Deeoldfart

I love Rilley's hardness and endeavour (which we sorely need at Melbourne) but beyond that I haven't seen much to enthuse about. He's certainly a keeper for now, but I wouldn't be in any rush to suggest a long-term contract is warranted. Fingers firmly crossed that a full pre-season under his belt, guidance from Roos and co., and 100% confidence in his leg, will see him add endurance, increased ball-winning ability and improved foot skills to his repertoire.

I know where you are coming from TGR, but I must have missed the 'elite' who surrounded Frawley in his AA year.

Swab Ambrose if he finishes top 3?

I know I probably love the the Melbourne Footy Club far too much for my own good, but what irks me more than anything else about this situation is that as I lie awake, tossing and turning at night worrying about the very future of my team, I know that somewhere MC is sleeping soundly in his king sized bed, occasionally dreaming smugly about how he dudded us, and how he intends to spend his dollars.

I'd prefer Zac Jones to both of them.

Great stuff Jack. You are a true 'heart and soul' Demon, and should be proud of that fact.

You are an even greater optimist than I am Lamashtu, and that's saying something!

It will be absolutely fascinating to read the diarrhoea they provide as justification!

Totally and utterly falsetto!

Well if that's the case, I'm struggling to get a Handel on your role. To be o be perfectly Franck, I reckon you and the rest of your ensemble simply go into Haydn every time the Light Cavalry come into view.

This is a football site WJ. As an Administrator, you should be calling for an immediate Holst to this nonsense!

When was he on our Liszt? Edit: Added a 'z'. I hate it when Demonlanders can't spell names!

Seems like a man of integrity as well (unlike a few who have already, or are about to depart the Demons for big dollars ....... and uttered nothing but B/S all the way to the bank). Well done Simon Goodwin, and congratulations PG and all others involved in his recruitment. The times they are a change'n at Melbourne, and I'm bloody stoked!

Thanks for the clarification Breggsy.

Bloody hell! Everyone's jumping on the bandwagon.

Serious question ... how can that happen? Wouldn't he have to go through the draft? My understanding was that the special draft was for the winner only.

Nothing special imo, but did progress over the course of 2014. I reckon he's likely to develop into a reliable foot-soldier, and all teams need some of them, especially Roos coached teams..

No W00dy. In the AFL you have to go when it's your turn, regardless of whether your position is HBF, wing or anywhere else. Six years on our list and Strauss still hasn't proved that he can meet this prerequisite. If he had shown it at Casey, then he would have earned a senior gig or two in 2014, just so Roosy could have a look at him at that level (as per Blease, Tapscott, Nicho and Evans). He didn't earn that opportunity for a reason!

I do! They have won 16 bloody premierships. A sad but true fact!

Very eloquently put WJ. If the AFL don't recognise our circumstances in 2014, and grant meaningful assistance, then let's face it, they never will! What's more, the concept of 'equalisation' will be meaningless for the ill-fated 'poor-relation' clubs of the competition. It will be there for all the football world to see ..... the AFL don't care one iota about our plight, and in all likelihood, it will sound a death knell over the medium term for one of the AFL's foundation clubs. Let's hope this isn't the way it transpires.

Thanks and good luck Shannon!

Not sure if you read Demonland Mitch, but if you do you could do worse than take a peek at this post!

Chip's form has regressed enormously since his AA year, and for parts of this season he seemed to be just 'going through the motions' (an interesting thought given that he's reportedly heading down the Geelong road). I'd probably give him a pass mark (5/10) for 2014, but with the right attitude I reckon he could have been 8/10. A terrible example for a 'leader' to set for a young and developing list. Two or three years ago I would have been gutted by his likely departure, but right now I'd I'll be quite happy to see the back of him, while he still has some currency!

Blease plays like he has given up as well. I doubt Carlton would be prepared to trade a player who will enhance our list. Third round draft pick if we are very lucky. More likely their fourth rounder. Pffft. What a disappointing waste!

...... out of ten I presume!