Junior

We probably will do that this year, but you can't do it every year or you'll end up with a side with no talls. Have to either draft them or trade them in!

From a gambling perspective there's a big difference between trying to lose on the day, or trying to lose via the selection table/putting players out for surgery. From a draft pick perspective it's all the same, whether you don't select your best 22, or play guys out of position, either way it's detrimental to your prospects of winning that week. Either way, by removing the priority picks it should be largely stamped out so let's just move on!!!

Carlton FC, Melbourne FC and the AFL will not want this to progress any further. I don't think other clubs will really invite the distraction either considering 'experimentation' late in the season has been practised by several clubs!!! We'll get ex-players being quoted for a week or two and then another issue will come up and the media can focus on that instead. Brock will shut his face once his very slow brain recognises he's jepardising his upcoming contract negotiations. Seriously though, what a f***en spanner. Finally strings together a few decent games and throws it out the window with some dumb comments.

You can't make a silk purse from a sow's ear.

He'll stay, and he'll bounce back next season. The guy loves the Dees and will continue to try his guts out. Is likely struggling under the increased training load (he's been in the MFC system for too long!), should be fresh for 2013.

Given our long injury list and very poor performance this season, assuming we'll beat all 3 of Port, GWS and GC is a big assumption. Bottom 3 is a near certainty.

Well he probably won't, that's why the club will target any available player who would add value. As mentioned, we got Clark across. Just takes a big offer and a great Powerpoint presentation.

I reckon the worst case scenario is not spending the money and just drafting kids again with plenty of spare room in the Cap. We have an obvious lack of A grade 25+ year olds on our list. If we can snare Cloke or Goddard or any player of that ilk, without interfering with our drafting then I reckon it's a win win. No doubt Misson would have a good idea of whether Goddard is past his best, or just having an off year and in need of a change. Goddard and Watts playing up the wing would be handy. If they're talking about 7 years...well I guess if it's heavily front loaded it doesn't make much of a difference whether it's 5 or 7 does it? The total cost, and to what extent we're sacrificing spending the money on a more suitable player is what matters.

2 of those early picks are a direct result of $cully f**king us around last year. That is one of the significant factors in our ongoing struggle in my view. He would have been very handy in our midfield this year. We can bag him all we want but the kid has got some pace.

The timing of the payment is worth considering...the way we're going we'll have plenty of spare Cap over the next 2 years in particular. We have 4 high draft picks to use to try and mend the midfield issue, plus the rest of our list will be settled into the elite training load by next season. Should be able to put together a decent midfield considering those 2 factors (fitness and 4-5 new kids to choose from). The guys we draft will be on rookie wages, which should give us plenty of scope to front-load a contract to a big name player if we can land one. Effectively we could get Cloke without really impacting the rest of our list, as he may be paid with spare salary cap space that wouldn't otherwise be used. Having said all that, I think it's unlikely we'll land him, the Pies or the Blues will likely end up with him under some sort of dodgy arrangement.

Yes!!

Please make these chants happen! One thing that really gets to me at the footy is the lack of decent chants or singalongs (not MFC specific, applies to every club). I find this really really embarrassing: Melbourne *clap clap clap* Melbourne *clap clap clap*. Surely we can do better!!!

I like it. I like how dumb it is. Fulfils the stereotype and will definitely sh*t opposition supporters once we're winning games.

Awesome news!!! He's the most important player we have >25 yo I reckon. Beamer will stay for sure.

Dr drake, I agree at this stage in our cycle we should only run a small profit. However when we do start winning games and playing finals, it would be nice to set aside some profit to invest in long term assets. If we had a larger and stronger balance sheet it would serve to provide some security for the club next time we go through tough financial times. Build up an asset base in the good times, so the option is there to sell down some assets in a tough financial period.

That's the beauty of the MCC for dees supporters, when the going gets tough you can sadly retreat to the Frank grey and watch whatever other game is on and chat to friends. The day isn't a total loss that way. It may seem sad to some, but it means you keep turning up each week despite the quality of the contest.

