Webber

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.

Good boy Maxie, a bit of lighthearted perspective amidst the hand-wringing. Keep it coming

There's a picture starting to form here isn't there ?......Trengove committing til 2015, Tapscott too, Jack Watts in b and f discussions. Add in McKenzie, Frawley, Gysberts, Grimes, and maybe the worm is beginning to turn on our 'soft' tag, and our fluffy recent history. BRING IT ON.

He didn't really say that, because it hasn't been offered to him. He merely talked about his 'tenure' for the 5 weeks. Have a watch of his press conference again from last week. His unwillingness to coach next year is hugely unconvincing for mine. My preferred coach.....TODD VINEY. Experienced coach talk aside, he's just what we need.

Not much it seems if they choose to lie down with Jack T.

Outs : *Strauss (poor bugger, shocking injury), *Tapscott (concussion should be a mandatory week out, and his was a biggy), *Bate (when will the selectors realise that a 185cm plus forward who can't take an overhead mark shouldn't be getting a gig), *Scully (turnover king, and should be offloaded for 2 juicy first round draft picks), *Bartram (kicked into the man on the mark too much for mine, simple stuff, not skilled enough) Ins : *Colin Sylvia (gotta be in our best 22) *Liam Jurrah (likewise, and both should be given a chance to prove what they can do for the new coach after the week of shame), *Sam Blease (needs another go, didn't get a real shot before, and Nicholson has shown he's up for the job into next year), *Neville Jetta (many are forgetting he had been MUCH better before he got injured, and was actually providing some grunt in the midfield), *Tom McDonald (needs a shot on account of his consistency and his height against West Coast) Sadly, I have no faith in Cale Morton. He tears it up at Casey, comes back to the big leagues, turns the ball over and gets pushed out of the way. Likewise Matty Warnock...nice defensive abilities, but it turns to custard too often when he's got the ball in hand.

Agree.

The million dollar a year offer is plainly ludicrous....I don't think we should keep him at any price, he's just not a very good footballer, and I seriously don't think he ever will be. That said, if we get 2 first round draft picks for him, it's a major win. I have no idea why GWS would want him at all. In general though, I have NEVER, in 40 years, seen a Melbourne team lower in confidence, and with absolutely no idea how to be constructively competitive. I will continue to support them through thick and thin, but it is truly the saddest I have ever felt as a Melbourne supporter. So much promise over the last 2 years, and whilst the light at the end of the tunnel will hopefully arrive, it's impossible currently to imagine from where. And for those with ideas about the next 4 games, it's just too hard to see us winning any of them, and yes, that includes GC. We are, sadly, in the biggest hole imaginable. It's truly horrible, and I feel sorry for all those involved, and that does include the players, Schwab, Connolly, but particularly Jimmy Stynes. Woeful times indeed.

Warnock is not there because he gets the yips when he takes possession to such a degree that I have to look away! He is a very good defender, but an A-grade turnover merchant.