MadAsHell

Warnock on Franklin Martin on Roughead Whelan on Rioli Frawley on Williams (subject to fitness) *If Frawley doesn't come up for the match I'd expect Cheney to get Williams.

If Rivers doesn't come up from what I was hearing I'd think Bell would have to be a chance. He is capable of playing tall and had a good game, they may give him another go?

I still want us to get picks 1 & 2. Will be worth it's weight in gold considering GC and WS to come in with their draft concessions. At most we'll win 8 games this year but hope we wont, I think Scully and Butcher will be very important players for us over the next few years. As for developing a winning culture we can do that next year before pushing for finals in 2011.

Lets hold off on Watts till at least round 14. There's no need to rush him and the extended run with Casey will do him good. Also that way he'd only play 9 games this year meaning he'll be eligable for the NAB rising star award next year aswell as this one. As I said before I think Bell and Rivers should come in for Dunn and Valenti and if Moloney isn't fit then I'd like to see Bennell come back in for him.

Well we played small this week and will need taller players against the Hawks due to their forward line so if ther was only to be one change I'd say Rivers in for Moloney. Our other midfielders can pick up the slack. Another option is Bell. Can play midfield and play tall or small in defence?

Having heard that I'd say instead of Spencer they should play Bell as someone who is capable of playing tall in defence and Martin can play as 2nd ruck again. Jamar needs to play a few games with Casey still. If Moloney is indeed fit I would give Bennell another week with Casey.

The below is my list of our untouchables that we should under no circumstanes let go. Rivers Warnock Bennell Frawley Martin Garland Blease Davey Petterd Watts Maric Jurrah Wonna Morton McLean Grimes Jones Strauss

IN: Bennell, Rivers, Spencer OUT: Dunn, Moloney (inj?), Valenti FB: RIVERS, WARNOCK. WHELAN HB: CHENEY, MARTIN, BENNELL C: MORTON, McLEAN, DAVEY HF: SYLVIA, MILLER, PETTERD FF: BATE, ROBERTSON, MARIC FOLL: SPENCER, BRUCE, JONES INT: BARTRAM, GRIMES, JOHNSON, McDONALD

Exactly, once you factor in injury and form there would obviously be a few changes which may see someone like Bartram,Strauss or McNamara in there as a run with player. Otherwise you never know, Moloney or Jones may re-invent themselves into a run with player. Then add in the pace of Davey, Blease, Scully and Morton it starts to look very good for the future doesn't it!

Yes I can see why a few people would scratch their heads over that one. A lot depends on this year really as far as I'm concerned. I know Bate hasn't set the world on fire of late but I have a gut feeling that the club is going to stick with him, don't know why just a feeling. As of Sylvia I'm still not convinced either way which way the club will go on him whether they'll try to trade him at seasons end or if he'll turn it all around and demand a spot in our team. So long and short I've probably only listed Bate ahead of Sylvia because I'm pretty confident Bate will still be there, while undecided about Sylvia. Hope he is still there though.

I can see all of them potentially still on our list in 2011 and if you're talking about in our best 22 by round 1 2011 I'd expect our side to read. FB: Rivers, Warnock, Bennell HB: Frawley, Martin, Garland C: Blease, Scully, Davey HF: Green, Watts, Petterd FF: Jurrah, Butcher, Wonna Foll: Spencer, Morton, McLean Int: Grimes, Jones, Meesen, Moloney Emerg: Bate, Maric, Strauss

I don't have a problem with Whelan and Cheney in for Rivers and Frawley, but if Bennell needed a rest then I'd of rather seen McNamara or Bell in instead of Valenti. Think this shows Bailey obviously likes Valenti. He may be promoted at end of the year after all?

I will go but I want to know where I get to sit. I have a reserved seat at the G so I better not be thrown into general admin at Docklands.

I just think he's had ample opportunity over the last few years to cement his place and hasn't taken it. Meesen's been impressive in his 4 games and Spencer's a long term project. He needs to show why he should be played ahead of PJ and I'm yet to see why.

I agree with you completely. I can't see Robbo being delisted until the end of next year at earliest. We can't leave just kids in and delist everyone who's 28 or over. While McDonald, Whelan and Wheatley may all be shown the door Robbo is safe as houses in my opinion as long as he doesn't pick up a serious injury

How many picks would you be expecting them to use in the national draft RR? You think they'd use for example 1, 2, 18 & 34 and then leave one pick for pre-season draft or would you expect them to draft in more players at national draft?

Will only play seniors when either Johnson or Spencer are injured IMO.

I know how you feel, none of us like hoping Melbourne loose most weeks, however at the same time we've got a real opportunity to snare two young starsnjust before the next few drafts become compromised which could set us up for a real tilt at a premiership in 3 years or so. I hate to say it but I hope we do only win the 4, sure I think we're capable of winning about 6, but I think if we get picks 1 & 2 we'll be a real force in years to come.

Same here, I know he's still developing but I'd love it if they got him into the side even if it was only for round 22, just so he can get a taste of it.

We'll be a good shot to win this one, especially seeing as Green, Rivers & Frawley will all be back. If we do win this one it means that we can't win the games against Richmond or North Melbourne otherwise we'll go over our 4 wins. Doesn't matter if we do loose though because we'll thump them in the coming years, don't like the look of them going ahead, can only think of half a dozen players who look like they'll have much of a future.

Round 14-v-West Coast Round 20-v-Fremantle And we'll beat either Richmond or North Melbourne. We'll also have close calls against Collingwood round 11, Essendon round 12 and Port Adelaide round 15. We'll win exactly 4!

The below names are the players who I think will most likely be in the gun to get delisted, traded or told to hang up the boots. Personally I don't think we'll clear out any more then 6 at most. That would allow 4 picks in national draft, 1 in pre-season draft and 1 to be promoted off the rookie list. Bate Bell Dunn Jamar McDonald Newton Sylvia Wheatley Whelan If I had to get rid of 6 I'd be looking at; Bell Dunn Jamar Sylvia Wheatley Whelan

Yes but don't forget Watts and Butcher wont be able to hold down key positions next year either. While Watts will most likely be able to play in a pocket in the seniors I'd expect Butcher to spend most of his first year with Casey. We'll need Robbo for at least 2010 to give Watts and Jurrah an extra year to get their bodies right to take the mantle. While I agree the hard decissions could very well come for McDonald, Whelan and Wheatley all at seasons end Robbo will be a required player for at least one more year.

Sadly I'm still not convinced about Jamar, in fact I'd have him 4th in our ruck pecking order. I was impressed with Meesen's ruck work in the 4 games he's played. Johnson had a good game against the Eagles and we all know Spencer is a long term project. Jamar doesn't do enough around the ground for mine and doesn't win enough hit outs to compensate for the lack of ball he gets. Personally if Jamar, Johnson and Spencer are our ruckman to pick from for the rest of the year I'd be going with Spencer and Johnson every time.

Does anyone know exactly who is and isn't out of contract at season's end? Obviously I know Watts, Bleae, Strauss, Bennell, Jetta, Bail and Jurrah are contracted for next year, but does anyone know the list of players who's contract runs out at the end of this year?