Deeoldfart

The impression I get is that from the outset the present administration has been working diligently at building a strong bond to the Club and comraderie within the playing group. We all know that 'money talks', but I'm confident that we will be able to keep our core group together. The key signings we have made this year (eg. Frawley, Petterd, Trengove)despite GC Suns snooping around, indicate to me that the boys want to play for Melbourne, and be part of our future together.

'Bacchus' and 'Swampy' Marsh.

Bits of it do give that impression, but his pace and attack on the ball and man seem like assets.

Great job pulling this together HT. Fantastic reminder of just how far we have come in such a short space of time.

Outstanding read. Such great memories came flooding back.

Great article, outstanding footy club. Leading from the front in respect for indigenous Australians. Makes me so proud to be a life-long Dees fan.

By the time Wallace got half way to 150, he would have forgotten 70 of them.

Thanks once again guys. Bhima, have a great holiday, and I look forward to further reports when you return.

You seem to be forgetting some of BP's late picks over the last couple of years DD. Bennell(#35), Bail (#64), Wonaeamirri and McKenzie (Rookies) were pretty solid selections, don't you agree?

Excellent explanation well supported by recent examples. It's very easy to see why there would be enormous anxiety for potential draftees and their folks. As you say E25, decisions made tonight will seriously shape the lives of the kids who are selected and those who miss out. There will be great excitenent for some, and enormous disappointment for others.

Ingo, a champ and team-player on and off the field. Keep the chin up Hilly!

Others on here know far more than me about the capabilities of potential draftees, but I will stick my neck out and say that I'm not keen on Darling. If we are drafting a tall forward, I want him to be able take on some of the ruck work, at least on the forward line, if not around the ground on occasions. The new interchange arrangements, and the associated need for versatility, will make this very important IMO. To me, Darling's lack of inches would limit his capacity to do an effective job as a back-up ruckman.

Couldn't agree more. Bloody awful name and jumper!

Great report and greatly appreciated Bhima. I'm especially pleased that Rohan Bail is looking good. I think he's an exciting prospect, and a likely candidate to fill Bruce's role off HB (only with better disposal).

Our thoughts are with you Aussie, and we all know that you will have the utmost support of the MFC 'family'.

Josh Mahoney said of Jake Spencer:"Jake has been on the list for a couple of years now and has been upgraded to our senior list. We see him as a future ruckman for us. He's got great balance of running ability and aggression for a big guy. He has had some injury issues throughout the year. We'd hope he gets through a full pre-season so he can show the talent we think he's got." Bhima said: "I'm putting myself out there for criticism but with the talk of who will have a break out year in 2011, Jake in my view will be one of the big improvers. As I said, it was windy, yet he continued to both kick accurately both on goal and in short kicking drills. He still has an awkward technique, yet on the right foot his style is starting to resemble Cox of West Coast. Jake looks confident and kept having shots of goal as if he'd figured out how it all works. He even kicked a long bomb from the boundary as he was leaving the track. He is also moving well and I'm genuinely interested to see how his training form will translate on match day." Haydo said: "Spenser has also put on some descent baulk and looks set to play a fair bit of senior football next year. He looked fit and imposing." These comments got me thinking how fantastic it would be if the Pencil's development took a quantum leap forward to the point where he could take over the #1 around-the-ground ruck mantle for 40% or even 60% of game-time, freeing up the Russian to be the 'man-mountain" KPF that we are all craving. It's unlikely to happen (at least not in those proportions of game-time), but it's an exciting 'off-season' dream for the future.

Many thanks for the reports and insights Bhima and Haydo. As a Canberra Dee, I can't get enough of this type of info, especially during the off-season. Great work and please keep it coming whenever you can.

On the contrary, I think they are an honest (but brief) assessment of each players performance in 2010, and some general expectations for 2011. I'm can't imagine what you regard as 'dishonest' about them. Maybe you could enlighten me and others. And I'm personally happy to get a few snippets of inside information about Maric's presentation for pre-season, Jordie's running aspirations for 2011, etc. etc. If you really 'hate' them, ignore them!!

I have the same problem and was wondering how to fix it (its a shame to hide such a fantastic banner!). Very helpful M9. Thanks!

RIP Mavis. Together again with Jim, the 'prince of secretaries'.

Excellent article indeed! The last two paras. say it all for me!

With so much talent on our list this is really the 'impossible question'. However I'll have a stab and say Rohan Bail. To me he has all the attributes to be a very good footballer (good size, pace, endurance, balance, smarts and sound skills) and with Bruce's departure, there's a regular senior spot beckoning. As a #64 draft pick two years ago, it could be a 'breakout' to rival that of some of our higher (more fancied) draft picks. My only concern is that Rohan seems to suffer a few too many injuries, but fingers crossed, they are mostly in the past.

Without being privy to the internal discussions connected to the player departures it's impossible to tell, but from where I sit as an avid supporter, I can't think of anything I would like to have seen done differently by the Club. All of the departures seem to have been handled very professionally. Sure, all of the players would have been disappointed, and a couple of them have said things in the media which reflected their disappointment, but that's not an in indication that the situation has been handled poorly by the Club.

Of course!

Perfect example rpfc.