DeeSpencer

North, Rich, Carl and the Dogs are at their traditional homes. Hawthorn and Essendon are big enough to have moved out. St Kilda weren't but are running back home. Collingwood have invaded and taken over Olympic Park. But the last time they won the flag they had a similar set up as we did using a public oval for training with facilities next door. I really think we need a home for our women's team, for the possibility of a standalone VFL team and for a base for the fans. But I'm not sure we are big enough or brave enough to pull off an outer suburb mega complex like Hawthorn and Essendon. I'd be constantly harassing/surveying opportunities with every council, school and university in or close to our heartland area about the possibility of a shared development. Monash Uni - Caulfield or Clayton, Melbourne Uni - Parkville or Burnley, Melbourne Grammar - Todd Rd, Scotch College, Albert Park, Fawkner Park, Elsternwick park. We need an oval that can be fenced off one day a week with facilities for a small crowd of 5-10k and then we need a building with fitness facilities - that can be public access - and offices. The top private schools are all investing millions in to their football programs. There could be a mutually beneficial relationship to build an elite gym and grandstand in return for access to the oval. The bulldogs have a great relationship with Victoria Uni and I know we've got something with Melb Uni. It has to be explored and I hope it is, there's certainly not an easy answer.

2 Jade Rawlings' are better than 1? Apparently a smart player who has worked hard in preparing for coaching. His boss at the Oakleigh Chargers is our women's/development coach so he'd know whether he is impressive or not. Job titles are overrated, although I do have concerns that we are hiring a player from one of the worst ball movement teams in the league to have a role in that. That said, Tiger fans say Chaplin was vital in the development of Rance who is a one man wrecking ball of a zone defender.

I really like him. But he's not that tall or athletic so won't make a great number 1 ruck but can be a handy number 2. Isn't a great forward but does crash and bash and has a nice kick on him. I think if he was in the best 22 he'd ruck about 40% and Gawn would play more forward. Apparently Richmond are keen on him and would offer an easier path to regular footy. Unsure on what we'd have to give up to get him? Early 3rd rounder?

He played 12 games in his first year. He was decent in 2014 and helped the Roos era start off with a lot more competitive footy than the two years prior. I'm sure he gave his all and was a good experienced head around the group but I think I'm with old dee. Hard to say good service when he only had 1 year out of 4 where you'd say he had an impact across the season.

Plus Brayshaw, Vanders, Kennedy, Harmes, JKH and if there are other options at half back Salem can go forward. De Boer would be the last player I'd recruit. Had a nice career at Freo as a role player but the game has gone passed him and he'd be a list clogger.

10 goals in 17 games in the WAFL for Hannath. He's not a forward. Not athletic or big enough to be a good ruckman at AFL level. He's really just an ok competitor who might be able to back up ruck and bring the ball to ground forward. http://www.wafl.com.au/players/view/4956 Darcy Cameron looks a far better option as a forward kicking 36 goals. Zac Clarke is a much better tap ruckman with AFL level athleticism but little physicality and without the skills to play forward.

I thought Brady Grey had a decent future from what I saw of him. Freo have offered for him to keep training with them. I'd be looking at him to see if he's worth poaching as a delisted player or ahead of their pick in the rookie draft. Quick and tough, could make a handy lock down defender.

Maybe Carlton? Someone will probably take him, sure sounds like his days are done if we can get another forward/ruck option in. Pedersen is just more reliable and there's not a great need to keep both of them if Weideman and Hulett are options. I don't want to bash him because I think he's given his all, but his body just hasn't given him a chance at his talents dropped away.

Good point. I'd like some experience but if that experience (Garland or otherwise) isn't going to be of any use at AFL level then it's not worth a lot. Garland's certainly a club man type of guy I'd like to keep but we are already doing that with Trengove. Shame it sounds like there's no way Lumumba is riding off in to the sunset just yet.

I don't mean we should hand out jobs unless the qualifications suit, I just think we need to improve the culture around the club so more guys are involved. Brad Johnson, Darcy and Mark Stevens never say a bad word about the Dogs in the media. Yet we have Ox bagging Hogan before round 1. Garry is someone we should all be proud of. He's an absolute champion, should be in the Hall of Fame, yet there seems to be an absence of love on both sides.

