hells bells

May I suggest that this thread be returned to concentrating on actually heard rumours, rather than individual poster's idle speculation about trading X player + Y pick and getting Z gun. There are plenty of those type threads in the drafting and trading board. Just a thought. Hells.

Has already shown to be more comfortable in front of the camera than any Melbourne player i can remember in the past 10 years on the footy show. Go Jack

I have to admit to thinking that Sheedy might have focussed on targeting Melbourne after being knocked back for the job. More than likely it's just a coincidence.

Perfect description of his abilities & weaknesses

I was feeling all positive until Dwayne gave him the thumbs up. Now I'm a little worried...

It does have the stench that it's all been orchestrated to make it look like he hadn't decided until today. Bye Tom, hope you go on to have a nice 5 year injury riddled career with a team that every football supporter in the land hates.

A good mate who is a recruiter from another club said that he doesn't think there is any way we'll get two first round picks for Scully. I hope his wrong but like some others I feel, like some others we'll get the rough end of the pineapple i Scully goes.

WJ this is something that has been bothering me more and more over the past 12 months and I think in time it may be seen as a further disintegration of the qualities that has made this game great. How will we feel if the Suns or the Giants defeat us in a big final, or heaven help us a Grand Final, knowing that the AFL has basically doctored the competition so the Gold Coast and GWS are successful to ensure they stay popular and valid. What will that do to those supporters who have waited over 50 years to see a premiership knowing that the governing body has conspired to give one of their upstart franchises a leg up whose 5000 supporters have only seen a dozen games between them. It doesn't just bode poorly for us, Richmond, Western Bulldogs, North could suffer the same fate in the next 5-10 years. At some point the AFL has to remember their role is to organize the competition, not orchestrate the competition or an army of passionate supporters will be lost to the game.

Daniel Menzel another Rolls Royce, Stevey J mark II

I don't know why but I have a good feeling about this weekend. I think we might surprise a few and sneak a win. I have no evidence other than a good old gut feeling. That and it's no on free to air tv which normally means we play better ;-)

Take his coach from under his nose. Then watch his constituents go mental.

Caro is a reasonable journalist, but she speculates as much if not more than most. She is very good at adding 1 and 1 and coming up with 3. It's what she's paid to do. Sometimes in doing that she gets closer to the truth, but more often than not 1 plus 1 still equals 2 and she's 50% out.

I was sure they were taking the [censored]...

We are no certainty to win all three of those games. Richmond and Gold Coast will back themselves and Port Adelaide will be sending off a number of aging stars and will be keen for a big game. We will have a fight on our hands to win three games.

I wouldn't be too disappointed with this. Although Nicholson and Strauss could be interchanged.

100 point loss coming up...

This is the key to the match and this is the reason we will get beaten. We haven't once this year played well against teams which employ a decent forward press. See Hawthorn, West Coast and Collingwood. I remember the second half last time we played the hawks, and the only way the ball came out of their forward line, was when they kicked a goal. I'd like to think it we've got a strategy but I haven't seen it yet. Hawks by 40+ points. Love to be proven wrong...

Why do I have a feeling that in traditional Melbourne fashion, we’ll manage to win one of the next 4, but then drop one of the last 3 and still miss out

Suzanna, IMO the Frementle comeback and Sydney win last year were both good wins. As were the Adelaide and Fremantle wins this year. All miss out on being GREAT due to level of importance and quality of the opposition. I think Benno may be right the Prelim win against the Blues in 2000 might have been the last truly GREAT win. WYL the Dogs game is probably one i'd forgotten, that was a GREAT win.

Was thinking about this the other day following Essendon’s surprise win over Geelong. When was the last truly GREAT win that the Melbourne Football Club has had. Sure we’ve had a few good and enjoyable wins in the past few years, but I don’t reckon we’ve had a GREAT win in much, much longer. My definition of a great win would be: Opposition: A strong team in good form or, winning well interstate Game: Holding on to win in a tightly contest match, or, coming back after being 5 goals down Importance: Needed to win to make the finals or simply a big game with a big build up Style: Where we actually played well for 4 quarters and didn’t win because the opposition had a shocker or had key injuries. The only great win I can think of in the past 5 years was probably the Elimination Final against St. Kilda and we were lucky they had a few guys go down injured. Both Collingwood games last year would have been great wins but alas we couldn’t get over the line. Any suggestions? I think any of the next 4 games are chance for GREAT wins. It would be fantastic for the players, supporters and club in general to have one...

btdemon just a question, why do you think he's not ready? Did you think Nicholson was ready? Did you think Evans was ready? Did you think Howe was ready? Did you think Strauss was ready? It could be argued that Blease's form has been as good and as consistent as these 4 players prior to them getting their chance. All have come in and shown a lot in a few games, surprised most of us how well they've gone I would have thought. Why the concern? Good luck to the lad.

Best of luck Sammy. Take em on son...

$7m over 6 years is serious coin. If true and I doubt it is I think we can bid farewell to Tom. Save the dough for someone else. On the other hand, imagine having Gubby Allen and Sheedy selling you the dream of playing for the GWS. You'd need to shower afterwards wouldn't you? Don't think i've ever seen a more slimy looking individual. Maybe they'd go with the Slimy Cop, Crazy Cop option. Anyone know what GWS' salary cap is? If you had a financial interest in that club, you'd have to asking whether that was a prudent investment wouldn't you? Would be quite the coup if Tom stays now. A lot of "journalists" with egg on their faces. Shame the game has come to this...

Deeluded while I respect your passion for the Dees I think some of those are a little blinded. Martin < Jones you have to be kidding. Martin may well be one of the most impressive young players in the comp. He is heading down the Judd, Hodge path. I love Trengove and Scully and they may turn into better players but at the moment IMO he's got them both covered. As for Jones, he's not even close. King is also a better player than Nicholson (who has played less than 5 games) but I don't believe is playing, didn't he get a week suspension. Cotchin and Scully equal.. maybe, but I think Cotchin is a more solid bet. On the other hand I think you've sold Moloney and McKenzie short. I think they've got Foley and Jackson covered. I think our backline will match up well with their forward line and I think that will be even. I think the midfield battle will also be relatively even. I think our forward line has the Tiger backline covered provided we get the supply. I can´t see them matching up sufficiently on Watts, Jurrah, Green, Sylvia and Howe and a resting ruckman. Martin is the crucial match-up IMO. Trengove head to head all day, trying to push forward to make him accountable going the other way, Jordie Mac for a complete shut down or Sylvia could be another option. Should be a great game. IF the 'UP' Melbourne turns up for 4 quarters, we should get home.

He was great today one of few to hold his head up. Needs to work on his kicking into forward line. All floaters today. I like him.