Whispering_Jack

A bit early to go that way Redleg ... we need to develop a little more cred, especially on the field before trying to whack the big clubs. Still, I'd like to suggest to Andrew Newbold of Hawthorn who has a problem with our getting a PP, that his club should forego compensation for Buddy if he goes as a FA. Better still, why not offer Lance big $'s to tempt him away or at least up the ante for him.

I thought we were pretty much "competitive" against the Bulldogs last week but that's not enough. We need to wipe out the lapses of 10-15 minutes in each game when we bleed opposition goals. Neither Neeld not Craig were able to stem the flow of goals when the opposition got on top. Hence, our appalling percentage.

With a new chairman, new board members, CEO and coach, I think it's time to revisit the issue of our image on the field at those times when we must (and most times I disagree with the need) wear a clash strip. I think the predominantly white number not only looks insipid but it's also one with which we rarely taste success when we wear the bloody thing. I know this isn't the most pressing thing facing the powers that be but I'd like to nominate this number which a poster put forward a few years ago:- The blue V needs to be navy rather than royal blue and I would remove the trimmings at the side and make both V's a little thicker but at least, it looks like a real footy jumper rather than what we have now.I also remember reading a while ago that the clash strip needs to be kept for at least two years. I reckon we've had enough of our current model and need something new to usher in our new era.

Since they were subjected to a systematic programme in which there are strong grounds for suspecting the use of banned substances, not a single Essendon player has any currency until the outcome of the final ASADA Report is known. As far as I'm concerned they're all untouchables unless there are written guarantees to the contrary (highly unlikely) from WADA.

I can't wait to start - Roos I've said it all along that in spite of the on field issues which spilled across to the internal workings of the club (and possibly, rightly so), the Melbourne Football Club will always provide challenges for the right people. There's a groundswell of support today among Demon fans because of Roos' credentials and his will to succeed which puts us in a much better place than we've been for a long time. We move on.

We've deleted as much political discussion as we can from this thread. Posters are reminded again to respect the solemnity and importance of the day. After all, it's the day after Paul Roos was announced as our next coach (and no Robbie57, you're not dreaming).

The lack of midfield depth has long been the crux of the problem for the club and yet, apart from the now ill-fated (for us) 2009 draft, our recruiting was never really concentrated on this area. We never really had a strategy of trying to prise out good midfielders from other clubs and we therefore, never had the opportunity to benefit as the Swans did from recruiting players such as Josh Kennedy and Ben McGlynn from Hawthorn along with Shane Mumford in the one draft in Roos' last season as coach. For the record, Kennedy was traded to the Swans along with McGlynn for 2009 AFL Draft picks 39, 46 and 70. They also got Mumford for a song from Geelong which had salary cap issues and he was a more than adequate replacement for Darren Jolly who was returning home anyway. In return for Jolly, the Swans got picks 14 and 46 (on traded as above). Pick 14 got them Lewis Jetta to go with their pick 6 (Gary Rohan). Fair drafting and not a #1 or 2 pick in sight. This is what we should be expecting from drafting under Roos. A priority pick (even with the string of having to trade it) would be the icing on the cake and allow Roos to commence the reconstruction of our midfield in the clever and aggressive manner that's required in our situation.

Aish is back playing for Norwood in this week's fimal SANFL round SANFL NEWS

No doubt to fulfill commitments with his current employer Foxtel.

Third place to Dean Terlich.

Matt Jones - fourth place.

Is that his highest finish in the Bluey?

Jack Viney gets the Harold Ball Memorial Trophy for best young player. Says its an honour because the club is so close to his heart.

Nobody's bagging the Bulldogs for "shafting" Daniel Cross and he's aged only 30!

The Ian Ridley Memorial Trophy for community output goes to Colin Sylvia for his hospital and junior club visits.

Twitter: The Troy Broadbridge Memorial Award for the best Melbourne listed VFL player goes to Jesse Hogan. The crowd erupts! Hogan thanks his development coaches, the Viney household (where he lives), Mitch Clark who mentored him, all his team mates.

Tim Gossage reporting from Perth that Peter Sumich is Worsfold's likely successor.

Jumped or pushed? The end for Worsfold

Problem is my wife supports Essendon.

I'm on the horns of a dilemma. A ban of some sort would seem warranted but I'm still the coach of the demonland/demonology footy team, we have a big game coming up against bomberblitz and dazzledavey36 is my best midfielder. What would Paul Roos do?

Mitch Clisby should also be back having served out his three game suspension?

Several Dees set to return for Casey Several Demons back but I suspect not Jake Spencer (shoulder) or Troy Davis (hamstring). James Magner plays his 100th VFL game but I'm never sure whether one should congratulate a player when he reaches that milestone.

About 15 years ago a group of friends spent a weekend at Sorrento. There was no Maccas, no Hungry Jacks or KFC, no big supermarkets. The shops were as I remembered the local shopping centre when I was a kid. Fascinating milk bar with soda fountain, fruit shops with clean, shiny fruit, butcher shops etc. I haven't been back but I hope it hasn't changed much and I hope it doesn't have a Maccas.

I don't see why the other clubs should influence the decision in cases like these. The reason why we have an independent commission in the first place is to avoid making decisions based on the self-interest of the individual clubs but rather for the good of the entire competition. The AFL has a rule in place allowing clubs to apply and the MFC duly made the application. The AFL needs to decide on the application without requiring the consent of other clubs who naturally don't want to lose a spot in the draft order and are wary of strengthening an opposing club.

I think the playing group needs the break to put the past few years behind them and get themselves mentally tuned to the fact that when they return they'll be facing a completely new football landscape with a new coach who, if it is Roos, will no doubt inspire them to new confidence levels. Of course, it seems almost certain that 25% of this year's playing group won't be returning at all and whilst this is not greatly different to the number who left last year, we can have some confidence that the incoming 25% and the influence of the new coaching group is going to lead to a substantial improvement in the next few years. That's definitely something the playing group didn't have 12 months ago.