Go the Biff

This should have been factored into the broadcast deal. I always marvel at the superiority of the NFL pictures especially when compared to AFL. You would think the league would want its product showcased in as good a light as possible

That's pretty much my recollection and I believe a hefty chunk of the 1.4 restructure money was used to pay out Neeld and others who were deemed surplus to ongoing requirements. I also recall that Demetriou facilitated a meeting between the club and Jackson and while he actively promoted the union, it wasn't an AFL appointment. And we got Roos because PJ refused to take no for an answer. Nonetheless, to the other clubs' supporters, the AFL gave us Roos and Jackson and all our good players are from the multiple priority picks we are gifted each year. [censored] 'em I say

That ain't right, Keeping him wasn't really an option. Bennett was shot. Could barely get on the park and when he could had lost all form and confidence. Continual knee problems and other injuries including a broken arm brought about the big man's retirement from footy.

Close your eyes & think of Melbourne

She has got some serious wheels. Enjoying this game. Jazzy Griersen gets better every week

Loved Oliver Not happy with defensive pressure in the midfield and especially from our half forward line. Harmes for example jogging while his player puts metres on him and becomes a link up option. Whether you play zone or man on man, your defence is up against it when the ball is launched from the opposition half back line under no pressure. Thought the Eagles gave us a lesson on holding your structures. We had too many in the contest and in tackles while they had blokes free outside ready to receive. Our forward entries are still ordinary as are our forward structures. Too many blokes in the one spot – makes life easy for defenders. Our talls need to get better separation and provide multiple targets. So they don’t fly against each other for the same mark. For all that we stuck with a top 8 side on their own dung hill and a lot can be taken from the game and quickly improved upon. And if anyone was getting ahead of themselves, this might be just the result to get a bit of a reality check & sharpen the focus. That includes our supporters

Your reply highlights exactly why I'm asking the question You've put up 3 plausible options "his training standards, or ethics, or perhaps game-plan delivery" I'd like to know from the club what he's failed to meet Not some vague corporate newspeak that says effectively nothing and only opens the door for conjecture

Just out of (mild) interest, where is that stated ? All I can find from the club is : “We think there has been some predictable, but unfair media speculation about Jack Watts’ non-selection. To clarify, the team is being selected on some key criteria, during the pre-season,” he said. “Jack knows exactly what needs to be worked on and his past two or three weeks, he’s been working hard on what he needs to improve on in certain areas. The club's statement does nothing but keep the pot simmering

The maggots are killing us. No problem with being pinged for incorrect disposal or HTB if the same rule is applied to the opposition. Our structures are broken as well and I reckon Pies are harder at it. Suspect some of our girls are gun shy after some of those decisions. The maggots are killing us

Jezza Swan McKay Gary Ayres Kenny Hunter Jimmy Sewell Geoff Cunningham Kelvin Templeton Mickey Turner Bruce Doull Bohdan Jaworskyj Roger Merrett

Don't like co-captains at all. Not a fan of this decision. With Viney being 22 it's not necessary either. Jones is hardly on his last legs Viney will lead by example anyway. He needs no title Rather than load him up with extra responsibilities, I'd rather he be given the time to work on some deficiencies in his game. He's far from the finished article

