2014-Flag

I think this is a great idea. There are a number of precedents forit too. It is not new for Melbourne to be promoted at sporting events: think Grand Prix, Tennis Open, Melbournr Cup. Admittedly these are mostly international events held in Melbourne and therefore build the Melbourne brand internationally. But there is also a domestic brand building exercise especially targetted at migrants and interstate particularly positioning our city against Sydney. Melbourne does havesubstantial dollars behind it as a brand, and I think an agreement with the demons would make sense for it. Afterall, it certainly seems to work Tasmania and the Hawks

You need to look at the criteria ie those who will make th difference in final series of the future, not now. I was thinking of how we can make up a tteam which will not be able to be matched up on, especially in finals - in the future from our current players. I think Gawn is potentially someone who is like that, a visionary pick IMO

Spencer certainly got great raps from Casey last week

Interesting post. I'd distinguish between our top six as of this year, and project to say two years time. Then look at the next six. I'd also define top six as bot only skilled players, but those who will make the difference to losing and winning a grand final. In other word those players who have something special which oher team would find extremely difficult to handle come grand final day As of today based on current form and proven capabilities, I believe our top six would be: JamesMac, Sylvia, Jamar, Jurrah, Grimes, Davey Next six currently: Frawley, Petterd, Green, Bruce, Morton, Maloney But in two years time it will be very different. I predict it will be (based on those who will make the difference on flag day in 2014) Top six: Watts, Trengove, Davey, Jurrah, Scully, Gawn Next six: Jamar, Grimes, Sylvia, Morton, Petterd, Frawley Thoughts?

My suggestions: IN: Rivers, Sylvia OUT: Bartram, Jones (this is getting much harder..) B: James Frawley,Matthew Warnock, Jarrod Rivers HB: James McDonald, Joel Macdonald, Cameron Bruce C: Rohan Bail, Jack Trengove, Aaron Davey HF: Brad Green, Matthew Bate, Lynden Dunn F: Tom Scully, Ricky Petterd, Jamie Bennell Foll: Mark Jamar, Jack Grimes, Brent Moloney I/C: Colin Garland, Jordie McKenzie, Colin Sylvia, Michael Newton I think we should move closer to our best side as the players become available. Personally I think both Sylvia and Rivers are in our best side. Those who are not in the longer term side are IMO Bennel, Dunn, Newton, Jones and Bartram. It will depend on match ups, but on current form this would be my side but both ommissions are a trifle unlucky. But gee it is getting tougher, and as we keep winning and others come back it will only get harder. My best side ie the one we will put on the park in the first final in September if everyone is up and running B: Macdonald Warnock Rivers HB: McDonald Frawley Bruce C: Bail Trengove Davey HF: Jurrah Watts Wonna F: Morton Gawn Petterd Fol:Jamar Grimes Scully I/C:Garland Sylvia Moloney Green Reserves: Jones McKenzie Martin Bennel I believe by next year the AFL will allow 3-4 reserves on the bench to replace injured players to ensure there is nearly always 22 available for interchange (which of course will morf into team tactics). Gawn is going to be another Paul Salmon, but maybe not this year. If he is fit though and has played successfully a few games, i'd still play him in September for the intimidation factor alone. The other one i would consider is McKenzie for Bail, but because Bail is a bit older with a more mature body, a bit bigger, and a better kick, I'd go for Bail. Others who may put their hands up later in the year are Gysberts, Bleeze, MacNamara and Tapscott (if fit). I don't believe Fitzpatrick will be ready for a couple of years. Thoughts?

elsewhere on 'land, it has been mentioned Gawn has been training at Junction Oval, especially goal kicking and doing drills. if this is so, why is he on the indefinite injury list. Personally, I believe Gawn is one of the most important recruits we have made in the last ten years. One of the reasons Fremantle is on the rise is the presence and dominance of their giant mobile ruckman. Gawn is even more mobile and more skilled, and apparently is a great kick and mark. He could be another Paul Salmon. He and mark jamar and jack watts is a couple of years time cour dominate the competition like the bombers of old. if anything that combination is even more powerful than anything they had. It would be nice to Max Gawn on the park and firing very soon. Anyone have an update on his current condition and when we are likely to see him?

