Ron Burgundy

I just knew we'd lose that game. That said, if we limp into the finals, we'll probably beat the Swans at the SCG for the first time in 400 years and then go on to win the flag.

At least if we limp into the 8 (go Crows), we might not play the Swans at the SCG. That prospect was hardly a reward for winning this game.

Watched the game on tv today. The umpiring was genuinely ridiculous. Not one 50 50 went our way.

Virtually all of our current success and future success is due to Roos and what he built and inspired in others. He was given a brief. And he executed it perfectly. We were an absolute basket case - we're now a destination club. Roos is an MFC legend.

Just can't see us beating Sydney at the SCG. That joint is a fortress, the Swans are the best team in the comp, and we are always hopeless at the SCG. Most likely result - we get flogged, I yell abuse at everyone including my girlfriend's parents, and I get banned for life from the SCG (even though I'm a member). Geez, I hope we play Port in Adelaide.

Simply cannot happen at this stage in the season - or even prior to the trade period. Plenty of moving parts even if Lever wants to get to the Dees (which I highly doubt he has said to anyone, given that the Crows are on the verge of a finals campaign).

Shows how things have turned. In every year gone past for the past decade, the trade rumour thread is the most exciting thing to read at this time of year. But not this year. Not yet at least. Our heart is still beating. Almost can't believe it.

Word has it, Matty J was spotted seen having coffee with Bernie Vince the other week. He was also seen checking out South Yarra apartments on Domain.com on his iPhone. Apparently grew up as a Demons' supporter. And Josh Mahoney's wife is addicted to watching The Bachelor. Just sayin' ...

Lever seems to be the target and I'm super happy about that. Kelly would be great, obviously - but it seems to be absolutely unrealistic to think we could land both without putting a major step back in some other area of our list (ie, giving required players away) and our list is shaping up nicely now. I hope the club continues to focus on landing Lever. This Kelly rumour seems to be just wish-thinking and noise.

This year's Queen's Birthday game was the closest thing I have seen to a nail biting, heavily contested, final in recent years. And Watts was just superb.

Jack Watts is exactly the player we need in the big games when it's coming down to the line. For the first time in his career, we're entering big game territory. As Roos has said, there's no player in the team he wanted to have the ball more in his hand when the game was in the clinches than Jack Watts. He is calm under pressure, has brilliant vision, and is a terrific disposer of the ball. We need that player in the finals. That said, I really don't know who he should replace. He doesn't seem a natural swap for Wagner. And Pedo is currently in AA form. Will be interesting to see the team sheet later today.

I thought second rounds picks were absolute bargains for each of Vince, Melksham and Hibberd. I was completely on the money. That said, I also thought Lumumba would be a great pick up for us. ? We were apparently going to select Melksham with pick 11 in 2009. The Dons selected him with pick 10, and we then suprised the industry by picking Gysberts at 11 (overlooking Talia). At least we've been able to make amends.

I actually like Buckley. Hope we beat his side by 80 points this Saturday.

Player assessments above - won't reflect match-review

Carlton might want Pedo now.

Sydney are the best team in the comp. Playing them at home would be the worst possible fixture.

I bloody love Pedo! Compare this to the old elite at the MFC (Moloney, Sylvia etc) who'd post off season gangster shots of themselves from some cheesy pool party in Vegas.

More garbo.

I'm watching a reply of last night's AFL 360. David King was just discussing the 'evenness' of the ruckman this year, and said that McEvoy is probably leading the pack. He then said, for the 8 games that Cam Pedersen rucked solo, Champion Data had him as clearly the number one ruckman in the competition. He's a 193cm utility. The guy is a legend. He's all heart. So pleased (and relieved) he's had the season he's had, both for himself and the club. His performances have been absolutely critical for us. No doubt there'll be a lot of silence from those posters who authoratively proclaimed him to be a list clogger and nothing more than a VFL player. They've obviously been absolutely wrong though - his contributions have kept our season alive. Pleasingly, the football department has acknowledged this through extending his contract. I just wish he played a few more games earlier in the season. Perhaps we'd now be pushing for the top 4? Well done Cam. Hats off to you. A true Demon.

I reckon he has stuff to work on, much like 97% of the players in the competition. He was awesome prior to his injury, but hasn't recaptured that form following his injury. We need to win every game and can't afford to carry out of form players. Watts is out of form. At his best, he's a match winner, he's mercurial, and he's a required player. BUT a lot of posters here are intent on plugging him at every opportunity. Nothing knew - all cliched and repetitious stuff. I will give this bloke the biggest cheer if and win we ever win the flag and he gets presented with a GF medallion. Xx

He thinks James Frawley is still marshalling our defence.

We've had a simply ridiculous run with injuries (and suspensions) this season.

If the footy department could even be bothered to read this stuff, they'd laugh and shrug their shoulders. It just doesn't reflect reality. He's an on field coach and leader out there. Such a viewpoint is simply ludicrous in the context of where this team's at and what it needs, especially in close games and, fingers crossed, finals. Everyone knows this, surely.

Totally agree. I really look forward to seeing him back in the red and the blue as soon as his form warrants selection (which I expect will be almost immediately).

And Garlett.