Grand New Flag

We have two massive advantages this week. Ruck - Gawn against a very underdone Maric with pinch hitting from Vickery should give us an enormous advantage at the clearances. Small Forwards: Simply Richmond have no match-ups for Garlett, Kennedy, Kent. They could run wild. We should be able to exploit these clear advantages. I think CP5 is a chance to play and obviously Vince and Garlett are certainties. I think Frost or Paterson will make way for Garlett. Vince will replace Hunt and if CP5 is given a run it will be while resting Oliver.

I think they will play him this week. No idea who they will drop.

As many have said there are going to be unlucky players this week. Its a big home game on the big stage and I think we will play our best fit 22. In: Petracca - he has done his time in the magoos. 32 possessions in another dominant display. Played the 2nd half in the forward line. Its time he was debuted. Vince - No need for discussion Garlett - We would have beaten North if was playing. Can't afford not to play him if fit. Out: Oliver - Rest 2 unlucky players depending on match-ups, game plans and fitness.

Suggestions we n longer want him are insane. He is a star.

He will be in a red & blue next season. Deal done Dangerfield style.

The club is all over Prestia and is quietly confident. The fact we traded out next seasons 1st round pick is of little consequence. We can trade 2017 first round for a start. If Prestia says he wants to be traded to Melbourne, he will be a Dee in 2017. Our performance this season is very important for Prestia and perhaps Hogan, but I also hear that contract negotiations for Hogan are going very well and he could be signed to a mega deal before round 1. Fingers crossed!!

Stop whinging people. Our fixture is reasonable and fair for a team that finished 13th with 7 wins and has won just just a handful of games in the last few season. We have a soft draw for the first half of the season, played mostly at the MCG and thus a massive opportunity to build some confidence and excitement. We should be in the 8 at the break. We need to earn a better draw. I have no problems with this.

Demon Disciple, on 21 Oct 2015 - 2:30 PM, said: DD, show some class and calm down. I said at the beginning of this trade period that I no longer had the info flow from the club. Surprise, surprise I was spoken to for saying too much last, this year I was not given the privilege. I was only told one thing this season and that is the club was going hard for Prestia........ which was hardly a secret. The club was confident in getting him. Maybe that will be next year. Last year we went all out for Danger, I said this, we failed. Why abuse me? Perhaps you need to talk to someone about your anger? This year, clearly I got the trading for a player thing wrong. I never said I knew this, or had been given inside info. It was just joining the dots. I was wrong.

We have traded picks to trade for a player. We do not intend to take these picks to this years draft.

Pick 3, part of a larger complicated trade. Obviously not going back to GC.

Club going all out for Prestia... Pick 3 would have sealed the deal. I understand the frustration. Dees still very confident he will be in red and blue 2016.

Not sure how much help I am going to be this year. The Board Member who was giving me the inside word pre-mid last season (Roos to coach etc) is now an x Board Member........ and for some reason, can't imagine why, my friend from the football department who I regularly have beers with, no longer talks shop with me. Maybe I have blown my cover. Not withstanding I have done my best work, extracted my best info, at the Grand Final in previous years. Alcohol loosens lips big time. Lets wait and see.

Considering the outstanding recruiting in the last 2 seasons since Roos & co took over I trust that Melksham will be a wonderful recruit. Roos has a long, strong record of rejuvenating players. He knows what he is doing. Personally I am excited about the prospect.

Anyone who thinks Paul Roos has not performed exceptionally well is forgetting how far behind the pack we were when he took over. In 2012 & 2013 we were the worst team the competition had seen since the last year of Fitzroy. We won 2 games in 2013, one against a bunch of 18 year old kids from GWS who were 4 goals up at 3 quarter time and ran out of puff. On the return bout late in the season GWS easily beat us. We also beat Essendon in the upset of the century (last beat first) but since we have learnt that this was the week that internally the Essendon doping crisis began. Dank was sacked, players were not whacked up for the first time in 18 months. The Essendon players smelt a rat and were physically and mentally off. Most games were lost by over 10 goals and we lost a staggering 6 games by more than 15 goals. For us to be a competitive, out of the bottom 4 less than 2 season later is a miracle. Thank God for Paul Roos.

A message to James Hird: "It is rare that someone acts with such little integrity and is so self absorbed that it angers me. I have white anger towards you. You are the "Head of Football", regardless of what you may say you are ultimately responsible for the entire Football Department. Your total lack of taking responsibility makes me feel physically ill. The health risks you exposed to your beloved players gives me cold goose bumps. The sell out of good people in the name of your self protection sends me demented with utter disgust and anger. You are a cheat, you pushed drugs onto your young players, you have no integrity, you are a fraud, you are worse than Lance Armstrong, because at least Lance only did it to himself." Hell, this guy systematically whacked up his players (several times a week), with a raft of experimental drugs (not approved for human consumption), over a prolonged period of time. His defence of "It was not me, but I am certain we did not do anything illegal. By the way, we have no records!!!" This makes me feel ill. The fact this dirt bag is coaching rather than facing criminal charges boils my blood. His defence is no more plausible than a drunk driver refusing to take a breath test!!! James Hird: this game would be better and stronger if you had never been part of it. You have destroyed its integrity and credibility. You have systematically drugged your players, you have taken our great game into disrepute, you have failed to take responsibility for your actions or the actions of the club, you have sold out your political supporters, your players, your supporters, the EFC, the AFL. You are scum! Nothing would make me more happy for you to be exited from our game for your utter incompetence following a thrashing at the hands of the dees. In fact, I want to see this so much I would happily sacrifice the rest our season to see you go down this weekend!!!!! Go away and rot you filthy rat.

Making the trip as a guest of Geelong old players association. I will be happy if we make a game of it.

We must keep Howe unless we get an over the top offer. He brings people to the game. He is a good footballer who has never been dropped and he is young.

Jesus, this thread is a disgrace and should be locked. I know Juddy personally, he is a mate, an unbelievably good bloke and a legend of our sport. I am disappointed he did not come to the Dees, truth is if we had our house in order he would have. Get over it!!!!!! Juddy will not be going into full time media or full time coaching. He is over the fish bowl of the AFL and has built and impressive business portfolio. Mark my words you will only be reading about Juddy in the future will be in business pages of the papers.

I can't wait to see Hogan play on Saturday.

CFC is the new MFC. We may have finally passed on the "basket case" award. Their older players are their best players. Judd will retire seasons end, Murphy is a shadow of the player he was a few years back. with his well documented chronic injuries. Combine this with the loss of Judd and its clear his best is well behind him. Gibbs is over rated, Krouger does not have the body for AFL football. Their entire forward line has either been sacked, moved on or walked. Their recruiting and player development and culture is equally as poor as ours at our worst........ and that says a lot. They are in the poo alright. They will be even worse next year............. I am loving it.

The penetration on his kick will improve enormously. I remember watching Hawkins in his first couple of seasons, Hawkins was limited to 35 - 40 meters. Now as a mature player Hawkins has no issues from 55. Hogan will be dobbing them from long rang in no time.

According to the bookies Hogan is 2nd favourite at $3.25 behind McCarthy at $3.00. 3rd Patrick Cribbs $5.50 and then Matt Crouch $13. Its my belief Hogan's consistency (if continued) will get him over the line. Best they hurry up and nominate him.

Spencer, Hogan, so happy

We are significantly stronger this week,

The AFL should be doing everything in their power to even the comp. Currently their is an abyss between the top and bottom of the ladder. As a one country code, the AFL is nothing without an interesting, even competition. The AFLPA should also be behind this as they are representing not just current players but also the health of the competition for future players.