Dee*ceiving

Agree Nasher. Jetta and now McKenzie give us a harder edge through the middle of the ground. Until the flashy types like Morton and Bennell are prepared to put their bodies on the line and land strong tackes we have no choice but to play blokes like Jetta.

That is a damning fact DD and one that justifies just how hard this recruiting caper really is. At that point it would have been high 5s and backslaps all round. How wrong they were.

Cloke senior is a dunce and the Pies know it. He's all huff and puff and will drag negotiations through the media to wind it up but in the end he'll settle for a 2 year deal, a set of steak knives and a bullet proof vest. Notice he waited until there was 2 hours of trade week left to drop the bombshell? Hardly enough time for a club to formulate a sizeable offer that would make Collingwood stand up and take notice.

Several outlets are reporting the length of the contract is the issue rather than the $$$. I think Cam has every right to ride the trade week out and see what's around before committing to the Dees. If he gets a better offer elswehwere and he chooses to go I wish him all the best and thank him for his service. If no such offer is forthcoming the one year deal should still be on the table for him to accept. In fairness to Cam, seeing what happened with Jnr would make him think he will need to play 18+ games at a very high level to be offered a further 1 year deal. An achievement that can be cruelled by injury and or the unexpected development of a prospect like Strauss, Bail, Blease or Tapscott (or insert new name here)

If Hale's opportunities are rare and i see no reason why this would change next year it's really in his best interests to get a longer deal at another club. If he stays at Nth for the final year of his contract and once again fails to make an impression or even worse suffers a major injury he'll be lost to the AFL forever. That being the case I think convincing Hale to leave North will be easy, convincing him to choose Melbourne over other clubs will prove more difficult. Appeasing Nth with fair and equitable compensation might also prove difficult. We'll see.

Hear, hear Jaded! Summed him up perfectly. If i could have thrown a shoe at his smug head last night without risking the health of my TV I would have.

My preference for Warnock is to keep him but I reckon we could squeeze a ruckman out of the Blues (Hampson or Jacobs) for him. They both appear to have potential but I acknoweldge it's still a gamble. The good part is with Warnock being 26 he is unlikely to get any better than he already is. Dangling him in front of North in an effort to land David Hale could also bear some fruit.

If they go with Green it opens the door for Grimes to be a deputy and possibly pinch the job in 2 or 3 years. If Beamer of Davey get the nod he would likely have to wait a long time for a chance. Moloney seems the obvious choice but I reckon Grimes would be an inspired left field selection. Considering our position on the premiership clock a long term leader is probably a good idea, but I tend to think with the heart so I'd like Green to get the gig. Regarding the process I think the players have a major say in the captain and the leadership group for that matter. If it is a popularity contest between the players Davey or Moloney would likley be standouts. Personally: Captain - B Green Vice Captains - B Moloney, A Davey, J Grimes

What about Josh Fraser?

Mitch Clark sounds good, still like the idea of David Hale, not sold on Cox. Think the end is nigh for big Dean. If we do go for a mature age player, whether by trade or through the draft it seems the consensus is they must be large and be capable of playing ruck and forward. I agree that it is PJ's spot that is most obviously improvable in the short term.

WYL...summed up perfectly

Everything we need is on the list we just need to be patient. If there was 1 thing I would ask for its a better back up option for Jamar. A more mobile ruck option that can provide a threat up forward. PJ has been ok and he tries his guts out but he is terrible overhead and doesn't provide a marking option inside 50. Hale has struggled this year but if he gets back to his best he is a handful close to goal. I'd certainly entertain going after him. Alternatively I'd be happy if we could clone Jamar.

Interestingly, or not so, the Herald Sun reported that Grimes got through the game unscathed. Obviously untrue. I suspect the next time we see young Jack in red and blue will be 2011. Good signs from Fitzpatrick and I guess the injury to Davey makes room for Morton to return. Bate will also push for selection. I suspect Moloney will return via the VFL or not at all now. Might be best to put him cotton wool seeing we are now out of the race for September.

Dunn & Jurrah are ahead of Bate and Petterd will likely be too next year. But it mightn't stay that way. Bate could provide dependable back up in the event of injury or form loss but is probably better than that. If we were to get through the introduction of GC and GWS and lose only Matthew Bate would probably coulnd't have done any better. Personally, I hope he stays. I like the big ranga with the raking boot.

If there is any justice in the world Miller will be in the sights of GC17 or another club. In a soon to be 18 team competition there is no doubt he is good enough to remain on an AFL list. If he keeps kicking goals, albeit at VFL level, his potential suitors will grow and good luck to him. His time at Melbourne has come to an end but I will be happy to see him playing good football in another jumper. If he is 2011s Jay Schulz I for one will be happy for him

Green & Frawley should be top 25. Behind Lake, Frawley is the in form defender in the comp at the moment. League wide Rucks are a bit thin which may result in Jamar getting a gig, if he doesn't however i would be surprised to see another ruckman in the list. Sylvia close but not quite, needs another big season. Davey's influence may have dropped a bit but this may be more due to the output of his team mates lifting as opposed to a drop in form. Moloney has had a great season to date but probably won't make it. Don't forget a number of players have had poor to middling years and will likely drop out leaving openings. See: Cox, Kerr, O'Keefe, Morris, Fisher, Power, Fevola, Bolton, Enright, Jolly, Tippet, Higgins, Ryder, Vince, Murphy, Sewell.

Correction boys and girls it's 4 out of 5. Beat Essendon, lost to Fremantle, beat Sydney, Brisbane & Richmond. It'll be 4 in a row about 4.50 PM on Sunday!

Yep i am sure they'll find vacancies at Visy for both of them

I think Aussie is in more danger than Bennell and I am sure that they won't drop more than 1 of Jurrah, Aussie and Bennell. out - Aussie, Bail in - Moloney, Trengove If Moloney fails to get up Aussie stays in as Bail's role is closer to Trenners than Aussie's

My effort in retort B - B.Deledio B.Lake H.O'Brien HB - L.Hodge H.Taylor C.Newman C - B.Goddard J.Selwood A.Goodes HF - P.Chapman M.Pavlich B.Green F - J.Riewoldt B.Hall M.LeCras Foll - A.Sandilands D.Swann G.Ablett Int - M.Jamar L.Hayes A.Didak M.Boyd Notables Defenders: J.Frawley L.Gilbee N.Malceski Mids: D.Cross N.Dal Santo L.Montagna S.Pendlebury J.Bartel A.Swallow J.Watson B.Harvey M.Barlow Forwards: S.Milne S.Johnson D.Thomas J.Podsiadly Ruck: S.Mumford H.McIntosh D.Jolly

The selection committee to have another daunting task on their hands this week. Assuming Moloney is ready to return and Trengove is obviously deserving his spot back there will need to be some difficult decisions made. Bate must also be considered. I am very satisfied with the balance of the side at the moment and picking 1 bloke to drop is tough let alone 3.

I can't see how this is even considered a question. It's akin to asking me if I'd like to sleep with Jennifer Hawkins.

Agree it was a bit rough around the edges but personally I loved the Superman rendition. The symbolism of that particular track is powerful if you ask me.

Great post though, Billy

You beat me to it DR, % is irrelevant at the moment pending either: The Dees playing in another draw Another team or teams in ladder positions 7 - 12 playing in a draw