Beamer

Viney

Tingay

Lovett.

TJ was better than all - When he wanted. Unfortunately.

It's gotta be Moloney. Green as VC.

Solid performance against a strong side. The boys didn't throw in the white flag after a poor first quater, which was brave.

I still think we struggled connecting rebound 50's to Forward 50 entries. In contrast to the last two weeks, I think we also struggled with defensive pressure. Something I feel should be extra emphisised on against Geelong.

Sylvias suspension could cost him the DPOY and the Bluey.

Damn it.

Spoke to Colin in the rooms after the game. I mentioned exactly this and he said bluntly 'I'm about the team, not awards, as nice as they are'.

6 Moloney

5 Bennell

4 Grimes

3 Green

2 Bartram

1 Jurrah.

Now he is doing exactly what a big man should do, physically intimidating his opponent, taking contested marks and moving the ball quickly by hand.

Since returning from injury he has been absolutely fantastic and credit to him for continuing to improve.

As a side note, I think his development this year is right on track. He was picked up as a rookie in 2001, and now at 25 is starting to reach his peak. That is about average for really big ruckman.

Well said Jaded.

may the Russian's renaissance continue.

Im guessing your forgetting Geelong. One of the best teams to go round and when did they bottom out??

From 2001-03 Geelong finished twelfth, ninth and twelfth respectively. During which time they picked up Gary Ablett Jnr, Paul Chapman, Jimmy Bartel, Joel Corey, James Kelly and Ottens in 2004.

Geelong didn't completely bottom out, but they did have a rebuilding phase.

Watts: The great white fear.

Is he tough enough?

This will be the most argued point on demonland for the next 5 years.

Jack certainly doesn't have the mongrel of Jonathan Brown or Wayne Carey but then again neither does Nick Riewoldt.

Now I know that there's a proliferation of posts on the ins and outs of us winning and the PP but I still thought this was worth it's own thread. I have been and remain a strong advocate of the club only winning 4 games and will be dissapointed if we win more. However having said this today I asked myself 2 questions.

1. Does this club have enough professionalism to produce a team that's capable of winning a premeirship?

2. Are we good enough to win one without Tom Scully?

Let's look at question 1 first.

In the past this has been our biggest failure. We simply lacked the professionalism to win a premeirship. Constant infighting, holding on to players past their use by date, The Junction Oval, no money, inability to develop players regularly to the elite level, failure to attract the right people to the club and hold on to them. All this led to a complete lack of stability. The club continually told us it didn't affect the players but that was and remains a lie.

I think we all agree that the club has made a massive improvement in this area. For the first time in a very long time we stand united, by next year our training facilities will be of an AFL standard, TJ was traded and old players have been let go or are about to be, new sponsors have been secured, Debt Demolitiopn was and will again be a success. We have a sound management team and an ever expanding coaching and conditioning group. All this breeds new confidence in and around our great club. I firmly beleive that without these improvements we could have all the top picks we like and still nothing would come of it.

2. The answer to this question is absolutely we can. Remember folks we already have around 15 top 20 picks on the list. Watts, Grimes, Morton, Frawley, Garland, Warnock, Martin, Bennel, Jurrah, Maric, Wonaeamirri, Blease, Strauss, Sylvia, Davey, Jones, Moloney, Mclean, Jetta, Petterd, Bate, Dunn, Buckley, Bail, McNamara, Cheney, Jamar, Meesen. All these guys are young, some are very young and many will flourish in our club's new facilities and new found stability. Add to this list at least a top 4 pick and another inside the top 20, give them all 3 or 4 years of further development and Tom Scully could well be that great player who plays for ninth spot at Richmond.

As we all know not much is certain in life. One thing that is certain is that this great club is pulling itself together for a real crack at the big time. Read those names, see the improvement, sense the optimism, be part of it.

