Ron Burgundy

All of whom are being compared to Kelly and or discussed in the context of the Kelly trade and the Kelly draft year. In short, unlike several other threads, this thread still seems very much on point to me.

We've selected some really poor players with first round draft picks and we've done some dumb trades previously, but Kelly for Tyson and Salem ain't in either of these categories. In fact, it was a super astute trade.

That sucks. I really wanted to see a very fit Kent this season. With Hunt and Harmes, he was one of the young ones I had thought/hoped might go up another level this year.

I used to care what Lyon thought about the MFC. I don't anymore.

Fantastic report Vibes, thanks. One of the best I have read.

Hey, I know what it's like: 'One thousand and one, one thousand and two ... '.

Super weird thread.

Trengove is not the liability that many here think he has become.

Nor would I. I still think we're on the right side of this deal, even though Kelly is seriously good. It's deals like this that enabled the club to turn the quality of the list around so quickly.

Nope. Parish was probably the percentage pick given his junior credentials and the fact that he is clearly destined to become a very, very good player. Oliver's upside though is higher IMO. He's an excitement machine. What he brings to the team and to the contest is fantastic, but I see him as being the riskier selection of the two. That said, Oliver could very well be the next Dangerfield (albeit with some Diesel Williams bits fused into him).

I was invited to a GWS coterie function a while ago and got on the cans with Kevin Sheedy. We discussed Josh Kelly (more below). I used to dislike Sheedy until I met him. He's a legend. I've met him a number of times since. My view has not changed. He should've been appointed coach of the MFC in 2008 IMO - all would've been different, but I now don't care because I reckon the club is perfectly positioned for the future and has finally got its act together. Conversation re Josh Kelly went like this: Me: 'What do you think of Kelly for Tyson and pick 9?' Sheedy: 'Stupid deal. Trust me, the Kelly kid is one out of the box - he will be an absolute superstar - we killed this trade.' Me: 'You said that about Scully too.' Sheedy: '@&$% you, ya %*+#head!' Me: 'We're super happy with Tyson and Salem and we need mids desperately, so two for the price of one suits our needs.' Sheedy: 'Tyson ain't that great and Kelly will be a superstar - glad you're pleased with your club about this because Kelly is out of the box and your club could've had him.' Me: 'Like we could've had you Sheeeeeds! ?' Sheeds: 'Yep, exactly. Hate the Melbourne Football Club. Didn't even get invited to the final interview stage. Hopeless $@&%s. They've overlooked me twice now, both as a player and a coach. No wonder they're a freaken basket case!' We then drank more beer.

If he gets elevated prior to the season proper, I can see him lining up against St Kilda in round one (given that Pedo and Hannan have had interrupted pre-seasons and Weids might still be in the development zone).

I was nervous but excited that we picked Oliver over Parish at the time. A season in, that remains my view.

Nope - they'd want Salem and Tyson. Ohh hold on ...

'Offers from other clubs' for a position on their list, or for a position as a coach/fitness guy? In any event, I'm really pleased he stayed with the MFC. He adds so much value to the club.

I reckon 93 kgs is about the perfect weight for Watts. That's big without being too bulky - he needs his aerobic capacity at a good level and too much weight impedes this. I'm a big fan of this bloke. Really hope he has a cracking season.

Is Watts 93 kgs? If so, he's now in the zone. AA is a possibility this season.

They didn't really get rid out Lewis - rather they offered him an ordinary way forward expecting him to fall into line. And he didn't. I cannot wait for the 30 secs before the opening bounce in round 7. Just hope there's one camera dedicated to Jordan Lewis. Will be great to see him confidently marshalling his troops all wearing the red and the blue against the leaderless Hawks. I reckon our junior brigade will walk very tall next to him and generally get around him. Would also be interesting to have another camera fixed on Clarkson to see how much he's enjoying the scene unfold before him. I want to own the Hawks from now on. In fact, our domination of them possibly commenced on 6 Aug 2016. No looking back now.

It's heartening to see someone in the media consistently rate Melbourne. Not the first time Mooney has pumped up our tyres in recent times.

I'll definitely be adding that option. Was probably going to do it anyway, but the 10% extra toughness just sealed the deal.

Off to the tattooist now. You'd better be right on this. I'm relying on you here.

I'm confident of playing finals this year if Gawn remains injury free for the entire season. If, however, Gawn gets injured, we're stuffed. I very much doubt Gawn's back-up will be able to get us there.

Generically, I agree with you, Thrice and Wiseblood on the issue of Co-Captains. I didn't even consider it as a possibility until I read some suggestion on another thread that McCartney had apparently floated the idea as a possibility. Relevantly, I have absolute respect for Jones - I love the bloke and his commitment to this club. My view here is not intended to be a slight on him or his Captaincy - he deserves the position and I think that he should, and obviously will, be maintained in the gig. That said, we have super unusual circumstances here. It is extremely rare that a senior and super well credentialled leader from a highly successful club with potentially more success in front of it, and with that player genuinely having gas left in the tank for at least another three years, seeks out a developing (and let's face it, criminally unsuccessful club over the past 10 years) and says 'I want to join you guys, help you with your development and share in the success over the next few years that we will achieve'. It seems clear that Lewis has joined the club for legitimate reasons. It also seems clear that he commands the respect and ear of the entire player group, including Jones. I however want to see him empowered. For the very reasons each of you are concerned about the Co-Captaincy piece, ironically I think it's a good idea. What I would not like to see is for Lewis not talk to the group at the huddle at 3/4 time in a tight final even though: - he should because he has stacks of experience in such a situation but doesn't want to be seen to be usurping Jones' authority as Captain; and - Jones himself would probably want Lewis to talk to the group but doesn't want to appear to the player group as an impotent Captain in the circumstances. Having Lewis as a Co-Captain negates this. Think about it. We are developing club with aspirations to play finals, and not just one of them. Our leaders including Jones have little to no experience in this zone. Lewis has it in spades. And I want him, and others like Jones, to feel that they have unrestricted access to that knowledge and experience. I suspect Jones would actually be slightly relieved with such an appointment. It's no slight on him, just recognition that we have a new Centurion in the group who needs to be properly empowered for the benefit of everyone. One cannot under-estimate the importance of Lewis to our future success in the coming years. Let's just embrace it.

Lewis is clearly a leader at the club. Co-captains: Jones and Lewis. (Will ensure that Lewis is thoroughly invested in this club AND he deserves it AND I've no doubt the rest of the player group think of him in that light anyway including Jones.) Vice captains: Viney and Vince. Others: Gawn, T Mac and Watts.

No you wouldn't - he's the one player who's going to bring all this talent to a new level. Lewis is a key ingredient to the future success of this club. And he hunted us down to come here. Probably already has legend status at the MFC. ? Disappointed that everyone's leaving out Bernie too. He's MFC through and through now and I'm predicting he'll have a big season. God bless us all, eh.