There was a stat posted here a few weeks ago which showed MFC players running 30% FURTHER per match this season compared to last per GPS data. Anyone know where that came from and if it's accurate? If so, it really does give us hope for next year. Would be interested to know if that stat is true of the past few weeks.

Agreed, I've been of this opinion since the day he was drafted. For those calling for him to be dropped, take a look at the stats, and make a list of the players who didn't go hard enough. If you have Watts near the top of your list to be omitted then you're mad. His kick ins from full back (excluding the terrible one in the last quarter) were the best we've seen outside of Frawley's work over the past few years, and for the most part, he worked very hard...like most of our guys he lacks the fitness to run out 4 quarters and slowed down in the last. But that will come with another pre-season of working at the required intensity under the new coaching regime.

If we finish bottom 2 this year, I reckon we'll really struggle to increase numbers for next year. We've been battling in the lower rungs for too long now, only wins on the board will revitalise the supporters out there. Other than wins, I guess a couple of really good trades at season's end might create some hope for round 1 2013.

I think he will be one of the club's greatest players, when we dig ourselves out of this terrible form slump. His natural talent is immense. I agree he needs more intensity and hardness at the ball, but I'm confident he has a strong desire to be an elite footballer. You can see it in interviews. It will come with more development, experience, and a bit more size....it will also come once we win some bloody games. Today he was good, until the last quarter. But I think that's just a fitness issue, combined with a need for more intensity. However that can be said for most of the 22 guys out there today, OK/good until the 4th. Then threw the towel in.

I didn't provide any opinion in that post, Ted Fidge, just thought it interesting to read an article by the man in question from 12 months ago. I think it simply highlights how quickly things can change.

