Whispering_Jack

I can just imagine Eddie McGuire and Mick Malthouse sitting down at the end of the 2005 season when their team had strangely lost their last eight games to just fall into a position where they won five games (percentage in the high 70s) which was exactly enough to score them a priority pick. Eddie: Mick, I know we're entitled to a priority pick but I'm conflicted. By taking advantage of the rule, I think we're doing something that's immoral and unethical. I feel bad about it. We don't really deserve the extra pick and anyway, it won't do anything to help improve the team. Mick: Eddie, Confucius said that the ox moves slow but the world turns even more slowly. I've sent blokes off to hospital early, played Sav Rocca in the midfield and given games to some spuds who never in a million years deserved to put on the black and white jersey. We've got the chance to pick up two 18 year olds called Thomas and Pendlebury who are going to play in our next premiership team and you want me to give one of them away to Hawthorn? Get outta here. Eddie: I was only jokin'

Perfect timing as well because we're not likely to poll well in the Brownlow.The club has rightly made the application and should get some assistance. What it does with the picks overall depends on what it does with regard to the trades and in the free agency period. We know the types of players we need and it appears from some of this scuttlebutt that we've made some tentative approaches. Having a respected coach on board should help.

Actually, I'm 50-50 ATM.

Isn't Jordie in the leadership group?

The shape says Mark Neeld.

No mention of Jake Spencer there so I wonder if he got injured late in the game v Western Bulldogs - he certainly looked to have injured a shoulder or something. It would definitely be a major blow to Casey if he doesn't play this week because that combination of Spencer and Gawn would be deadly at VFL level.

Caught up with Sunday's programme and there have been some minor changes to the list and there will be more now that placings for the non-finallists have been determined :- 1. GWS TOM BOYD (Eastern Ranges) 2. Melbourne JAMES AISH (South Australia) 3. St. Kilda JOSH KELLY (Sandringham Dragons) 4. W Bulldogs MATT SCHARENBERG (South Australia) 5. Gold Coast JACK BILLINGS (Oakleigh Chargers) 6. West Coast BEN LENNON (Northern Knights) 7. North Melbourne LUKE MCDONALD (Oakleigh Chargers F/S) 8. Brisbane DOM SHEED (Western Australia) 9. Carlton MATT CROUCH (North Ballarat) 10. GWS DARCY GARDNER (Geelong Falcons)

Melbourne's 2013 Report Card This is damning stuff about our team's performance throughout the season ... ... but it's also suggestive that based on 2013 alone we are more than entitled to a draft assistance by way of a priority pick or mini draft.

It was poor form from Essendon to announce James Hird would not only be staying on as coach once his suspension was served but he would also benefit from an extension to his contract. That being the case I wouldn't cry any tears for Hird and his Bombers if ASADA and its strict liability requirements ensure that when he returns he won't have much of a team to speak about. To add to the farce, its apparently been announced that Hird will be doing special comments during the finals for Triple M. Another poor decision and I'll certainly be avoiding that radio station from now on.

Nobody by the name of Obama training with him?

Very disappointing to hear that from Brayshaw. When North needed assistance I gave to the cause. If that happens again he can GAGF as far as I'm concerned.

Anyone know why Aish has missed the last couple of games for Norwood?

You're confusing the waltz with the Strauss who was lead singer of the Swedish cyberpunk group Morlock. More James Strauss style and definitely music to listen to whilst your Franz Liszt.

Most of that resonates well with me apart from the bit about the priority pick and not winning today. IMO the way the PP rules are framed, we qualify because of the very long period of time in which we have languished as a poor side. Our best effort over seven seasons has been 8½ wins (twice). Our record in 2012/3 has been 4 wins and 2 (possibly 3) wins. In the decade 2003 to 2012 similar or better records have seen several clubs reap the benefits of the PP and two clubs - Hawthorn (Roughhead & Franklin) and Collingwood (Thomas & Pendelbury) - have won premierships as a result. That's not to mention Carlton, who have been the main beneficiaries with multiple PP's and admissions from an assistant coach player of tanking (without the AFL blinking apart from a ½ hour investigation from an AFL official who also happened to be a Carlton premiership player). No, the result of today's game should have no bearing whatsoever on whether we get draft assistance under the AFL rules and the Commission is duty bound to provide it to us. To hear of clubs like the Bulldogs (Cooney 2003, Griffin 2004) bleating that it's unfair reeks of hypocrisy of the highest order. Besides which, I've tipped us to win today.

Last time this year and the big question is whether the news of the possible appointment of Paul Roos will have an effect in the mindset of the players and turn what would otherwise be a non event into a game worth attending. Also - good luck to Flash on a great career somewhat diminished by injury in the latter years.

Apparently, Sheahan was seen sipping coffee with Paul Roos this morning. It's a guess but if that's true then his mail is spot on.

Fremantle has pulled out two more players with Chris Mayne and Garrick Ibbotson also to miss the St Kilda game.

My conspiracy theory for today is that Vlad is suggesting Simonds Stadium as an option for the qualifying final venue to stick it up Freo for picking a second rate team to play St. Kilda today.

Greg Denham reporting Roos will be announced as coach at the Bluey night on Thursday Paul Roos close to signing $2m deal to coach Melbourne Demons Cost alleged to be $2m. Good thing we're supposed to be broke.

This group of players will never be assembled together again. We're going to have a new coach and, with three retirements already, there's going to be a significant turnover of the playing list. Amen to that.

The odds would have to favour Carlton and, looking ahead, that's likely to set up an elimination final against Richmond who the Blues beat a fortnight ago. Heaven forbid that they make it as far as the second week of the finals.

Roy Masters provides a pretty good summation of the effect of Stephen Dank's handiwork across two states and two codes in The Dank Force: The different impacts it has had on two clubs and two codes.

Whisper is that Cameron Ling as an assistant is part of the package.

With Melbourne playing this week, Casey was able to play anybody who didn't make the team against the Western Bulldogs. Next week, with Melbourne out of competition, the qualification rules apply. These basically require AFL listed players to have played at least six matches with their VFL affiliate during the home and away season. Pedersen played five and hence, his season is over.

The Hird line - Evidence omitted from ASADA report on Dons We wuz robbed.