Spin-it-to-Goodwin-it

I reckon Martin and Zomer have shown a bit, and it's rare to see a couple of blokes of there size showing potential (bar Newton) Martin has shown good awareness, and has fired off some excellent clearing handballs from defence Zomer moves and leads vey well, and just looks likely Bodes well for the future

For anyone interested in seeing some recent photos from training? There's quite a few there :D Check out: Getty Images - Photos from Training 12th Feb Sylvia's looking ripped!

Chapman's not playing

Here's mine: BODE HOLLAND FRAWLEY BELL MILLER BUCKLEY YZE GREEN WEETRA SYLVIA NEWTON BATE MEESON ROBERTSON DAVEY FOLL: WHITE JONES MCDONALD INT: CHENEY VALENTI WONAEAMIRRI GARLAND P.JOHNSON McNAMARA MARTIN ZOMER MISS: JAMAR WARNOCK (On the basis that I want to see the rookies get a go while they can)

When you look at it like that - it's going to be a huge challenge.... I'm trying to find something positive to say, and I can't find anything sensible: We'll catch them napping? " do it on pure heart? We had two more weeks training than them? Kate Ceberano will address/ undress the guy's in the change rooms pre-match and inspire us to victory? Robbo will mesmerize his opponent with his vocal ability and kick us to victory? Dean Bailey is actually the Messiah, and has come down to earth to help rid the Melbournefc of bad Karma, starting Saturday? We've trained for the interchange rule throughout the whole pre-season because DB is psychic? Anyone got a good reason why we can win?

Sylvia definitely had OP during his time in U18's. I can recall the time that he was recruited, it was well known that he was dealing with it in the year leading up to the draft, and was switched between full-forward and on ball as a way of dealing with it. So much so, I think he had a limited pre-season for his under 18 club Bendigo, that being at least a year before we drafted him - He struggled with Preseason even as a junior. Having said that, I reckon they made the right choice, because when he gets himself right (looking good - touch wood) He will be a superstar and this should outweigh the pain endured to get him right

Totally agree with you....super excited to get a look at these guys! :D ....Just so long as we don't get pumped The exclusions are somewhat of a suprise though, cause I haven't heard any talk of them having injuries/ soreness? Let it rip Demons!

No Petterd, C.Johnson, Dunn? They must be not quite 100%, given the guys that are listed??

I noticed a theme/ quality for all of the new guys included - They can probably all handle themselves better "physically" The last thing you want is one of our talented draft picks to get broken like a twig, and both Morton and Maric are both 17 year olds (with Grimes not 100% yet)

Young Guns on show against Cats 28 Man Squad 1. Simon Buckley 2. Nathan Jones 4. Ben Holland 6. Matthew Bate 7. Brad Miller 8. James Frawley 11. Paul Johnson 12. Colin Sylvia 13. Adem Yze 18. Brad Green 20. Colin Garland 21. Daniel Bell 23. James McDonald 24. Russell Robertson 25. Kyle Cheney 26. John Meesen 28. Isaac Weetra 29. Michael Newton 30. Tom McNamara 33. Stef Martin 34. Jeff White 35. Trent Zomer 36. Aaron Davey 37. Matthew Warnock 39. Austin Wonaeamirri 40. Mark Jamar 43. Jace Bode 44. Shane Valenti

Also, by doing this - it's an attempt to stop clubs winging about the new interchange rule, in anticipation of forecasted high temperatures

The heat I'd say From AFL website: "The AFL has announced it would alter the match conditions for a number of games in this weekend's opening round of the 2008 NAB Cup, to allow for extreme weather conditions in a number of states."

That's right, because it is all in the head - it helps lift spirits, so it just depends on how you choose to look at it. I suppose the main difference between Geelong and Carlton is the maturity of their list, and that could explain why the cats had the durability to keep it going though the main season. But that's all mental aswell. Didn't the Baby Bombers do the double?

Everyone to their own - I understand your view, and mine is that it could potentially be an "easier road" this year (with the interchange) and it may be worth putting in a decent effort, cause you never know just how easy clubs might make it for you. We'll find out this Saturday

She'd have good people management skills, and perform well in front of the camera, and if things get tough this year she’d be great for team morale….good match - let's get her!

Well that's just it, you can't really put financial issues aside - Winner - $385,00 Runner Up - $176,00 Relatively, it's a far bigger carrot for the Dee's than other well off teams, and you can take that quite literally. If I was running the club, I would make winning the NAB the top priority this year, and pay little attention to how that may impede the main season (all in the head) The club needs not only the money, but a chance to foster some winning culture into the club, to give confidence to the young guys, and to boost membership and marketing That's a fact!

Also, there is a whole "grey area" this year, with teams talking of tanking games due to the interchange limit. I would have thought that this presents the best opportunity in years for a club like Melbourne to have a red hot dip at the NAB Cup, simply because the level of effort required to win it this year may not be as demanding as previous years....plenty of incentive there! There's more to gain for the Demons than there is for Geelong to lose.

Who have said that they may not be going full tilt.....??

Yeah, that's the bookies logic What about you, do you subscribe to that?

Icke highly sought after This is starting to resemble romper-room musical chairs, but I particularly like the bit where Gardner says he has been blown away by the Quality of applicants interested in the CEO position. This is very encouraging! <_<

I thought Joe Gutnick was the Messiah - What the frick happened to all that talk?

There's no harm in this, he's just expressing his passion. I much prefer hearing from people like DD, than those who only have something negative to say (no shortage of them on here)

I'm going to call him snake, as a tribute to his homeland Can't wait to see this fella chasing down opponents.....put him down for cult status now

What footage where you watching?

Winner of 2008 NAB Cup mmmm....I like our odds better than Carlton's! How the heck they can have the Kangas at 8 -1, and the Dee's at 34-1 ....Is beyond me? Where lies the difference? Hawthorn 6.00 Adelaide 7.00 Geelong 8.00 Kangaroos 8.00 St Kilda 8.00 Fremantle 9.00 Port Adelaide 12.00 Richmond 12.00 Western Bulldogs 13.00 Brisbane 16.00 Carlton 17.00 Essendon 26.00 West Coast 26.00 Melbourne 34.00 Sydney 71.00