The Chazz

I can assure you it has nothing to do with anything other than their FD. Grigg was offered a reasonable contract by Carlton, but refused to be one of the highest paid reserves players. I can assure you this is 100% correct. Not going to reveal source, but believe me, it's correct. He is a good player, don't think it's a straight swap for Warnock - think we are on the bad end of that slightly. Carlton have a history of giving us good picks, so if they want MW, and we want SG, I'd be asking for a 3rd rounder to go with it.

How about Maric to Richmond for their 2nd Round pick, then forwarded on to North for Hale to come to Melbourne. Means we don't give up any of our picks, we have a loss on Maric (picked him at 21 or something, Tiges 2nd round pick is late 20's), Richmond could do with a small crumbing forward as I think Maric is better than their current options. Roos get a 2nd round pick for Hale. If anything, I would delist Spencer and rookie Johnson. I have seen nothing in Spencer that makes me think he will make it as an AFL footballer. I'm serious, I have no praise or hope for him whatsoever.

This is where I just don't understand how some on here think! No offence at all Golf, not a personal attack at you or anyone else that has the same opinion. Here is how it stands; In 2014, should Warnock be still on our list, he will be 30 years old, and going by players int he same role (ie Scarlett), it would be fair to say he'd only have 1 or 2 left in him after that 2014 season. That said, he is still a bloody good defender, and while not the most glamorous player on our list, he's as solid as they come, especially against the gorilla forwards of the comp. Enter Chip Frawley. In 2014, he will be 26. Again, going by that belief of a good full back being able to play until they are 32ish, that gives him up to the year 2020 until he needs replacing. Colin Garland is in the same boat as Frawley (same age bracket). While it's debateable if he can handle a gorilla forward, he wouldn't need to as long as Frawley is there. As a "back-up gorilla tamer" he is adequate without being first choice. I haven't even included Tom McNamara who as we know, has had a sniff of AFL footy, couldn't crack a game this year, but that's not to say he wont be "that" defender next year or the year after. Brisbane are the only team that I would consider having more than 1 gorillas up forward - it's a rare thing to face. When we do, it's then up to a 3rd defender to come and assist the weaker defender - which in this arguement would be Garland, to ensure we aren't belted. So, when you say we need one AFL ready by 2014, WE DON'T!!! I'm of the view that we need to draft a couple around of kids in 2014/15, with the view that they will have a good 3 years of growing and playing at Casey, then be AFL ready come 2018. It wont be until minimum 2018 that we will really need one (or 2) anyway. Key Position Defenders seem to come on quicker than other positions. As I said in a previous post, Rivers (again, arguably a KPD, can play it if required) won the Rising Star in his first year, Frawley had cemented himself last year (which was his 3rd season), and had it not been for injuries, what could Garland have been like at the end of his 2nd season/start of his 3rd? This is of course providing we don't have injuries. Surely, just surely, this answers anyones concerns we have about needing more defenders? My point, this draft, and the next 2 drafts have no priority to take tall defenders with our early picks, definitely not trading for one. I'd look at taking one 3rd-5th round pick, or rookie list, that's it.

Oh no, E25 is reading. Awaiting "constructive criticism"!!!