We are all, at some level, expecting too much from our young group. They will take time, some will make it, some won't, but Tom Scully or not this club is doing everything right at the moment. We are playing with emotion for Big Jim. No one can expect us not to, it would be plain wrong not to. Wins mean we are improving. Let's face it we've been improving all year. 4 bad weeks against opposition on a roll is our only black spot. You can't help good form, it happens.

Yes we can tank and I believe we most likey will but if we don't the future I see is still Red and Blue.

Go Hard you Mighty Demons

Neil Danihers era at the MFC never involved a rebuilding stage - Quite fatal really. AFL football is a big cycle, you must go down to come back up. I'm glad of these years of pain because its eventually shown us the way forward.

A young exciting coach, ousting all old and out-of-date players, new pre-season base and most importantly lots of exciting talent into the club. Not to mension sponsorship boosts, new CEO, debt demolition and numerous other off field positives. The club is now going forward. I dont think Scully will be the difference between winning and not winning a Premiership, but we all know he's the classy midfielder the MFC have been lacking. I think he's a top prospect and will develop into an elite midfielder but I wont be as dissapointed as some should we not get him.

Good post R.I, and Go Dees!

In: Miller, Bartram.

Out: Bell, Martin.

It's a shame Jack has failed to play a part in these two wins. It would of done the world for his confidence.

Scully's ours, and yes Trengove does look good. Butcher will be looked at, as will Morabito

Glad to see someone thinking positive.

Should Scully not become a Dee, I liked Morabito - Go home factor is big though. Butcher looked overawed at the Championships and our need for a KPF is less after drafting Watts. Trengrove looked good and is the obvious second choice.

Now we're talking

Or tanking?

Bruce

Jurrah

Green

Moloney

Jamar

Petterd

If it's not a windy day we'll have them on toast.

If only you were out there Allen!

I thought Petterd was excellent til injury. His work ethic was great and found lots of the footy.

Many positives, just got to get his body right now.

Well said Beamer.

Bruce - pretty good game

Love your work YM.

Ive enjoyed Sandringhams progress. Over time we have had some good players back at Sandringham. All of them couldnt speak highly enough of the club. All the best for the future, and who knows maybe we'll join arms again sometime in the future.

Not really, Dr Roy Park (University) won the "Coleman" that year with 56, not a bad tally in a pretty crook side.

I'm quite suprised by that figure. I stand totally corrected.

I hope the Saints get up today by 15 goals and go ahead of Adelaide on percentage. That would give the filth an away game v Adelaide to start the finals series with.

Thats rather ironic.

You seriously overvalue NQRs and you overestimate the ability to do an effective trade during trade week.

So you dont think the MFC would get a pick inside 50 for Clint Bartram. Same with Frawley?

It's the lowest winning tally since Ross Brewer's 26 in 1977. Before that Barrie Vagg won with 20 in 1966.

The Club Goalkicking has only been won with 26 or less only some twenty times (and only five times since 1919).

On the bright side it's twice as many as Mick Macguire's 13 which won in 1913.

In 1913, 13 goals would have been a good effort.

With the way Buddy F is going, 120 will be the new season target.

Hardly, Carroll got smashed in the air by a resting mid-fielder with 10kgs less body weight - Brett Deledio.

Time to go Chop chop

Brett Deledio has freakish marking ability. Nothing Chop could of done about 2-3 of those marks yesterday.

As pointed out elsewhere, GC receive the priority picks in the 2010.

How do players who have poor skills or get destroyed easily have trade value? Another poster said elsewhere they either make it here or nowhere. Why would other Clubs chase them?

Apologies. I stand corrected.

I think these players have trade value. I just dont think Melbourne need them.

Everyone seems so certain the club will take Jack Watts.

No one from the board has confirmed any interest for Watts.

The only thing to have been said is that, the MFC will take the best available player rather than try and pick a player to suit our needs.

Under this criteria, you would suggest we will pick up Rich.

I fold!

OK, his selection probably wasnt form warranted. It will be valuable though. He's had a taste of the AFL, and the level it commands. His debut will be a big confidence boost too.