Deeoldfart

Jimma: All Mebourne supporters and the rest of the football world are behind you as you fight this horrid disease. You have always met every challenge head-on, and prevailed in the end. This will be no exception! Hang tough Champ!

Agree Nash, if we cant make a decision after two years .........! Personally, I don't see him as part of the elite mid-field group that we are trying to build.

A slow start to Addam's career, but with limited opportunities he has shown glimpses of why he was taken fairly high in the draft (good poise and balance, disposal and looks for the best option). Not sure I see him progressing to the stellar levels that some posters above have earmarked him for, but if he can add consistency to his game (I recall a couple of 'shockers' in '09), improve his engine, and continue to work on the defensive side of his game, I think he can be a very good player for the Melbourne Footy Club. Next year will be a very important year for his development.

I thought the interview was a credit to Brock and his professionalism. Well done Brock, and thanks for giving your all during your career at the Melbourne Footy Club ............ but I'll stop short of wishing you well at your new club, because they are almost as putrid as Collingwood in my reckoning.

Apparently the Bulldogs are struggling to find room in their salary cap to meet Brian Lake's demands. If this is the case, there's no way they could they fit Fevola in??

What? I see it more as we are fast developing a reputation for having the 'Grinters' to move players on when have reached their 'use by date'.

Couldn't agree more!

I think he nominated Melbourne as one of his three preferred Victorian clubs (because of the Davey / family connection). We were interested (as we should have been) and spoke to him, but he has since nominated Hawthorn as his preferred club. I have also heard (unofficially) that we thought his original asking price was too high, and that we would not be prepared to trade early draft picks to get him.

No way mousey! Maybe that was what Burgoyne was asking.

A worry indeed. Melbourne wouldn't be talking to Essendon or anyone else about possible trades at this point. All their attention would be on getting Aaron's signature.

All class and determination with the decision making which belies his youth. IMO only injury stands between him and a stellar career. Hopefully he will have an uninterrupted pre-season, and really start to make his mark in 2010. Wouldn't it be great to see him develop as part of the pre-eminent midfield group in the AFL?

Thanks so much Krazy and others. The updates were amazing, as it seems was Jack Trengove!!

Agree with you Krazy. Add enormous courage and pretty good reliability in front of goal to what you have said, and Ricky is a very good prospect. I really liked him as a forward, but some more time in the mid field would not surprise.

Agree with your sentiments Stalwart. I've been supporting the Dees for a bit longer than you, and I've been lucky enough to see some premierships along the way (but obviously they are now distant memories). All three of my kids have been one-eyed Melbourne supporters for all of their lives, and like yours, they will never waver in their support (we brought them up well eh!). You are absolutely correct, two spoons on the trot is very hard to take ....... but I'm convinced we are about to come out of the bottom of a 'J curve'. Bailey said at the start of this year that his aim was to have a more competitive team in '09, and this has clearly been achieved. Next year we will be setting our sights higher, definitely more competitive again, and with it more wins (8+ wins is not an unreasonable expectation IMO). I can honestly say that I have never been more excited about the medium and longer term prospects of the Melbourne Football team ..... and the exhilaration of the ride ahead of us will soon erase the disappointment of successive bottom of the ladder finishes.

I'd seriously consider adding an exceptional circumstances criterion to get Lou over the line.

I've had reservations in the past, but his good second half to the season has somewhat rekindled my enthusiasm. I think he may have found his niche as an on-baller who has the flexibility to go forward or back and do the job that is asked of him. I reckon this is the direction that Bailey has bee taking him, and IMO, he will be retained on the back of it.

You're clutching at straws dukes. How would the retention of Robbo help us to win us a premiership? ..... by setting an example to the youngsters on how to play selfish football(?) ... how not to apply defensive pressure on the forward line (?) ..... how to go to ground, and play for free-kicks in marking contests? In his day Robbo was a good footballer fot the Melbourne Footy Club, but his best was well and truely behind him, and his play was characterised by too many examples of what not to do. No one has stepped up under Bailey? Bull dust! Warnock, for example, was rarely given an opportunity by Danniher. He's now a leader in a very promising defence. ........... and you can't just dismiss the the players mentioned by 45hotgod because they are young. Grimes wouldn't even be with us if Bailey hadn't moved TJ on (I can't imagine the conservative Danniher doing this). And in all probability, the the likes of White, Yze, Godfrey etc. would still be running around denying our youngsters of opportunity. Sorry, but IMO your assertion that Bailey is the wrong man for the job is baseless nonsense.

Tell us 'dukes', with the object of building the rabble that was the Melbourne footy team 24 months ago into a viable premiership contender in the next 5 years, what would you have done differently to Bails??

A few seasons back we would probably have considered these two. Not any more - thank God.

Really glad it wasn't one of our boys!

Sean Wellman's assessment of Col's 2009 season is spot-on. IMO Col is not far behind Chip Frawley as our most improved in 2009. Has become a vital cog in what will hopefully be a potent midfield combination over the next few years.

After showing a lot of promise in 2008, I thought he would be our #1 ruckman in 2009. Unfortunately he failed to progress despite being given every opportunity. Played a couple of good games, but the rest were terrible. I very much doubt that he will command a regular spot in our best 22 in 2010 (if he remains on our list).

Well spoken Bruce. After reading the multitude of posts on this thread, this one sums up my feelings perfectly.

An excellent development year for Cale, adding considerable versatility to his repertoire. Not sure that he will ever have the physique to be a regular KPP, but he can play just about anywhere else. Looks to have a great future as he matures physically and gains experience and confidence at the top level.