Adam The God

My girlfriend's Hawthorn, but she's not all that passionate, so when we make our climb up the ladder, I'm hoping she'll jump ships. She will however be wearing her Hawthorn scarf, when we go on Sunday.

Short Answer: IMO Yes, because we drafted what we needed and what we were looking for in the future.

Good answer, Felix. I couldn't have said it better myself.

I would be in on it, except I sit in the MCC. Still, I can sit anywhere but the AFL members.

Turned out to be a very well-informed post, didn't it? It was Garland playing on Franklin last year, and Hodge isn't playing.

However, I'd still like to see Warnock take Buddy. I think he's the best match we have for him. Martin has the athleticism to run with him, but I don't think he's quite ready in the skills department.

By the way, Buddy kicked 3 the last time we met them.

Yeah, Cheney's unlucky, but I suppose that's a good sign. It's incredibly tough to get a game down back at the moment. Where the heck are they going to fit Garland in there, when he's eventually fit?

Sewell is probably going to be the worry and Mitchell always kills us. Keep those two quiet and we'd go a long way to winning it.

I have not seen match of Bennell but i like the look of Cheney. Maric deserves another go (if he doesn't have a good game he should be dropped next week). Bartram will be in to tag, probably Mitchell (please don't let him take the kickouts though!!!). Jones is automatic starter.

You've gotta give these kids a go. Maric's doing alright, you just need to give him 5 or 6 games to show something, even if it's minor. He's already shown his finishing capabilities, we should play him for at least the next few matches. As for Bennell, he's played all but one game.

I think Rioli might be too fast for Wheelan or Bennell. Not sure who we have with enough pace to go with him. Perhaps put Davey on the half back flank?

I've said before on these boards that Bennell is the quickest player I've ever seen. I don't think we've seen his fastest yet, either. I'd start Bennell on Rioli. Give the young kid a shot at one of the best small players going around at the moment. If that doesn't work, play Wheels on him or then perhaps Flash. As for Buddy, Warnock should start on him. If that doesn't work we have Martin and Rivers up our sleeve. I think Martin would just about have the mobility and pace to go with Buddy, whereas Jared might not have the legspeed. Rivers should at least start on Roughead. Or what might be even better is give the Roughead role to Frawley and let Rivers play his spare man in defense, dropping back role, that he does so brilliantly.

Rioli was taken before Maric, so there was no choice between the two.

Yes, I know. I was speaking hypothetically.

Who would you have drafted? Selwood may be?

No, what I meant was I'd perhaps only swap Maric for Rioli if the draft had been different. I certainly wouldn't swap Morton, he'll be a superstar and as for Grimes he could be anything. I have faith in our drafting of the past 2 years, we've drafted only what we've absolutely needed, rather than average midfielders, one after the other, or rejects from other clubs. We've really stuck to our youth policy, which provides me with great confidence.

Maric maybe, but even still we need to give him time too.

No, he's right we did over use the handball, but like I said, I believe it was our kicking that cost us more.

If you listen to DB after match press conference he said we handballed badly and to much.

Yes, we did over handball, but I agree with godees' assessment. It was actually our kicking that cost us the most.

we lost frawley and rivers but matched up well because of the dogs small forward line. yes rivers is an automatic selection, wheelan was solid today but is not part of big picture so outs are wheelan, dunn , valenti , ins are green , rivers , bennell

The beauty of Wheels is that he has that experience and the leadership to help the young backline at the moment. He has to play with them. I would not leave Wheels out.

I thought Hughes had a red hot go on Sunday. If he backs up in the next few weeks maybe the mid season spot is his. I like the idea of holding out and challenging them as a group to win the next spot and not just hand them out because their availiable.

He dominated parts of the Coburg game too.

It's been less than a year though. Was it not obvious, not a lot would change except a few draft picks.

I'll be there again, i'll probably catch a cold like i did after the Crows match and miss a day of work (Thanks AFL!) but i'll be there. I'll just be wearing two jackets and scarves.

It'd be the same as the much privelledged Friday night games, yet probably not as cold. Glad to hear you're going no matter what. This needs to be the attitude of more of us.

It's not our home game - we won't be writing out any cheques. That was part of my reasoning.

