Choko

Good point. Looking at our list, and assuming those who do play next year are in good form, I think we need to find 3 major things. 1. Big ruckman - we should absolutely look for a tap ruckman, but they don't come easy. We should be prepared to trade for one. Including Jeff White. 2. One more class midfielder. We don't have one midfielder we can guarantee 25 quality possessions a week from. All the good sides do. If we had a Dal Santo, Haselby, Goodwin type, it would make a huge difference. Our inside 50s are lower than any other side this year. 3. Speed - wingman and forwardline. Davey is our only genuine pace forward of centre.

I think our final 5 is problematic. Really, Riley is only there because you don't want to pull the rug from under him when the season is still going. He won't get the job. Which means there is actually a shortlist of 4. Of that 4, Connolly would be a shocking choice. How a tried failure would be preferable to an untried unknown is beyond me. That leaves 3. Sheedy, Hardwick and Bailey. Why Hardwick and Bailey are in a better position than Bond, Longmire, McKenna, etc... is hard to know, but I guess we have to trust the process. But yes, I believe it's down to 3.

Go Tiges and Blues. It's that simple!

Agreed. I am swapping jumpers with a Carlton supporter mate, bc we are each barracking for the other team! I don't think I will actually be able to wear their jumper, but the point is, barracking for the demons means barracking for the blues (unless they win this week), then hiding until 2008!

But the point being made isn't that people have to agree that he has done a good job. It's the arrogance of failing to thank Chris for his blood, sweat and tears over the years, or worse, coming on and posting "No loss" with nothing else to substantiate it. This is about common decency to an officer of the MFC, which transcends his performance (especially when he has not paid out on the club). Some people need to pull their heads in.

Geez people here can be d*ckheads. Here is someone who has given 10 years service to our club, and his departure is being put as "no loss". No loss? Imagine you spent 10 years somewhere and it was put that your departure was no loss. Fair enough if you have specific reasons you think it's time for him to leave, or that you think he did a bad job, but there is no doubt Fagan worked his guts out for us, and it is only graceful to thank him for his time.

It's funny. I know from someone very connected to Essendon hat Hardwick is very close to their job. I can't guarantee that of course, but anyway...

Whatever people want, I have no doubt that there are ony 3 possible considerations for captain next year. 1. Neitz 2. Bruce 3. McLean I think Neitz will step down. Whether Bruce or McLean get the gig will depend on who, and how bold, the coach is. If I was running a book, I would say: Neitz: $1.40 Bruce: $1.60 McLean: $2.00 Other: $2.30

Hey, does anyone know the ticketing status of this game? I am particularly interested in AFL members? Is it fully or partially ticketed? Or walk up?

In principle, I agree re the youngsters. It should be about development. I just wonder whether the argument is more about making kids earn a game. On Paul Johnson, he is injured (even if the club doesn't say so, he is). CJ did not cover himself in glory in the 1s. Not sure re Dunn, Bode. So yes, I agree, but I'm sure Bomber would talk about earning your spot.

Haha. When I change our of my workday suit into my MFC jumper, I would hardly call myself more credible!!! I agree with everyone after Bazza. In my experience, if you have a problem with something at the club, our Board is very accessible. I have had wonderful exchanges with Bev and Michael Coglin in the past, and have found them to be open and respectful. Similarly for Steve Harris, Paul Gardner (who I have not spoken to directly but have seen him in action) and certainly the Rev when he was our coach. My advice is, first instance write an email to them and see how you feel about their response.

100%. A disgrace. It only perpetuates problems and undermines efforts to even the competition.

LOL

Class act - always respected the club and put it first. Was never a coach who put short term ambition in front of long term sustainable success. Worked in difficult conditions throughout, in terms of facilities, money, salary cap breaches and boards. Left the club with his dignity in tact. Thanks and congratulations Neale.

Add me to the list. I am starting the no Sumich, no Conolly, no Thomas petition.

