Deeoldfart

Demonland is always right, so it simply must be Bernie Vince!

Congratulations Jesse. This is just a small token to give you a taste of the esteem the competition will hold you in over the next decade or so. We will look on in awe as you lead the red and blue charge to the top of the mountain!

At his best (which was a couple of years back), Garlo was a stout defender amidst a fairly ordinary lot. He rarely (if ever) provided run or drive out of defense, and that's a quality which is paramount in today's game. If he is indeed on our list in 2016, I hope that his spot in our best 22 is quickly assumed by someone who has a strong defensive mind set, but can just as easily turn defense into attack through a combination of pace, quality disposal and excellent decision making and awareness with ball in hand. Garlo is barely average in these areas imo..

The highlight for me is being genuinely excited about our future. For the first time in a very long time, I can now see: a strong 'core' of young players who could form the 'bedrock' for sustained success: Hogan, Brayshaw, Viney, Vanders, Gawn, TMac, Salem, Tyson other player prospects who might easily become part of the 'core' in 2016: Stretch, Neal-Bullen, Harmes, Petracca, Frost a good and improving culture, and players who seem to genuinely 'care' and want to play for each other; a good coaching and development team, who are likely to get the best out of our player stocks; and stability on and off the field. Add another pre-season or two, the departure (hopefully) of the last of our chronic NQRs and mentally 'fragile' players, and some more astute drafting and trading along the way, and it's not hard to envisage September action in the next year or so. That's a huge step-up from where we have been. I'm probably being naive, but it just has a 1987 feel about it.

Several posters have indicated that they are ambivalent about Howe's future at Melbourne. I won't sit in the fence .... I want him to be traded, and I'll back our current administration to get someone in who will improve our team, regardless of who / what pick we get in the deal. Attitude is what counts!

6. Jones 5. Vince 4. Viney 3. T. Mac 2. Gawn 1. Hogan Unlucky: Salem, Cross & Harmes

Well done Mitch. From all reports you have earned the elevation. May you continue the long run of former rookies who have prospered as a Demon.

Announced on 360 tonight that there's been a major stuff-up at Adelaide. The media have got hold of a copy of the 2016 Adelaide FC calendar, and Danger doesn't have a page. That's sure to set the hares running ..... even faster!

What an absolutely inspirational farewell address to his team mates. He was doing it tough, but still found time to leave some "pearls of wisdom" with the playing group. I hope they embrace them 100%, starting on Sunday which Roosy spoke of.

Very hard to imagine a better role model for players at the time he was picked up by our Club. Well done Crossy, on a great career and thanks for your contribution to the MFC. I really hope you take up the role in our FD that has been offered to you. We will be a better team if you do!

For an under-developed teenager and potential KPP, I reckon I'd take him at pick 53 in 9 out of 10 drafts.

I agree about Russell, and when combined with Brereton and Johnson, they form the most sanctimonious, dim-witted and hard-to-listen-to team of commentators imaginable. Melbourne were dog-awful today, but I reckon my adverse vocalizing at the TV screen was split as followes: commentators 50% umpires 30% Melbourne players 15% Freo players 5%

6. Cross 5. Viney 4. Grimes 3. Salem. 2. Garlett 1. Gawn

Quite likely I reckon, with T-Mac doing a bit in the ruck as he has done the last couple of weeks. Big Max will certainly have his work cut out if he has to go it alone against Freo at Subi.

Just trying to offload the weight of the chip on his shoulder.

I agree with your assessment od. The Club has drawn a line in the sand, and more credit to them for doing it. It's about time!

I blame the AFLPA (only half joking). The players should be embarrassed to pick up their fat pay cheques after insulting a once proud jumper the way they did on the weekend.

I thought my top 5 had reasonably solid 4 quarter games in a dismal team performance. It says a lot about the team when my next best was comprehensively thrashed in the first half, only to lift a bit in the second. 6. McDonald 5. Watts 4. Grimes 3. Stretch 2. Michie 1. Gawn (lifted his game and maybe broke even in the second half.)

Let him go and hope for reasonable compensation I say. A move may well rejuvenate his career and revitalize our list. Both require a huge lift in performance.

So young, so naive, so tragic, such a waste. As a parent I can't begin to imagine how I would feel in Brett Ratten's shoes. Heartfelt sympathy to all those who were close to young Cooper.

6. McDonald 5. Viney <.................... a country mile 4. Watts 3. Hogan 2. Michie 1. Harmes

They played like an empty shell of a team for 3/4 of the game. No heart, no pride, no belief and no care factor. How the hell can that be? Unless we can somehow inject these qualities (not using needles) for every minute of every match, finals in 2017 seems like an outrageous objective. Last night I was angry. That emotion has now dissipated, but I remain extremely disillusioned with a team that promises so much and gives so little.

I'm bloody close to crossing the floor!!

I'd be very surprised if we delisted Fitz, However, I reckon there's likely to be some interest from a few of clubs, and he will either remain at Melbourne or be traded.

Agree, but that's what I thought last time we played them.