Ron Burgundy

This is going back a long time, and my recollection is not as good as it should be, but I seem to recall that Nixon's approach to negotiations with the MFC in 2002 indirectly/directly resulted in us having to trade Woewodin. I seem to recall that Nixon managed Yze, who like TJ, had a great 2002 season. After that season, we had to re-sign Yze, TJ, Powell, Junior and a couple of others. Carlton was after Yze. Colllingwood after TJ. Yze virtually held the club to ransom, and I seem to recall that Nixon was intent on conducting all negotiations through the media. In short, it partly contributed to us losing Woey and Powell - our own poor list management at the time obviously didn't help. Then, following last season, our vice captain (Bruce) leaves the club to go to the Hawks after a distinguished career for the MFC. I think he's managed by Nixon. Bruce's departure wreaks of short term thinking, even though he may suck out another year's AFL wages at the Hawks. Issues of integrity seem not to be part of Nixon's head space. It does not surprise me in the slightest to now read about his alleged involvement with this girl. I'm glad he's not managing Tom Scully ...

I love the man - absolutely inspired pick up.

I have absolutely no idea what the situation is. However, I think Scully's management team (Velocity) will take a huge hit to their ongoing credibility if Scully has in fact agreed something with GWS and Velocity has then released a statement saying that Scully/Velocity have not discussed anything with GWS or signed any agreement with GWS. And that whole AFL contract v some other type of agreement that was discussed earlier in this thread is IMO completely missing the point.

Out of interest, has the broken leg affected Blease's pace - or is he now as quick as he was pre-break?

IMO the club seems not to have put a foot wrong in its recruitment strategy and in the selection of players it has actually recruited. I'll say at the outset, they are the experts. I am not. However, in the lead up to the draft in which Strauss was selected (I think at pick 19), a lot of the talk was that Zaharakis would've been the player to pick with this selection had he been available. I recall he ultimately went to the Dons for about pick 24. Strauss, perhaps a bit like Cook and Howe (both of whom look to be inspired picks), was seen to be a little left field at the pick he was taken. Hypothetical question, but do people think the club erred in not selecting Zaharakis with pick 19?

I think Sylvia is our best chance for the Brownlow this year ...

Great post, Hot as Hell. Your post gives me comfort as well - if, for no other reason, than the fact that you can actually write clearly. I feel confident that Scully will be a Demon for life. That is not based on any discussions with anyone - it's based purely on my observation of him in his time with this club, albeit brief to date.

Totally agree. Also, Sylvia could have a Brownlow in him.

Could not disagree more. Dean Bailey was an absolutely inspired appointment, and his rhetoric about the list and the club is always considered and entirely appropriate. The Dees should now enjoy a period of sustained success, and much of this will be due to Dean Bailey's skill and focus on restructuring, what was, a pretty pathetic list. He saw it - not many of us did. I love the bloke.

I will cry if Scully goes to GWS.

This guy is a very good player. Fitness will obviously be the key though. I was speaking to a mate recently who's an AFL umpire. He said he umpired a VFL game last year in which Campbell was going head to head against Josh Fraser, and Campbell absolutely towelled Fraser. He said Campbell looked very good, at least in that game anyway. I know Fraser's not an elite ruckman, but it's a good sign nonethless.

I hope they all want to be a Dee for life ...

Not much has been said about Morton recently - all the talk seems to be about Scully, Jurrah, Grimes, Trengove, Watts, Frawley and a few others. However, this guy has the potential to be one of the best players in the league. He has a huge tank for his size, he reads the game exceptionally well and, despite what many think, he is a very big bloke. He's also very versatile. I think Morton's about 6' 4" and he's put on about 7 kgs recently. He's also starting to accumulate quite a few AFL games and should soon be able to impose himself increasingly on games. Importantly, he also seems to have a very sound character. I reckon this guy's building for a big 2011. It's been said before, but this guy is well placed to be the AFL's next Adam Goodes. And, if he is that player, he'll be up with the most important players in the league. Hence, to many of you, please resist the temptation to default to the boring and cliched Morton bashing (eg, he's soft, his foot skills are poor etc) and acknowledge the upside.

Totally agree. On any construction, players like Brad Miller or Robert Campbell cannot be called 'rookies'.

I reckon Will Ferrell would probably go for the Dees ...

IMO Bruce will most likely regret his decision to leave the club. Even though Junior wanted another year, I've no doubt he'll be cheering as loud as anyone when this club wins its next premiership. And everyone will cheer with him because he's genuinely a club legend. Bruce has just killed any legacy he may have otherwise have enjoyed. To me, that's just not worth the additional dough at this point in time in his career.

Not a lot of love for the Dees amongst those ranks ...

Bruce has made a short term decision. For him, he needs to jag a premiership in the next year or two. If he doesn't, he has killed any legacy he would otherwise have enjoyed at the MFC. Strikes me as a bit of a tool - and probably also a poor decision.

Short of ink on a new MFC contract, I don't really see how that article will allay such fears.

I think this thread is really about Jamie Bennell, rather than the number he may wear next year (or, for that matter, the entire history of number 7s). Hence, not so much 'sweating the small stuff' as perhaps just completely missing the point ...

Jamie Bennell will be an absolute star for this club. I am convinced of this - his class is obvious. He will just continue to improve with more games under his belt. Fully deserves no. 7 if he gets it.

I always find it interesting to see which clubs the draftees support prior to being picked up. Unfortunately too few seem to support the Dees. I understand that it all changes once players get to a club (eg, Chris Judd), but it's nonetheless nice to see the likes of Moloney and Grimes wearing the red and the blue. Looking at Kevin Sheehan's likely top 30 draftees on AFL's website, it seems the two following players support the Dees: Dion Prestia: http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/102362/default.aspx Andrew Gaff: http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/102024/default.aspx Does anyone know whether these guys are a possibility for us? And, if so, what's their form like?

This post sums it up IMO. Should perhaps consider bringing back Junior. As an aside, I hope Bruce gets picked up by Freo or Port. I'm still a little stunned he didn't want to finish his career at the Dees. This wreaks of short term thinking by him - he could've ended his career as a club legend. Why stuff up such loyalty for a bit more dough at the tail end of one's career?! He may come to regret this decision in due course.

Totally agree with the views of others on this thread. A really good find - one of my favourite players too, though I don't really know why. I just like his game.

This news is stunningly good. Superb stuff MFC. Truly superb.