Ron Burgundy

Whilst I don't dispute what you are saying here, I trust Goodwin and Macca to get this stuff right. They have proven themselves to be great developers of younger players and, more relevantly, of a good club culture. If they think this is important for this group, I expect it is. I get your point though.

Possibly, but I hope he's put back on the ball this season. He's hard, experienced and skilled - he adds more value in the midfield IMO. Hibberd, Hunt and Wagner (and possibly Melksham) to share the half back roles next year.

As is Collingwood at number 4. St Kilda is probably a little bit better than their ranking as well. Why didn't Bernie rate a mention? He's worthy of a mention in any team. We have a bloody good midfield now: Jones, Tyson, Viney, Gawn, Lewis, Vince, Oliver, Brayshaw, Stretch, Harmes, AVB, Petracca, Melksham, Salem. Most opposition coaches would like to have this group.

We will play finals in 2017. Bickley missed the key issue. Max Gawn must remain fit for the entire season. It's actually that simple.

I think Pedo is consistently underrated by many here. He is a solid mark and always provides a contest. His last quarter in the win against Hawthorn was very good - it illustrates what he can do. Whilst he is clearly on borrowed time given the future development of Weideman, he is still a very effective option. Contracts are no longer given to list cloggers by this club.

Paul Roos was our saviour.

This is red hot, if true. For a start, it is absolutely inconsistent with the AFL's stance on treatment of players suffering concussion. It's an opportunity to upgrade one of the Smiths.

If Crossy was a dog, he'd be the best Aussie Kelpie in the land.

It seems clear that we now have genuine depth, but we also have quite different but effective alternative options all over the field, eg, Garlett, VDB and Petracca as mids or forwards, Watts on the wing or as a dedicated forward, Hunt off half back or as an outside mid etc. In short, we have several players who can be dangerous in multiple positions - that spells 'deadly' for an opposition coach. The list is starting to develop its own X factor.

There are several CEOs of top 50 ASX listed entities who are far less impressive than McLachlan who are paid more than him.

We're top 8 next year.

Will Mitch Hannan be played exclusively as a lead up forward, or will he also rotate through the midfield/wing?

Low 60s.

ABC's Radio National last night aired Martin Flanagan's opening oration at the Sports Writers Festival, which was held in Melbourne in October earlier this year. I found it really interesting. He discusses the Liam Jurrah episode at length towards the end of the session. Touches on many current issues facing society, essentially through the lens of AFL. Discusses the Michael Long sniper hit on Troy Simmonds in the 2000 Granny too. Here it is for anyone interested in listening to it: http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/bigideas/politics-and-sport/8013166

What's Sylvia actually up to these days?

These stats do: Round 4 Sunday, April 17 COLLvMELB Collingwood9.13 (67)Melbourne16.6 (102) MCG3:20PM Round 5 Sunday, April 24 MELBvRICH Melbourne20.9 (129)Richmond14.12 (96) MCG7:10PM Round 12 Monday, June 13 MELBvCOLL Melbourne16.8 (104)Collingwood8.10 (58) MCG3:20PM

There's not a coach in the league who'd prefer to have Richmond's or Collingwood's midfield over ours, Buckley and Hardwick included.

Great story - thanks for sharing. As an aside, I signed up my son, Henry, at about 20 weeks, upon finding out his gender. He was little more than a bump at that stage. Henry is now three and a half years old, yet his new membership card correctly states that he is a 5 year member. I'm pleasantly surprised that the club allowed it - but, then again, back in those days we needed the members: it was the darkest period before dawn.

Perhaps, but I'd like to continue consistently shafting them on the field more.

So much rests on Max Gawn remaining uninjured for the entire season.

GWS - second oldest list. Wouldn't have predicted that one. No wonder they're in their premiership window now.

I'm not sure I agree with the whole 'is Grimes better than [insert name of new recruit]' argument as to whether our list has improved or not. Plainly our list has improved during this trade and draft period, but that is not the only driver as to why certain players have been moved on and new players brought in. The reality is that AFL lists continually evolve - they are a continuum. We have genuine midfield depth now. In fact, but for the ruck, we have genuine depth everywhere. The likes of Grimes, Newton, Matt Jones, Dawes, Michie were obviously, in the view of the football department, not going to take our AFL side any further next year, nor did they have any further 'development' potential as they had been in the system for a long time and they are mature bodied players. In short, they have been replaced with players whom the club sees as either: - immediately improving our AFL side eg, Lewis, Melksham and Hibberd; or - having 'development' potential/upside and who may improve our AFL side in the future eg, Hannan, Johnstone, McKenna. The list seems very well balanced in terms of having a blend of older and younger players, experienced and not so experienced players. In fact, I can't remember our list being so well structured before - and this trade and draft period only enhanced this.

Will be disappointed with anything less than 8th. The building blocks are in place. It's time to deliver now.

His perseverance has been Herculean. His professionalism is lauded by everyone. There is no way he's in the rehab group b/c he's out of condition as a result of being too heavily on the cans in the off season etc. I'm sure it's just part of his (modified) programme.

Absolutely.