praha

I'll laugh if we got Butcher now. The club probably should have taken Scully and Butcher. I guess they saw something in Trengove that has helped make him captain? But he'd be great now. I'd be happy if we only got Butcher to be honest.

I personally thought Ratten had the interview lined up, may have already had a job offered and locked away, and was never really interested in the GC. May not be in the league next year but he'll eye a return. Or he went in thinking he is worth more than he is because he was an AFL coach.

It sounds like BT actually wants to get fired.

But I really think our 2002-2005 sides were similar to Sydney of 05-06 and 2012. The club was recruiting a lot of older, experienced outfits to contribute, and we were always around the top of the ladder deep into the season, before the annual drop off down a few spots (and sometimes down the brink of missing the finals). It just couldn't really utilise. Maybe that was Daniher's fault? But it smells awfully like this year's criticism that the club just doesn't do enough in training, which is clearly a cultural problem.

It is. Grant Thomas speaks his mind. Whether you like him or not, he made that show, and he wasn't in the AFL's pockets, or vice versa, although I'm sure league bosses didn't like what he had to say. How do you know it was an error? Was there a defamation case holding Thomas liable? Couldn't you argue that part of the reason behind Davey's season might have had to do with the issue Thomas raised? I don't doubt that Neeld isn't racist and had the best of intentions, but it's not surprising to see an Indigenous player responding with hostility to be treated away from the group. He might have said something jokingly in a spontaneous manner. Serious question: has Thomas stood by his word on that issue recently?

You're a bit "left of Lenin" aren't ya with that subtle rant of prelude you have there.

Garland's Anatomy

Clubs like Melbourne benefit from strong broadcasting deals. Don't be so ignorant.

Well said. Can't be helped that the ball is constantly being bombarded over and over again.

Not HoF quality. Top 5 Melbourne player of the past 50 years, but not HoF quality. Says a lot.

Still wish he was coaching Melbourne.

I don't think we'll lose either tbh. Trade period is always all hype, no substance. Not much will happen.

Well, that's better than saying, "Collingwood won a flag in 2010 so let's copy them!"

Let him focus on being the best midfielder he can be. Don't stop what's been so good. Grimes and Trengove have done a great job imo, and should keep it for at least another year.

The entire second half of that match. I don't know, even as a winless side with no hope, the second half was just...different. I remember it like it was yesterday.

I'm trying to be optimistic but... 2012 is easily, without a doubt one of the club's worst years ever.

Melbourne's DRAFTING is not the issue. Its development is.

Now sure if serious?

Neeld has coached one of the worst teams in Melbourne history, that's for sure. Whether that's because he can't coach or because the team just isn't that good, or perhaps because of off-field distractions, I don't know, but anything more than 3-5 wins next year is a massive plus for the club. He will get until 2014. The only thing threatening his position will be the relentless media scrutiny he is sure to get next year when the club starts 0-10. Bookmark it. On Triple M today they were saying Melbourne of 2012 was certainly worse than 2008 and 2009, and probably one of the worst teams of all time, seeing as though 3 of the 4 wins came against new, "non"-sides. It's amazing how far behind the next worst team this year's team was. It's staggering. And either the players leaving will be replaced with better, more experienced players, or young, POTENTIALLY better players. If it's the latter, and I think it will be, I seriously think 2013 and 2014 are well on the way to being two more 'spoon years. Buckle up, people.

Some must-watches for you: Essendon vs Melbourne, Round 10, 2012 The Comeback - Melbourne vs Fremantle, Round 7, 2008 Just be careful, kid. They'll break your heart.

Basically what I already knew or expected to happen. Not sure what experienced players the club can attract now. Cloke's pay expectations were quite clearly a turnoff for the club.

Are you an Australian living abroad, or a curious American? Anyway, I recommend Norm Smith's book "Red Fox", also.

I think that the 2013 wooden spoon is very much guaranteed. I am not saying that out of anger or frustration, I just think that 2012 is essentially 2007 all over again, and we need to crash further before we can rise. We are considerably further off than people think we are. I think people need to prepare themselves for another bad few seasons. We have some great young players, but absolutely no culture and poor development, and that doesn't change over night. Just prepare yourselves. It's really only the beginning. The club is still trying to drain out Daniher duds, and the cancer that was Bailey's cultural issues. 1. Yes, because a big ego and arrogance hasn't worked for Collingwood, Eagles, Geelong. This is the big league. Nice guys can be shown the door. See: Daniher, Bailey. 2. Michael Jordan once said that only one sort of player made him angry: it wasn't the crappy player that tried hard, but rather the skilled player that made too many mistakes. Players like Moloney, Davey, Petterd simply don't work hard enough. The club has kept players like those three on for too long over decades. 3. I don't disagree with this. Time will tell. 4. Gameplan? What gameplan? I am willing to give him 2-3 years before judging him, and this year was essentially the culling opportunity. The club missed on Sheeds AND Malthouse, so now much make do with some who has a very clear agenda. Either you support that, or you end up in the same circle, time and time again.

Goddard is OK, would be a good fit for a backline next to Watts. Imagine that lineup in 3-4 years?