Adam The God

Love him to death, been one of our best over the last decade, but there is no way he has 3 years left in him let alone 3 good years. His body just isn't what it once was. Sorry.

He doesn't have to play to remain a presence in and around the team. I'm sure the club could find a role for him. He'll be around, just not on the field.

I do hope the club can send him off in deserving fashion if this is to be his last year. Like you say, he's always lead from the front and put his body on the line. Deserves to go out with class.

I was just coming back to change that to 2 years.:D That includes this year, seeing as we're only 7 rounds in. I'd say he's still got one more year left in him, even if he doesn't play a lot next year, he's vital to have around the youngsters. I'd certainly want him there in a mentoring type role once he's finished though.

They have to pay for their membership scarf and magazines as well. It's got me [censored] how they have so many supporters they have to pay more for everything just to see their side continually fail. Debut Watts in this game we will get over 60,000 for sure if that happens.

Actually, that might even be the thinking behind Watts' debut in this round. Great point! The thinking behind the Queen's Bday game has always been that it's the biggest money winning for us. Bringing Watts in could just be that extra touch of spice the game needs.

I was having a look through our list and I was surprised how difficult it was to find people that we may delist at the end of the year. Although these people might prove me wrong I think the following might be on their last legs with the d's

Bell

Buckley

Whelan

If we are able to snare butcher in the draft then Newton would be a very good chance to go as well.

If it does pan out as muted above, I would really hope that we keep Whelan around the club. He has been fantastic for the young guys espically the aboriginal players, he would be great as a development coach.

I'd keep Buckley. He showed last year that he could well be useful in the future, playing the role that currently Flash is playing.

As for Wheels, keep him. Let him serve out his career, but I wouldn't be against the delisting of Belly. He's a trier, but ultimately not good enough. We have to be ruthless. I'd also agree on the Newton issue. Although, Newton signed a new two year contract during last season, so we'd have to pay him out. In our financial situation, we'd be better off holding onto him for an extra season, letting him serve out his contract, giving him an occasional game and if he doesn't sure anything delist him. If however, on the other hand he shows something, then we could reassess then.

A lot of people don't like having these discussions mid season, but personally, list management is my favourite topic.

I agree that this year's delistings are going to be tough. Apparently Dunn and Bell are contracted as well -- these two would've been first cabs off the rank IMO. Pretty sure Newton also got two years at the end of last season, much to the bemusement of many.

I don't think we'd want to have any less than 6 draft picks in this year's draft, but how do we come up with 6 spaces?

- Junior (retire)

- Whelan (delist)

- Wheatley? (delist)

- McNamara (delist)

Additionally, we need to find a spot on the list for Spencer IMO, so that takes the number we need to clear off up to 7.

Would there be any takers for 'freebie' trade in the 100s for Bell or Dunn? I don't know that too many clubs would be all that interested, but I think we'd need to give it a shot.

At the moment I would think Buckley would be in the gun. At his stage of development I'd prefer to keep him, but I think we may not have any choice other than delisting him. It's a pity to delist one of our only line breakers, but space are at a premium now and we need to get rid of someone. Can we delist and then rookie him? Also, what happens if McNamara comes in over the next few weeks and plays well? What if Junior decides to go on?

Wheatley would also be stiff to be delisted, but again I think we're out of options.

I reckon list management is going to be tough at the end of this season.

I think you'd keep Wheatley, as he'd be in the top two or three kicks in our side. He's also a berometre for us as well, in some ways. Particularly over the past two seasons, whenever he's played, we played reasonably well. Without him, we were always horrible. Due mostly to the fact he kicks over zones and so fourth...does our long term plan involve that though? Bailey's plan seems to involve ball carrying and handpassing, in order to break zonal lines, instead of kicking over the top of them. That said, Paul is quick, tall (probably not strong enough though) and a beautiful long kick. I'd certainly keep him, at least for another 1 or 2 seasons.

Could list space be achieved at the trade table?

Maybe a premiership contender would consider topping up with Sylvia or Bruce? Best we could hope for would be 3rd round picks but maybe we could package them with a pick to obtain higher picks?

No, I don't think anyone would be giving away their higher picks in such a crucial draft (unless I misunderstood you, Tata?).

