Deeoldfart

...... and Harmes, whose last third of the season was outstanding by any measurement. Unfortunately, key omissions like these make me wonder about the credibility of everything else contained in the article.

On the front foot like we are with most things these days. Love it!

Scheduled for January.

Yeah, me too!!

Seriously good pic of a seriously good back half. Keep 'em on the park and we will be seriously hard to beat!

Thanks guys. Enjoyed it as usual. The highlight for me was Josh saying that Jake Lever will be travelling to the States in January, to undertake the same intensive post knee reco rehab program that Tracc did. I hadn't heard that before.

Good luck to Tom. Works hard and gets the very best out of his limited talent.

In roughly the following order: sit at the 'G' unashamedly bawling my eyes out until the stadium management kick me out; have my first 'night on the town' for more than 50 years; attend the Sunday celebrations at Gosh's, to share the joy with countless exuberant and inebriated Demons fans; dilute my finest single malt with tears of joy for the next week, when the reality of what we have achieved might finally sink in.

Yeah, I can see your point of view Adam. However, I don't really view it as being about Jonesy's ego, but more about recognising his stalwart leadership over an arduous journey for our Club. If for some reason that's not in the best interests of the Club as a whole, then the sure, scenario obviously changes. I agree 100% with your second sentence, and I have no doubt that both Jones and Lewis would do exactly that.

I like the current structure with two joint captains and joint VCs. We only moved to this smaller group earlier this year, and it would be silly to change it now imo. I'd love to see Max as joint captain with Jack, but I think it's unlikely to happen for 2019. It might be seen as too disruptive, and unfair on Jonesy who led us well through the 'dark times' when we had no other 'real' leaders. He has earned another year, I reckon. I think Lever will probably be promoted for 2020, when I'd expect Lewis to step down. A definite 'no' on May from me. He needs to earn his stripes at Melbourne before being considered.

FWIW, John Ralph on tonight's "Trade Lowdown" (Fox) said that the parties involved in the mega deal involving Neale, Hogan and others, were still locked away in discussions at 7:00pm. He seemed fairly confident that the deals to get done.

Thanks PD. Based purely on my own judgement, I would not have been keen on chasing May. However, over recent years our recruiters have had considerable success in making the right calls at this time of the year, and only a fool would ignore that. They are paid professionals, and they see and analyse a hell of a lot more than us mere fans. Your post confirms (to me) that it's very easy for us fans to focus on the trees while ignoring the forest.

I'm worried about this increasing trend on Demonland. I literally cringe, and move immediately to the next post, as soon as Dr.D's avatar appears on my screen. ?

This is an all round win. We get the backup for Max which we desperately needed*, North get to bolster their midfield stocks, Dom leaves on good terms with our Club, and he probably gets to play at the top level, in a position where he can have his best impact. If only all trades were like that! And good luck to Dom. He served us very well in a time of need, and he should be proud of his time at Melbourne. Further: who knows what gem Jason Taylor will be able to snag from obscurity with a pick in the 60s; * I think the impact that Braydon Preuss will have will go well beyond being a back-up to Max. I reckon he will surprise quite a few!

Seems around his true worth to me relative to other comparable trades, and his 'dodgy' hammys and shoulders. Good luck to him. He probably needs plenty of that just to get on the park consistently.

Fingers crossed that the colt from old Regret doesn't get away!

Reading this thread over the last few days has totally done my head in ....... and now this!. Bugger me! I wonder if we'll never know the the story behind the story. Doubtful I guess. I just hope and pray that it doesn't have any adverse implications for our Club.

I'm sitting here trying to sort out some very complex tax stuff by the deadline that ATO have put on me, as well as keeping a close eye on the trade moves affecting our Club. I'm not sure which is the more frustrating (or important for that matter!).

.......... or the prognosis on Jesse's narvicular. (MFCSS?).

Exactly ..... and imo he hasn't 'regressed' at all, but has been 'overtaken' as an inside mid by Viney, Oliver, Brayshaw and Harmes, who are among the best in the business.

Thanks Chook, greatly appreciated as usual! I'm not sure I understand the "salary relief" bit. Surely, if Freo have offered Jesse big bucks on a long contract, we wouldn't contemplate paying any of his salary, even for one year (as we apparently did for Jack Watts). What am I missing?

In the post-match commentory on ABC radio, they said he had separated himself from others in the rooms, and was "crying his eyes out".

I have some (heresay) reservations about May, but I do like that he would add some surety, and an element of hardness to our defence. However, that amount of coin and duration do seem a bit 'Rance like' to me. I thought it was most likely his manager 'flying a kite' but I'd be the first to acknowledge that I know absolutely zilch about these things. The principles of supply and demand for ready made key defenders would surely come into it, and there aren't too many of them around.

Jake Lever (AFL Tonight) seemed extremely enthusiastic about the prospect of playing alongside May. Almost as if he knows something that we don't.

I greatly admire Pedo for the way he combined his role as a 'fringe player' on our list, with being a 'heart and soul' clubman, whether in the seniors or at Casey, and both on and off the field. Always gave his all, and you can't ask more than that! If he does the same in the next phase of his life, he'll do well.