Nasher

Am I the only one who just felt a big fat wave of indifference when reading this? I feel like I should care and I should be outraged after we were turned down whenever that was, but I just don't. If they haven't got the system to nurture and develop - and they clearly don't at present - one extra pick isn't going to make a lick of difference. It probably wouldn't have for us, either. Their club is a long, long way from being any sort of threat to anyone. I'm just glad this is all someone else's problem now.

Watson and Lloyd are deluded if that's what they reckon they'll get. As if they're going to get Rance or McDonald, or any player of that ilk. Clubs want Hurley to add to their existing defences. If they had to give up their existing best KPD in order to get him, it doesn't become a significant bolstering, it becomes a minor upgrade. We, nor Richmond, nor anyone else, would be interest in cushioning Essendon's blow of Hurley leaving.

They'd feel like Hogan was our premier forward. If that came as a surprise to either of them, I'd be raising serious questions over their IQ. Both players would know their place. As DA said: Pedersen has been a spare parts man all his career, he should be well used to this situation by now. It would still sure beat working for a living; if he can keep delivering when required, he puts off having to actually go and do that for a bit longer.

Agree on all of that. Re: Garlett, I thought he was good anyway. Looked to be playing further up the ground than normal in a similar role to Kent, which explains his lack of scoring. He is credited with 4 inside 50s (equal most with Kent and, surprisingly, Frost), which supports it the idea that he played a lot of the game outside the 50. He is also responsible for the kick that went down Kent's throat in the goal square, resulting in a goal, and the kick that led to the first Tyson goal which won us the game. Nothing wrong with his form at all IMO.

First thing I thought after watching that: how good would it be as a forward with delivery from Watts? Lead to the right spot and you just know he'll hit you. What a bloody gun he has turned in to.

$400,000/year. Not that big a deal in the scheme of things, I'd have thought.

For sure, if that's the choice in front of you. What if the choice is walk in to success, or stick with a club likely to languish in the bottom half of the ladder for the majority of the remainder of your career?

The free kick to Rioli was for high contact against someone else (can't recall who), which happened a few seconds after the Oliver thing and had nothing to do with it. I haven't seen the replay so I could well be wrong, but I thought at the time it was unfortunate, but probably correctly paid.

I know. He's having his arm scragged, and he turns where you can no longer see, turns back and he somehow has the ball and both arms free. I remember thinking at the time, "I have no idea how he managed to dispose of that legally".

With credit to Sylvia Saint:

Maybe I'm reading the thread wrong, but I haven't seen much drawing implications on his future from the kick. Generally the vibe has been positive and the comments have been joking about it more than anything else. It was a pretty funny kick.

I find it pretty hard to imagine any scenario where Viney isn't the next captain. Tom McDonald as one of his senior deputies.

That's the first time I've ever heard a key forward on 39 goals ever be accused of not earning his spot.

The best part about that was I thought Watts was gone when he ran in to the two Dawks. In a split second I went from "shit, we've stuffed this up" to "OMG I THINK WE MIGHT WIN". Gives me shivers seeing it again. Bloody awesome kick by Watts and finish by Tyson.

And Weid, and Watts? It becomes a very tall forward line. Either way, someone needs to go for Hogan. Pedersen is just the most logical. I think it is very unlikely that they will rest Hogan again.

I reckon Pedersen will go for Hogan. It's definitely not fair, but neither is life.

I know I sound like a broken record, but Harmes will not be dropped - the current MFC coaching staff do not drop players for poor disposal when they're otherwise doing their required work. They love Harmes.

You need to pop in to the "changes against (whoever)" thread and join me in my weekly "sigh, no, Harmes won't be dropped" ritual by the sounds of it.

I'd probably wait until I had seen how the North game goes first

Shoulda dropped Harmes for Michie. Darn those biased coaches.

That kick was woeful and we were lucky Pedersen cleaned it up, let's be honest, but the play that lead to it was excellent. He run hard all the way up the ground to get on the end of it twice; the fact that he was even in a position to deliver an i50 in that situation made me very happy. It comes back to the point I made in the week about our coaches forgiving disposal errors if the player otherwise does the right thing. This shows that we supporters can too if we're in a good mood and there was no negative consequence. Let's not think about what might have happened if he'd done that in the back half.

It might take years to get his body to peak playing size. Slow burner for mine, we're 5 years off seeing his best. It'll be worth the wait if today's start is any indication. Awesome stuff.

I'm sure he's fine. People come and go.

They're 3 games and 10 percentage points clear with 3 to go. Come on mate, anything is possible, but that's such a low probability of happening that it's definitely not worth mentioning.

Back past the Aints again to sit in 10th, will hold it if they fall to Carlton tomorrow - can't see that happening though. Whoever wins out of us and Port next week goes a game clear of the other. Should have our sights on 9th place now.