TheVoice

Watts has been great this year but we're best served with him as our 3rd tall. Never will Jack be known as a pack crasher or put doubt in the mind of a defender going back with the flight. Pedo does this. Not to mention his body work, bumping and contested marks. Watts in the ruck has been a bit of a revelation but I'm not sure we want him and his lightly framed body exposed to the rigours of No.2 ruck work for too long. Anyway I just think Pederson is extremely stiff to be dropped from a team who has won 3 on the trot in which he has evenly contributed to. And the side is weaker without him.

Hope your right Cards. But pride is a good motivator and I'm sure they would love to maintain their successful record against us. Our team selection this year has been baffling at times and these changes seem no clearer to me at all.

Totally agree. Pedo gives us a big body in the wet to crash packs and knock the ball to ground. Also a good 2nd ruck option. This as opposed to a lightly framed KPF 2nd gamer when we have a finals chance on the line. I'm ok with ANB for Garlett as he should go ok in the wet. Agree that Michie is a bit left field as he offers very little imo. I would have stayed with Harmes in the wet. If I were Carlton I would be pleased to see these changes.

Feel his frustration completely. Highly capable clearance, in and under player forced to play the 'nothing role' of a defensive forward whilst his team is crying out for a midfielders. When his impact is diminished in this role he is dropped to the VFL where no amount of 30 possession games or listings in the best will earn him a recall. No communication was offered to him to explain his situation despite his proactive approach to seeking feedback from coaches on how to improve. Can not understand how Magner could not hold a position in our midfield over the last 2 years considering our situation. Players such as him and Valenti are stamped too slow/small and shown the door much too easily when what remains is laughable. These types are not often found in the midfield of a premiership side but when you can't even win games I would choose these guys first to get the job done in the trenches.

North Melbourne for mine. They belt us every time we play them, especially at Etihad. Although round 1, 2014 would be no different, I want our boys to start building a rivalry with them that is born from not standing for their dominance over us anymore. They see us as soft, silverspooners (currently spot on) and I want this Paul Roos led MFC to represent the exact opposite and therefore what better team to start disproving this image against. Plus I'm sick to death of their whining supporter base who ring in and complain at the mere mention of our name on radio. I would love nothing more than to start handing out some punishment to the Kangas and their supporters.

Great work on the banner. Looks great! Would of loved to have seen Jeremy Howe up there though. Gives 100% every week, bleeds red and blue and is the name my kids call out when kicking the footy.

Great email Darbsy and good on you for writing it. It actually made me feel a little sad as my 3 kids are all little Demons and go to school. I hope your email gets pinned up on the locker room wall during the week for all the players to have a read. Probably wont make the slightest difference but I think the players need to be fed this type of information, If not to hear of the heart break our junior supporters (and MFC teachers) are going through, then to highlight what those Richmond Ferals are thinking of us come Saturday.

Incredible! Would Collingwood stand for their players names being exposed? doubt it. Especially when not a single Essendon name has been mentioned. Do we have any legal standing here?

Toumpas (first year recruit), Viney (first year recruit), M.Jones (Unheard of Mature age, first year recruit) and Kent (first year recruit) added to our fitter, yet still young and no runs on the board midfield. Forgive me, but on paper that lineup does little to scare the battle hardened and star filled line ups of the Collingwoods, Hawthorns and the like. I am excited with the inclusions of Toumpas and Viney but they are a long way off meaningful contribution to a already young and struggling midfield. The other midfield recruits will show their worth when the action begins.

Under the table dealings hey? Looks like the makings of Caro's next story to me.

Shoddy article from Wilson . . . . . Again!! Reporting that there is fresh evidence from unnamed sources about a meeting about something. Followed by standard, rehashed media beatups of our supposed tanking over the last 5 years. . . . Hmmm. Pathetic!

Think the Kangas might have folded on Pederson for pick 49 today. Without knowing the inner workings of our willingness to offload him, I thought Gysberts was worth giving another year. We have seen so little of this kid since his amazing debut games that we all feel like he has something to offer. Bit disappointed

Great to see so many positive comments despite us losing a respected, servant of our club. One of my favorite players over the years. Great courage, poise and steely determination. Think he will be missed by many of his team mates too. There have been many Melbourne players who have nominated Riv as the biggest club pest (in a good pest way) in their interviews. Best of luck Riv. You deserve any success that comes your way.

Pick 20 is overs. Collingwood are searching for anything they can get their hands on, If we didn't have the bulldogs breathing down our necks in negotiations I would tell the pies they can take or leave our third rounder.

Keep. Worth persisting with.