I'm very confident we will have a comfortable win. 60 points plus IMO. You think. Sure the Tiges will come out firing but they lack skill and confidence and if we keep our cool we will not only wear them down but eventually thoroughly outplayed them. Our current side just has too much class and is playing with great confidence. I'm sure the coaches are well aware of complacency as theyhave already talked about publicly. If you remember there were many on here who had the same concerns about let down after the Pies game. Therewas nosign of it last week. Our skills were a bit down in the first half but not the intensity. Eventually our class told. We will be ok, and should have a good win. The tigers are on their uppers and will remain there for some time. IMO their young brigade are nothing like as good as ours and their older brigade do not have the class and current form as the likes of Jmac, Green, Bruce, jamar, petterd, grimes, Frawley. Demons by 65.

I don't think it is a matter of being dropped as such. It is a question of which 22 is most likely to win us games on any particular day. IMO I do not think Strauss is yet in the class of either Garland or Rivers - both experienced players and better able to match it with more high performing teams. If I had a criticism of Strauss it is that I do not think he yet has the physical strength to play a pivotal role in defence. I also think he tends to be a bit loose in defence. I think he is very skilled, but not yet mature enough to be in our best 22 who this year are after winning games - every week. During the year, no doubt we will have to rest Scully and Trengove who I have noticed already are sometimes out muscled by opposition. This does not apply so much to Bail or MacKenzie who are that much older and have bigger bodies. Indeed, MacKenzie's tackle count for the first two games has been outstanding, which alone might make a case out for his longer term retention in the side.

Gee it is getting really hard to pick the side. Everyone will need to be on their game to stay in, as discussed in today's Australian http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/sport/demons-chasing-a-rare-double/story-e6frg7mf-1225851124688 Here's my go for this week: In: Sylvia, Rivers, Garland Out: Strauss, Bartrum Jones Proposed Side B: Bruce Warnock Rivers HB: McKenzie Frawley Joel Mac C: Davey Maloney Trengove HF: Bennell Bate Sylvia F: Green Newton Petterd Foll: Jamar Junior MacD Scully Inter: Garland Bail Grimes Dunn Who is going to go for Watts, Jurrah, Wonna, Morton? At this stage, with all those available as described in the Oz article. I'd go for: B: Bruce Warnock Rivers HB: Morton Frawley Joel Mac C: Davey Maloney Trengove HF: Wonna Watts Sylvia F: Jurrah Green Petterd Foll: Jamar Junior MacD Scully Inter: Garland Bail Grimes Dunn In: Wonna, Watts, Jurrah, Morton Out: Newton Bennell Bate MacKenzie Terrific forward set up, so many avenues to goal. Very talented on-ball brigade, especially if the Russian keeps up his form. One issue in this side is the second ruckman. With Newton not there (he did a reasonable job at the weekend standing in for the Russian), i guess it falls on big Jack. This is a potential weakness if we get double teamed by for instance Geelong or the Saints. (In the longer term i'd like to see Gawn in there as his skills develop and his body matures). Another possibility is Bate for Dunn but agin depends on form. On last saturday's form you would have to go for Dunn IMO. I still think though this is our strongest team, but Bennell, Bate and MacKenzie are extremely unlucky to miss out, as well as up and comers Bleeze, Tapscott, Gawn, Fitzpatrick, Gysberts, Jetta, Cheney, and of course Johnson. Not doubt it will come down to form, and the competition for places will be intense, but what a great problem to have. Also we are never without injuries so these players will get their chances. It will be a terrific team when up and running. Certainly worthy of a finals birth either this year or next. As I keep saying, premiers in 2014!!!

