Roost It

There is no way the club intends to win more than 4 games. The lure of the top 2 picks in the last untainted draft would be at the forefront of future planning. Butcher and Watts could well be the the saviour of our club from both a winning games perspective and also marketing and attracting a better draw. Without Franklin Hawthorn would be minus a premeirship and 10,000 members less. You do the math!

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Team for 2010 and news clipping as well. Fairly pointless but you have to let the imagination out from time to time! It's not a bad side if all goes as we hope B Rivers Warnock Frawley HB Garland Martin Davey C Morton Grimes Blease HF Jurrah Watts Miller FF Petterd Butcher Wonaeamirri FOLL Meesen Scully Jones INT Strauss Mclean Bennell Maric EM Spencer Jetta Moloney McNamara Team 2010 Round 8 Melbourne currently sitting 4 wins and 4 losses seem to be fielding their strongest side in years with the inclusion of boom recruits Tom Scully and John Butcher. Liam Jurrah comes back into the side after kicking 21 goals for Casey, a VFL/VFA record. Tom McNamara unlucky to miss out. Coach Dean Bailey was seen licking his lips in anticipation of the Watts Butcher combination

Comments like this do nothing but further tarnish the club in the eyes of football followers. It was loose and we should all expect more from Gary.

He was never soft

Take it easy. Look at Robbo's 10 games last year, prior to his achilles snapping. If that's what you want tought to our new kids then god help us. His best was good for a highlights reel but if we are to become a premeirship team then it's TEAM players we need. Robbo is not and has never been what this club really needs.

I'd say our coaches have that pretty well covered He was good for one, maybe 2 seasons the rest is average. He may of excited the crowd but I'd say he spent more time frustrating his teammates with his need to fly for the big mark whilst leaving the team play to others. I don't want to Robbo bash but he is no longer what we need. We need well drilled team focused players for the future and he doesn't fit in.

What exactly is Robbo going to teach the forwards. Newton has limited if any upside, Miller plays to the best of his ability. Watts doesn't need lessons from Robbo and if he does he was a poor pickup. Bate just needs to learn to play to his strengths which don't include high marking. Although I have enjoyed Robbo's career he isn't part of the future. The current AFL team is built around just that, the "team" Robbo is an individual and that's fine but his day's are numbered. Playing him will have little to no benefit. In his day he was an average player in a relatively stong forward line, those day's are gone.

His efforts last year were ordinary at best. Take away his junk time goals and you are left with the odd high leap, little to no defensive pressure and a poor example of a "team" player. The fact that he's our best forward says very little about his talents. Explain how Robbo will help Watts in any way. I will say it again. He has no part in our future, he'll be lucky to play any more than 6 games for us this year. Will end up at Casey and retire at year's end.

many of you seem to think that Robbo will make a winning difference to our side. You are all absolutely kidding yourselves. He's old, slow and was past it before he snapped his achilles. He has no part to play in our future and is lucky to be still in the game at all.

Although I still hold ever diminishing hopes he'll fulfill his potential I don't think he warrants a picture on the home page of Demonland. I realise it's not a massive deal but let's face it, he's in trackpants and probably clapping himself. Time for someone who bleeds red and blue. I'll leave the choice upto one of our esteemed moderators. And can you put Jack in a Melbourne jumper!

nice observation

Pick 18 don't you mean

Is it broken? When did it happen?

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The AFL currently gives us $1 million in "suck on this draw" assistance. The renegotiations with the MCC have stalled with us already $900,000 better off. I'd say we'll be telling the AFL to hold the handouts sooner than you think. That's without the improved draw that comes as we climb the ladder.