With the general consensus being that this years draft is going to be very thin seeing as Gold Coast are getting the 17 year olds I wouldn't be suprised if Melbourne only use the minimum 3 picks in the national draft. So we'd need to clear 5 spots in my opinion. 3 for drafting and 2 to elevate Spencer and Valentti. The people I'd expect to be shown the door would be:

Whelan (enforced retirement)

Jamar (delist)

Bell (delist - I was under the impression he was out of contract at seasons end)

Dunn (trade with pick 18 for higher pick, eg 16. Bulldogs may be interested in someone like Dunn.)

Sylvia (trade with pick obtained for Dunn for higher pick eg 12. Collingwood may be interested in someone like Sylvia)

This could see us with draft picks 1, 2 and 12 for example where we can obtain 3 really good players in what will be a thin draft to go with the bunch of exciting kids we already have.

Oh, Valenti! That's another one. He's shown that he's too slow and although a fantastic VFL player, not quite good enough at the top level. I think I saw enough of him last year to know that his lack of awareness and lack of leg speed (much like Brock unfortunately, but with less going for him) would retard our midfield.

I have only recently been advised from a reliable source that Bell and Dunn are contracted for 2010. I further understand that Meesen is also contracted for 2010

Surely you'd give Meesen another chance? He showed something in the early part of this year, before his injury. The bloke that has continually let himself and the team down is Mark Jamar. That man is massive, if only he had a football brain. We're already a little thin on ruck stocks, so I'd keep PJ, Meesen and Spencer and develop them over the next couple of seasons. Jamar is surely the obvious one to let go....

If we had two Cale Mortons, then the first would always have the other to kick to...

Hopefully we'll see a set up like Strauss and Grimes at HB kicking to Morton, Davey, and Blease on the wings, then whack it in to Watts, Sylvia and Bate, with Maric and Wonaeamirri to clean up any strays.

Meanwhile Moloney, Jones and Mclean do the hard stuff inside, Bartram tags relentlessly and our shiny new tall defender squad keep shutting it down any time it comes the wrong way.

Notice that you don't even have to include a single pick from this coming draft to get a pretty exciting picture?

The only thing about this is that neither Sylvia or Bate have shown enough to suggest they'll be good enough. Sylvia was drafted in 2003, that means this is his sixth year of senior footy. By now he should have at least strung a full game together. He hasn't and I don't mean to take a big dig at him, but for a #3 draft pick, he worries me. Probably his best game has been against Brisbane last year (where he still didn't play four quarters of footy and drifted in and out of the play) or even Richmond this year (in which he kicked two goals in 5 mins, laid a few tackles and that was about it). Whilst, I'll admit his attack at times this year, has been the best I've seen from him, that's not saying much. Bails has been good for him, but he's still a struggler, IMO. I hope he proves me wrong though.

As for Bate, his best game was probably against Hawthorn in the NAB cup early this year, playing from basically the goal square. Like Sylvia, he still hasn't put consistent football together. As for his efforts on Sunday, they were not full of this passion that some members on here are talking about, but in fact seeming boredom. I'm not sure if he was underdone going into the Eagles match, but he certainly didn't look interested. On more than one occasion, he let his hard working team mates down, by not chasing out of defense and not going hard enough at the contest.

I'm sorry to bring a negativity to this thread, as generally, I'd agree with a lot of the positivity being put forward, but I'd still question whether the Sylvia/Bate combination will help win us a flag.

And that's digression for you. So to stay on topic...Cale Morton is a gun.

Yeah, I hope he gets a senior game soon. I can't wait to see how he goes.

I think Wheels has still got at least 3 good years left in him. He might be slowly down a little bit with injury, but he's still one of our best players. He's always solid and leads from the front with his tackling and hard at it style of play. His presence in and around the team is important for not only our emerging backs, but all our youngsters.

Unfortunately Jamie Bennell is not kicking goals like the other nominees, and it is very hard for back men to get a go. Cheney, should have been up for nomination on his first game. Grimes will have the same problem, another backman. Don't worry we will have a team of em soon, may be not this year, but next year.

Jared Rivers did rather well in the competition in '04 though.

You mean kicking the "captains goal" when he has never been captain......

