Damo

Port Adelaide were trying to give pick 8 and another 1st round pick two years ago to get our pick 2, for Trengove. I realise it's obvious, but to get real class like Gaff you have to give a lot. If our picks are now worth equal to what Port Adelaide were offering, it would be fair if Gaff is close to that stratosphere. Whether he is worth it i have no idea. I do believe it is worth it to Melbourne in its present position of decent depth, to have one A grade rather than 2 B+. It is not always the case. last year St Kilda lost Hayes (A+) and only could replace him with C grade as they had crap depth. They might have a different view.

I agree billy. Im still a bit shattered that Big red was ousted from the 1988 GF and we witnessed our top class Full Back in Danny Frawley go up for the 1st bounce. Hawks were rapt from the get go. Not that Im old and bitter...

Your post is neither here nor there. You "challenge" me to find anywhere where he would put himself in the draft and then immediately propose how it may have been journalist putting words in his mouth. You then excuse him for doing so as it is a fair means of holding up contract talks. Into october when all others had signed... It seems to me you have just talked yourself out of your opening line. Good on you for barging on regardless.

I must admit to waiting for the match tonight to start. New Foxtel and such. There was no joy in seeing football, I was surprised how much venom I felt for Scully. I just looked for him the whole quarter then turned off. It brought me right back to one Brian Wilson playing for St Kilda shaking his fist at the members after kicking a goal circa 1991.

Thanks again, Jack.

Queeny I have just returned from a nice restaurant down the road, Illoner Staller, and my outlook on the world and Brad Green has changed. Im happy you've been in his corner as I have myself in the past. I accept your argument and concede. I was too harsh. I reflected over a nice bottle of Sangiovese and while all looked cool around me, I wasnt very classy in what I posted. I withdraw and reckon you did well standing up for him. Cheers.

I remember reading many times that Green had not signed and may put himself in the draft. it was in the papers more than twice. It was discussed if not here, then on Ology. So thats my source. He heroically signed on at the death knell every time. He had us over a barrel and fair enough went for it. I dont see him as anything more than a professional player who has been a good player amongst mainly average players. Did he put himself on the line? How often? Well a few times. Much like Paul wheatley's bombs into the centre it only happened a couple of times. But in the retelling it gets better. So he brave yes, going back with into pack to take a big mark a couple of times. he kicked 55 in his best year which made him A grade that year. He shouldnt have captained Australia but I was happy for him. Does he speak absolute Bulltish? Yes, in my opinion. His glib "Oh we will give it what for" smiling talkfests were cruel to endure, and hardly ever did it mean anything more than words. Loyalty. Im over loyalty to tell the truth. Give me Mitch Clark over Green, without seeing him fire a shot. Classy? Thats just an opinion you have. I dont give a fig myself, if footballers are only good footballers. Maybe Im not classy. Ive known a couple of good footballers and ive known some "classy" people. The twain dont meet... The bottom line for me Queeny is that he had a year to do plenty but he the only leading I saw him do was to run sideways of the ball screaming for a stat. I reckon he went behind Baileys back to the board, which is mainly the incumbent presidents fault but he was a part of it. He blotted his copybook in such a manner that Ive dropped off him.

I understand Brad Green's contracts were never easily signed. Like Cam Bruce, Greeny perenially held out continually trying for a better deal. He now has shown poor form as a captain and a player. My personal faith in Brad has come to an end. Mark Neeld seems to understand many MFC members have or are turning sour on our personnel. Mark Neeld Cometh the hour. Greeny good luck, but perform or play Casey.

Good luck Big Jim. Ive tried "Wanting" and it didnt work for me.

Last year, as this year there will be a poll to see how the demons go after the Home and Aways. MFC supporters are, if nothing else, hopeful. Many picked us to make the finals last year. I dont pick us to get close this year as North and Freo are looking good at this stage. As we still have 90% of the same list as last year, and some of our best players are going into 2012 without a full pre-season, I cant see us making finals this year. I am buoyed by many reasonable posters giving us a shot and I havent attended training, but personally I remain gutted by actions of our team, coach and board surrounding 186. If the leadership tanked because of Bailey either staying or going, its dire straits. We have a long way to go. On top of that, Davey, Moloney and Green may not be giving it 100% this year. They are out highest paid players and we dont need prima donnas. They have to move out ASAP. Maybe next year for me.

