Juicebox

Haven't seen any other threads dedicated to the topic (I apologise if there is another thread), but I think the 'Leadership Group' makes for an interesting conversation. http://www.heraldsun.com.au/afl/more-news/melbourne-set-to-reinstate-jack-trengove-and-jack-grimes-as-captains/story-e6frf9jf-1226512538069?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+HeraldSunAflMelbourne+%28Herald+Sun+%7C+AFL+-+Melbourne%29 I'm glad to hear that the two Jack's will be retained. Hopefully 2013 will be a year free of any off field dramas. Interesting idea to have another vote to decide the leadership group. Is an annual vote something that most other clubs do? Anyway, here is the current leadership group: James Frawley, Mitch Clark, Clint Bartram, Mark Jamar, Nathan Jones and Colin Garland. What, if any, changes would you like to see happen? Personally, I'd like Sylvia to replace either Bartram or Garland. Admittedly, I am an unabashed fan of Col, and I don't expect to be agreed with on this one. But I think he has begun to mature, and would thrive under the extra responsibility.

You are just paranoid

Any idea on the draft pick we got?

Uhh has it?

Agreed. Rodan certainly does play with an element of flair and takes the game on at every contest. Don't see the harm in picking him up if the price is right (which should be next to nothing).

Wasn't he Norths best first year player in 2011? I could be wrong. I really rate him as a player that could step up significantly at AFL level. Saw him play in the VFL and was quite impressed. It was only the VFL, but he was playing a lot better than most of Melbourne's taller, fringe players. Moves pretty well and is quite versatile for a big guy.Would be happy to see him at Melbourne, if the price was right. My only concern is what his role would be. Defence: Frawley, McDonald, Garland, the ghost of ol' man Rivers. We aren't in any serious need of a tall defender. Ruck: At a 193cm is he too short? Forward: Could see him playing a similar as Brown at Collingwood. Playing forward, up the ground and pinch-hitting in the ruck around the ground.

Well, that was silly... Connors can play and would be a decent player if he'd pull his head out of his butt. Though I just don't think he'd be a good enough player to take such a risk.

Would like him at the dees, but what could they use to get a trade done? Is Melbourne even interested in him?

What if Gawn isn't a "retard" for the next three years? Fact is we have Jamar, Martin, Spencer and Gawn as ruck options; and Clark, Sellar, Fitzpatrick and Dawes (possibly) as players who can pinch-hit in the ruck if required. Martin is not a massive loss to our ruck options. We have Frawley, McDonald, Sellar, Garland, Dunn, Watts, Pederson (possibly) and Rivers (possibly) as 190cm+ defenders. Plus the options of Davis and Sheahan. Martin is not a massive loss to our defence options. Clearly you rate Martin quite highly (as do I) and can understand why he might have some currency at the trade table. If we can bring in a type of player that we are in desperate need of, at the expense of Martin, then that is a win for the MFC.

What a great post. Whilst players such as Byrnes, Magner, Couch, etc, aren't the most talented players going around, their attitude towards training is admirable. If you're a player competing with these guys for a spot in the team, one would think it'd be only natural to lift your game on the training track.

After all the crap this year we've finally been dealt some positive news. Lap it up!

Viney on Wines: "I don't know anyone more competitive than Ollie, or anyone that hates losing as much as he does. That's when he cracks the shits, when he loses. He goes nuts and would do anything to turn things around." http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/the-two-of-us-viney-and-wines-20121006-276ao.html I'm sold.

Possibly the most dignified response to a disagreement on demonland... EVER! I wouldn't exactly like to see Sylvia go. We've been having this conversation about him for about 10 years now and if he were to head over and dominate at another club... It would suck. Really, really suck. It was a bit hard to judge his first year under Neeld considering how badly he effed his back. Would be interesting and I really hope he gets a full pre-season under his belt.

Viney jnr sure doesn't seem to lack any confidence!

If Collingwood offload Dawes, but continue paying out the remainder of his contract, are those payments still included in their salary cap?

Experience. Given the state of the list, that is invaluable at the moment.