I would have thought that would have been tough for anyone to do !!!

The "captain's goal" being a leadership goal, in a big moment of a big match.

I have to question that.

MANY occasions did the great man leave me heart broken from poor kicking.

This is true. Hence the word, generally.:D One must admit Neita did have the ability to kick the captains goal though, whereas I don't remember Millsy really stepping up and kicking one, when we were in desperate need.

Whilst, I will admit there have been a few times (particularly last year), when I have questioned Bailey's ability as a senior coach, overall, I think he's doing a pretty good job. It's too difficult to tell really. We're not really looking to win games this season, rather trying to get games into our youngsters. In two or three years, that's when we can truly judge him as a coach. I'd give him another two year contract at the end of this one. Especially, paradoxically, if we win the wooden spoon (and less than 5 games), because it really is a case of "winning" the wooden spoon this year.

This kid is a beauty and you could tell from his very first match last year he had something special. I had no idea he'd racked up 30 odd on the weekend though, until I read the figures today. I knew he was prominent, but I thought Jones was more effective the other day.

When they interviewed Cale before the game, they touted him as a potential key position player. I'm not sure I'd want him playing there. I think Bails has his position right at the moment. That said, when he beefs up, I certainly wouldn't be against the idea of throwing him up forward. He's a good kick, but probably a better kick to kick, rather than shot on goal.

He's probably our most exciting young midfielder. IMO anyway.

I thought Jamie Bennell was good enough to win the round 7 nominee. Bennell, Grimes, Maric or Watts.

I'd agree with you MelbournePassion, then again we are slightly biased.

Wins make my whole week better !!! Lets look at the big picture 4 wins and 4 wins only is all we want. They only teams we need to beat this year are as follows;

1. Richmond (DONE)

2. Collingwood on Queens Birthday

3. Essendon

4. Carlton

This for me is as close I can feel to winning finals, By the way Queens birthday is by far the most important

That's true. I'm with that. Beat our biggest foes.

As for Bails taking off our two players, would that have been Flash sitting off for ten mins (I did notice that, but it didn't even occur to me-good man;)). Who was the other one? Brucey?

Before his first shot at goal, BT said that Miller was a "very good shot for goal" unless I have been to different games over the last couple of seasons this is clearly not true (although he did kick well for goal yesterday)

Yeah, I noticed this as well. I got the feeling he was taking the [censored], because a few moment later he said something along the lines of "Brad Miller got the goal that time". There were a few moments like that in the call. Either he's got no idea what he's taking about or he's taking the [censored]. Either one is plausible.

Unfortunately, it'll be between the late 20,000s and the early 30s. There's still too many Melbourne supporters that don't come to every game. Alright, buy a membership, but we also need them there on the day, otherwise we write out a check to the AFL every time.

Wanganeen was captain of port for a while.

I was disappointed when McLean didn't get it last time, that said McDonald was an excellent choice in the end. I'd like either one of Green or Moloney after Macca.

Adam Goodes was or is Captain for Sydney isn't he?

I want us to win win win, but in reality we just need to show commitment and improvement. I hate to say it but get the priority picks, suffer the pain now and reap the rewards for years and years to come as a power house.

Spot on. I'm right with you.

Losses are always real. I've never known the MFC to lose on purpose. That would be a slur on the 22 players taking the field. We will not win more than 4 games this year because our list is not yet capable. It is also important we provide every possible opportunity for our young list to gain some experience this year at the highest level.

I think it's more a case of handling our list cleverly. I think that's what they're doing. I was told by someone close to Wattsy that he'd play round 4 or 5 and they obviously changed their minds on that one. Now they're saying Round 11 apparently. This is an example of clever list management. I would say give Watts a go even latter than Round 11, but anywho, I suppose we'll have to give him at least 10 games this year.

I'd say they'll be careful with one of our best and most promising defenders (although they're all very promising) Colin Garland and won't rush him back either. I think we've certainly tried our guts out, the last 3 or 4 weeks and probably the entire season and our skill errors have ensured that we haven't won some of them (ie certainly Adelaide and probably the Eagles too). I'd expect though, that nearing the end of the season, our skill errors will begin to drop off and we might just be in danger of winning in an upset or two. I just had another look at our fixture and we could easily win at least 7 games this year.