Agreed. I think that the media loves finding a reason to give a club in this situation a good old bake. They can't, so they are simply telling the story as they see it. The club, Danners very much included, is handling it about as well as it can in the circumstances. All should be applauded.

All I know is that the Melbourne midfield performed the best it had performed under Ratten as midfield coach. I know for a fact the players he worked with rate him incredibly highly. I know Carlton rates him incredibly highly. I'm not saying he will be our coach, I have no idea. I am just speculating on the basis of what I do know.

I'll say it early. That's where my money is.

Yeh, none more apparent than the players talking about ifnals when we won 2 games. Idiots.

The fact of the matter is that Gardner shouldn't be alienating any of our supporters. Yes, fair enough, don't let emotion or fickle supporters dictate what the board does - that doesn't mean you have to say it! But all in all, I think the Board is across the issues, and speaking to a prominent board member after the game, I'm satisfied that they will take the right course of action. And as for the players, seriously they should stay out of it. It smacks of unprofessionalism. If they want to support Neale, then put your bodies on the line and don't dish up the turd we saw in the first half last week. The players have a very specific role, and that should be their focus. The Board has a different function, and should be left to focus on that without pressure of players seeking headlines.

Like many of us here, I can cop losing. What I cannot cop, not for one minute more, is the lack of passion we showed in the first half. How dare they. These blokes show up to work, and win, lose or draw, the one unacceptable thing is a lack of passion and desire. They are playing for a jumper. They are meant to have professional pride. Daniher included. How many years in a row have we been soft after the break? How long did it take to get a structure in the forward line? For that first quarter "I don't give a [censored]" effort to carry over into the second quarter is just disgraceful. Then, guess what, we come out in the third quarter breathing fire, desperate in the middle. The difference was obvious. That makes it much worse. I am ashamed of this group. It's the worst feeling in the footy world to be ashamed of your team. What have we learnt when we keep showing this same mental softness year upon year. Time for some hard calls to be made. Disgusting.

So he will probably challenge. But useful out.

Well that only pisses me off 100 times more. It said there was no tickets at all for AFL members, so I rang them, waited some stupid amount of time on Ticketmaster, to be told I have to book general admission. Then they release more. I went to to book best available on level 3 GA, and went backwards and forwards on the browser for 20 minutes until they actually did give me the best seats available - instead of the pocket. Of course, I could have booked on the phone... for a small fee of $7.50. Seriously, TD is a disgrace. Only a few weeks ago they weren't letting people out. It's one big television studio, they lie about attendances, the 2nd level sits half empty whilst others have to sit at the top of the 3rd level, and the AFL won't move games like Hawthorn v Essendon, despite promises to do so. They had a disgusting playing surface for years. It's about money, not the fans. Embarrassment. It really is the blister on the AFL's ass.

It's actually disgusting how TD works. Thank goodness we haven't gone that way - I would be so [censored] off if I was an Essendon supporter. They are consistently over-charging and shutting out fans, when there is an emply facility down the road. It epitomises what has happened to ruin this once great game. I am an AFL MFC club support member, and there is not a ticket available at all 2 weeks before the event. The Ticketmaster website is a piece of s*it, so it's trial and error on any other tickets. I am currently on hold to ticketmaster, have been for 30 minutes and counting. They talk at you and give you all their terms and conditions, and it is just a totally unsatisfactory situation. I can, it appears, buy expensive general admission tickets. It's the biggest fraud going around that AFL membership gives you access to every game in Melbourne. SO ANGRY

It is well documented that Riewoldt was not happy Jan when Cornflakes got the sack. He is also out of contract at season's end. Realistically, our chances of getting Judd to the club are close to zero. However, I reckon it seems that Riewoldt may well be a great option bc he is a gutsy, hard working and skilled CHF who may actually be able to be lured. I hope we are putting massive energy into getting him to the demons from 2008. It would enhance our list massively.