Dee-tonator

Let's just make sure his new club pays every cent of his salary, and secondly that we get a decent return for him. I hope his erratic kicking and petulant behaviour continue wherever he ends up. Unlike ANB, he will be leaving a slightly sour taste behind.

I'm a definite fan of Petracca the player (despite his erratic kicking) but I'm beginning to have serious doubts about Petracca the clubman. He's been messing us about for too long now.

First Jackson, now McVee. Signing players from Western Australia often comes with an inbuilt go-home factor attached. I am disappointed to lose McVee, but those criticising him personally have to realise that AFL has morphed from a sport into a business in which player movement is likely to become even more common. When contracts are up, players are free to seek greener pastures elsewhere, and sadly we are hardly a destination club at the moment. In the circumstances, it may be wise to re-think the plan to move Steven May on.

Surely any such suggestion should have been posted on April 1.

I have always been a Petracca fan but am getting slightly cheesed off with him. Nowadays he seems content to let rumours of his dissatisfaction swirl on and on at the end of every season, which is hardly calculated to endear him to the club or his teammates. It is high time he commits himself firmly to Melbourne or asks in a respectful way for a trade. Either way, he needs to remember that the club is bigger than any individual, no matter how talented.

If he were doing anything of the kind, which I very much doubt, he is not the sort of person I would want at my club.

Pointless to speculate on how King's reign will work out. Only time will tell. But am I alone in a slight feeling of relief that we didn't get Buckley? Somehow I find it hard to imagine a man with Magpie DNA being converted into a heart-and-soul Demon.

Not sure if I'd include Tholstrup in this group. I'd say the jury is still out.

It's sad to admit this, but if a combined Cats-Demons team was picked at the moment, we'd be lucky to get more than three or four players in the side. The intensity of Geelong's work rate, along with slick ball movement, completely tamed the Lions. In fact, their so-called "oldies" seem much fitter and faster than some of our youngsters. Perhaps we could spike the drinks of their list management team and, while they are under the influence, persuade them to trade Jeremy Cameron for Jefferson.

I am swimming against the tide on our two troubled stars. Oliver: KEEP. We would probably not get equal value in return for him, for reasons we all know about. And in the closing stages of the season he really lifted his game and showed he still has plenty in the tank. Petracca: KEEP. With one proviso. He really has to spend the entire pre-season working full-time on his erratic kicking skills. There's still a matchwinner lurking in there if he can get it right.

You nailed it, Joeboy. Sadly, that summary would make a depressing read for our incoming coach. We must live in hope.

6 Gawn - our everywhere man. 5 Salem - immaculate disposals. 4 Oliver - gave his all. 3 Petracca - but oh, that kicking! 2 Langford - constantly improving. 1 Bowey - tidy as usual.

Salem's disposals were accurate and well-judged, and far better than those of some of his teammates.

Howes must be shattered at the way a 33-year-old veteran ran rings round him. Great coaching to leave a youngster exposed in that way.

6 ----------- 5 ----------- 4 ----------- 3 ----------- 2 ----------- 1 Gawn 0 The rest (including Chaplin, who apparently thinks Sharp is best 22)