I'm sure most of you would have seen it by now, but I thought it was probably one of the better ones of the year. Cameron Schwab has really impressed me this year - I'm the first to admit I was unsure about his return to the MFC, but have certainly changed my tune thanks to his regular Twitter updates, and especially his Whiteboard Wednesday segment. I'm in Small Business (and interstate), so not only has he helped me stay in touch with the Demons, he has also helped me on a professional level. I loved a couple of points that he mentioned (which were covered throughout the year); * Jack Watts (and Cale Morton for that matter) can probably put on 8kg between now and next year, but is it the best thing for their body? While most of us would think it is, we have experts of their chosen fields who would beg to differ. Therefore, instead of bulking these young kids up, they will continue to do it in a manner that their body will let them and cope with. Great marks for player longevity. Did love his tounge-in-cheek comment about the Chris Connolly diet though! * This whole "base-camp" thing is very smart, and I, like you, will enjoy the next stage. How ironic that it is in 4 stages - a game of footy is generally 4 quarters. This smells like a Stynes innovation. We are only playing the 2nd quarter in 2011, let's hope we're in the gamewhen we come out after half time. * I'm loving how they have a massive community focus, especially with kids. While I'm yet to start a fmaily (and my children will have no choice but to barrack for Melbourne), we are really targeting a market of future members. Great move. * The one that I love, and that ALL of us have to remember and be patient about - we are building a "team of the decade". I bet in the year 2002, Geelong never thought they would be the team of the decade (they may have, I didn't!). Just because we may not win a flag by the year 2012, doesn't mean that our window is closing. As CS said, our window of excitment realistically wont be open for minimum 2 years, probably 3 or 4 at best. Look out after that though! While it's alright to keep saying be patient, be patient, I have been patient for 30 years, some would be a lot longer than I, but, my patience is renewed when I think that maybe, just maybe between 2014-2020 we can be a dominating side that wins bulk flags, rather than just pinch hit one here and there every couple of decades. A reminder to people, if we do this right, which obviously the Club believe they are, we have a history of winning lots of flags in quick times. * How good is it that businesses are approaching us to get on board. Selling any product is the easiest job in the world, providing 1) the seller has faith in the product, and 2) the buyer develops trust in the salesperson (which only happens if number 1 occurs). It then gets to a stage that the sales person is well respected by the buying market, and then he/she can generally sit back and watch the sales come in. * The last thing that I can't help but think is that the Club has the utmost confidence in Dean Bailey. I can't help but think that if we are in the game at the end of this season, and let's face it, the Club has an expectation of what "in the game" means, probably different to most posters on here, Bailey will be given a 2 year contract extension by July, maybe August. Off field, the Club has ticked the boxes it wanted to, I think that onfield, DB has ticked the boxes they wanted him to. Like everyone, I'd love to see the MFC back in September as early as 2011, but listening to this weeks WW, I have great excitment in watching this Club, our Club, grow in to the powerhouse over the coming years, and most importantly - staying one for years to come.

What about Tom Harley? Offer him big dollars and I reckon we could get him. Would be a great outcome; he obviously knows everything about the game - just ask him. It will also help get him off every f***ing channel 7 program or ad selling vitamins. I'm sick of him!

Sent a similar SMS to a Carlton mate this morning about our two sides. As I said, Carlton should be way ahead of us considering they did the big rebuild a couple of years before we did. Or, as hinted by the OP, did they do the undercoat but forgot the final coat?

Big call. That makes Riv all of 28 years of age at the start of 2013? Should have a couple more left in him, especially if he continues to play full seasons (there's no doubting his ability).

+1 Re-post this under the Cameron Bruce thread at the end of season 2011 and I'll give you another +1!!!

Assistant Coaches change clubs quite often. Even retiring players go to a different club the following year and become involved with a "new" club. I'm not concerned with Wellman going to Essendon and reporting on our strengths, etc, etc. I'm sure Bailey has an idea of Port's, West of the Dog's, etc. Just because they know that stuff, doesn't mean 1. it will help (especially in Essendon's case!!!) and 2. The rest of the comp have access to this. Will be interesting to see who we end up with, and will be more interesting to see who applies (although we probably wont get to know).

