Nasher

If Essendon want to prove they're not tools at the trading table, this is a golden opportunity to prove it. Fair price (our second rounder) seems to already be close to agreed upon, and the trade period is still a month away. There shouldn't be too much left to argue about when the time comes. Get it done on day 1, Melbourne and Essendon, so both clubs can turn their focus to other business.

Nah mate, doesn't count until a Brownlow medalist comes to us as a FA.

The annoying thing about the position people like pf take is that if it does go pear shaped, it'll be "see! I called this year ago! Slow slow slow! Fence knows footy!". We can all see he's not what he was before, right now - that's why he played in the VFL all year. If it's obvious to me, it's obvious to Goodwin, Viney etc. It's about the vision for the future, obviously they see a different one, but if they happen to get it wrong, fence will use his own lack of imagination to justify his position. Fence takes the vision free position, then carries on like he's an oracle if he turns out right. I reckon it's soft.

Agree, although I have to say it was pretty concerning during the era when Welsh was coaching, Casey were struggling and had an exodus of all their good VFL players. There were reports of the time about Welsh not implementing the MFC game plan at VFL level and thereby coaching towards his own ends; that's pretty terrifying when we're attempting to use the club as a vehicle for our developing players. There has been a definite shift now, with the MFC having the appropriate amount of control required to get what it needs from Casey, particularly with Plapp being a full time MFC employee. It's definitely paid off this year and both clubs are enjoying the spoils.

I highly doubt we'll still be in the game at pick 98.

I didn't see the game, but when I looked at this last week, Scott had been in the seniors all year where Morris and Munro had been in and out. Might give some idea on possible pecking order.

He's not in our system. The amount of MFC resources spent on his development has been minimal; we won't be compensated if he goes elsewhere and nor should we be.

And you took a photo of it, because you just never know when you might need to use it?

Heh, pretty handy when you meet most of your teammates for the first time in the GF. Is Joel Smith playing, or is he in this afternoon?

Yes, clearly, but all in the view that it would be work that he would continue when he became senior coach, or stuff Roos (or other assistants) would be doing if Goodwin wasn't there. I took it as a role with a high degree of redundancy; I accept that I am just assuming though. Who was our senior assistant in year 1 of Roos' tenure, before Goodwin was hired?

Goodwin's role was coach in waiting, is that a vacancy that would generally be filled?

Hi Peter. I wouldn't say your numbers were close to the Wiz or Betts. You kicked quite a few more goals. adc if you could relay please.

It's a stark contrast for me compared to last night, I'm so disinterested that I can barely keep focused. Will give Adelaide the third quarter to pique my interest, but will turn off after that if they don't.

I've always thought that anyone who said that is definitely doing it wrong.

Who do we.. err.. they play next week?

Do you feel dirty now?

You, me and the rest I reckon. How good has this been?

Mid through third quarter, just heard Bruce refer to Puopolo as Puopolo, rather than Poppy, for the first time.

Whew! How good was that last 5 minutes? Don't often find myself barracking like a lunatic in neutral games, but my heart is fully committed to a Bulldogs win.

Yep. And I looked on the team sheet and I can't see a player whose name is "Poppy". FFS Bruce. We know you're in love with Hawthorn, but how about maintaining a modicum of professionalism and calling players by their actual names?

Hah, glad I'm not the only one who thought this.

Mo, as always, you've moved the goal posts. You are the one that used Marchbank as an example of players not wanting to come here. I give you a lengthy list of AFL quality players that did want to come here, but they don't count because they're not A graders. Guess what - neither is Marchbank. He chose Carlton because they'd have made the best deal for money, game time, and will have convinced him they can easily get the deal done with GWS. If you want to let your insecurities believe it's because nobody loves the MFC, knock yourself out. I won't buy it because there's no evidence of it.

Or maybe we're just not chasing these players as hard as other clubs are. And it seems silly to bemoan players not asking to be traded to Melbourne when we've seen Lumumba, Melksham and now seemingly Hibberd ask to be traded to Melbourne in the last few years. They're not under 22 but they're clearly the players we have had discussions with. We've also seen Vince, Frost and Tyson traded in. We can't be involved in every trade. If the MFC is not mentioned in certain trades, I take that to mean that Mahoney and team have identified other priorities. We seem to get the players we chase, there is no evidence that we are being snubbed.

Yes, indirectly. Gave up pick 3 (Scully compo) and 14, and received MD pick #2 (Hogan), ND pick #20 (on-traded as part of Dawes deal) and Dom Barry.

Why does that hurt? I thought that would go without saying for anyone under the age of 50.