Petterd is not the Melbourne player they want - Miller is, also a Queenslander. That is why he is on a one year contract. We are obliged to give them one senior player next year and Miller will be it. It is also interesting to contemplate how that will affect selection policy re Miller for the rest of the season. If we don't play him at all they m may not consider him valuable enough to poach, and therefore they may go after Petterd. On the other hand, will he (Miller)get in our best 22 as we surge towards the finals?

having watched the replay yesterday of lastweek, Newton wasn't bad. He certainly provided a target upforward and used his leap effectively when in the ruck. The most frustrating thing about his game was his inability to take pack marks, something in the past has been one of his fewstrengths. If he can get that right and go harder at the ball, he could be very effective particularly if we continue to deliver quality ball into the forward line like we did last week. He just mightsurprise us all asthe overall team improves often individual players improve with them

last year Barrie Cassidy from ABC's Outsiders program 10.30 Sunday mornings (incidently the best sports show on television), and a famous Magpie fanatic, said that he hears regularly racial abuse from members when O'Brien gets the ball. He said when he and others challenge them about it, they aparently say "I've paid my membership and I'm allowed to do and say what I like". Just appalling but not new for that lot - remember nicky winmar and michael long? The AFL stamped it out on the field, maybe they need to look to the members' stands?

last year Barrie Cassidy from ABC's Outsiders program 10.30 Sunday mornings (incidently the best sports show on television), and a famous Magpie fanatic, said that he hears regularly racial abuse from members when O'Brien gets the ball. He said when he and others challenge them about it, they aparently say "I've paid my membership and I'm allowed to do and say what I like". Just appalling but not new for that lot - remember ricky widmar and michael long? The AFL stamped it out on the field, maybe they need to look to the members' stands?

last year Barrie Cassidy from ABC's Outsiders program 10.30 Sunday mornings (incidently the best sports show on television), and a famous Magpie fanatic, said that he hears regularly racial abuse from members when O'Brien gets the ball. He said when he and others challenge them about it, they apparently say "I've paid my membership and I'm allowed to do and say what I like". Just appalling but not new for that lot - remember ricky widmar and michael long? The AFL stamped it out on the field, maybe they need to look to the members' stands?

And Cameron Bruce

O'brian is not only a star but one of the fairest players in the AFL.Onr of the most brilliant running back I have seen. Pity there is a rump in the Mapie members who have a very racist attitude to him (just ask Barrie Cassidy). They apparently are unbelievably feral every time he gets the ball...

He's a quarter there already after two games, games in which he could have easily kicked a total of 10. He will kick at least 50, maybe 73. Green if he stays at full forward will also kick 50+. liam jurrah with half a season will kick 30. Jack watts with 12 games will kick 15

the use of the corridor was outstanding- it is a long time since I have seen the demons bethat direct. And by the way, Green has to be our permanent FF. He set the game alight in the second half and was mostly responsible for our getting back into it. Honorable mention for Dynden Dunn as well. Often highly criticised on here, after watching the replay again he was veryinfluencial in the second half.

Ricky Petterd has kicked 6 in two outings, and could have easily kicked 10. How many will he kick for the whole year. I'm predicting 75, making him the best since Neitz in full flight when he was the Coleman Medalist. What do we think?

I suggest we can also beat PA at TIO, The lions at the g, Swans at the G, Crows at the G, Blues at G. That makes 13 wins, just about in the 8. Go Dees!

and by that time the black and white faithful will be braying for Malthouse's head

I'm game. Demons by 45 points Watts 5 goals Pettard 4 goals Scully brilliant with 35 possessions Trengove next, with 23, but most influencial Davey, 30 possessions, 3 goals Score: MFC: 20.15.135 Coll: 14.6.90 Best MFC: Trengove, Scully, Watts, Green, Bruce, Pettard, Grimes, Bleeze And by that time the blsack sand white faithful will be calling for th coaches' head

THE test is whether they can deliver. You watch, 90% of the pundits next week will tip us. The challenge will be to deliver in that environment. Even when we werev a top four side we struggled with that. We need to not get carried away.....

Agree. We need to nurture some of these talents. Lyndon Dunn is clearly one of those. Let's watch him develop

i've just watched the game from end to end on foxtel and i've got to tell you all - DON'T CRUCIFY JAMIE BENNELL. He is a star in the making, and he is not soft. The mark he took in the goalsquare was one of the more courageous marks i have seen at the G. Give the kid a break and he will be a star. We are at the start of a very exciting lead up the the premiership in 2014 - enjoy it, it will be the first of many. And get used to it...