Thank god I'm not the only one feeling that way GM. We are struggling to fit all our current talls in the senior side as it is, and people want more? Warnock would go close to being the best AFL-listed defender running around in the VFL, and he's only 26 years old. Plus McNamara is still there developing too (at this stage at least). Ok, we have to be careful of injuries, but I don't think we really need to look at a tall defender for the next 2 years, and at that stage, we only need to draft (unless someone wants to come to Melbourne through trade, and we get them for bugger all). Chip Frawley has just finished his 4th season, and is AA. Even in his 3rd season he was holding his own against some of the best. Garland was in the same draft as Chip, and probably had a bigger impact (albeit a handful of games due to injury) than Chip did early in his career. You would like to think that these 2, plus Riv/Warnock can hold the key defenders titles for at least the next 8 years (Riv/Warnock should be around for another 4), and with the theory that Tall Defenders probably come on quicker than most (Riv won Rising Star don't forget), I think drafting a tall back in 2-3 years, gives them 2-3 years at Casey, meaning they are ready and raring to go in 5-6 years, just when Chip and CG are the old age of 28!!! That's also assuming McNamara doesn't come on, or as mentioned, an opposition tall back doesn't want to join us in the next few years. Anyway, hopefully that has woken people up to my belief of list management for our backline. But, about the OP, as previously mentioned, why would a Club want to get rid of a player who has been on their list for 1 season, just to take a bloke who could only get one game in a team that battled all year? Makes perfect sense to me...NOT. that said, I do think Maric has some potential, but just hasn't made the most of his opportunities when presented with them (although in his 1 game this year I thought he did pretty well). Maybe a change will do him good, and Richmond should be a club looking at him. What do I want in return? 2 words...Robin Nahas. Just kidding! I'd want a draft pick, as I can't really see us getting a player (for Maric that is) that will be better than a fringe player straight up. I think their 2nd round pick might be a possibility seems that Addam went low 20's, but most likely scenario would involve more than 1 club, possibly Maaric to Richmond, Richmond's 2nd round pick to North, Hale to Melbourne. I don't think that is unreasonable, let's not forget, Hale isn't near the top of the Roos' ruck or forward division.

I love these comments about draft picks from the past, say, 3 years. Tyrone Vickery, a 2nd year player who was selected to play ruck, is currently 3rd in line at Richmond. Ok, let's put this in to some perspective, Max Gawn is a 208cm giant, but currently, he is arguably ranked number 4 ruck for Melbourne behind Jamar, PJ, and Fitzpatrick/Meesen. What you are asking/chasing is virtually the same as another Club coming to us wanting Gawn because he isn't our Number 1 ruckman yet. Very few young players come straight in and take the role as number 1 in their chosen position. Doesn't mean that the Club, or the player for that matter, wants out just because they haven't come in. If we really want to trade for a "young" player, you pretty much have to target (roughly) 22 year olds who are proven, but sadly you have to pay big bucks for them. By that stage though, you have a fair idea that they would be worth it.

Couple of things... How can a mod/admin get away with having this as a thread title, when us "non-mods" get warnings for comments about similar topics? Also, FWIW, I have had an unoffical Melbourne horn off-and-on for many years. It will become a flashing one when I see a premiership.

I do apologise for not giving you an answer in regards to the Buckley/Hinkley comparison. I can't, as I know stuff all about Hinkley, and knew that the FD would get ris of a player for a reason, and so far it has been the correct reason as the bloke didn't play a senior game (regardless of injury). Maybe his hip operation was the reason we got rid of him in the first place? He was picked up at pick 80+ or something by the Pies wasn't he? Your opinion - you wanted to keep Buckley. My opinion - I'm glad we got rid of him. Sounds snakey to me.

Buckley couldn't break in to his ex's car so he keyed it!

Too true. Our 2006 draft has turned out to be quite handy. Chip @ 12, Petterd @ 30, Garland @ 46 were our first 3 draft picks for that year. 2007 saw Morton @ 4, Grimes @ 14, that pretty much cuts it out of 5 picks, although we did snag Aussie with a late rookie pick - this was Maric (21) and Cheney (53) draft. I personally think in 3-4 years time, the 2008 & 2009 drafts could be the years that determine if we are to win a flag or not. So far, 2008 has the potential to be our "2001 Geelong Draft". Watts, Blease, Strauss, Bennell, Jetta, Bail all came out of this drat, with McKenzie on as a rookie, and LJ through the PSD. Add the 2009 inclusions (Scully, Trengove, Tapscott, Gawn, Fitzpatrick, Joel Mac), those guys, plus the "class of 2006" and the couple from 2007 could be the reason that the likes of Stynes and CS are talking about leaving an impression on this decade. Some of us talk about this "premiership core", well, the above my names are it. I have listed 19 players that we have picked up over the past 3 years that I'm satisfied with to date, I would say 13 of those have shown they should make it to the required standard to win a flag, and that's not including the older players of Flash, Russian, Green, Sylvia, Rivers (these are the only blokes I can see getting a regular spot in our 22 in the next 3 years - big call leaving out Jones, Moloney, Dunn). Then we get posts about questioning that "we shouldn't of got rid of Buckley", or "why would we pick player x up", etc!