Fight for 2014 flag? Date: June 25 2011 Garry Lyon In a race up the ladder, the Demons may hold an edge over the Tigers. WHILE today's game between Richmond and Melbourne, rightfully, assumes massive importance in the context of this season's race to the finals, the bigger, more important question that needs to be debated is which of these two promising, on the rise outfits is closest to genuinely challenging for that elusive premiership. For the Tigers, September action has been a largely foreign concept. Two finals campaigns in 28 years has been an indictment on a proud football club that had delivered five premierships to their army of supporters in a glorious 14-year stretch between 1967 and 1980. The Demons have not been much better. Granted, they have been reasonably successful in finding their way to the serious end of the year, having participated in 12 finals series in the past 24 years, including two grand finals, but their premiership drought extends to 1964. For a team that celebrated six premierships in 10 years under Norm Smith, from 1955 to 1964, coming up 50 years since their last flag is enormously disappointing. So it is little wonder that Richmond versus Melbourne on a Saturday afternoon at the MCG, with each team well placed to once again become a genuine contender, has generated such enormous interest and expectation. But while finals are very much in the frame for both teams, a legitimate tilt at a premiership would still appear to be a couple of years off. So, using 2014 as the year where the lists of these two young teams are best placed to make the move from ''potential'' to ''challenger'', who is ahead in the race right now? DEFENCE The Demons' back six, on what we have seen, appears a little stronger. James Frawley has an All-Australian to his name, Jared Rivers has recaptured his NAB Rising Star form, Jack Grimes is a potential club captain and Luke Tapscott shapes as a 150-200-game player. For Richmond, Dylan Grimes took some giant steps forward before his hamstring injury, Alex Rance has resurrected his career and Reece Conca is every bit as promising as Tapscott. Chris Newman is a beauty, but will be 32 by then. Bachar Houli can be expected to continue to improve. Verdict: Melbourne, just. MIDFIELD This is the area where both clubs are beautifully placed. Richmond's Brett Deledio (pick 1), Trent Cotchin (pick 3) and Dustin Martin (pick 3) form the nucleus of the most potentially devastating midfield in the competition. The flexibility and versatility of all three players is something to behold, with each of them capable of hitting the scoreboard and Deledio having proved he can be an elite rebounding defender. Shaun Grigg is a prolific ball winner, Nathan Foley a best-and-fairest winner, and Robin Nahas, Daniel Jackson and Matt White provide impressive depth. Demons Tom Scully (pick 1) and Jack Trengove (pick 2) have left no one in any doubt they will be in the elite bracket of midfielders within 12 months. Jordie McKenzie is rated enormously highly at Melbourne, Jordan Gysberts continues to find the football and there are big expectations for young Sam Blease. Brent Moloney and Colin Sylvia will both be pushing 30 and their best footy may be behind them but, if their bodies stand up, they will continue to be important contributors. Jack Viney, the father-son selection courtesy of former great Todd, gives every indication he will be an outstanding replacement for both, as a ferocious, inside competitor. Verdict: Richmond, just. RUCKS Max Gawn is being groomed to take the role from Mark Jamar at Melbourne and, in a couple of years, should be the legitimate No. 1 man. Jamar provides plenty as a ''power forward'' and, given the rate of development of Stefan Martin, he could be anything. I love the heart and work ethic of big Tiger Andrew Browne and Tyrone Vickery may be the most improved player in the competition. Vickery, however, may be more ''forward'' than ruck. Verdict: Melbourne. FORWARDS Tiger Jack Riewoldt is the standout in both teams. For Melbourne, Jack Watts, Liam Jurrah and Jamar look capable on paper, but as yet haven't got the score on the board, while there is plenty to like about Jeremy Howe and Lucas Cook. A genuine, small crumbing forward is a priority in the coming drafts. If Vickery spends more time forward then Richmond is well served in the key posts. Ben Griffiths and Jayden Post have shown glimpses, and certainly have the right frames and athleticism and there is genuine hope that in a couple of years they will settle in key positions, whether back or forward. King provides defensive pressure and ''grunt'' in the small forward role, so important in the modern game. Verdict: Richmond. DEPTH/TRADEABILITY Melbourne will monitor closely the performance of Aaron Davey, Nathan Jones, Lynden Dunn, Ricky Petterd, Addam Maric, Matthew Warnock, Matthew Bate, Jack Fitzpatrick, Neville Jetta, Rohan Bail and Clint Bartram. Richmond has David Astbury, Daniel Connors, David Goudis, Luke McGuane, Mitch Farmer, Ben Nason, Mitch Morton, Jeromey Webberley, Tom Hislop and Matt Dea. Verdict: Melbourne. CONCLUSION The unknown, of course, is how well the teams perform at the three national drafts before the 2014 season begins, once again underscoring the enormous importance that recruiters assume within a club structure. Granted, I may be more familiar with the Melbourne list, but having spent considerable time on this exercise I believe that the Demons are ahead in the race for that next elusive premiership. Richmond's three elite midfielders - Cotchin, Martin and Deledio - along with Riewoldt, its Coleman Medal full-forward, puts it ahead in the ''elite'' stakes, but the Melbourne depth, going forward, gets them the points. With 14 first-round picks at Melbourne, as opposed to six at Richmond, it suggests the potential for significant improvement is in favour of the Demons, although picks don't necessarily translate to results. There may also be more currency in the Melbourne list at the draft table if the Demons decide to get aggressive in coming years, with Greater Western Sydney looking to build its list. The good news is that both clubs have once again become relevant in the competition, and while it may be a long shot, another Saturday meeting between these two teams on a sunny afternoon at the MCG on the final weekend of the 2014 season would be a dream come true for their long-suffering, but faithful supporters.

Watts is one of the most gifted/skilled players at the club, placing him in the forward line where's there's almost no delivery won't do anyone any good. Better to at least try and take advantage of his skill off half back, as that's where it's most needed at the moment. MIDFIELD is the big issue at the moment, hopefully trading, drafting and improved fitness can rectify this. Once that has been sorted Watts can move into a more attacking role.

Really enjoyed this match. Will have to get out to a game soon. Loved Blease's run, it's a matter of time before he dominates a game for Casey. Hopefully soon.

Jurrah was benched a fair bit in the 2nd half, as was Watts and Green. All 3 of those blokes will be up for selection I reckon. Nicholson made errors but worked hard and got plenty of it, as did Dunn. So much more entertaining watching the Scorps than the Dees at the moment.