I know that the Melbourne Football Club was an absolute joke (yet again) last year. I know that many people are talking Finals when we were absolutely smashed by not only the Cats but also by North Melbourne. I know that the board and most of the Football Management were the most inept in Victoria. I know that changes have now been put in place and although the only way is up, sideways is unfortunately still an option.

I wouldnt be suprised if there was greater internal conflict at Collingwood on Neeld's leaving than just timing. It is easy to believe you get the better half of any deal, but i have heard a couple of times that the Magpies had their arms tied in the Malthouse - Buckley deal and really wanted Neeld instead. It may be the some players really hoped that Neeld would have stayed rather than Bucks and that Malthouse jumped earlier than he may have if Neeld had stayed another year. I wonder if we had not taken on Neeld the morning he signed, he would have had his name on an Adelaide contract later that day. Maybe, maybe not, but if that one is true, the magpies would be dreaming thinking they could hold him once the dominos started to fall for top Assistant Coaches.

Trengove and Howe.

Side-lined leadership is fine. Bit if you were trying to get in the ones and had been told you had missed out as there was a player who had been picked instead because of his Leadershop qualities you would accept it graciously only if it was fine-line on ability and skill. If it was more clear cut that you had better form, how would you feel? Because you couldnt complain else people may reflect you did not possess "leadership skills"... This very thing may occur in our half back line before we get very far into the season.

Cheers Mordja. Thanks for that info. It is a huge task to lead other players who this coming year may be ahead of you as a player. That said, like most here, I have (seemingly bottomless) faith in the Football department... I just hope the Co-captains dont have too many suits in their ear (Craig, Healy, Schwab, Connolly, etc) before a game. I also am really going to get behind Greeny and Beamer as they have had a bit to swallow in this move.

I personally think Jack Grimes has not done enough on-field to warrant being named a Captain. He must be an impressive personality so good Luck to him. Congratulations to both Jack Trengove and Jack grimes. 2 Half back flankers.

Im in (Rumours)

Good on you Jimmy, you remain one of the greats of this football club. Thanks.

I guess Im really putting up all my soul Jazz favorites and most of them are recorded during the Demons salad days. Here is something not told in the movie Ray. Ray Charles was a Jazz boy genius before he took to singing R'n B. On this track , an instrumental, he plays both Guitar and Alto Sax. (around the 5 minute mark).The back of my vinyl re-iterates how '50s jazz followers felt spurned (think Dylan going electric 10 years later but on a smaller scale) and never followed him down the road to Rythm and Blues. How long blues is one i turn too late night in my cups at the end of each football year.

Herbie Mann in 1962. It goes for 8 minutes but is Classic Soul Jazz.If you do like it (it is after all jazz flute) check the youtube link to listen to Herbie Manns version of the Classic "Sunny". many versions of this song are available with the most popular being the Boney M disco version. Herbies version is truer to the sentiments of the song (IMO) even though there are no vocals. The song was written by a young guy about his older brother getting killed the day after JFK. Because he wanted to remember him in a happy disposition rather than a lousey disposition he wrote Sunny. One for Two Sheds jackson.

Half way through "Boss" and I heartily recommend it.

Boss with Kelsey Grammer is one new series I have been watching. I think its pretty good.

Thanks Macca - really enjoyed the Duke. Here is one of my favorites, Les Mc Cann and Eddie Harris.Compared to What. Word was that Eddie harris was booked to play the 1969 montreaux Jazz fest with the band but they hadnt had time to practise and ended up getting blasted backstage before coming on.Les told Eddie just to watch and wait for him to come in and do his thing. it worked beautifully and I never knew the original was on Youtube but have just found it. Sock it to me!

Unfortunately many people at a certain cafe in St Kilda cast a sneaky peek at Magda's breakfast order. She is back on the good stuff.

I much prefer Neelds "My way or the highway" than Cameron Schwab's telling us that demons supporters should be very comfortable with the process of resigning Tom Scully. Still irritates me to think of it.