Not too many differences Macca, B, Alan Johnson Sean Wight Matthew Whelan HB: Brett Lovett Gary Hardeman Adem Yze C: Stan Alves Greg Wells Rob FlowerHF: Brian Wilson David Schwartz Garry LyonF: Allen Jakovich David Neitz Jeff FarmerR: Jim Stynes Gerard Healy Todd Viney IN: Stephen Tingay Steven Febey Nathan Jones Earl Spalding I found full-back the most difficult. Tossed up between Wight, Hughes and Biffin. Even Frawley before he put the cue in the rack has claims. All good, none great. While the heart said to "Go the Biff", Wight probably held a spot in better sides. Yze's best seems largely forgotten but he swept across half back brilliantly and lead the league for intercepts marks for a year or two and used the ball superbly. The type of player we've been looking for for our current team. Matty Whelan was skilled and fearless. Good ball user and better in the air than my next choices Fowler & S. Febey. Fowler was a great defender though but if I overlook him for the back pocket then I can't fit him in elsewhere. S. Febey was quite versatile. Healy & Tingay's inclusions speak for themselves. Would love to see Tingay in today's footy. Prototype midfielder. I included Spalding as I loved his courage, his versatility and his amazing marking. If forced to include a second ruck I'd have gone for Strawbs at the expense of Spalding (who could pinch hit in ruck). Great mark, excellent at the art of ruckwork and positioned himself around the ground superbly. Admittedly questionable disposal skills. After one year in the limelight I'd probably have Max just behind him. My backline is probably a bit short. My forward line looks great on paper but I can't imagine how it could possibly function with Jako clearing everyone out. That centreline though........... wow. And you could pull in a second centreline from within the team of Johnson, Wilson & Tingay that would be almost as good.

Pretty ordinary that Age report. The VFL one was a body collision, not a head shot. Which is enough to give concussion particularly if a pre-existing condition is there. It was caught on video as that game was televised. H came off shortly after. The incident was replayed during the coverage Can't recall the AFL one and CBF looking for it. But I don't remember anyone questioning it at the time. Like others, I suspect that there's more than just concussion here but that is the key that both H and the club have used to the exit door. I wish him well. He's a different unit but for a while there he was OUR different unit. He kept his thoughts largely to himself at MFC and focussed on footy. Certainly didn't embarrass the club with his musings like he did at Collingwood (until Ali's passing but I'm blaming the concussion for that). And when he was out there in red and blue he had a decent crack

Should take it a step further and have a free paid AGAINST a player who causes contact to his head. That will soon eradicate a blight on the game

Yep. We've got plenty of time to prepare. Just win and move onto the next week

My initial reaction was "bring it on". Would be great having a Friday night game & the chance to rub their noses in it. On further reflection though, I want no part of it If the Goat Rooters want to celebrate the return of their suspended players as conquering heroes, let them do it on their own dung heap. And the thought of all those red & black swine marching from Fed Square to the G makes me want to throw up And if they want to play us at the G they can do it as the visiting team that they are My preference for them in R1 would be Sunday 4.40. At Etihad. Against North. They can all do their march from Spencer Street Station. It will get the coverage it deserves Everything about them gives me the shitzzzz

I like this. Maybe a bit of a reshuffle of Frost & the Macs. Also reckon Billy will "own" one of the wings this year Still so young - the core of this team can play a helluva lot of games together

Melksham hasn't played for over 12 months. What makes him a walk-up start ? As for what he or anyone else is on financially who cares ? It's form that decides whether they play. I'm yet to see a player take his cheque book, bank statement or accountant onto the field ***. When the ball is bounced all that tripe is irrelevant *** Crackers Keenan once went out on the ground with a $20 tucked in his sock. Apparently to repay a losing bet

There will be some danger that half of their supporters will revert back to their original teams

They have Keeffe (?) resuming from his St Kilda Festival suspension but yes, they look a bit light on in defence. How would Dunn look in black & white stripes ?

You're right. Trade Radio saying that Melbourne & Hawthorn will meet this arvo to finalise

[censored] off stuie. You might enjoy poking the bear but it's bloody tiresome. Start your flaming somewhere else

Swine paywall

Can't think of many better small defenders than Nev going round at the moment. Maybe that Smith bloke in Sydney. Nev is tough, skilful, has good hands and is a good navigator in heavy traffic. Not the most penetrating kick but he adheres strictly to the Clint Eastwood rule. He's a ripper

Trod water in 2016. I was a bit disappointed as I'd hoped he would come on a bit. He has a good left peg & is solid overhead. Big year for White in 2017. Make or break stuff