Dee*ceiving

only if the blokes we get to replace them don't have the same inadequacies

I agree re: Jesse to CHB. He definitely has the physical credentials to be a fine CHB, but, suspect he would take some serious convincing to try it and then he'd have to throw himself into it for it to work. If he has any reservations or doubts it will most likely crash and burn. Probably a long shot to work out.

Our weaknesses and greatest areas of risk are pretty obvious, it was laid bare this year on more than 1 occasion. Minding the big forwards. Brown, Hawkins, Cox, Kennedy and Riewoldt all got hold of us this year, in fact most of them get hold of us every year (++ Franklin and Daniher has threatened too). May helps here Resting Max. We ran him into the ground this year. We need to find 3 - 4 games where we can rest the big fella and a few more where we play 2 legitimate ruckman. Teams with 2 ruckman really work the big man over. Preuss helps here. Outside run, carry and precision. Lots of bulls in the middle but not enough spread or precision navigating our way through defensive setups. Evidenced by lots of ineffective inside 50s and to a lesser extent back half turnovers. I'm certain the club have a plan to resolve but it's not been obvious to me so far. I am not advocating strongly to trade Jesse, I am happy for him to stay, but, to my mind the only way Jesse can help us improve on those deficiencies is by being traded out.

1.1 is a whole bunch in 2018 and probably 2019 but by year 5 of the deal in 2023 it won't be near as big a deal. Salary growth in the AFL follows the trajectory of the media rights deals which have grown astronomically in the last 15 - 20 years.

I believe that's Kelly of the Josh variety

X 2

Did anyone else notice that when Nathan Jones was questioned during the Grand Final coverage about Jesse's intentions that at no stage did he categorically say: 'I really want Jesse to stay at Melbourne'. Probably nothing in it as they seemed to drop the question on him cold, at least that's what he claimed, but he kind of danced around the question with statements like doing what's right for Jesse and supporting him in the right way, etc.

Agree, we've already shifted 8 with Kent next to go plus maybe Hogan. No rush to free up the list spot but like Vince this year it's perform or play VFL.

You got it. Those saying it's 1 game are correct. But it will be every game where this happens.

The this year / next year thing can be nothing more than speculation. Jesse plays 22 games, kicks 60+ goals and makes AA, he gathers greater interest at the trade table and hence garners us a better return Jesse struggles with injury / form, kicks few goals and wears mounting pressure regarding his contract status and we'll have our backs against the wall trying to retain / move a player without being suitably compensated. Move him now if doing so makes us better in 2019. If not, Jesse stays in red and blue and let the cards fall where they do next year.

Dees hold the cards here. We will only move on Hogan if doing so improves our team. The dream scenario would see us land: Gaff, May and a top 10 pick. Fanciful perhaps, but an improvement to the team definitely. Hogan exiting would open up a war chest for Gaff. If anything we could slightly back end to line up with Lewis and Jones exits at the end of 2019 (at the latest). if we can't identify a move that improves the team he stays, for 1 more season at least.

Is Jesse really a FA next year? Not certain the below is correct (source: Footy Wire) but he seems to be too young to be a RFA at the end of next year?

I think Jesse's future at the club really comes down to Jesse and the coaches. Prior to this years trade period, Jesse needs to convince himself that the coaches plans for 2019 and beyond suit his best interests, particularly considering the growth of Weid, return of Lever and maybe to a lesser extent the value of Frost experienced in the second half of 2018. The addition of Preuss is another interesting layer. Our current game plan and structure will need to change to fit them all in, I'd be of the view Weid wouldn't be pleased if he spent large chunks of next year in the VFL. Can the coaches conjure a plan that sees McDonald, Weid and Hogan function in the same side? My instinct would be to try lean Jesse off 5 kgs, not unlike Max did over last summer, and run him more through the midfield./ wing. Similar to Mathew Richardson late in his career. This would allow TMac to stay close to goal and Weid to change between ruck and forward. For this to work Jesse would need to run both ways, faster than he does today and work on his lateral movement and reactions, especially defensively

Agree Sydee, starting on the wing with his blistering pace and booming kick makes sense, particularly considering outside run is a weakness of ours. If he improves his (1) conditioning, (2) willingness to run both ways and (3) decision making he'd be a weapon. Even improvement in 2 out of 3 of those present him as a potential upgrade on the current setup

I was at a lunch where Goody spoke just last week. Our interest in Gaff one of the first questions he fielded. Response was a resounding yes, accompanied with a wry grin (my interpretation at least). ?

Clean hands, patient in traffic and a deft kick. Reminded me of a young Travis Johnstone...

And he has a couple of pre-seasons behind him and would be close to his man weight/size. Would be a good move even if completely unlikely

B) Not a good analogy, heck if their's money in it!

Above all else this thread displays what the MFC really needs and that is passionate people driving them forward. Hang tough, encourage and support. We've made it through harder times than these.

Neeld's spray was definitely about him choosing to use his non-preferred side to kick without any need to do so. That is the inexplicable aspect of the mistake he made, not so much the fact that he turned it over.

I just whacked another $50 on. Shhh, dont tell the mrs though, i took it out of the money i had put aside for her impending birthday present. She'll still be getting something nice, but it will be worth 50 bucks less.

Sorry mate you have really lost me now. Both those guys were fantastic, Wight for a number of years, a great brave FB. And Smith we picked up at a mature age and he gave us sensational service in a number of positions with better and more experienced players such as Shwarta and Lyon constantly injured

Richard Griffiths...ugh!

David Grant, he actually had a pretty decent career at StKilda i think. Wouldn't have played many games for MFC. Must have been about 30 when we picked him up. There has been quite a few player transfers between st kilda and mfc over the years. Stephen Newport & Stephen Powell come to mind immediately and of course Luke (the drink) Beveridge

i remember Prymke, actually I reckon he was a pretty good player before he had that back problem. What did the Dees do to deserve all those great players in the 90's having horrible runs with injury. Lyon, Schwarz, Charles, Tingay, G Lovett, Prymke, Jakovich. Man we were stiff. Also what was it with Melnourne picking up all those dud brothers? Both Cockatoo boys were dissappointing, not that Che was a superstar but he left them for dead. Damien Gaspar, possibly the worst AFL footballer every to pull on a jumper, makes Nicho look like full back of the century by comparison. Luke Ottens, come on! Allen Jakovich, not saying he was a dud because he was sensational when on the park but man we really could have used the 300 games Glen put on for the Eagles. Theres probably a few others that I can't think of ATM.