Roost It

Only Richmond can stop us getting Butcher. Jurrah is speculative but still offers us more upside than Robertson Watts will play forward for us next year Robbo is competing for a spot in the forward line Newton, well Newton's Newton! I can't believe he got a 2 year contract. Robertson, although a crowd favourite for his enthusiasm isn't the model required for Melbourne going forward. My point being that the other possible delistings, Dunn and Buckley, at least have age and upside on their side.

I agree but Richmond are very ordinary and we might end up with picks 1 and 3.

To discount him because of a supposed weakness in talking to the media is harsh. I'm making the call on what I've seen and heard of him this year. I know it's a long shot but currently he's closer to the top than both Mclean and Watts

A forward line including Watts, Butcher, Jurrah, Petterd, Wonaeamirri, Miller/Newton doesn't need Robbo. The side's changed too much for him to be of much value. I can't see Newton making it either but he's contracted.

I was all for Mclean but it's not going to happen. I'd have Davey being a real bolter. Watts or Grimes in the end.

Being ruthless means cutting Robertson. he's not that good. Buckley would be stiff but it's possible. I also have my doubts about Cheney. What position would he play in? We need a minimum of 6 spots, probably 7. Spencer is likely to be elevated. I'd say valenti will get game time this year but I'd say he'll go, along with Zomer. Tough calls for the club this year. The list is improving.

Uninjured we'll go close to finals next year. There's a list of clubs who are struggling at the wrong time. North, Richmond, Collingwood, Brisbane, Adelaide, Port, Freo and the Swans. Then there's the age of the Cats in a year or 2. Carlton, Bulldogs, Essendon, WC all have major deficiencies. That leaves Us, the Saints and Hawthorn as contenders over the next 5 year. Even the Saints may have some holes in a year or 2. I think bailey's the man for the job

He's fast, has never broken a game open and often kicks long in a hurry to the opposition. Despite this I doubt he'd be cut.

There's a fine line between courage and recklesness. Rance, like our own Jared Rivers, walks this line on tiptoes.

Would it be negligent for the club to win more than 4 games?

I'd cut Wheatley, Whelan, McDonald, Jamar, Bell and Robertson before Dunn. In saying this I would need to see continued improvement in his form for the remainder of the year. The pressure is mounting on him and Bate to deliver on their potential. We must remember they are still young.

I think the club needs to persist with these 2. There's talent there it just needs to be drawn out.

Never thought I'd be happy with an alternative strip but this one's pretty good. Wearing at our interstate games seems like common sense from the club. One question though, What's going to happen when we play a home game against Essendon? (Hasn't happened for awhile as the AFL tightened the screws on struggling cllubs) What I don't want to see happen is the club buckling the way North has with Collingwood.

Gerard's still hurting from the 87 final when we hammered him and his Swanettes!

The thing is our crapness is starting to lift and we might just beat a few too many of the other ordinary sides. 4 wins, 2 picks, that'a my new motto.

This game makes me nervous!

It would be a big mistake to let Petterd go. Good footy player aren't easy to come by so when we get them we need to hold onto them. With a forward line hopefully boasting Jurrah, Watts, Butcher, Maric and Wona and possibly Martin I think Miller's the obvious choice. I don't want to see him go but probably better than losing Petterd. I'm really glad we've bottomed out now!

The problem with this scenario is that you disenfranchise 6000 people who no longer go to watch the club. These small crowds cause several problems, 1. Make the club less attractive to sponsors. 2. Less people attend and thus less merchandise is sold. 3. They make it harder to sell memberships as plenty of Demon supporters don't want to go to Visy. 4. It's Carlton's home, need I say more! However why can't the MCC/MFC close the top deck of the MCG at such games and then allow our supporters on the ground for a kick at the end. There's enough money in football for the club to be compensated for these small drawing games. When our form improves we should be able to comfortably attract 25 - 30,000 people to games against the interstate clubs, except Gold Coast and West Sydney. Stick to the MCG, spreading our home games around further weakens the club.

Out: Meesen In: Spencer We have to keep playing Bate and Dunn. I think they are potentiallly good ordinary players for us. Please keep Martin away from centre bounces!

The point is Rhino is that middle ranked clubs won't have any valuable draft picks over the next few years so players like Sylvia won't just be cut from lists they'll get traded.

Fair enough

Are you saying that we would expect to just cut him and get nothing in return? You have to remember that in the year's ahead the middle ranked club's are going to really struggle using the draft. They will have to trade and players of Sylvia's ability will be tradeable.

My point is that Buckley, Bate, Dunn and Sylvia have all shown something. I would hope that if Bailey and co. can't make MFC players out of them then it is still quite possible another coach would see something in them. They all have some redeeming qualities, I wouldn't expect first round picks for them but I'd expect us to get something for them. I actually think there's still a chance they will become serviceable players for us in the future. By the way you can hold the "Dream on" comment for someone else.

Agreed, I'd add Wheatley and possibly PJ. Buckley, Bate, Dunn, Sylvia and PJ are all potential trades when GC arrives. I'm still hoping the first 4 become strong MFC players.