Webber

Todd Viney's pedigree is the equal of Mark Neeld's, or Brenton Sanderson's, and arguably better, given that his playing career was stellar. Don't forget he was assistant to Alistair Clarkson for the 2008 flag, and up until this year, has been following the senior coach pathway beautifully. I'm inclined to think he came back to the Dees for exactly this scenario, and in fact I'm still surprised he didn't put his hand up for the gig after the Rev finished, but I guess he wanted a bit more apprenticeship. These last 4 weeks are in no way a reflection of what he could bring next year. The playing group were a shambles after the Geelong/Bailey week, and not even Norm Smith could have turned that around. If he really wants the gig, I'd give it to him in a heartbeat. Todd Viney will be the next premiership coach of the Melbourne Football Club

True thing.....loved that bump, and let out a big and very satisfying 'OOOOOHHHH'! Yep, forgot Bail. Just a little smokey to think about also is that if Spencer comes back OK and continues to improve, he has a serious (possibly too much) amount of mongrel about him. He has become the forgotten man obviously with his knee and the prospect of Maxy Gawn, but he just may make it by his mid-twenties as ruckmen do.

These are minor quibbles in the face of their overall impact on the team's intent, which is our glaring weakness. Nev Jetta is an absolute gem, and with Moloney, Jones, McKenzie, Trengove, Tapscott, Frawley and Grimes, form the 'hardness' which needs to be highlighted, made something to aspire to, and become the minimal acceptable commitment for the entire list. I have no doubt Nev's engine will develop, and even less doubt he will become one of the first players selected over the coming seasons as a result. With Jack Viney to come, who Chris Grant on radio called a 'brick with eyes', let's desperately hope we are on the cusp of a new era of hardness.

We will get hammered next week.....Port at home will simply be much better than us. As a season whole, we are better than Gold Coast, equal with Port, and that's about it. Our ladder position after next week will vastly overrate our season. We just need to start all over again for next season, and erase this one from the memory.

Neville Jetta is NOT an outside runner. He has been successfully transformed into a hard tackling, ball seeking nugget, and we'll see his complete transformation next year into a midfield/small forward option. His aggression is EXACTLY what we want. Have a look back at today's game, and his physicality....amazing development, just has had limited chances because of his hand fracture this year. Bennell's lack of hardness remains worrying.

Yes. I thought he would have come on 5 years ago, and I think he should be our next coach......just get equally hard-bastard assistants. No problem coaching Jack.

Only if we're going to switch codes......appalling idea.

Absolutely draft Fevola, on the condition he becomes the first ever brain transplant recipient.

Yep, grab him now. Proven coach, still with the fires burning I reckon. No chance of convincing a very vocal bunch of demonlanders though, cos he hasn't coached to a flag.

Beautifully and eloquently put Suzanna. You have outlined the precise and justifiable reason why McGinnity should be penalised, and why he should be publicly held to account.

Richmond are going to have a big win. They will see us as a perfect end of season confidence booster, and we are at the lowest confidence ebb I can EVER remember. No contest.

