Dr. Gonzo

I forgot to include Embley's penalty in my prior post - he dropped his knees into a defencless opponent (lying on his back) off the ball then pushes his head forcefully into the ground and only gets 1 week? The whole "competition" is an utter disgrace.

I don't understand how Spencer could get weeks. I don't understand how Simpkin only gets 2. The Absolute Farce League strikes again.

In fact it could be argued (and has been by Cats fans I know) that Thompson's LACK of tactical ability cost them the 2008 GF (well that and poor kicking for goal).

I thought Trotter had gone as well?

Don't forget 3 years each to Jamar and McKenzie also and 2 years to Dunn. Probably more but can't think of them off the top of my head.

This is a good decision, our list management has been appalling.

You mean the one where he was running back with the flight and was unable to get back quickly enough because the ball was kicked over his head so only stuck one arm in the air trying to get fingers to it? I don't think he "squibbed" it at all, I think he was trying to get back but the kick was so poor it looked like he dropped under the ball instead of keeping on running backwards.

Sorry, stopped reading there

When the club went down to Sorrento earlier in the year a journo was vein interviewed on radio from Sorrento the same night. He was asked how he knew the Demons would be down there and he said with an audible smirk "everyone knows its impossible to keep a secret at Melbourne". I thought that had been fixed after Stynes came on board but hopefully Jackson can help put an end to it once and for all.

This is the most disturbing part; hopefully they have genuine faith that this time the rebuild will come to fruition and they have not become disillusioned thinking "here we go again".

Haha good point!

We've got a year with a new coach/FD to convince him to stay. I wouldn't panic and back ourselves in to keep him. Sure if he wants to extend his contract I'll be ecstatic but if not I wouldn't give him away. I agree though that keeping Frawley is far more important than Sylvia and Watts.

I agree wholeheartedly but think its a futile exercise to try and change people's perceptions - look at how many people still think Iraq had WMD. Th only way I could really see it changing is if a book or documentary on the whole saga came out. I always thought it would make a great doco in the vein of ESPN's 30 for 30 series especially considering the round 22 merger match. Would need more raw footage and news clips of the time than is currently publicly available though.

Yes we can come back. It is still a member run club; the AFL will not be taking over our governance in perpetuity. It is a targeted response to our woeful off-field management (you can name your own timeframe as to how far this goes back) and once we are on the right track the AFL will get their beaks out. The AFL definitely have their own interests at heart but they coincide with ours at this point. I don't see them as some Mafiosi stand over gang trying to worm their way in and then never leaving like what Carlton tried to do to several clubs in the 80's and 90's. I have no doubt the AFL want us to be strong AND independent. The only issue for us until that time is that we will have a hard time speaking out against relevant issues that the clubs should have a say on but we are basically there at the moment with our reliance on the ASD or whatever they call it these days anyway. If we can become strong through their help we will become independent and able to have out say but until then we ahod just focus on getting our house in order.

I thought that as well but his comments re: Gary March the other day made me think he's got no interest to get involved again.

1. We still get a vote, I'm pretty sure it would occur at the AGM unless there is a spill and enough people petition for an EGM 2. What would the members know anyway? I'm a member and have a vote as are my family and none of us would know the difference between Freeman or Kelaher or whoever anyway. The candidates who people might know (like Schwarz or Kennet for instance) are likely to get votes through name recognition and not for any reasons of good governance. I think the AFL's heart is in the right area here, they are actually trying to help us not kill us and if their board does try to merge or relocate us the members will have the vote on that anyway.

My thoughts precisely (you can add why are Spencer AND Fitzpatrick in the team ahead of Gawn). I don't understand why they don't play Magner either.

Obviously he has some skills in this regard, my query is more about whether the modern game has moved beyond him. Neither I nor you know that though, it is just something I think the MFC will have to consider. I agree the support staff we get would be just as important as the senior coaching gig. Will be interesting to see who they chase.

I agree however my only query on Williams is whether he has the tactical nous for the current game. Is he innovative enough? Can he structure a winning modern game plan around the list we have? I don't know the answer but it seems he started to go downhill during the time when the modern tactical game really lifted a notch. If we couldn't get Roos I wouldn't be unhappy with Eade either. One of him or Williams would be decent gets, fair enough he hasn't gone all the way but he's come close enough at two clubs, has a tactical mind and is a good player relationship person. I think he'd also do a good job of selling the club to sponsors etc He is also only just below Williams on your list above.

Hasn't Evans already had his with his back injury? Not fair for him to get a second whack.

I cant even notice them.

The Saints were a toe poke and a dodgy bounce from back to back. If you have a team that is still in it with 5 minutes to go in the GF it pretty much comes down to luck then.

He's a good tactical coach too something which we need and I am unsure if Williams still has the nous for the modern game. If we can't get Roos I think Eade would be just as good an appointment. Look what h did at the Dogs with the worst KP stocks in the top 8. We have no midfield but our spine is pretty good. Stock up the midfield and I think he could do a fair bit with our list. Is a good "people person" too something we also need and something which I think Roos and Williams have too.

The board is the same now as it was then with the exception of McLardy and Grimshaw.

I agree I think it's pretty poor really - I wonder what Neeld was told after the board meeting a fortnight ago.