MadAsHell

Cheers LH. Nowhere near as Angry as I was about 4 years ago under the previous regime. Since then though I changed my user name to what it is now and am a little older with kids, so the anger is redirected and generally softened with the consumption of an amber liquid. Live about a 200m walk from Casey Fields which allows me to get to a lot of games there, and should give credit to my beautiful wife who is happy to mind the young kids while I watch the games. Having said that, as a St Kilda supporter she does have a lot to make up for. But yes a special thanks to the mods, administrators and KC at Casey for all their hard work and to all our unique posters who help make Demonland what it is.

Gus will be back better then ever in 2017. Looking forward to big years from both he and Salem.

Goes without saying, but 2017 will be make or break for Trenners. Really hope he can re-establish himself within the team.

His best is good enough, as he showed at stages in 2013 & 2014. But your entitled to think that if you like.

I reckon both Freo & Hawthorn would be decent fits for him.

Fair enough. Part of the reason why I think the odds of us taking Zac Clarke have probably firmed even though he hasn't really proved himself as a forward.

I really hope we draft Cameron, but suspect there will be a few clubs into him at the national draft.

Can he play forward? I honestly don't know.

Given Mahoney's comments today about looking for another ruck who can play forward, but with us not having much to trade with, I suspect the odds of us going after Clarke as a Free Agent have firmed. Only other options I can see on the cheap would be someone like Luke Lowden (DFA) or Shaun McKernan (possible DFA or very late pick).

Mods please merge.

I'd say we already have a replacement for Garland lined up given that we're reportedly into both Tom Lamb and Josh Watts, both of whom are capable of playing that 3rd tall defender role. As for a bigger bodied tall, I don't think there's to many options out there? Abe has mentioned Eric Mackenzie, however I'm not sure what we could offer in a trade for him? Maybe we'd have to look for another clubs version of Dunn on the cheap like a Luke Delaney or Lachie Hansen?

If we can't offload Garland then the club need to look at giving him a different role as a utility with stints up forward and even on a wing or something. Two years of the same role at Casey wont do anyone any good. May as well try something different with him if we can't get any takers.

We should certainly be talking to him. And if we deem he's the right fit and he nominates us then we should ensure we get him. Reckon if we do take him we'll need to part with next years 1st Rounder to get HH and something else back. Port want picks this year, so any deal would have to be something like our 2017 1st Rounder to GWS for Pick 15 & 51 (for example) and we then on trade Pick 15 for HH.

I expect him to be back in 2017. However if he struggles with injury & form again, an early retirement wouldn't surprise me come the end of next season. Fully fit, his run & pace together with that of Melksham could be very beneficial to the team.

Champion player who will clearly be our next skipper. It's guys like Viney, Brayshaw, Oliver, Tommy Mc & Max that are going to drive our standards going forward and bury our demons of the past.

I'm assuming it will be with Channel 7. Can't see him going back to his old role.

Up there with Essendon's efforts in going to Wangaratta for a pre-season match. You always see Hawthorn travel to Launceston after their flags but apparently the Dogs players couldn't do their mad monday on a Tuesday. Very poor effort and takes a bit of the gloss off for mine.

Cause god knows you can't have them at 32.

1h AFL Trade Whisperer ‏@AFLTradeWhisper The Hogan deal. Exclusive details will drop here tonight

Said it before and I'll say it again, the Melbourne team of 2013 that Roos took over was worse then a top up Essendon this year or even Fitzroy of 95' (their 2nd last year). We're coming from a lot further back then the Dogs of 2014 or Melbourne of 75' or 86'. We're tracking well.

Feel for Dawes as I know how much he wants to succeed and repay the faith Melbourne have put into him. His body just wont allow him to however. Time for Dawes to be moved on for mine as Melbourne look to add that 2nd ruck/forward to our structure.

He could be the best of them all Petracca. A real special talent who looks capable of anything. I just hope that he realises his potential.

Think Lamb is more of a dag.

As I've mentioned several times, I'm happy with the clubs current alignment with Casey, however having said that. If the club was to look to create a base closer to the the city where we could have all of training/admin & social facilities there are two options, both of which would cost big $. First and probably the most ideal scenario is that we take over Toorak Park and set up shop there. Obviously this would require an upgrade in facilities including of setting up a social club while helping fund/build other facilities at Orrong Park down the road for Old Xavs & Preston FC & CC to move into. The other, which is a few Km's North of our hearland, but closer then Casey, is to set up at Brunswick Street Oval. Continuing on with PJ & Bartlett's vision of connecting with the city, we all know that Brunswick Street is a Melbourne icon and it would put us in the middle of a massive hub for the younger hipster generation of supporters and business. Again, a lot of $ would be required to get the proper facilities in there, but there's something romantic about re-openning/bringing back to life a former AFL venue. Kick the VAFA Fitzroy team to the back of Edinburgh Gardens on the field that runs along Alfred Cres. But so as not to totally jump on Fitzroy's grave, maybe name the old grandstand the Murray/Neitz stand after two former 300 champions of each club. As i said, either option would cost massive $, however would help us at least establish a proper base for supporters to meet/gather and be part of the club.

Would prefer Jong over WHE.