was stuffed must blanche when they see him against them these days - they got nothing for him. Yes we could definitely do with Luke Ball now - got any suggestions who we should target?

Well the best mechanic in town was prepared to buy the car having seen the full service records. Yes he is the best mechanic in town and could back himself in to fix any problems but it's a pretty strong indicator that they weren't fatal. I don't agree that the relationship between Ball and MFC would've been unworkable if we picked him. He wanted to indicate his strong desire to go to Collingwood so didn't talk to anyone else - what other levers did he have? There was a risk but it's most likely that after we picked him his professionalism would have seen him knuckle down to the task at hand. The suggestion that he would've made no difference must apply to Judd's leadership and example at Carlton too then. I don't agree. He signed for $450K x 2 years at Collingwood - we could afford that.

WYL is right. The reason for recruiting Ball is for his leadership and the example he sets of the standards required - in that sense he'd have a similar impact to Judd. There's no doubt that Judd is a far better player - he's better than everyone. BTW, Judd cost pick 3, Josh Kennedy and 20. Ball would've cost pick 18. The reasons for not picking Ball were two-fold: - he didn't want to come to us, but I reckon he would've gotten over that - would his body hold up, I think today's article answered that

Khumbu ice field - often causes problems and can claim a victim or two.

Ball will probably play 100+ quality games for Collingwood. When you consider that a draftees 1st 40 games are learning his craft Tapscott will have to play 150+ to get ahead in games count.

What weaknesses pray tell - did you read the article? Junior would've been captain in his first year, Ball would've taken over this year. Ball > Tapscott.

Should we have bitten the bullet? Luke Ball: mind over matter when a will to succeed really matters We could've avoided a lot of problems. Yes there was a risk. Nothing against Tappy, btw. There doesn't appear to be any "Luke Balls" available now. Happy to hear any suggestions.