OK lets look at some of the players mentioned on this site: Shannon Byrnes - contributed to a premiership Scott Gumbleton - has proven that he is injuury-prone, but can kick goals when fit Koby Stevens - starved of oppurtunities, but certainly has some potential to be a quality player Cam Pedersen - proven gun at VFL level, never really been given a genuine shot at AFL Josh Caddy - tough midfielder who has been developing ok in a side he cleary hasn't wanting to be playing for Sharrod Wellingham - he might not be Swan or Pendlebury or Beams or Thomas or Sideass, but he is a cog in the machine that is the collingwood midfield. Living in "fantasy land" is thinking that Melbourne can just simply buy the best players. At this point in time, Melbourne is (or one of) the most undesirable club to play at. Richmond, and I really do hate to say this, are a club that we should be drawing some inspiration from. Guys like Grigg, Houli and Maric aren't exactly 'big fish', but are players who were deprived of game-time at their original club and are now regulars in the tiges best 22. I have no problem whatsoever, if the club were to take a risk on some of the players mentioned on this site. We have nothing to lose, and cannot get any worse.

Heard that Neeld met up with Harry O. No idea if it's true and if so, what it actually means. But with Trav set to sign, Melbourne would surely be able to offer him a lot more $$ For what it's worth, I do not want O'Brien at Melbourne. I'd rather persist with guys like Strauss or Tynan, than an overrated, unaccountable and potentially overpaid player like Harry.

Reminds me a little of Sylvia (a lesser version if that). Year after year, always expecting him to become a gun. High draft pick, good skills and doesn't mind a goal. Also inconsistent and injury-prone. But after almost a decade it's become quite clear he just ain't up to it...

Saw TJ playing at Clayton the other week in one of the finals, and was in a league of his own. The standard of footy obviously wasn't at an AFL level, but he certainly can kick a ball.

I never really understood why you defended Strauss so strongly Jose. I watched him really closely whenever he played this year, and I've come around. Has a beautiful kicking action and would thrive in a team that had midfielders who were capable of working hard enough to spread and provide an option. As for Ben Jacobs; Neeld has stated that he will look at players who could play a 'specific role' within the team. What would Jacobs role be?

I think it will be really interesting to see what some players are worth, in terms of the compensation handed out. There's already been some controversy following the Scully/Ward/Ablett compensation.

Yes we get it, you want Jones as captain.

I made the journey out to Casey today, and couldn't believe just how windy it was. Given the conditions, both teams played pretty dumb footy. Constantly trying to kick long down the boundary with the wind blowing diagonally across the ground. Never seen so many out on the fulls. I liked Gysberts today. Gets his hands on it around the stoppages and has reasonably clean hands. Jake Spencer had a good game. I am not his biggest fan, but he took a couple of really nice contested marks and has a thumping kick on him. Not sure why he ever tries to chip it short. Bate looked slow even by his own lofty standards. Couch and Magner played the way they always play. Cook presented well at times but just didn't seem to be able to really get into the game and have an impact. Took a beautiful, contested, pack mark right in front of me. He is big/tall and when or if he ever gets some real meat on him he will be a monster. Moloney should have dominated and I just can't begin to tell you how big a let down his game was today. I don't ever go down to watch Casey and was really interested to see how he went about his business. But it was a really uninspiring game from Brent today. In his defence, his AFL season is over and his career at Melbourne could well be over also. Cannot blame him for wanting to be anywhere other than Casey Fields. Troy Davies tried hard but got beaten by McKinley I think it was.

We have almost gotten through one of the worst seasons on record, and as Melbourne supporters we've seen our fair share of ordinary years. The amount of shyte that has been shoveled on the club, even before round 1, has been incredible. So to say it's been a tough initiation for Neeld, Trengove and Grimes as a first year coach/captain is an understatement. As the saying goes, 'tough times never last, but tough people do.' I have full confidence in the trio to help lead this club in the right direction. As for my point of optimism: season 2012 is almost over and hopefully it's built and not broken the character of the club.