6. Jones ( and I'm not kidding ) 5. Howe 4. Garland 3. Frawley 2. Trengove 1. Blease

Forgetting about who's in contract for next year, who's not, there are players on our list who simply are not up to consistent, quality AFL football. We ideally want physicality, skill and reliability. These players we don't want..... Matthew Bate : this year is an excellent illustration of his situation. An excellent VFL player, who cannot make the transition due to complete lack of overhead marking ability and total reliance on his left foot. The AFL exposes him every time. Matthew Warnock : very similar transitional problems. Excellent defensively at VFL, and average to good at AFL. His speed of decision making, lack of correct decision making, and poor disposal are fatal. Exposed at AFL level. Michael Newton : no explanation necessary. Clint Bartram : brave and reliable with his endeavour undoubtedly, but his lack of skill exposes him at AFL level every time. Cale Morton : it doesn't matter where/how you play him, or that he can run all day, his lack of physical strength exposes him every time. His body isn't up for it and his brain won't compensate. These players we should keep I guess, but they are very frustrating.... Colin Sylvia : pseudo-hard man, selfish and lazy, but talented. If someone could get inside his head??????? Lynden Dunn : his 'stop and prop' predictability is teeth gnashing stuff, but when he is confident, and with a defined role, he has shown consistency. Tom Scully : He was a(industry wide, so not just our fault)miscalculation as a no.1 draft pick. He is too small to be a grunt and gristle midfielder, his decision making and disposal are poor, and he is a poor mark, particularly overhead. His knee history is a potential liability. He is worth less than either Jordie McKenzie or Jordan Gysberts currently, so unless we can fix him up with that kind of contract, we don't want him. Jamie Bennell : the definition of a confidence player. If it can be harnessed, he is very valuable, if not....... Austin Wonaeamirri : who knows???????? Circumstance has been very cruel to him. Addam Maric : he just doesn't appear to have the desire/desperation to be other than an occasional receiver, but he has talent it seems. The underrated...... Neville Jetta : he had developed this year, particularly as a reinvented extra mid....tackling, disposing better, being hard at it. I see a lot of upside in him if he can play a whole season. Those with a good history who have had bad years..... Aaron Davey and Brad Green, enough said. They must be retained. As a parting thought, our leadership group for next year.......Brent Moloney for captain, Jack Trengove, Nathan Jones and James Frawley as vice-captains. A natural succession for Jack Trengove, and there will not be any speculation (media or otherwise) over the on-field example they set.

+1. In what universe will we beat Richmond next week? Looking forward to a close game against the suns though B)

See ya......and don't come back.

LoL

I suspect you won't get ripped to shreds, because his worth, which is driven by his junior record, is just one of those miscalculations that happen sometimes with no.1 draft picks. He is just really ordinary at adult level, and excluding his physiology, just doesn't have the make up for great AFL footy. He'll get a regular gig once he matures, but I sincerely hope it isn't with Melbourne. For me, at whatever price, he just doesn't have ENOUGH upside. We know recruiters get it wrong sometimes with top draft picks, and this is one of those times. It isn't Melbourne's fault, the football world thought he should be the top pick. Jack Watts on the other hand is bloody good already, and will be a superstar.

Agree wholly. Nathan Jones saved us from a major flogging. Scully's estimated worth is simply laughable. He is just too small, and doesn't have enough strings to his bow. He is not in our best 22, and hopefully next year won't be on our list.

This is very generous....you can't survive in the AFL with his deficiencies. His lack of physicality will finish his career, and it will be at the end of this year.

You need a complete skill set in today's AFL. Clint's kicking is a liability, and it will unfortunately end his career.

+1 He was our best today by my estimation. Beyond gutsy. And yet he still gets the kind of mindless criticism that 'Range Rover' serves up. No idea.

'Jones is in the same boat'.....staggeringly stupid comment!!!!!!!! If not for Nathan Jones today, the winning margin would have been doubled. He worked harder in ways nobody, and I mean NOBODY did today. He played the running link, got under the pack, and presented with vigour in the backline when everyone else stood still. UNBELIEVABLE.

True about Sam Blease, and I wonder if he sees the irony in being a better footballer than his mate Tom. The million dollar a year thing is just looking more and more ludicrous. Jeremy Howe, and how he loves a contest. Ready made gun. Nathan Jones.....so much gumption today. Jack Watts. The everywhere man.....massive engine, great skills, instinctive correct decision making. Elite in an elite way. Others as mentioned.

But oh what sweet torture it is.......

I'm not sure I've ever seen a more obvious future captain than Jack Trengove. He seems exceptional in his maturity. Everything this kid says and does speaks of loyalty, commitment and quiet ambition. On field, he is as hard as nails, and as keen as mustard to get into the middle of any 'altercations' that occur. He RUNS to them, but keeps his head. Any kid with this level of self possession, not forgetting his footballing talent, should be given the captaincy soon. I'm not saying next year necessarily, but if we want to build an on-field attitude that has some consistency and endurance, he would be just the person to forge this dynasty. Jack Trengove will be the next 'great' AFL captain, and it will be of the Melbourne Football Club.