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The holding the ball decisions were hot, especially Dunn's he hadn't even been tackled when the whistle went.

Played 13 in 2013. Interesting to see that his stats are down on last year too. Must be the effects of a limited pre-season; as his numbers have been coming up in the last few rounds.

Judd is still playing?

Umpires this week will focus on looking where they are going, especially when running backwards.

GAJ

Aaron Davey says hello. But I agree, the AFLPA best first year player is a much better award: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AFLPA_Awards#Best_First_Year_Player Some good winners there; without the bullsh1t of having to pick a player every week and the stupid rules that allow players in the system for a few years to win because of the lack of games.

I watched Byrnes a lot last night and he chases and shepherds. His best is clearly behind him; but Melbourne at this moment needs players who show example by doing the 1%ers 100% of the time.

Goodes has never been average, but I know what you mean.

With Goodes in, I bet the Roos plays Jack Watts on him. I think Roos had Goodes in mind when he decided to play Watts as a midfielder.

What an interesting game. Brad Scholl kicked 7 for North and it was Martin Pike's last game for North before being shown the door to his 3rd AFL club. Who would think he would would three more premierships? And Melbourne kicked 6.14 more than North.

Don't forget Byrnes. Apparently he is a good "club man".

It is their ladder position that has allowed them to pick up: Jack Gunston Brian Lake Shaun Burgoyne Josh Gibson David Hale All these players chose to join Hawthorn because of their ladder position in recent seasons. And although they lost Buddy (this will be an isolated incident), clubs at the bottom will continue to lose players to top sides in many years to come because of the chase of a premiership. Although a few will go after money, but that is the point of the salary cap.

Interesting article on the AFL site: White to Pies a done deal Sydney Swans big man Jesse White will get his wish of a trade to Collingwood, after the clubs agreed to a three-way trade that also involves West Coast, reports Fairfax Media. The report says the trade could be made official as early as Monday, with the Magpies to receive White and pick six in the NAB AFL Draft, the Eagles picks 11 and 31, and the Swans pick 44. I am confused in what does Sydney get? The Eagles are darn keen on using 31 to get Yeo; willing to go from 6 to 11 to get it done.

Melbourne have front loaded the Clark, Dawes, Trengove (& probably others) contracts. So there will be a lot more room in the cap in years to come.

Northey took both the Tigers and Bears/Lions to finals, including a preliminary. Walls was more successful at his second club than his first.

Although I think this whole argument is flawed there is also something else to consider: The way the final system is created, the team that lost to Essendon in the preliminary final has just as much claim to the premiership as the losing GF team. And considering they finished above Melbourne in the home and away (another flawed way to judge teams) they would have a stronger claim.

Umm, technically Viney too (after Bailey was sacked)

Clarkson

Laurie Nash captained South, his Robert captained Collingwood and Victoria http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laurie_Nash Charlie Pannam sr/Alby Pannam both captained Collingwood Stephen Silvagni was Victorian Captain in 1996, was Carlton vice-captain from 1998 to 2001, so must have captained them at least once when Kernahan didn't play. Serge Silvagni was captained Carlton in 1964. Norm Smith's son Peter captained Carlton's reserves (i know not the same thing)

except Jones

Essendon NAB Cup Team Rd 1 B Goddard Goddard Goddard HB Goddard Goddard Goddard C Goddard Goddard Goddard HF Goddard Goddard Goddard F Goddard Goddard Goddard Foll Goddard Goddard Goddard Int ? ? ? ?

WHAT THE RULES SAY "A person, being a player, coach or assistant coach, must at all times perform on their merits and must not induce, or encourage, any player, coach or assistant coach not to perform on their merits in any match - or in relation to any aspect of the match, for any reason whatsoever.'' - AFL Regulations 19(A5) It is hard to see how this rule can be held to account. The terminology of merits is so arbitrary.

What I dislike about this whole process is the access the press have to the investigation and who they speak to.

Funny how Collingwood are re-writing history in that article. Lynch was recruited before Dawes was traded to Melbourne, and it is because of that, Dawes wanted to leave because of diminishing opportunities. "Like for like trading policy", what bollocks.

By the money they save by not paying Israel F.