beelzebub

apologies as wasnt that clear as such I agree...pointless to think its be all and end all this year. Im not sure we dont have reason to think there wont be a genuine contender for that KPF come the end of next season. . More games in some folk may well yet provide dividends. If Thorpe is taken he may well turn into that missing link. A tallish non-ruckman will be taken somewhere amongst our 6 picks...providing another potential candidate. I think with another 20-25 games in to some of these guys the picture will be clearer.. Along the lines of your premise ( possibly ) we dont need to get it perfect this year..we have a little time

not to engage your fun with others.... but this is a element to the whole shabby affair that is probably at the very heart of the matter. Sound decisions are made from knowledge not assumption.it strikes me as petulant if not stupid and self defeating not to have at least seen what we had to offer. There is no obligation as you rightly point out...still no obligation after seeing the case presented. But surely its a sign of intelligence to garner , harness and then act upon knowledge. He cant have. Its dangerous to presume Connors knew anything if at all about what MFC would be offering Ball as nothing had got that far. His ( connors ) knowledge would have been incomplete and yet he's advising based upon that...or so it seems. He ( Ball ) would have not only been ( but seen to be ) far more astute had he at least took the time and ( so ) little effort to return the courtesy. Even more astute for he would then not only know where we stood but would have that up his sleeve in any other negotiations with others. He's plainly cut off his nose to spite his face...only an idiot does that.

He has made it fairly and abundantly clear he doesnt want to play for us.. he wont. He may end up at another club.. but its highly doubtful it will be Melbourne....and in that he succeeds. You conveniently ignore his journey so far. Melbourne wont take him....Bails let that cat out of the bag...anything since is smoke and mirrors bluff and bravado designed to encourage others to forfeit an earlier pick than otherwise needed bettering our position. He will in all likely hood go to Nth, Essendon or the Lions oh btw...its not I who's embellishing anything....just simply stating what has happened to date...hardly embellishing.. alas... you extoll his threats and such to further your supposed 'reasoning" . I left that out as its all but extraneous and irrelevent to the facts.

tsk tsk tsk...... you arent very observant and that surprises me. No control.? lol what do you think he's been doing all along. ? Control.. the power to direct...or determine. He left StKilda... his own volition. He entered ND...own decision.. Not to engage the MFC...his action. Only time will tell whether all of his scheme pans out, but to suggest he has NO control.....a bit of a stretch

I think we need to hire players whos careers are either at their zenith..or in ascendency...not decline. Doesnt really matter where they can or cant play

Time to stop thinking in terms of draft picks.. we have a list..its about to be topped up rather nicely. Anyone that comes along from now on(2010 and on ) is possibly adding only a little icing to it. It needs to finish as high as it possibly can.. theres no other measure of success for us now.. its achieve or be damned !! I understand the premise of the thread...but its a half empty atttitude... It has to stop

There are a number of issues I have with respect to McPhee: His age. Hes 27...effectively looking for his last longish contract. His form... not what it was a few back when named AA His thinking.. he didnt want to accept ( i.e back himself in ) a 2 y deal with Essendon , apparently fearing his form might see him off the starting list maybe in 2 years and struggling to get games... maybe even the chop. So he wants a cushioned ride. Ability..is he really that good? when surrounded by the likes of Hird Lucas Lloyd etc ...when not having to mark a really good opposition...when given largesse well, yes he was quite good... take away all of that...might be found wanting. Essentially not what we're looking for going forward. So for McPhee its a McNO !!

I tend to side very much with this kind of outlook. Yes.. some of it might be "obvious" ..but only in as much as we can all see it. This doesnt for mine detract at all from its value when deliberating. Actions often speak louder than words and in the absence of any ( words) it forms all the basis of a judgement. In simplistic terms..if as some continue to support , there was a notion that Ball might be willing to play for us is drafted then why not open talks etc and just see for himself who and what we are. By doing none of this he is denouncing us as personas non gratis ( akin to footy rubbish ). He must be..as all his decision is based upon an outside view and some input from his manager. Connors will NOT be privy to all things Melbourne. I seriously wonder about the managers motives in all of this...other than money of course Like Ron I was rather pro Ball recruitment to start but have come all but 180 since. If I was hiring and some bloke was acting the diva in Balls manner id give him a wide berth. Id rather someone demonstating more interest in the position who had all the hallmarks of potential than even an experienced candidate but one who showed absolutely no real interest in the product. Footy is not a normal work environment... you cant press gang and expect loyalty and commitment let alone 110% effort. Let this Ball bounce past

