Rogue

It probably is, yes. It seems odd that the next step from an 'A' player (for which you include consistent performers who have won Brownlows) is 'good ordinary'. Anyway, I agree that McLean isn't elite (and he's probably also my favourite current player too) and I think he'd agree with us. That doesn't make him elite. Look at the players who have won our Best and Fairest over the past decade and ask how many would fit into Hannabal's 'A+' or 'A' tier. Fwiw I thought McLean was a good chance for it last year, barring injury.

In that team Haddin should bat above McDonald. I'd prefer to see Hilfenhaus play in South Africa with a view to the Ashes, but Bollinger probably deserves first crack.

Haha, wow. Remember this? Can't you take your own medicine? If you want to dish out rubbish like that you have to expect it to be returned. I agree that it's no way to win an argument, which is why I challenged your assertion that all those who criticise Sylvia do so because they think he should be a great player. I chucked in the 'get over yourself' line as an afterthought, given your pithy comment directed at anyone who doesn't wear rose-coloured glasses when they watch Sylvia play. He hasn't cemented a spot in our best 22 in the eyes of myself and others because his output isn't at the standard it needs to be - and that's relative to our list, which you suggest is so bad. Melbourne's injury woes over the past two seasons, and our focus on youth in 2008, means Sylvia has been given an extended run in the side. However, IMHO Sylvia's yet to cement any position in the side. On the contrary, take off the rose-coloured glasses and you have an under-performing player who is yet to cement any position in the side after five years on the list. What are you hanging your hat on? In 2008 he had a career-high disposal average and it was 17 - hardly stellar. Sylvia's predominantly played in the forward half but averages less than a goal a game. He averages 2.7 tackles per game but part of that must be down to his approach to a 50/50 contest, where he's happy to let his opponent lead him to the ball and then attempt to apply the tackle. Some say this is evidence of his hard approach missing at Melbourne, but give me a guy who's happy to take the ball first and wear a tackle. You also have a player who must now have serious question marks about his body's ability to cope with the demands of AFL football. You've got one thing right - once a player is on the list they take up as much room as any other - one spot. I suggest that if Sylvia was a pick 60 instead of a pick 3 he may have been gone long before now. Regardless, he certainly wouldn't have as many fans. As would I. How is it 'ludicrous'? Let's take the best and fairest ranking - it's done by those at the Club (who presumably know the roles players are supposed to perform) rather than fans. Sylvia was ~19th in the best and fairest. Removing White, who is the only player who finished above him and isn't on the list anymore, that means Sylvia's ranked ~18. The best and fairest might not be a great guide but at least it's objective. If we accept ~18th ranking I'd say that's borderline 22, particularly given that guys with proven track records like Davey, Robbo and Rivers (plus Moloney if you swing that way) aren't in that top 18. We also need to add another ruckman to our 22, and we should expect natural improvement from younger guys like Petterd, Buckley, Martin, Frawley and other younger players all keen to get a run.

I think the white jumper is clearly the better design. However, I associate the other jumper more with Melbourne (despite what we wore 100+ years ago). PS. If we wear a clash jumper versus St. Kilda again while they wear dark shorts and we were white shorts I'll cry. Last year at TD it was the worst 'clash' I've seen in my life, and if we'd worn our traditional top + dark shorts and they wore their traditional top + white shorts it would have been perfect.

Haha - I'm a toothless tiger :D I've PM'd Nasher in case he hasn't seen the thread / hasn't noticed.

Consider it a 10K investment in the Casey project - money well 'spent' IMHO.

Maybe you should get over yourself when it comes to knowing all on the reasoning behind other fans' comments on Sylvia. Have you considered that instead of simply being disappointed Sylvia's not a great, others might not agree with your assertion that he is 'easily in our best 22'? I certainly don't think he's 'easily in our best 22'. What position has he cemented?

I agree entirely. I'm not particularly interested in the Club coming out with a 'hey, we haven't forgotten about getting a sponsor' message every so often - I'm confident that they're aware we should be getting a sponsor, and it's been addressed enough already (ie. AGM, press comments).

It's been out for a fair while now.

In that case one could be forgiven for thinking he had slept in and missed the game. That's probably unfair, but I can't remember a Melbourne player that's received as much unwarranted hype as Sylvia. IMHO he's very much a bit-part player who hasn't cemented a role in the side so far.

Someone on Demonology reported that MFC attempted to trade Jamar last year but no one was keen. This was apparently revealed at the Ballarat Demons function on the weekend.

It does answer the question - "four months". There's also no indication that it's a temporary change. The fact that you've heard otherwise doesn't mean it's not an answer to your question. Sure, it may be incorrect, but that's like any answer you receive on a forum. If you're really keen then contact the AFL. Edit: I googled with an obvious search term and found a link to an AFL.com.au page explaining the changes. Google is your friend.

I agree. I don't think it'd be seen like that. Haha. Yeah, I like it. Could run it as our clash jumper (if a game would coincide with the appeal).

That's the most positive post I've ever seen from you :D IMO we're still a long way off, and given we're going to be replying on young and inexperienced players in key roles I think we'll be inconcistent. I'm not sure we'll have terrilbly more wins, but I do expect a more competitive effort for most matches...an improved result reflected in percentage moreso than wins and losses. I expected 2008 so I wasn't too down about it, and this year I'm just looking to see further development in many of our younger players.

Step 1 - Click search (top right corner) Step 2 - Enter keywords 'draft age' Step 3 - voila!

Should be all good

I don't think we've 'thrown out' Primus - afaik they elected not to renew, and probably because of their own financial difficulties.

I think you can have at least one third-year rookie.

IMO this logo is better:

In a word - no.

I won't be embarassed.

Don't forget about the Richmond Cousins.

Haha

Indeed - I can't understand why this isn't the case already. IIRC Gough mentioned this when talking about the Freo game last year, but I don't think anything came of it.

Apart from on-field stuff - and I agree that it's not something the CEO should be dealing with - I believe another aspect where there wasn't a shared vision was the Melbourne identity / brand. PM wanted Melbourne to be the 'premier Club', while from the moment Stynes joined the Board he spoke of building a more inclusive Club.