The Chazz

GWS, as I fcuking hate them. If we play them twice, then I hope we beat them twice.

Saty, as part of the new posting guidelines, can I please ask you a couple of questions? I will put pre-new guidelines and post-new guidelines to avoid any uncertainty; * Where is Roos situated on the ground during drills? (Is Roos out in the middle of the field when shouting? If yes, does it hurt your ears when he does this and do you quietly tell him not to yell?) * In what way did Toumpas clean Jetta up? Ie Drill, method, etc. (How did you let Toumpas past you, ensuring he was able to get to Jetta?) As always, appreciative of your training reviews. It is often so realistic that I feel I can smell the urine coming from behind the rubbish bins.

Is Petracca having "that" preseason that we always knew Colin needed to be a star?

I have taken appropriate steps in banning the substances I used to put in to my body. At your approval, I'd appreciate it if we can give this some time to see if my posting becomes more consistent.

I think what should be banned is "bump". Personally hate it when people bump an old thread. I have had some brilliant work since I started posting in 2009, and I've also had some terrible stuff. I've been intoxicated at times when posting, where I'm sure there I have posted stuff that I don't want rearing its ugly head. If, in a drunken state, I've admitted to having a feeling of lust toward BBO, I don't want that brought back to haunt me.

I'm just glad they lifted the minimum age for drafting. Would've been a whole different level of "cringe" if Saty asked a 17 year old recruit for such photos.

I would like to withdraw my initial contribution to this thread. If the completion of this year's trade and draft period didn't feel like getting KOTD, then I don't know what will (other than a premiership). Thanks St Kilda. Sidenote - it was refreshing (for me) to read that back in 2011, I was far from being aboard the Gysberts train...

Any idea what Purple rated our period this year?

Was Saty asking some Demonland-related questions to Dunn on the way up the escalator at the start?

I'd rather a defender punching rather than attempting to mark, than a defender that attempts to mark when he should punch. That role is the only part of Rivers that I miss. He knew when to do either.

Try dis wun... http://www.melbournefc.com.au/video/2014-12-04/christmas-video-melbourne-football-club-berry-street

Ahh, the good old stats that tell part of a story but not all. Tell me how many of those marks were junk time marks, or marks where we were playing keepings off in our backline. I remember when the below clip happened. Going in to 2014 I was a believer of Howe, but from that moment I decided to keep a close eye on him. I was disappointed for most of the season, which is some fault of my own as I had rated him a lot higher than what his output matched. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQEez1OMshc FWIW, I'm in no doubt there was a moment in that last quarter (after the spray) where Howe was sulking. I'm sure if you watched the replay of it you will know exactly the moment.

So...training was good?

I think he looks out of his depth playing HBF. I don't know if it's playing an unfamiliar role, or that he's just not that good, but I think he was lost on may occasions in 2014 on the HBF, and I think our backline is a lot better when he's not in it. He was indecisive - not knowing when to mark, punch, leave his man, etc. They, of all departments on the ground, need to gel the best, I'm not sure if it does with him there. That, to me, leaves his best option as a HFF, as I don't think he has the tank to play predominantly as a mid yet. That HFF position is the competitive one, with the likes of Kent and Salem having a lot of upside that would slot perfectly in to that position. Howe will likely play Round 1, and most likely Round 2. I'm hoping that if he plays 22 in '15 that it's because of his form, as opposed to some players that I have higher expectations of not coming on. I admire your call about him pushing for top 5 in the B&F, but he should be far from our 5th best player - will say more about others than it will of Jeremy. To me, JH is our most overated player, and one I would have at the top of my list to trade. I'm not saying he's a dud, he's an ok footballer, but I think some, Melbourne supporters included, value him a lot higher than his worth. I guess to justify/support my view, I rate both Kent and Howe on a similar level. We wouldn't be offered anywhere near as much for Kent as we would for Howe. I hope I'm wrong, and he wins the Brownlow next year - I will happily apologise to him.

Thanks for your thoughts. So, to respond correctly to the OP; Backline; Locked in - McDonald, Dunn, Jetta, Lumumba. Next - Garland (probably someone who has Howe covered due to him being able to play small or tall a lot better) Fighting for 6th spot - Howe, Frost, Grimes Verdict - Could depend on what Roos wants to do with the likes of Toumpas. Could he get some confidence by playing in "the easiest position"? Some will have Frost as a lock, which would mean Dunn can play short(er) if need be. Forwardline; Locked in - Hogan, Dawes, Watts (HFF), Garlett Next - 2nd ruck option (ie Pedersen, Gawn) Fighting for 6th spot - Kent, JKH, Cross, Howe Verdict - One HFF spot available. I personally like what Kent brings, and I loved what Cross brought (who may even be able to play HBF if need be). When you have a centreline (ie 2 wings and one in the middle), then a ruck rover and rover, that is 5 onfield "midfield" positions (Jones, Vince, Tyson, Viney is 4), meaning we have 4 spots (ie 1 onfield mid, 3 on the bench), with Salem, Riley, Michie, Newton, Brayshaw, Petracca. That list would also include either Kent and/or Cross. As you should be able to see, JH is far, far from one of the first picked. For your benefit, I've bolded the players that I consider "first picked" - there are 17 players, plus Jamar (not mentioned above). All 18 (inc Jamar) have specific roles to play. I have 4 spots left to fill my team, and that has to come from Toumpas, Riley, Michie, Howe, Newton, Brayshaw, Petracca, Frost, JKH, Bail, Matt Jones and Grimes - all players that could arguably fill the remaining spots in 2015. Most of those players could play HFF or HBF if need be. That's my reason why I think you're immediately wrong for having Howe as a first picked player.

Who says it has to be one or the other? I don't have him in my starting 18, so from that, he'll need to hope for an injury in the back and/or forward half/ves, or add a midfield rotation to his bag of trick.

I'd expect the VC role will be between Dunn and Dawes, most likely the former. One thing that felt good about that - my initial thought was Viney or Tyson, but then I realised that we do actually have some senior players who are more than capable VC's, so it allowed me to not put that on a kid/s allowing them to continue to develop. We have turned the corner.

Can anyone please confirm if Jeremy Howe was at training please?

We have been rarely winning anywhere, rjay. I'm of the old school that it shouldn't matter a stuff where we play, if you can get there you go and support, home game or not. I remember going to VFL Park, Moorabbin, Windy Hill, the Western Oval, I'd go anywhere. Now that I don't live in Victoria, this "MCG or bust" attitude of some frustrates the bejesus out of me.

I'm most likely in the minority, but I love going to watch the footy at Etihad. I find the viewing excellent from any seat at any level. I used to get the train down from Ballarat, short walk through the station and you were there. Now that I live away from Victoria, I love going "back" to the MCG, our home. But I can assure you, if I'm in Victoria in the middle of winter, and we're playing a game at Etihad, I'm quite appreciative of their facilities. The biggest problem with Etihad, as a Melbourne supporter, is that a lot of Melbourne supporters are too arrogant to go there. I'm not sure why so many have that attitude, but knowing how loud the MCG can get with 25k people when we're up and about, I can only imagine how the players would feel if we were able to get the same amount to an Etihad game. Hard part at the moment is that we normally play like crud when we go there.

That was one of two things that cost us that game. The other being Clint Bartram.

Saty, does this mean Bernie can only drink Pure Blonde now instead of Carlton Draught?

Wouldn't be surprised if he was there when being conceived.

Was Saty at the birth?

I'm glad, Chaser. If we were relying on our Over 23's to the core to take us to finals I'd be very nervous.