Whispering_Jack

Still level at half time but our kicking for goal has been shocking. Dees 4.18.42 to Blues 6.6.42. Wise Monkey starring for us and Scotty is doing a great job converting the goals. Rumour has it that the two holes in Goschs Paddock is where Collingw&%$ is burying the two blokes who informed on Didak and the Shaws but we can't confirm this.

The game has been moved from Goschs Paddock to the adjoining rugby ground in Swan Street due to their being two gaping big holes on one half forward line. We've put markers down for the behind posts and the ground is a bit small but otherwise the game has started in good spirit. Qtr time scores level 2.5.17 each.

I searched high and low for news of the big clash between the Demons and the Blues at Goshs Paddock today at 2pm but alas, couldn't find a word in any of the Sunday papers. Melbourne is in the news however - tanks to some interesting feature articles in the Sunday Age: Carroll vows to stay off the booze Robertson isn't finished just yet

Thanks Nasher - it was great for once to wake up in the morning and discover the site had no adverts for imitation Nike Shoes, Viagra, UCLA windcheaters and photos of young women in compromising positions

This is the final draft order after the first two list lodgements. Round One - 1. Melbourne 2. West Coast 3. Fremantle 4. Port Adelaide 5. Essendon 6. Carlton 7. Brisbane 8. Richmond 9. North Melbourne 10. Adelaide 11. Collingwood 12. Sydney 13. St. Kilda 14. Western Bulldogs (Ayce Cordy – father/son) 15. Geelong 16. Hawthorn Priority Round - 17. Melbourne 18. West Coast Round Two - 19. Melbourne 20. West Coast 21. Fremantle 22. Port Adelaide 23. Essendon 24. Fremantle 25. Brisbane 26. Richmond 27. North Melbourne 28. Adelaide 29. Collingwood 30. Sydney 31. Western Bulldogs 32. Western Bulldogs 33. Geelong 34. Hawthorn Round Three - 35. Melbourne 36. West Coast 37. Fremantle 38. Port Adelaide 39. Geelong 40. Carlton 41. Brisbane 42. Port Adelaide 43. North Melbourne 44. Adelaide 45. Collingwood 46. Collingwood 47. St. Kilda 48. St Kilda 49. Geelong 50. Hawthorn Round Four - 51. Melbourne 52. West Coast 53. Fremantle 54. Port Adelaide 55. Essendon 56. Fremantle 57. Brisbane 58. Richmond 59. North Melbourne 60. Adelaide 61. Sydney 62. St. Kilda 63. Hawthorn Round Five - 64. Melbourne 65. Carlton 66. Port Adelaide 67. Essendon 68. Fremantle 69. Brisbane 70. Richmond 71. North Melbourne 72. Adelaide 73. Collingwood 74. St. Kilda 75. Hawthorn Round Six - 76. Melbourne 77. Fremantle 78. Port Adelaide 79. Essendon 80. Carlton 81. Brisbane 82. Brisbane 83. St. Kilda Round Seven – 84. Port Adelaide 85. Carlton

The point about Carlton's zero depth can't be underestimated here. Their clear policy seems to be a resumption of the chequebook recruiting approach that they made famous many years ago and IMO they have put little emphasis on building a list from the grass roots up. Yesterday, they delisted their entire rookie list with the exception of Michael Jamison who has virtually been on their senior list for the past year and a half. They've also dumped a number of their so-called "depth" players including Darren Pfeiffer who arrived with a big fanfare last year. So much for player development at that club. They take the top draft picks (as they did in their tanking period) and don't worry about the rest. The Blues have little depth and they know it so they've gone after CJ who they will get for ... what? They need him and they've probably offered over the odds but they can afford it because while we have to stick to 92.5% of the salary cap, they have the luxury of paying about 150% once all of the exemptions that are making the salary cap rules more farcical by the year are applied. For my part, I'm happier to build our team from the ground up and to lay a strong foundation for the future which is what we are doing. I haven't been as great an advocate for Jack Watts as many others because I really like the way Daniel Rich plays the game. However, the kid will win a lot of the fans over because of the way he announced that he was happy to play for the Demons when he made his decision to register for this year's draft. We need that spirit at the club, not mercenaries.

Let's not get our knickers in a knot over this. The fact of the matter is that we made the first decision and that was the decision to shop him around. Having done that, if the player feels that his future might lie somewhere else, it's quite natural that he should weigh up all of his options and make his own decision in his own interests. That's how the world works and both decisions sit well with me. I wish him good luck wherever he ends up. Now let's get on with the job of recruiting well for our future rather than dwelling on the past.