If more of us did this, what's stopping them doing this at home games?

But I am still seriously riled by the fact that we get the yet-to-be-popular twilight slots in Melbourne, more Sundays than Lent and only one Friday night. The AFL is happy to screw down on vulnerable Victorian clubs.

Of course, we get the unpopular slots, because we are a problem for the AFL. We don't get enough there no matter what day or time it is. We must rectify this. For the fact that we are one of the problems for the AFL, we are given Sunday games, whre lots of people should be able to get there.

It's funny, because two of the hosts are Melbourne men, but I have always noticed that too.

I think what has happened is what's best for the club too. It's a good way of looking at it Calabreseboy.

His salary would have probably sent the club broke anyway. We don't have a VISY board type corporation attached to us, that we can cheat the salary cap by giving him the title of 'environmental spokesman'. Unless, I suppose he could have been 'sprinkler consultant' for the MCC?

I don't think Carlton will dominate as they might lead everyone to believe, ie "They know we're coming"

I agree. Fev won't be around long enough in their premiership window and as it stands they already need another key forward.

Unfortunately thats about all you gunners have been proud of lately....

The reds will rip that title off you next year though, High Tower. No Tevez, probably a Liverpool player soon and if Ronaldo leaves, we won't even have a competition in the next title race. Haha, I love my arrogance.

Once you're in the industry I don't believe you'd view it with anything like the childhood idolisation of your younger years.

I find it odd that people can't see it that way.

I see it, but personally, I'd like to think I would think that no matter where I was drafted, I'd keep a soft spot for my childhood team. Who's to say players don't, but it just doesn't come up very often.

West Perth are the Falcons. They are red and blue, but it's a red jumper with a blue diagonal stripe. Their club song is 'It's a grand old flag.' And yes, Dennis Cometti played for and coached them.

Perth are the Demons. They wear an 'Essendon' jumper. Lance Franklin played for Perth.

And he was a Melbourne supporter.

Well, I stand corrected.:D I have been seriously misinformed.

Here it goes again...this pathetic lack of support for the team and moreover the club. If you're a Melbourne supporter, that means going along to all the matches in Melbourne and if you can, some of the interstate games as well. Why the feck would you boycott the game? The only people you're letting down is the Melbourne Footy Club. What's stopping people from doing that for one of our home games as well? If you don't turn up, we have to write out a cheque. Wouldn't it be nice not too? The only way this club is going to get itself up on two legs, firmly and strongly above the ground is to have full support. That means dedication. I miss all sorts of things, just to be at the Footy. If you're serious about your Demons, make time for it!

Who cares what time it is! It is probably one of the weakest excuses not to go to the footy, I've ever heard. Are we afraid of the cold, people?? It boggles the mind, seriously...

How do you ask players and or coaches to not go out there and give 110%. I know it, you know it and the players and staff know that by having top draft picks, the club is in better state. But its just such a contradiction!!! and its driving me mental!

Welcome to my world. Right there with you.

And this is my other gripe. Everyone is banging on about Butcher and Scully and how badly we need them. Bu does anybody really know if they are even going to go top 2? (I am not saying you dont know Jaded, but if people arnt talking about 'how much we need to loose, then they are talking about these 2)

I mean the thing is, MFC is starting to look pretty good. We are stringing some consistent, flowing and exciting games together. Were not looking that bad at all. Add to that, Watts, Blease, Jurrah and all the others and things are only going to get better.

The point is, were not doing that poorly at all at the moment, is pick 3 really going to make a profound difference??

(bracing for the wrath of Demonland)

The reason I believe it is important is because Scully and Butcher represent both the two different types of player we still need (I probably should have put that on my wish list eh?): a pacy midfielder, who has good decision making skills and adds a bit of that extra class we need, along with the gritty in and under players we have already. The other, another key forward to build a forward line around with Watts.

I don't see Newton being able to fill the other key forward role and I believe you need two key forwards (as Hawthorn has proved) to win a premiership. Butcher, therefore fits neatly into that 'need' perfectly, as Scully fits into the classy midfielder role. Afterall, another two top drafts picks wouldn't particularly hurt us would they? Greedy? Maybe. I think after 45 years we're allowed to be a little greedy.