Dr. Gonzo

My support for the club is unconditional but the level of support could definitely wane if we spent a decade or more in the doldrums (already heading on 6 years now!) I could never see myself supporting another club though - following and taking an interest in maybe, but not supporting. I did consider going to Carlton after our miserable effort in 2001 to back up from the GF in 2000 and Farmer & to a lesser extent Woewoedin leaving the club but that was pretty short lived and in hindsight was a good decision not to do so. I am Melbourne, I was raised a Demon and I will die a Demon but I can't guarantee that I will continue going to every game possible if we just keep banging our heads against the wall of continued defeats/smashings.

Pretty harsh when it was spelt out in the post above he's been coming to terms with the aftermath of losing his father. Pretty rough on a kid forced to move interstate at the age of 17 and leave his grieving family behind.

Both of them improved in the second half of the year so I'd expect to continue that next season. They are still kids in this team though, hard to blame them for the club's year when you've got Sylvia & Moloney not landing in the top 10.

And we'd still have to use that on Viney.

Collingwood would laugh in our faces.

I agree to an extent - I crave a premiership and supporting the MFC for 25 years I just want one. But in reality I want the MFC to be the most successful club, I want to see us win one, and then another, and another until we sit atop the premiership ladder with more flags than Carlton, Essendon & Collingwood.

I want flags at any cost. It's a professional sport now far removed from the amateur days. Winning IS everything. The only thing that matters, the only reason I watch and follow the Demons, is to see us win premierships (even just one!!) I wouldn't waste my time and money otherwise.

Not if Melbourne, Richmond, Carlton or St. Kilda are willing to offer their first round picks. There is no doubt Essendon want him but they have nothing to trade so it is unlikely they'll get him. A hypothetical 3-way trade could occur with Geelong offering up picks, Tippett going to GC and Caddy to Geelong. Still think we should go hard for him though.

But that's what I'm saying. If he was rated a pick 7 two years ago then how can we make the assumption the player rated as pick 13 this year is going to be a much better prospect. Caddy hasn't dominated games but he has had a couple of very good games playing in a very poor side. He is also the exact type of player we need and has a couple of years in the system something a potential pick 13 would not. Would I rather get Bennell or Swallow from GC? Of course but theyre not on the market and if they were it would cost much more than pick 13.

Caddy is a big bodied midfielder who has decent pace and a decent tank with good disposal and can hit the scoreboard. Would definitely take him for Martin or pick 13 & Bail. If we baulk at getting him because we don't want to get rid of Bail I would be extremely [censored] off with the club it would be another massive blunder. I think people overrate draft picks, a lesson I would have thought we'd have learnt of recent times. Caddy went pick 7 two years ago and has had a couple of good games - there is nothing to indicate pick 13 this year is going to be a vastly better player and Caddy already has two years in the system. If its one thing our club is crying out for it is midfielders who can kick goals. Jones is currently our only one (but not multiple goals a game) and hopefully Trengove will get there too. Caddy can kick multiple goals a game which is something we could sorely use.

Yep - gotta laugh at those who think we could get a guy like Wellingham for a C-grade player like Martin. Got rocks in their heads.

I was being a bit facetious but do we know for a fact that he struggled and didnt commit to PS'12? Seems he was coming from a VERY low base and was injured trough most of last year as well. I'm not saying we should keep him I'm just saying its pretty hard to have a crack at the guy when he's been injured most of the last 2 seasons. His main weakness as I see it is his lack of tank and speed. He can get to where the ball is now imagine if he builds his engine how damaging he might be. Unfortunately for us and for him I do t think we are in a position to wait around to find out whereas another club might be.

I agree Gysberts is just plain lazy - fancy not doing laps of the tan with a broken ankle, just doesn't have the commitment.

Gysberts has talent and can get to where the ball is. Reports on here (which I take with half a grain of salt) indicate the coaches aren't happy with his application however he has had an injury interrupted career particularly this year when he broke his ankle and then his jaw meaning there was little he could do to improve his fitness this year. The game he played against GC he had blown up by the third quarter and couldn't raise a trot. However considering his inability to build his fitness base due to injury I don't think he can be totally blamed for that. I would be upset to see him go as I think he has potential however is another one of those players who we will have to put years into before he comes good. If we can trade him to someone like Geelong who can carry him for a couple of years til he hits his stride and get something decent in return it could be a win/win. Sometimes it is more about how a player fits into a club and team at this moment rather than a mere assumption that he is no good.

Neeld wanted him to LOSE weight? I find that almost impossible to believe. Does he want a team of anorexics?

It's both. Yes we need to develop players better but on the flip side you can't polish a turd.

NFL is by far and away the second best team sport in the world only second to Aussie Rules and it is a very close second at that (NBA basketball would be the only other one I rate and can watch). I've been following the NY Jets for the past couple of seasons and have a soft spot for the Detroit Lions as well can't wait til the new season kicks off now the Demons season is over.

He's a spud who plays for free kicks. No way.

Look on the bright side - if GWS end up with the first 3 picks it means we will have maneuvered ourselves to take Viney with pick 26ish in the 2nd round.

The backline was good in 2010 - in 2011 it was just OK.

I like what I've heard of Hogan and would wait an extra year if it meant getting a gun POWER forward. I haven't seen him play but I've heard there are some queries on his kicking (as in his accuracy for goal). The risk you also take is that he dominates juniors due to his size but may struggle to step it up in the big leagues. Of course that is obviously preferable to being a skinny twig. If we could get Hogan in the under 17 draft, Viney, Toumpas/Stringer plus Caddy it would look like being a very good outcome for us.

Would rather Pearce over Morton or Bennell (or both really).

There was a youtube thread on here but searching for it I couldn't find anything (would be good to sticky that thread). Try searching for these games/players on youtube 1987 Round 22 Melbourne v Footscray 1987 Finals games 1988 Elimination Final Melb v West Coast 1988 Semi-Final Melb v Collingwood (there was a fight before the game even started) 1994 Qualifying Final Melb v Carlton 1994 Semi-Final Melb v Footscray 2000 Qualifying Final Melb v Carlton Allen Jakovich David Schwarz Jeff Farmer Also this youtube page is for all 1980's stuff not just Melbourne but there's tonnes there and plenty of MFC as well http://www.youtube.com/user/aussie80s/videos

I want to get Hogan just so I can yell "Hulkamania is running wild all over the MCG!! And watcha gonna do???"

If we were able to land Viney second round and get Caddy or even Boak I would be happy with the off-season. My confidence will never restore though til we win a flag, I'm never confident as an MFC supporter I've been conditioned to know better.