Prior to today's list lodgements Carlton had picks 6, 40, 69 etc. If CJ nominates for the ND there's a fair chance someone would take him before #69 which means they would have to use #40 to get him. Alternatively, he nominates for the PSD where the Blues have #6 and given the dearth of players of any decent calibre WCE or Freo would surely consider him. It may not be that easy for him to finish up at Carlton after all.

My information differs. The depth is supposed to be a lot better than it was last year and there will also be more "recycled" players in the mix as a result of changes in the draft. In the end however, it's better to go with the young blood than with someone that the football department doesn't have enough faith to give more than a year's contract.

The impression I got during the year was that CJ never fitted in Dean Bailey's plans. His career at Melbourne was pretty disappointing and I wish him well wherever he ends up. His departure leaves us with an additional young player to draft and in this year's deep draft pool, that should give rise to optimism rather than any gnashing of teeth.

Johnson eyes Blues after Demon delisting

I've also deleted a few of these posts today. It's interesting that they are averaging around five viewings before they get knocked off which means the moderators are on the ball. Assuming one viewing is from the original poster and one from the moderator in question this is one of the advertising world's greatest exercises in futility but then I doubt that the perpetrators are rocket scientists.

The only player I think we're unsure of at this point in time is Chris Johnson. I believe all others are contracted or delisted. Rumours abound that CJ will not re-sign and that he will find a new home at Carlton where he will join another CJ as the (inter alia) environmental astrology officer for Visy. He will literally pay for peanuts.

Good idea. And in the interests of public safety I'm closing this thread and referring all desperadoes who might think Aaron Fiora is the answer to our prayers and the salvation of the Melbourne Football Club to this thread:- Pre-Season Draft, Should we pick up (insert delisted, hack player's name here)?

The hip surgery might explain why his performances during the National Championships appeared to be so hot and cold. An interesting prospect for pick 17 or 19.

Forecast: Rain. Wet weather thinking required and please bring boots with decent stops.

I think 45hotgod has a point here. I think we have to think hard about the most effective way of getting our message across and a handful of people picketing the AFL offices may not have the desired effect.

No problem. Always happy to share our thoughts about the Melbourne Football Club with fellow Demon fans and to read their thoughts. On the whole, we're happy with the overwhelming positive support we've received both here and over there on Demonology but I must say it was also a source of mild amusement to discover that Bluey, 'ology's tired old Szondy acolyte, is still producing the same brand of negative, divisive and destructive drivel that helped produce the sorry situation the club finds itself in today. I'm personally more optimistic than most about our overall prospects next year even though it certainly won't be easy. I really believe that our young team will develop and mature more rapidly under adversity than when things are handed to you on a silver platter. Of course, this is something that silvertails like Bluey who never get their hands dirty with hard work in their lifetimes (except when they wash mummy's Rolls) and petty little dictators like Demetriou wouldn't appreciate.

Sorry, I know how it must hurt.

I assume you're referring to Brent Crosswell but I think that might be a trifle unfair because he was a great at Carlton and good value at Melbourne. I have to think about that one and am open to suggestions. My initial reaction would be the Vinnie Catoggio but there might be a better one lurking around ... James Cook?

Oops, my bad. OK equal best

What's in it for them? A substantial part of the MCC's revenue comes from football. The MFC is programmed to play 10 of it's home games at the MCG. They don't need a lame duck team hosting those 10 games - they need a strong team that brings more bums on seats and therefore generates more $.

It seems to me that a crucial aspect of our fight for survival these days is the strengthening our relationship with the MCC. I'm just wondering how the talks on this are going or if they are anything is happening at all. Looking at the MCC's performances in District Cricket, you can certainly see that success breeds success in terms of premierships and test and state cricketers produced by the club. As things stand today, Melbourne sits on top of the ladder after five rounds after scoring 6/224 (Andrew Kent 54) to beat North Melbourne (6/197) [and let's just say that it would be nice for a repeat of that result in Round 1 of the AFL next year]. Here's the ladder after Round 5:- Pts (NRR) Melbourne 19 (0.995) Prahran 19 (0.726) Ringwood 18 (0.470) Camb Magpies 16 (0.337) ------------------------- Northcote 16 (-0.029) St Kilda 14 (0.298) Carlton 14 (0.135) Geelong 13 (0.760) Haw-MU 12 (-0.251) Melb Uni 9 (0.183) Essendon 9 (0.085) Fitz Donc 9 (-0.031) Richmond 9 (-0.238) Foot-Edge 8 (-0.257) Nth Melb 4 (-0.379) Frankston Pen 4 (-0.543) Dandenong 4 (-0.677) Casey-SM 0 (-1.578)

Could we also please ensure that the umpire doesn't send off our best player in the first quarter this time?

Have we organised the trophy yet? If not, I'm recommending a tankard.