Warnock to Cloke. He took the honours last year quite comfortably. Garland seems a good match for Anthony, Frawley to have a go on Rocca if he plays, his pace could really exploit Rocca if he's not fully fit. Rivers to Didak Bartram to take Thomas Cheney to Davis

Jack Watts. I feel we may need another win this year as well

The club probably see the MCC as the parent who had their children move out because they saw there parents as old school and not upto speed with the latest trends. (From my understanding this is partly correct as the MCC was slow to move from amateur sporting organisation to professional stadium.) Now the child, realising how hard the world is when you try and live on reputation alone wants to move back home. Will it help our club? I think so but we need details. The lack of 1 place to call home during the season is still a massive concern and Bubbledome just doesn't feel right to me. Time will tell!

Whether what he says is true or not is not the point. Bringing it all up at this time is most definately sour grapes. We couldn't afford JBrown, he would never in a million years come to us, He wouldn't of lasted the contact, we've just recruited some of the best youngsters in the country. What other lasting way to we have to go besides the one we have chosen. Are you telling us that the current footy dept. aren't well aware of the urgency. Maybe you should go and talk to Bailey and Connolly and then see how you feel. The truth hurts.

And now a lsit of the most important. 1. Jack Watts 2. Brock Mclean 3. Jared Rivers 4. Colin Garland 5. Colin Sylvia 6. Cale Morton 7. Jack Grimes 8. Aaron Davey 9. Brad Miller 10. Adam Maric 11. Simon Buckley 12. Matthew Warnock 13. Stef Martin 14. James Frawley 15. Matthew Bate 16. Brad Green 17. Lynden Dunn 18. Nathan Jones 19. Brent Moloney 20. Paul Johnson 21. Ricky Petterd 22. Austin Wonamaerri 23. James McDonald 24. Cam Bruce 26. Matthew Whelan 26. Micheal Newton 27. Clint Bartram 28. Mark Jamar 29. Daniel Bell 30. Paul Wheatley 31. Russell Robertson

Dunn, Bate, Davey, Whelan, Rivers and we'll look ok

I see your point but in my opinion Rivers still goes top 10 in our best list Watts - easily top 20 on our best, regardless of whether he has played or not, feel free to find 20 better players on our list - no easy feat! With Robbo I took into account that he is well past his best, something both Moloney and Rivers potentially are not. PJ could be higher but he's no star. Doing this list made one point terribly clear - Our list is weak - Let's hope the recruits live up to expectations.

