Deeoldfart

Without wanting to be unduly controversial on this thread, Cale has been almost as frustrating for many of us supporters as the subject of that other thread (but obviously for entirely different reasons). I hope he plays a blinder on Sunday, and starts to cement a permanent spot in our best 22 for 2012 and beyond. Edit: word duplication.

I've only had a few in the last couple of years. One was downright threatening, so much so that there's a slim possibility it was 'tongue in cheek' ......... but why would anyone bother sending a threatening 'tongue in cheek' PM? I briefly contemplated reporting it, but ended up laughing it off.

I hope so Rhino. Ayres has had his chances at the top level, and come up short. Being a successful coach in the VFL certainly doesn't imply success in the AFL (there's a chasm between the two levels). As an illustration, we already have a three time VFL premiership coach amongst our assistants, but his name never comes up as a prospective senior coach.

Agree wholeheartedly. It would be a major coup for the footy club if we can get Sugar back such an important and influential role.

Thanks for that Old Dee! Just when I thought my football world was at its lowest ebb for years, you go ahead and make it irrefutable. $h*t!

Muster every bit of strength you have big fella. We are all with you and your family in these toughest of times.

Some 'people' might have assumed that Col wants "more than his fair due" (however much that might be) or that he is "money hungry", but I'm certainly not one of them. All I'm saying is that we shouldn't pay beyond what we regard as 'reasonable' just to keep him from the clutches of Sydney, or any other club that might chase him. I understand that market forces ultimately drive these things, but Col's service at Melbourne just doesn't warrant getting into a bidding war, and paying over the odds to keep him.

Yep. The references to leadership are very pertinent imo.

Conversely, can we afford to keep one if he is after more than is deemed reasonable by the Club? IMO there's no way the Club should offer Col more than they currently regard as 'reasonable', unless it is heavily incentive / performance based. I totally agree with what you say about our current experienced leaders, but what's that got to do with Col? Leadership is something he's shown very little of during his 8 years at the Club, including this year. There's a reason he's not in the leadership group, and I think I know what it might be. Edit: spelling

Exactly!!

Bluey McKenna just said On the Couch that the Suns will be heading to Arizona on the off season.

Great, then I say go for it Col!

I agree. In many ways Barassi had laid similar groundwork to Bailey in terms of getting a decent playing list together. Swooper inherited the list and got them playing strong and disciplined team football. IMO, that's exactly what we need right now. Clarko is the only one of the senior coaches currently being touted who enthuses me, and I think the prospects of getting him to Melbourne are remote. I'd be very happy with one of the new breed of assistants currently being discussed (Neeld, Hinkley, Sanderson and as a roughie, Bassett). Please make the right choice Garry!

I'm comfortable with that wyl, but not at an inflated pay rate, and on a heavily performance/inventive based contract. Let's see if a new coach can get Col to do all of the team things, and consistently deliver on his largely unfulfilled potential.

Jack, I agree that the present 'issues' present us with (another) opportunity to put the house in order, but I really wonder how far this episode will set us back. There have been far too many 'false dawns' at Melbourne, and it's getting very hard for an old fart like me to be convinced that 'this time we will really nail it'. I guess my hope and enthusiasm will be rejuvenated by the start of 2012, but right now I feel as flat at a tack. I strongly agree about our next coach. Of all of the experienced brigade who are currently being touted as potential coaches, Clarko is the only one who really enthuses me. I would much prefer a Neeld, Sanderson or Bassett to a Williams, Pagan or even a Malthouse.

That's true.

The Club will look after him, no doubt. At least a rookie spot in 2012, while maintaining current remuneration, I reckon.

I agree, before his injury he was a shining light. My problem is that Rohan seems to be injury prone. I don't know the stats, but I reckon in his time at Melbourne, he must have spent 50% of his time on the injury list (with a variety of injuries). I just hope his rotten run of luck doesn't continue, because he should be an important part of our future.

I agree QueenC. Many of us had Greeny as their preferred skipper at the start of this year. While he was never seen as a 'natural' leader, I guess we were all hoping that his experience and on-field exploits would carry him through until one of the 'new breed' was ready to step up to the role in two or three years. Right now however, we would probably all agree that this was a poor decision. The role has seemingly been a burden for him, and in all liklihood has contributed to the dramatic decline in his form (Having said that, the apparent disharmony within the playing group, and the glaring lack of leadership support within the team havn't helped his cause!). It is patently obvious that the role of captain is not one that should be taken lightly, or given to someone who is not ready for it. The decision demands a great deal of care by those at the Club who are closest to the situation. The last thing we want is to hang the captain's mantle on a Watts, Trengove or Grimes, and have them go the same way as it has for Green. For this reason, I'm not convinced that the Leading Teams model of selecting leaders is right for us in our present situation. $h!t its a major headache for the Club, but a decision we can't afford to get wrong again.

Any chance you were sitting behind Eth38 Kev?

I'm absolutely thrilled for the lad. He has had to put up with more $h!t than any other early draft pick that I can remember, and he is coming through it brilliantly. One of very few shining lights in an otherwise dismal season. Well done Jack!

I hate seeing these sorts of injuries for anyone, let alone a Dee! Good luck for a speedy and complete recovery Straussy!

Absolutely! It's about sticking to team disciplines, doing the team things ALL of the time, not just when it suits. The only snag in the argument is that there should be a few others at Casey tomorrow as well. After today's performance against Carlton, their turn might come next week.

A bit better than last week. I can find 6 four quarter efforts (if I stretch it a bit!). Very sad really: 6. Joel Mac 5. Watts 4. Trengove 3. Howe 2. Martin 1. Garland

A bit off subject Old Dee, but if you havn't already done so, try a bottle of the 2009 Emblem Shiraz from our sponsor Tyrrell's Wines, Heathcote vinyard. A lovely drop and extremely good value for MFC members and supporters. The label features our Emblem, of course. Guaranteed to ease some of the pain of the last week.