I doubt we'd ship off both Dunn and Garland. I think we'd prefer to let Garland go and keep Dunn for depth, but if we can't keep him and there's an offer with a little currency ie. late pick or upgrade for Dunn then we'd keep Garlo. The 2 year deal that Garland have will probably rule anyone out.

Kicked 36 goals as a 21 year old in 2011 and has never got back to that number. Has been bogged around the 15 games, 20 goal mark the last few years. So it's been 5 year since he's been a consistent performer. He's lazy and dumb, but they are things that can be improved especially with a new start and confidence in his role. The free agency aspect of him is the key. If the Tigers match the deal and force a trade then there's no way I'd want him. But for free on a 3 year deal of generous but not crazy money...well he has to be worth thinking about.

The Bulldogs have: - Chris Grant - head of footy - Rohan Smith + Gia - assistant coaches - Brad Johnson and Luke Darcy - prominent media members - even Mark Stevens - journalist/bulldogs cheerleader There's a club feel about them with history passed down through the generations of players including guys who were there when they lost prelims and escaped merger. Garry Lyon is a prominent Melbourne person and even if his return to the club in an administrative position was a failure he's still someone we are better off with involved in the media and promoting our club. He's clearly still passionate about the club. Instead of Wayne Carey mentoring Hogan it would be nice if it was Garry. I think we should welcome him back with open arms. Garry, Russell Robertson, the Ox, Neita, Brad Green, they all should be welcome around the club and getting guys like that back involved should help us.

Bevo has shown an ability to manufacture players from the scraps and I think he could've done that with us. But when Roos took over our midfield was Jones and Viney and we had to ship in Tyson, Cross and Vince just to be competitive. Losing Griffen could've hurt the Dogs, pushing Cooney and before that Cross out didn't. That shows the gap between the two lists in 2014/2015. Libba (who didn't even play), Wallis, Bont, Macrae, Hunter and Dahlhaus were ready to carry a decent load - with support from the guys Bevo got something new out of in Picken, Stevens, Jong. The only thing I think a better coach could've done with Melbourne the last 3 years is make faster progress. 2014 could've been more like 2015 where we won 7 games and played more 2 way footy. 2015 could've been like this year with more attack and faster ball movement. And then this year could've been a step up as well where we made the 8. It's crazy to think it could go any faster than that.

It seems popular and I like it as well. Tipple D. Denver Dallas Detroit On pure line betting I like KC, the Rams, Buffalo and Cleveland all to have a crack at being competitive and covering. Thinking 3 of those cover the line.

He was ordinary at the start of the year but he's hard at it, excellent at turning a loose ball get in to forward momentum and just before he was injured his kicking was starting to go from hit and hope to signs of pretty decent vision. And he returned from a long lay off and concussion to play 1 very good and 1 solid final. I'd expect he'd have a break out year next year so if there was any way to grab him cheaply I would.

The Hawks have won 3 flags with Box Hill. I'd stick with Casey as long as the alignment works as it has this year where both clubs bought in to a shared vision. The Dogs did well bringing the Footscray brand back and playing at Whitten Oval but that isn't something we can do. If we want our own VFL team we need a home base. Max King is the only player to spend a long time in the Development league, everyone else has been in the seniors unless coming back from injury. The Casey senior players - Tim Smith, Hutchins, Keilty, Munro, Morris, Scott were strong contributors in addition to the Melbourne players, they weren't overpowering or overpowered. I don't see a need for 22 games. Fringe players should get chances in the AFL team. Young developing players can only handle about 18 in a season as is and that's probably including preseason. The AFL season is too long for most players as is.

Zaine Cordy had 4 tackles including a monster one on Hannebery early for his goal but he's a very limited player as a forward. I'd expect Cloke wouldn't be as good defensively but would offer more with the ball. They obviously think they can get him fitter, more mobile and more confident. I expect Cloke will end up depth behind Crameri but by having the extra tall he could give them the option play Stringer as a proper utility in the midfield and even down back. He's a shell of the player he was last year.

