MadAsHell

Go and watch Plapp's interviews pre & post Grand Final. The Casey players have brought into the one club message which is now being pushed. Their part time footballers dedicating themselves to try and lead as close a lifestyle to a full time footballer as possible. Attending extra training sessions when possible including summer sessions in the city with the Melbourne players to try and gel. There's a good interview with Trengove & Munroe on Scorp TV from mid-season where they talk about the efforts being made for the groups to bond and grow more. Casey's D-League team made the grand final also, which shows the ground being gained by the club. Gone are the days of 2 years ago where Ro Welsh gave JKH some instructions that totally contradicted what Miller had just asked him to do and the poor kid had no idea who he was suppose to follow. If Melbourne were to go stand alone, it would have been after the 2014 season. Instead they decided to work on the alignment with great results, We've gone from 2nd last in 2014 ahead of only Bendigo (now dismantled) to a finslist in 2015 and Grand Finalist/minor premier in 2016. Yet because of one terrible quarter, which even AFL prelim finalist teams aren't exempt from, people want to talk down the alignment. Amazing what goes on. However one thing I will say, is that I'm not against a renaming of the team to show the true alignment, however it is important from a VFL perspective to keep the Scorpions name. In the Victorian District Cricket league the Casey-South Melbourne cricket club play out of Casey Fields, so I think the Melbourne-Casey Scorpions is something that they could rename the club. Give them the Melbourne guernsey with a Scorpion a the bottom of the red point on the jumper. Just a thought.

Your not wrong Fifty-5 and I think our recruiting just recently is starting to address this, however it may not be till about 2018 before it starts to bear fruit. I think in general we're far to one paced, so players such as Hunt, Stretch, Melksham, Lumumba, Garlett (players capable of breaking the lines) are a must. We also need more mids who have that ability to break away from stoppages. Again the likes of Petracca & Harmes are players that should be automatic locks to play at Etihad, even if that means resting a Tyson or Brayshaw etc. Like the Australian Cricket team in Asia, the Melbourne FC need to start to take a horses for courses approach when it comes to Etihad. The addition of Hibberd will help as well as Salem with their accurate kicking and strong runnning. I'm also hoping there's a stronger concentration on outside run at this years draft as compared to our inside mids where we're reasonably well placed.

Post of the day Stuie!

If we can get Pick 47 (Eagles 3rd Round Pick is 48) off Brisbane as part of any Dunn trade, then i say we take him.

I actually think he moves better then what he looks. A few times this year i was suprised to see him get to a contest or take a mark that i didn't think he'd get to. He's a real competitor and a big brute of a lad. I see a bit of Leigh Brown in him myself. Not the most skilful player. But a very handy one who will play his role and give it his all.

Was at the game yesterday and it was tough to watch. Very unfortunate way to end what's been a great season. Match was lost in the midfield. At that venue our midfield had to totally control the play, otherwise we were always in danger of being cut up on the outside. Dogs midfield managed to break even though and in the 3rd term smash us which was the game. Not really feeling in the mood to give a full player run down, so will only provide a short one. Oliver is a star Weideman competed well but needs to get stronger. Trengove did a few really nice things. His hanball over the top in the centre square in the 1st term pure class. Not writing him off yet. Spencer was really disapointing Dunn/Garland i asdumed we'd only trade one, but we may trade both. List management will have a bit to think about. White was ok All the others struggled. We'll see a very different Casey next year. Highly likely there'll be no Grimes, Michie, Newton, Terlich, M. Jones, Pedersen, Dawes and good chance one or both of Dunn & Garland will be gone also. Bring on the egg & bacon rolls next year and go Scorps!

& a 2016 1st Round Pick. Try reading the post properly.

Not saying we will or that i want us to. Just that i wouldn't be surprised if it happens so theycan get a pick in the 1st Round. Could involve us getting a player like Stewart or WHE back with the pick.

I wouldn't at all be surprised if we did something like this. Eg trade 2017 1st Round Pick for a 2016 1st Rounder Pick such as Pick 14 that Gold Coast will likely get off Hawthorn or Picks 15 or 16 from GWS. We'll know for sure within a month i guess.

Come again???

Hypothetical trade scenario taking into account: Hogan to WA, Fyfe to a Melb based club (not necessarily Dees), Hibberd to Melbourne, recent article about GWS wanting Pick 1. Melbourne send Hogan to Fremantle & Garland to GWS Fremantle send Fyfe to Essendon & Pick 3 to Melbourne. GWS send Pick 7 & Cam McCarthy to Freo & James Stewart to Melbourne Essendon send Pick 1 to GWS & Hibberd to Melbourne. Essendon loose Pick 1 & Hibberd but gain Fyfe Fremantle loose Fyfe & Pick 3 but gain Hogan, McCarthy & Pick 7 GWS loose McCarthy, Stewart & Pick 7 but gain Pick 1 & Garland Melbourne loose Hogan & Garland but gain Pick 3, Hibberd & Stewart. Reasonably balanced?

Yes they were. They just suffered a surprise loss to the team ranked 4th.

Because he's shown zero ability to do so at either AFL or VFL level so far. He spent periods of time forward in the Casey v Sandringham game at Casey Fields this year with zero impact. Ask any Saints fan what they think of his forward craft. Longer as a forward is what Dawes is as a ruck.

Looking forward to seeing where Geelong's improvement will come from in 2017?

Watching Hulett & Wagner.

I hate that deliberate call against Kennedy. His options were either do what he did, run it over and get penalised with the same call. Kick it out on the full or get tackled and get done for holding the ball.

Cats & Umps trying to lift.

Where's your left foot Jimmy?

How could the ump not pay that mark to Rohan???

University?

A professional athlete is responsible for what goes into their body. Furthermore they didn't disclose what they were taking to ASADA. Spin it anyway you like. The players are equally responsible and i have zero sympathy for any of them.

Agreed, and if we were to trade Spencer out then I think we'll be right in the mix.

I've mentioned him a few times already, so thought I'd give him his own thread seeing as I'm on a role. Mature age ruckman/forward has been around the WAFL scene with Claremont for a few years now (must have played with Hogan) and has had a breakout year this year. http://www.wafl.com.au/players/view/4672 Not bad numbers for a just turned 21 year old big man. Approx 2 goals, 6 marks, 12 possessions, 13 hit outs and 2 tackles a game. Fits the bill of what we need. I'd be willing to take him late in the national draft with our 4th round pick to make sure we get him rather then risk him being there in the rookie draft. He has Callum Sinclair written all over him from a few years back. Cameron could potentially play from Round 1 and go along way to fixing our structure issues with the forward/2nd ruck role. Brief description on him below re: his invite to the combine this year. Anyone seen much of him at WAFL level? Darcy CameronClaremont204cm/104kg18/7/95Cameron was overlooked at the 2013 NAB AFL Draft with a query on his pace and his consistency in competing. But he's improved those aspects of his game and presents as a mature-age tall who is able to play in the ruck and in attack. Cameron has enjoyed a solid season at WAFL level for Claremont.Darcy Cameron during the 2013 NAB AFL Draft Combine. Picture: Darrian Traynor

If Fyfe was traded at the end of this season he doesn't become a free agent still in 2017. You have to serve 8 years with a club. Not 8 years in the game.

I think Fifty-5 was having a laugh MD. Why would Longer leave a team where he's 2nd in line behind one of the best half dozen rucks in the comp to a team where he'll be 2nd in line behind the best in the comp. And for the record, Longer can't play forward.