Dr. Gonzo

We'd have to send one of Clark, Hogan or Boyd to CHB then, possibly Hogan to CHB and Clark to the ruck with Boyd and Dawes up forward?? You can't have 4 key forwards and no midfield we'd be better off trading the pick away for a midfielder (if we have two early picks) - Boyd's pick to Brisbane for Rich and a pick (or another fringe midfielder)? There's a few teams in need of a key forward would be interesting to see what midfielders they may have up for grabs. Would be interesting to see whether Port would entertain Wines for Boyd with some steak knives involved.

Haha what?? Some MFC supporters are truly delusional.

Brisbane games in Darwin.

I think we should prepare ourselves for the very real possibility that we will have pick 1, not 2.

Plus they have talent, hardness and footy smarts - that counts for quite a lot.

Toumpas, Taggert and Barry have shown nothing yet (not saying they won't make it just that at this early stage they haven't shown it - nothing wrong with that just stating a fact though). Barry could be seen as another player too skinny for AFL. Terlich, Kent and Evans have been good but haven't shown anything special to say they can be any more than good ordinary players who can lead us up the ladder. Forgive me if I wait to see some results before I start agreeing everything has changed. As a side note look at Richmond to see what can happen when you invest in your recruitment dept. Their recruiting was laughable even worse than ours now in the last few drafts they have put together a very good, hard and skilful midfield; Cotchin, Martin, Conca, Vlastuin plus some adept recruiting from other clubs guys like Grigg and Houli. So it can change but we need the right people there.

No they're not, they're miles off.

Hardly a fringe player.

If Neeld made a prelim and semi in the last two years he'd probably have some leeway. Comparing Neeld to Thompson circa 2006 is quite ridiculous. I'd still like to know whether the club receives additional financial benefit from membrs turning up if they have already paid for their seats. No-one seems to be able to answer that so I'll assume having paid my $550 already I am not hurting the club financially at all by not turning up to some games.

I'll be there Monday - but I'd genuinely like to know, if I've already bought a $550 Trident membership does the club receive any extra revenue whether I show up or not?

Previously I've been of the thinking that Casey's success or otherwise should not even be a consideration however this year I think it would benefit our young guys to play finals for Casey rather than pull them out. Players play footy to play finals regardless of the level of competition to play the season then get pulled for finals would be demoralising. And if a player gets injured that is the risk you take, injuries can happen anytime even pre-season just ask David Schwarz.

We shall see. Back to the footy - where are the Melbourne people putting their hand up for the role? I think everyone acknowledges McLardy is not up to it and I haven't heard anything from Freeman to give me confidence in him particularly as he was chosen by the current board as the heir apparent. We need something to happen now and we need people with business AND footy connections/knowledge to challenge the board. Leaving it til the end of the year is no good as we need to get things sorted before then so that we can begin planning for the off season and 2014 as early as possible.

"Bracksy" did stake his entire career on laying low so that he couldn't disenfranchise anyone and risk losing votes though. Probably figures it served him well then no reason to change now.

Hmm not sure about that, as strong and powerful as guys like Kennett and Howard were as leaders I doubt even they would be immune from crashing financial markets around the globe and the cumulative effects of 3 decades of neoliberal policies coming home to roost. Thank god though for the minerals still in the ground or Australia really would be a banana republic but even they won't last forever.

He advocated Hawthorn should merge with us in 1996 but that didn't stop the Hawks from having him as President.

Just like the MFC relying on supporter donations and handouts from the AFL, selling off public assets under the guise of neoliberalism is an unsustainable business model. When the Libs get back in nex time there'll be nothing left to sell off.

Where are they? This club is flailing at the moment and I haven't heard a peep from any Melbourne people willing to take on the job. I'm not necessarily for Kennett but in the absence of any other candidates he would be a much better bet than what we have currently.

Anyone who would vote for merger/relocation is an idiot regardless of the facts. Would rather die than merge and if the members voted for it they'd deserve whatever they got.

Firstly, where are they? Secondly, forgive me for being cynical but why should the rank and file members have any confidence that another finance person is going to be any more successful than McLardy, Gardner, Szondy etc Look at the bio's of our board members on the MFC website, majority are people involved in finance, insurance, economics, accountants etc the only one with any footy experience is Healy who is in a "casual vacancy" position. Clearly none of them have little to none idea about running a footy club or how to address the problem's Melbourne faces. Besides moving out to Casey (something which I think was set-up by the prior board) what exactly have they done to grow our supporter base? What have they done to expand our revenue streams? What business relationships have they used to bring sponsors on board? They seem like a bunch of abject failures in their roles at MFC if you ask me, despite what their finance/insurance etc pedigree is.

His politics are disgraceful I agree, but this is football not politics.

Who else is there? Unless there are some Melbourne people who wish to stand up and take on the job then he is a better option than the incumbents. You can guarantee we won't be irrelevant with him as President. EDIT: Not to mention he has the runs on the board with Hawthorn and knows how a successful club operates.

The articles state he was asked in recent weeks and approached by Melbourne people.

I have to say I hate the guys politics but we would be negligent not to explore this further. Link for those wondering.

Not without the members voting for it.

The bigger issue is how did the board allow this FD structure after they supposedly told him to keep his nose out of the FD after 186? Where's the accountability? It seems like amateur hour all round and I really struggle to understand how those involved with the club are meant to be successful business people - if they operate their businesses the way they run the club they would be bankrupt.