I'll have ago at a list of the best. As I see it. 1. Brock Mclean - If he stays on the park he will be the likely B&F winner in 09 and captain in 2010. 2. Cam Bruce - best and fairest winner- shouldn't have to say more but will. Poor disposal let him down at times last year. Other than that he was still our most valuable player. More touches than any other. Others criticism of him shows little understanding of the game. He actually wins plenty of his own ball and although not an enforcer he isn't soft. 3. Brad Green - would of been happy to trade him for pick 16 but there's no denying he's become a determined, strong, brave and classy player. 4. Cale Morton - For an 18 year old he ripped it apart last year, will be an excellent player in the near future. 5. Colin Garland - Claver, good skills, knows where to be, punches above his weight, just ask Buddy. Could well become a leader in the future. 6. Brad Miller - stepped up last year and plays with a real determination that I admire. Not the best forward in the land but without any help held his own and plays for the jumper. Can't ask for anymore than that. Needs another good year. 7.Colin Sylvia - If it's true that he "trained the house down" Colin could well be a real bolter this year. Fingers well and truly crossed as I'm a big fan. 8. Jared Rivers - Again if it's true that he's training and fit he'll climb much higher, needs to play some footy to show he still has it, which I'm sure he still has. 9. James McDonald - Very happy to see our team run out behind this guy. Smart, tough as they come, gives it everything, will lead with his heart on his sleave. Has the game past him by, a little, but this will be an honour he well deserves. Let's hope his young team mates can learn from him. 10.Brent Moloney - Needs a few more tricks but leaves nothing on the park. Please Brent, don't get injured! 11. Nathan Jones - With support should become a valuable member of our midfield. Last year would have been very tough for him. However I think it wouldh've been very good for his development. He certainly knows what it takes to play AFL. I think we'll find his resolve was hardened over the last 12 months, will enjoy having Brock and Brent next to him, And who wouldn't? 12. Aaron Davey - Consistency a problem but is one of our few potential match winners. With good coaching and plenty of tiime up forward is due a good year, maybe even a great one. 13. Simon Buckley - strong, fierce, determined, fast and just seems to have what it takes. Needs to learn some detail but could be a real beauty. 14. Lynden Dunn - I'm calling 08 a development year for Lynden. Think he should play forward/Midfield and pick up the opposing sides most attacking HB flanker. I have the feeling this is the role he's being groomed for already. I think Heath Shaw's nightmares are going to have Lynden in them in the not too distant future. 15. Matthew Bate - Has shown glimpse of what he is capable of and if he produces that on a regular basis should become a very important player for us. He's got good hands, a booming kick and needs a good player to mind him. 16. Jack Watts - I know he hasn't played a game but he's training with us which in my opinion puts him ahead of many on our list. 17. Matthew Whelan - tough, strong, dependable and if fit should give us 2 -3 more solid seasons. His dash and strength has been sorely missed 18. Matthew Warnock - Given some very harrowing assignments last season and rarely left the ground a beaten man. A solid pre season and some midfield support should see him continue in that vain this year. 19. Stef Martin - I'm a fan and reckon he could turn out to be a revelation over the next few years. Needs 2 -3 more years in the system before we see his best. Could also see him as a future forward option Has time and space which is a huge plus. He also runs like the wind. 20. Jack Grimes - On reputation alone he's in my top 20. If you believe any of the hype this kids a monty to be a 10 year player for the club. 21. Adam Maric - Shows plenty of what this club really needs. CLASS. I really think this kids going to be something special. Appears his pre season's been interrupted which is a real pity. We may have to wait a few months to see him back in the team. I think the wait will be well worth it. 22. Paul Johnson - Not as big a fan as some but I do like his style. Gives it his all and will probably keep improving over the next few years, probably unlucky to be this low on the list. 23. Russell Robertson - I fear that he's finished at the top level. I'm very happy to be proved wrong. 24. Austin Wonamaerri - Keep improving Wona because we all love you. Has that ability to get excited and get us excited. In this day and age he's a breath of fresh air and I really hope he'll eek out a position in our best 22 over the next few years. 25. James Frawley - Hasn't performed yet but I fully expect James to become a member of our next premeirship backline. Has the pedigree and shows enough for me to believe he has a real future at the club. 26. Clint Bartram - Is he good enough? Time will tell. Certainly had a great year first up, and I'm yet to form an opinion on him. However, I'm not sure he fits in to our skilled, fast future. 27. Daniel Bell - Not out of the question that he could improve markedly and leave some people around here with egg on their face, but probably won't. 28. Ricky Petterd - Have I missed something. The handful of games have been sadly over shadowed by injury. Let's hope he can lift his output to match his reputation around here. 29. Paul Wheatley - Don't expect him to be anywhere near the top 22 when we challenge again. 30. Micheal Newton - It's all up to Micheal. Another who needs to play the house down instead of training the house down. 31. Mark Jamar - See above. Although to be fair, The Russian gives it his all and is unfairly criticied at times. McNamara, Cheney and Meesen - Jury is out on the first 2, Jury has already hung the 3rd guy. Let's hope they all turn out to be great players. You Know what, let's hope one of them becomes a regular this year.

In a playing group of 40+ players leadership groups serve an important function. They allow all players easy access to designated leaders. That access involves both someone to look upto, someone to ask questions and also someone to pull you up when your performance is below what is axpexted. This can be done at training and more importantly in the heat of a match. Peer review is a very powerful tool in getting the best out of players. Strong leadership groups are far from irrelevant. In fact they have grown out of the very need for them to exist.