Thank god you're not running our FD. How has Bucks gone since leaving the MFC? And you'd prefer him to have stayed on OUR list taking up a spot? Who knows, this Hinkley bloke might play bugger all for us, no greater gamble than keeping Buckley on our list. In our FD, I have great faith. If they see enough, I believe them. In terms of players released (through delistings, trades or retirements), I think they have done a great job. Our main acquisitions of recent times have been draft picks, with Meesen being the only player we traded for in the past 4 years. We got Joel Mac for "free" via the PSD.

Any reason why Junior couldn't do it? Would love for an established, well respected assistant coach to come on board. It will be further evidence that we are going places if someone "wanted"to come to Melbourne. But if not, maybe Junior steps in to some degree. Just a thought!

Presser at 3pm by Cook and Balme.

Think we could do a lot worse than this kid. A lot more upside than Blake that's for sure. Can't see us having to pay over the top for him, could get away with a 2nd rounder (Geelong got pick 28 for Mumford).

Presti will go to Riewoldt for sure. Davis playing has just made this game a lot closer! Spewing the Goldsack isn't playing - just love saying his name when he gets it!

Kind of - you think he has 3-4 years left but are happy to offer him a 1 or 2 year contract? It really does sound like a Junior-type scenario. His fitness will always be there - so it should be, he's a full time footballer. What will happen is that the little niggles will start to take a week or two longer to get over, he will start to slow down (which will be a combination of his pace slowing and his teammates pace increasing), and equally as important, the opposition wont be getting any slower. I think any games he plays in 2012 and beyond will be courtesy of injuries to other players. IF Blease comes on, IF Strauss comes on, IF Bartram holds his spot, IF Bennell continues to improve, IF Grimes plays a HBF that swings in to the midfield, IF Morton can get his career back on track, with all these things possible in 2011, where does Cam fit in in 2012? Let's face it, I haven't been unrealistic with the names I've mentioned. As B59 stated, 1 year contract, $300k, with an assistant coaching role in 2012 if he wants it. BTW, I think our leadership (group) will be just fine if he does go. Green = Captain, Flash and Beamer as Vice, with Jamar, Sylvia and Grimes making up the rest of the group (and possibly Jones if he stays).

If it were to be introduced, there would be no way it would take 2-3 minutes for a decision to be made. NRL takes less than a minute (it just feels like it takes forever). Your point about players using it to their advantage is the exact reason why it needs to stay in the central umpires control. Better umpiring will obviously solve the problem, but where are they? The game is getting quicker and quicker, and the umpires are spending more and more time training, it's just never going to be 100%, never has and never will.

Sorry Daisy, but if you look at his previous posts in this thread, there has been a consistent call of Bruce having 3-4 years left. The main point he used was his ability to run out the year, which he backed up with the comment about the Brownlow votes in Round 21. I'm just after a bit more justification for giving him a contract of more than 1 year (although I'm pretty sure I've mentioned that I would consider a 2 year deal). As I mentioned, concerns with Bruce over the next 2 years is will his skill level and speed be of a high enough standard to play AFL? Maybe, but more importantly, will it be up to the standard that will keep him in OUR team? I think in a lot of patches this year, he showed his disposal was substandard and costly for us. His speed, especially in Round 22 hindered us. It wouldn't matter how old he was, he would need to improve these things over the coming years to keep up with the pace and football brain of Scully, Trengove, etc. I'm sure these are some of the questions being raised in his negotiation, and I'm sure it wont be answered by Bruce's manager saying that he scored votes in Round 21. Sadly, I've inherited the Dean Bailey-King of the Tough Call approach. Bailey's attitude is part of the reason why this Club is moving forward, not backwards.

This is a main point with video technology. But, is it such a bad thing that they will take the safe option? At least it will be correct and potentially stop a side from losing a Grand Final. The other sports that use it take far too long, with the exception of tennis. The NRL rely on the Video Ref far too much, but i don't think that will be a factor in our game.