Our history has held us back more than helped us since the 60's. They are the bench mark right now.

That's fine, and I regret using the word copy. But I still the modern game is so much about absorbing and applying pressure and the Dogs showcased that beautifully today. They've change the way they play a bit by becoming a contested beast of a team with more in tight handballing than the kicking game they played last year and early this year and I'm not sure I'd try to copy that. But I think we should look at the way they apply pressure around stoppages and when they get the ball forward. It's a major weakness Roos hasn't been able to fix so we have to try something new.

Yeah I agree we need to be our own side, although I think there's a balance where you need to do what the best teams do well enough to then add your own layer. I've also compared the Dogs to the Swans of 05. Some striking similarities. After the Swans-Eagles came the young Cats tearing games apart with strength in all areas and sublime skills to possess the ball and keep it moving. Maybe if we were to break it down and instead of trying to replicate the Dogs we just focussed on one key area I'd say that's certainly forward pressure. Every premiership side since Hawthorn 2008 has been able to tackle and lock the ball in forward. That has to be a priority for us in the preseason.

I've tried to pair up the players in our side with the Dogs Grand Final squad. FB: Roberts Hamling M. Boyd FB: O. Mc Frost N. Jones HB: JJ Morris Wood HB: Hunt T. Mc Hibberd/long term J. Smith? C: Hunter Bont Macrae C: Salem Oliver Tyson HF: Picken Cordy Dunkley HF: Jetta Hogan Brayshaw FF: Stringer T. Boyd Dickson FF: Vanders Weideman Watts Foll: Roughead Dahlhaus Libba Foll: Gawn Petracca Viney Int: C. Smith McLean Biggs Daniel Int: Harmes Stretch Melksham ?JKH Not at all saying we compare to the Dogs all that much, and there's a huge gap between some of their players and ours. But they are now the pacesetters of the comp and if we want to clue as to where the game is heading they might be it. The dogs won today and based their game around 3 things: 1. Midfield rotations and spread of contributions 2. Forward pressure 3. A brilliant set up zone defense that works together and stays cool under pressure. Our midfield is on the way, but needs the numbers like the Dogs have. Our backline has been overhauled, but can probably go the next level with more recruits coming in this year. I think we should play 3 talls when required and go smaller when required like the Dogs have. I'd have either Oscar or Frost as when required like how the Dogs use Roberts and play a smaller player like Wagner otherwise. Our forward pressure is our biggest weakness. If players don't routinely compete and pressure they have to go. Guys like Harmes, Brayshaw and Vanders might be automatic selections if they can just harass and pressure like the Dogs do and they can also rotate in to the midfield. Kent and Garlett might have to be left out. More controversially it might be time to send Jetta forward like Picken. He's the best tackler on our list as well as a super competitive one on one player. We shouldn't set out to plainly copy the Dogs. Every side has to be different and sides are constantly reinventing themselves. The dogs have this year going from sexy footy to super scrappers. But there might be some of the moves I've suggested that are worth trying and I think you have to keep up with the trends of modern footy whilst balancing that with your own identity and strengths.

Money + Wins + Playing Role + Personal Circumstances is the combination for any trade. The Hawks will be selling him on slightly more cash, similar chance of winning, the chance to be the number 1 inside ball winner in 2018 not stuck in a line behind Kennedy, Parker etc and whatever value there is in living in Melbourne.

I'm all over the shop today! Norm Smith*

I know it's not exactly the same thing but Ryan O'Keefe won the Norm Smith in 2012 and couldn't get a game in 2014. I think Mitchell is a really good player but with the Swans salary cap I'd rather not pay him 650-700k or whatever it will take to keep him and head to the draft for more outside class and maybe another young tall backman. If the Swans can replace McVeigh and Grundy then they'll just keep winning. Now if the Hawks only offer a late first round pick and a fringe player and pay he'll stay for 550k then the Swans should lock him in, but if the cash isn't enough and the Hawks offer a good deal it's a win win.