A Mod might want to consider stickying this (and Part 1 ) on the News & Articles

what he said ^^^^

yeah...but you can only go to the well so many times.. They'll soon be calling Carlton the "Chicken Littles" Ya keep announcing beef wellington and keep delivering a meat pie... people are just going to laugh..like we are

this is it.. We are masters of our destiny for two choices only after that its time to rejoin the game that is the draft. I think Carlisle might just go earlyish..before our 11...so might Black. Hence Talia left...but would take Black if there.. simply suggesting Talia as I think he might be the one we get..as opposed to prefer. I must confess I keep forgetting that there are still quite a few players to squeeze through before we get to 18. Just havent any real handle on what most other clubs will see as priority. They will determine our later picks to some extent. Only 8 clubs are involved in the first 11 picks and still 12 for first 18 its only at 39 all clubs have participated the FD's have their work cut out

my whole view with regard to taking some players as future banking is as compensation for the lack of opportunities ( that we know of ) in the next two years. With our first 4 picks and PSd we will have a fair stock of talent-to-go with which to hone a more than decent team. There will be some drop outs and there will always be those that take a little longer. I simply fancy taking a couple of possible likely types who will need a bit more time and or development. Patrick could surprise by stepping up to AFL level early, but he may be better if eased into it. Daw.. i think has ooodles of potential ...just need crafting into a good player. Whilst it does seem a little arse abouts we can only work with what we have. In that the FD has cleared spaced for the ND as it realises it cant take some of theseguys in the past manner as rookies as they simply wont be there because of the GC and GWS...so you have to do things differently. Spencer WILL more than likely get back about mid year .. Newton..well who knows We will soon has a plateful of near six foot types who can play around the ground...We also need to take a couple who might be just a bit different. everyone always wants guarantees. There are none. Sometimes you have to be inventive and create your own opportunities and luck...sometimes you have to go out on a limb.

1- J.Trengove 2 - T.Scully 11- D.Talia ( or Black ) 18- N.Vardy ( or R.Bastinac ) 34- L.Patrick ( Future banking ) 50- M.Daw if still there ( Future banking ) PSD#1- M.Thorpe

the name Lovett is generally held in high regard around here....lets not tarnish it

For anyone familiar with Clarke and Dawe ( apologies to John..lol ) Connors ( Clarke )...so Luke... time for that chat of our..how have you been ? Ball ( Dawe) Great paul , just great...looking to new challenges and a fresh start C : new start Luke...whys that..aren't you a Saint ? B: yes but Im not loved. Lyon thinks Im lazy C: but you are Luke.. Lyon says so..is he wrong B. No...but he didnt have to tell everyone C. So fresh start.. Luke.. , new beginnings..where Luke ? B : Melbourne Paul..the Demons. they're going places Paul and I want to be in on that. C A sound choice Luke...but they can play you know B I know C ..and next year it will be different with them B: Different...different how ? C: Well as you know Luke I have a couple of my star players there and they tell me they are going to play hard..and all day..and to win !! B: All day...play ...ALLL day !! C: Yes B: Oh !! C; Is that a problem ? B: Well..I cant play all day. C: Well you better not go to Melbourne B : But I want to. its all going to happen there with them. They will be in finals soon and I love finals. C: But you cant play all day B: Well maybe I could play most of it...that will do.. Im almost a Star you know C: Theyre going to play hard...all day. Luke I cant let you go B: Melbourne have said they want me C: Melbourne dont know you . I know you..Ross knows you B I want to go C: It will be hard work, you will have to train harder and more intensely to break into that lineup B: I want to go to Collingwood. C. Yes, you dont want to go to Melbourne.. you will be a better fit at Collingwood B: I dont want to go to Melbourne Paul !! OK (just fixing typos...lol )

here: Bomber learn from International club

and a lot brighter than many a Filth -follower oh and on that matter to borrow from 45hg16 Grand Finals: Melbourne versus Collingwood 6-1 Melbourne Versus Collingwood in Finals 16-4, since 1937 14-1 cant wait for the next opportunity to wipe them there !! Totally over this Ball thing..much of what OMRiv had to say...if he comes..so be it..welcome and get on with it otherwise...well..otherwise. I m with Red,, I think Essendon will grab him and they are welcome. About time they get a dud!! Im inclined to think theres a smidge of reality about Ball worrying he would be overshadowed in a year or so by much more talented but lesser paid players. Im also thinking that Melb switched from genuine interest to a bluffing game quite a while ago. Ball going eslewhere would work quite well for us. I think Lyon ® has been totally on the Ball.. ... he knows far better than we.

Dees look to new horizons Bailey Scwab and Poulakakis are off for a fact finding tour visiting clubs in England and Spain to gain a better understanding of how some clubs are more successful at survival despite close competition. Study will be focussed also on comuunity involvement . I consider this a very proactive move. Melbournes definitely on the move and taking charge of its destiny. Go Dees

So the interest of a few clubs isnt warranted ? if it isnt....then thats an opinion...fair enough

. Can you not deduce I was simply asking another a question... out of sheer curiosity ? Apparently not. to borrow anothers....UGH!!!! <_<

Hey..just curious what Old thinks here. He proposes a think ... not particularly my cup of tea Tenace, but am wondering how Old would procure him , if thats his thinking

point taken...should have phrased differently... I would think Nth might consider more long term than Ball.. trying to get more 10 year players into the mix rather than 3-5 year ones ( as per Ball ) Nth must surely be facing a major rebuild

pick 50 ?

2 aces and 2 trumps !!