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Petterd, Bate, Dunn, Jones, McLean, P Johnson, C Johnson, Frawley, Warnock, Jamar and Syvlia are all developing players who have played this year. Add to that Bell who is getting better and better every week, and Miller has been far better this year than last (but still struggling at this level IMO). The MFC can blood a few more kids like Newton, Weetra, Garland and Buckley, but at the expense of who? P Johnson has come on leaps and bounds by playing AFL football, but the MFC can play a team of kids and expect to be even competitive and if they are not it will not be protective.

Has anyone seen how skinny Newton is? At AFL level he will struggle until he bulks up. I am all for playing him for experience, but he will get the confidence at Sandringham and but a few games he will see how far he has to go at AFL level.

If the use of the interchange bench gets a new rule that restricts its use, then players with endurance (like Godfrey) will get a big boost. It will hurt players like Davey though.

first quarter head high from front, not far from Melbourne's goal. Will get cited.

Yet St. Kilda drafting Ball, X Clarke, De Santo and Maguire in that draft are looking like idiots for not taking Judd. Yet you probably be able to pay those four next year with the money Judd is going to get.

Who here likes the father-son rule? Guess this is very topical at the moment with Geelong's success in getting some pretty handy pickups recently, but with Melbourne having a severe lack of decent players in the 70s and 80s I am really getting put off this rule. I can see Essendon having a field day in the years to come with the Daniher family alone, never mind the recent additions. The sooner they replace this rule the better for the competition.

Bartram is out, who is the other with both Bizzel and Godfrey not playing at Sandy?

Chad Cornes at 10! Rivers is a better CHB than Cornes. Although Cornes is very versatile he is not a top 30 player in any position.

Why would anyone care how the dad is doing? Especially on this forum!

I thought the two ruckman gave the Hawks big guys a bath; pity the midfield didn't come to the party as they got first hands on the ball at nearly every stoppage only to be pressured out of it. It is going to be a long year for Hawthorn if that is the best rucks they can come up with. I don't think Melbourne would have lost if they had given away those two stupid super goal 50 metres; but they didn't deserve to win, they we clearly the better team in skill level (at Melbourne were ordinary at skills at times) buy Hawthorn struggled to hit targets by foot. And what is this game plan of handballing to stationary team-mates in worse positions? For a change Bell didn't catch napping, was with with Williams on EVERY lead. Recover needs to improve but was no slouch as Bell led Williams to the ball. Brad Miller and Bizzel both are looking at a season at Sandringham on that form. Miller did present well but failed to take a grab. I also thought the "must rotate midfield regardless" mentality also cost Melbourne the game. Did not have a ball winner in the centre at the start of the last quarter. Was impressed with Bates as well, seemed to be the only Demon to run the line to goal. Also I think that Davey is going to get a huge benefit from the no hand in the back rule. Players are so focused in leaving the man, screening off to stop the marks that there looks like there will be heaps of crumbs for him. Also thought the 9 umpires was very messy, everyone was confused at times. Also if the AFL want to speed up the game, the umpires need to look at the way Hawthorn held the ball up. Crawford tackled a guy on the wing at least 15 seconds after the whistle to stop him giving it back to his team mate. The Hawthorn forward (Barker?) took the ball to his stand on the mark position and stopped Carroll playing a second ball.

I'll think you'll find that the 4th will be at another club (other than Melbourne, Adelaide or Sydney) else they would have named them as well. These clubs are obviously in damage control and shielding their players; but are naming them to stop further rumour mongering (like someone stupidly suggesting Trapper could be one with absolutely no basis except he is known to bet on horses in the past).

'kick behind' ruckmen aren't all bludgers; some ruckmen (eg Cox and also White) work their arses off to behind when their team doesn't have the ball and move forward when they do.