Mono

Maybe. I think/heard the filth offered him a lucrative deal; if he had gone, he may well be a premiership player now. That said, I'm very pleased he stayed and that he is now captain.

I thought Bruce's exit allowed us to have an extra rookie, not elevate 1. Clarification anyone?

I think Howe was recruited as a fast leading, high leaping full-forward, so I'm guessing he will have every chance of starting there round 1. Campbell is a rookie, so will not get a chance until there is a long term injury. And I doubt Bennell and Aussie will be in the same team if they are in the forward line. My guess is that only Frawley, Grimes, Sylvia, Jamar, Green, Moloney, Davey, Jurrah, Scully (and probably Rivers, Garland, Watts, Trengove and McKenzie) are walk up starters in the 1st round. Which leaves lots of talent competing for the other 8 spots. (Makes Bruce's exit something of a blessing, if rather sad.) Exciting, eh?

You will know he is having an impact when he starts hurting other sides. You will know he is hurting other sides when they start matching up on him. Currently they don't.

Said it already, he needs to have an impact. He also has more competition for a place as MFC drafted taller this year (taller more than KP). Nothing I'd like more than to have a Goddard clone at MFC.

He certainly is a good height, and 7kgs extra are very welcome, and he does have a tank. And he has had 50 games in 3 years. That makes him a unique Morton. His 2 brothers are not held in high regard at all in that respect. He is no Goodes, and never will be. 3 years and still on a steep development curve? We can certainly hope he will turn into a Goddard (apparently Goddard had many detractors early in his career - I didn't notice). Whatever, 2011 shapes as a very important year for him. He needs to have an impact; a big tank and lots of touches will not be enough.

Yes, a whipping boy is a player who gets a lot of game time, but splits members/followers opinions dramatically with their performances (or method of play=not deemed to be hard at the contest). Bruce would be the epitome. Morton would have to be in the frame, maybe Bartram and Bate if he gets much game time. Bennel too; he has that baulking a contest to live with. Doubt if it will be Jones; he may well struggle with form/keeping his place, but members generally respect the way he plays. Watts maybe, but he only has to show some improving impact (ie there's a chance he might turn into a Riewold) to stay safe. The rookies probably won't get enough game time to enter the equation.

If this is true, MFC should be starting to plan for life without Scully. May not come to fruition, but planning should be in place. Sounds about right. We may lose 1 or 2; so be it. Plan for the possibility

Rhino aside, this aint hard. 1. Hansen has a year to go on his contract with the weagles 1a Weagles must have someone they want in the PSD 2. Hansen is a significant contributor in a good/top side 3. Hansen has little or no impact in a bottom side 4. If a side picks him up (wherever - PSD or rookie), he will be cheap - weagles paying the 1st year of any contract Thus: * surely only a top 4/6 side would be interested * not MFC

West Sydney have first 8 picks in rookie draft. Can't see Sinclair still being around when it's our turn.

And Hale

As a veteran, Bruce cost us a rookie pick (& half his salary was excluded from the cap). Now he is gone, we get an extra pick in the ND or PD, and an extra rookie. Think that's how it goes. ED.: not quite right - see Nashers reply above.

Contested mark? - yes Accurate kick? - definitive NO: never field kicks; kicking for goal very iffy more than 15-20 metres out. Pinch hitting forward only.

Jones was borderline 22 this year. My comment was more about him getting to a favourable (ie money) position while he can. Another year (or 2) and he won't have any value. Just watch and see.

Jones should have taken whatever was on offer outside. In 6/12 months he will not be in the starting 22. From there on, his marketability (= value) goes down. Simple.

No. Just No. He fluked a flag, and has overseen a divided club since he went to port. Williams is about Williams, pure and simple. The MFC is a very tight group atm. Keep it that way and leave Williams well alone.

Try here.

Article about McDonald & Jones here. The comments about Jones seem pretty vague. Must be reluctant.

How so?

I, for one, think it might be a success, because Hird is 1. not an idiot (Knights), 2. not an ego maniac (Voss) If he surrounds himself with a good team, who can work as a team (I'd have thought that leaves Williams out), it could be a winner. Ed: Essendon desperately needs a club icon involved, just as the MFC needed Jim.

I don't think so. Depends on how much north want to move him on. Hale is contracted to them for 2(?) more years. At this stage, it is Hale who is exploring, it is he who wants out. North can play hard ball if it wants. It's what happens when you get a 4 yr contract, but are playing in the 2s after 2 yrs. That said, I bet north are currently paying him over the odds, so would be happy to move him on if they don't need him, and can negate the final 2 yrs of the contract.

Which would put GC in box seat you'd have thought. And they have plenty of picks to trade.

Which will depend on how keen north are to move him on. He has 2 yrs (I think) of a contract left with them; will they pick up part of his payments? then there's the trade. What do they want that we would supply? Not much in the way of players I would have thought.

Pretty sure they'll have to. Next years GF is on Oct 1 (and Vic Cricket [they get the MCG from Oct 1 onwards] only agreed after a lot of arm twisting). Don't think the AFL will have the luxury of a second Sat on standby that late into October.

Didn't the saints sign him for 1 yr just a few weeks ago? Doesn't sound like they rate him too highly.