I think we can win 5 or 6, which worries me. I love my Demons and I go every week, but I've been going every week for the last 15 or so years and it's time for success. Success is very very achievable if we gain #1 and #2 picks in next years national draft. The greater question should be: If Round 22 comes around and we're in a winning position at three quarter time, Watts has bagged 5 (oh, I dream;)) and we've won 4 games for the season, is there any point in winning that last game? Should we do what Carlton did a few years back and take off certain players or manage the list in a certain way? Personally, I think we should. Because if we can get another key position Watts type player (potentially John Butcher) and a Judd-esque midfield type like Tom Scully, in 3 or 4 years we'll be lifting a trophy.

I know it sounds terrible, but with the Gold Coast and potentially Western Sydney draft concessions over the next 5 years, we won't have a chance to continue our re build phase. At the moment, I still think we lack another key position tall; a forward and a pacy midfielder and have thought so since before last year.

Now that we have Watts, we have a chance to build a power team. Watts isn't going to win us a premiership by himself, he'll need others. The Mortons, Jones', Moloney's and the McLean's will support someone like Scully with their grit and determination and Davey, Buckley and Bartram etc can provide the pace from the back.

We have an extremely promising backline with key talls Col Garland, Matty Warnock, Jared Rivers, James Frawley, Stef Martin supporting pacey smalls like Matty Wheels, Jamie Bennell and (by the way, isn't Sean Wellman doing a terrific job with the backhalf?). We're finally building depth at the back, that has barely ever been there in my life time (21 years).

Another thing about the new Demons and reasons to be positive for the future, is that finally we seem to know exactly who we want to draft and we seem to be getting it right. I loved Daniher but for years during his era, we seemed to consistently draft the wrong types of players. Granted, a lot of that is to do with the incredibly overrated Craig Cameron, but Dean Bailey and Barry seem to know the right attributes our new players need. We needed a pace injection and what did we get this year? Pace and a key forward, which we clearly needed.

Anywho, sorry about that. I went off into a fantastical ramble. I'll try to contain that from now on.

Bennell and Watts will almost certainly get one this year.

Carn the reds.

He's a Collingwood man. He's a [censored] who seems to be there for comedy relief. Much like Sam Newman. No one really respects him or takes real notice of what he says.

I miss the old days of Clinton Grybas.

Not sure if anyone else has said this, but he'd have to be one of the quickest players I've ever seen. Yes, it's a big call, but the first time I noticed his pace was at one stage during Round 1, when he broke through a pack against North, with a burst of speed.

I was very excited by his game the other day. He's going to be a beauty.

I don't agree with the Macca decision, as we still need onfield leadership, but Wheels should definitely come back in. I'd forgotten him, but he's one of my favourites and was solid against Coburg two weeks ago. His grunt will be a handy addition to the backhalf. He'd have to be one of our best tacklers wouldn't he?

As for Belly, he's not horrible, but I don't think he's quite good enough.

The thing about Miller is his kicking. I certainly can't fault him this week, as he kicked beautifully, but he's too on and off and too many of those pack marks go through his hands. Don't get me wrong, I like Millsy and I think he's a great trier and is always a tough-nut, but like Macca, his skills let him down too often. That was generally the beauty of Neita. When we needed a captains goal he would deliver, I don't think I could say the same for Millsy. That said, bring Watts in and stick up at Full Forward and push Millsy out and I could easily see him play the role he played across half forward in the latter Daniher years. But as a captain, I don't think so. As a leader, I'm all for him, but as the main man, I'm not so sure.

On the McLean thing, I agree, it is sad. At the end of 2004 we were all talking him up, now his lack of pace around the ground and generally his disposal efficiency lets him down. Did you see at one stage on the weekend he had the ball three times within a minute and all three were ineffective disposals? That said, he's still a ball magnet (like Jonesy), all we need to do is stick a bit of pace around him (ala a Chris Judd or a Tom Scully- potential #1 pick this year) and all of a sudden he could be a superstar. Much like Sam Mitchell. The latter's not quick, but he is still one of the leagues premier midfielders (and always kills us). However, Mitchell (unlike perhaps Brock) is a good decision maker. I digress...