Adam The God

Just going to bring this one up again. I did admit a few weeks ago that we should probably just back in our development programs to eradicate McDonald's flaws. However, if we could get an A grader in return, I'd do the trade. Tommy's a good player, but his flaws and market value make him tradable, IMO.

That hit on Gaff should be 6 weeks minimum. That's an elbow to the back of the head. The game has to outlaw this sort of hit.

Port aren't particularly good, are they?

That's why the lost the 2008 flag and why they lost that game against us last year. They're an arrogant football club. Hate Collingwood, but I'm not a big fan of Geelong either. Such an arrogant bunch.

Just on Jones, I would have said Nathan had "poor awareness" and "poor" kicking as a younger player. If he has the same drive to improve as his brother then he could still make it, but we should be aiming higher now.

Kelly plays on the outside, Tyson plays in the heat. Totally different players. Average post, Marty.

Agreed, mate.

No wonder we bid on Heeney back in the day. Absolute class. A one touch player like Oliver.

Perhaps, Roosy knows a few more things about the Hurley situation than we do?

Dunn, OD? Really? Nah.

You get the feeling that Barrett has been waiting to pull this one out for a while. He was so utterly embarrassed by having to admit he hadn't even seen Tyson play, but his ego has clearly dictated that he couldn't help himself but to comment. This is the first time I can recall Salem being dropped and what do you know. What an acne-scarred [censored] he is.

It's not that he is sore. He's been omitted. So it's form. Not everyone can come in and have the impact that Oliver's having. It takes most blokes 50+ games to get into it. Salem has played 28 games. I suspect next year will be his year.

I'm fine with Salem being dropped to find some form in the VFL. He's been underwhelming this year. But I'm a fan. He hasn't been the same player since he did that hammy a while back. Hoping he can string together some consistent form in the second half of the year. As for Col, well, I'm not Dunn's biggest fan, but he is definitely a better option than Garland. I don't think either are in our plans going forward, but they're getting games because we're deficient back there. After his horror hand ball that inexplicably went straight to the opposition and created the first goal against GCS, Col managed to limit his errors for the majority of the game. But last week... wow. I have not seen a player with so much experience regularly misjudge the ball in flight and lose his opponent so easily as Colin Garland. He is a lovely guy. He did have a place a couple of years ago, but he is seriously cooked as a footballer. He's soooo reactive and as many have pointed out, is timid in the contest. There was a contest in the GCS game at half forward. Garland was there with his man and the ball was in dispute. There were two other Melbourne players with opponents around them. They both attacked the contest, but Garland stayed behind his man, our two guys lost the contested ball, Col didn't impact the contest at all, GCS whisked the ball up the other end and scored. This indecision of his is costly. That's why I love what Hunt's injected into the defence. He just takes the game on at all costs. I suspect they'll give Col another go at it and if he can minimise his errors, he'll probably play the following week, but he won't provide a lot of offence and he won't fill me with much confidence when he gets it.

Reckon they'll give Michie one more week. I think too many on the list have superseded Viv in the last year. He's a neat player, but he doesn't impact the contest enough. He's worked hard to get back in, so I'm glad they're giving him some continuity in the firsts to show his wears. He'll want to get more involved this week.

Seems to be in consideration, but for mine should be doing it for a solid month before getting a look. ANB has had to do that.

That's the second time I've read that Weitering supported Melbourne. I might just make up a porkie to worry my Carlton supporting mate. Something along the lines of 'lots of talk around that Weitering will request a trade to Melbourne at the end of his first contract - comes from a diehard Melbourne-supporting family'. That ought to shut up those Blues for a few days. And completely agree about Oliver. The midfield is where it's at. The pressure is always on. His poise and clean hands are unprecedented at Melbourne in my 28 years.

Stone Age thinking, Barney.

Spot on, my Gonzo friend. Viney's played 50 games now, but agree with everything else. This is about a sustainable Melbourne. Prolonged footballing success.

I think it's a good idea. A better idea than playing him at half forward. Make him one of those inside sliders at half back. Do they still refer to them as inside sliders? Would be just about the perfect role for him.

Completely agree. Don't get me wrong. Along with Jetta, Viney is my favourite player, but still rate Prestia's best as a little higher than Viney's. But they're both jets. And they'll hopefully be playing alongside he each other, so the discussion is moot. This is not to say both guys won't become even better players with more experience, particularly if they've got each other.

If he can recapture his form, he's a more damaging player than Viney, IMO. His kicking is more of a weapon than Viney's is.

As has been mentioned multiple times in this thread, he can play inside and outside. Clearance machine. Tell me. How many gun inside mids do you think we have currently? Viney? Tyson is coming along, but inconsistent to this stage in his career. Jones is okay... Vince on his day. Jeez, we overrate our list. Prestia is a proven player. A proven young gun. So Oliver and Petracca might/will get there, but Prestia walks into our centre square clearance team. Jones plays on the half back flank, as does Bernie. They're injected into the midfield when required, otherwise let the young guys go at it.

I'd prefer Hurley and Sam Day to be our number one targets.

Carlton are being propped up by a couple of B grade leaders who have finally started performing and Bolton structures/Clarkson IP. They're an average side, playing out of their skins. Cripps, Weitering and Curnow. After them, who have they got coming through? A couple of rejects from GWS and Adelaide.

FWIW, I agree with the above.