The Chazz

While it's a training report, I just read that Toumpas struggled in to 6th place in the Port time trial. Was one of our better runners, yet he struggled in the 1st to 4th year players group at a different club. Does this mean we still have a long way to go? If so, I'm off to the confessional thread.

Ted, the last time we won a flag, Old Dee and WYL were in uniform, and I was still in liquid form. Let's just start with finals, and we'll see where that takes us!

I moved from Victoria to Queensland in 2006, it was the last time the MFC played finals. I take full responsibility for the club becoming a mess after my departure. To make amends, I've decided to move back to Victoria at the start of 2016. History will show that when my postcode starts with a "3", we generally make finals. You're welcome.

You'll love this one, Biff... http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/the-international-advantage-afl-coaches-seeking-an-edge-overseas/story-fndv7pj3-1227597323065 "THE LAND OF THE FREE The US has traditionally been the country of choice for AFL coaches on international junkets. Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson attended a two-week leadership and management course at Harvard University — one of the most prestigious schools in the world — in early 2014. And now St Kilda has followed the Hawks’ lead, with Alan Richardson completing the same course as Clarkson, in a sign the Saints are ramping up their off-field operations. Saints assistant coach Peta Searle is also in America, completing a separate two-week trip with Western Bulldogs coaches Rohan Smith, Chris Maple and Ashley Hanson, as well as Carlton’s Barry Prendergast. The study tour — arranged by the AFL Coaches Association — has exposed them to other sports programs, including NFL and NBA."

Not all Victorian teams are playing a home game at Etihad this year... Edit - Hawthorn doesn't have a home game at Etihad this year.

What I would give to be able to take my father to a Melbourne match on Father's Day. Sadly, I can't as he passed away around 4 years ago. I long for the day that my kids are old enough to take me to the footy on Father's Day (only if the Dees are playing).

Those clubs have everything to do with your argument of us having a guaranteed 4 losses this year, all due to our NT commitment. Other clubs have shown you can do it, we haven't. It (the venue/location argument) is irrelevant. And while you are dismissing it, which is your prerogative, the attitude of "we should win anywhere" is 100% correct, and will go a long way to abolishing the NT commitment. For some reason I don't think you will be going to watch our home game at Etihad? Just get the feeling you're one of "those" supporters that can be partially blamed for us needing to play in Darwin in the first place.

Just for you... The teams we played against, and their result the following week; 2015 - vs Port at Alice. They defeated the Dogs the following week 2015 - vs WCE at Darwin. they defeated the Crows the following week 2014 - vs Port at Alice. They defeated St Kilda the following week 2014 - vs Freo at Darwin. They defeated GWS the following week 2013 - vs Brisbane at Darwin. They lost to Port the following week (a game played at Port, and they lost by 9 points) 2012 - vs Port at Darwin. They lost the following week to Fremantle (who played finals, and Port finished 14th) 2011 - vs Port at Darwin. They had the bye the following week. Sure, some teams had "easy beats" the following week. This year, we played Essendon after the Darwin game (we lost), and played Collingwood after a 9 day break from our Alice game (we lost). Your argument has zero substance. Good day.

Oh dear...

DFA? Now, does that mean Delisted Free Agent? Or, am I meaning Dumb F**king Amateur? You decide.

How the hell is it a "guaranteed loss"? Last I looked, there were two teams playing in the game, us and someone else. Our history in the NT games has nothing to do with the venue, it has to do with our ability. WE need to change the mindset of "guaranteed loss" to "guaranteed win". It's not venue related.

You going to chip in the $600k that we get from it? Seriously though, even if we had 22 home games at the MCG, all being played on a Friday night, there'd be a number of supporters complaining about our draw. FFS, quit your whinging. Meanwhile, I'm excited about moving back to Victoria before the start of next season, and am already looking forward to the games I'll get to see, which includes being happy about a home game at Etihad (very easy public transport if you live on that side of the CBD). I'm dreading playing Hawthorn twice, but it's dread, not shafted.

Jack V will like this lad. I like this lad.

Fixed...

Looking at Carlton's trade period to date, I reckon we could package up both Terlich and MJones and pick 94, and we'd receive Patrick Cripps in return!

But it's much more fun discussing it on all the other threads!

Better than watching Moneyball and finding Mark Neeld playing Billy Beane!!!

Jeezers, I was only a minute too late!

Has anyone seen or heard from Olisik lately? All this pick upgrading and points scoring would be sending him in to a frenzy.

Well played Mr Mahoney, well played.

If we get 3 and 7 this year, and it's cost us 6 and next year's first round pick, then it has to be a brilliant trade period. 2 x top 7 draft picks this year, plus the rooking upgrade of AvB and possibly Harmes, in a draft that is meant to drop away significantly after the higher picks. Plus we've gained Melksham, Kennedy and Bugg (probable), at the cost of Howe and Toumpas. #winning

Isn't it good to be worrying about who to pick at Pick 3, only because we have just acquired that pick today, and not by Round 5?!

Maybe we have an agreement with GC that we will tank to finish bottom four next year, so that they have a high end pick with our "future first rounder", then we will do a simple trade of Prestia for a 4th rounder... (I'm kidding BTW...)

Olisik, I need you here little buddy... How would we get Pick 7 out of them (Collingwood)? If we offload Toumpas to Port for 29, do we give them Howe and 29 for 7?

It has to be Howe for Kennedy and Pick 26 (which will explain why we offloaded 25 for Melksham). I don't think we got true value out of this trade. So we get Melksham and Kennedy for Howe and dropping 1 draft spot in second round. Looking at it that way it's probably reasonable deal.