monoccular

I agree that hit outs does not in any way equate to clearances - look at our Russian for example: can dominate hit outs and yet we get killed in clearances. Jeff White did the same for a while. It is a reflection on our smaller on-ballers, a problem that has hopefully been or is being addressed. Thinking about the overall ruck situation, IF Pedo comes our way, do we need either of Spencil and Martin? We still have Russian, Gawnius Maximus, Fitz and would add Pedo, Sellar, Clark and Dawes, the latter two not preferred but as back ups. Does anyone know Spencil's contract status? Little has been said about him during this trade period, though much has been said of Martin (who I would rank ahead of JS) - I am sure someone would want him. He may struggle to get game time with us.

I am with you here.Just what IS wrong with him - sure Norf have lots of talls, but others don't yet we are the only interested party? I just hope our stand in recruiting team have done their due diligence and we don't find out too late that he is some toxic psychopath! PS: at 193 cm is he seriously considered a back up ruck man as well? 193! Does he possess some incredible leap, that Norf and nobody but us recognize?

Maybe he should spend a bit of time with ?cousin Lewis......find out what is really required especially mentally to succeed. After all, Lewis took a couple of years to really fire, didn't he?

Used intelligently - AFL style - I would like to see that!

Whilst I agree with you that it is absurd at this stage to state that Dom = LJetta, surely one can be permitted to at least dream, especially after the horrible past few seasons we have all endured. You choose to call him spare change - I choose to call him an unknown quantity at this level who could be something or nothing; but I am happy to fantasize at this stage.

From today's H-S, so may be unreliable, but at least some positives re Mitch, Max & Barts at least. Melbourne forward Mitch Clark to test foot next week Once again our Cale looks like not having a full preseason, so that will excuse him for another year I guess. Can't see any mention of Evans which is disappointing.

FCS the doom merchants are out again, pouring foul substances on our brief periods of joy and anticipation once again. We have few enough, can't we enjoy them untainted please? Of course none of us KNOW just how the new recruits will turn out, but just a touch of positivity at least for now wouldn't hurt, surely. GO DEMONS - AIM FOR FINALS IN 2013! (Sorry if that offends some 'supporters' here)!

I think it is "faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, able to leap tall buildings in a single bound"! Superman! It then falls down with the contradictory "truth, justice and the American way"!

Would that make them Kittens?

Perchance would that be the same whining Wallace who over what, 5 years, set the Toiges back about a decade with his brilliant recruiting choices. Now that scares me.

You beat me to it. I was going to say that I have my Angus, medium rare, right beside my spud, baked, with a little Dijon on the side.

Was that 100 kicks or 100 goals? Don't know if he even reached the first.

shhhhhhhh! The moron may read this and switch.

I think his time in the midfield has added greatly to his overall game strengths. It remains to be seen just how much time he will spend there this year - depends to a degree on whether pick 4 is a ready to go mid - but as a HFF with his defensive skills and renowned marking and competitiveness he would be a formidable match up. If he can brush up his goal kicking Jeremy would be just about the complete package. Well developed, Mark and team - something we haven't been able to say at MFC for a long time.

I agree, though no doubt naysayers will point out the great first few games of Gysberts and the lack of output since. In both cases their development has been marred by injury. We should all hope that in both cases this is behind them and they can show their true worth.

Good points Deecisive regarding him getting help with a tag. We havent had the hard midfield bodies able, or maybe willing, to do this in the past. Hopefully we will have more of this in 2013 - stronger and better drilled. NO PASSENGERS.

Whilst I do agree with your conclusion, namesake, I wouldn't hang too much on the Rawlings publicised review. Have you ever seen much bad said about anyone in those reviews? An old ploy in industry is to give a glowing reference on someone who you really, really want to get out of your organisation. Not saying it is the case here, but they aren't going to bag someone for whom they may get an offer.

If he can get through injury free, I would probably rate him second of your group, ie behind Nicholson but ahead of the other three.

IF we get a full season out of him (which under Neeld will mean he is delivering the goods) he will be a great asset and we will definitely climb from the abyss. IF he doesn't and we don't he will do a lot of trips to Cranny.

Still under 21 - 208 cm and close to 110 kgm, and remarkably agile for his size. Not too many of those around. IF his knees hold up he will be a huge asset, especially with the new ruck rules. Drooling with anticipation. Only 4 games in his debut year, but showed a lot of athleticism for a big man (one enormous blooper excepted). Go Max.

I agree with the strategy: what we desperately need are the mosquitos. But who are they? Burnes? Barry, sometime, maybe. Jetta if he has a heart to heart with his ?cousin / 'brother' / namesake at Sydney?, Davey revived? The hulks Clark, Dawes, Hogan in 2014, ?who else now. ?Pedersen?

I would agree about Riv; I feel no bitterness, he was a tireless servant and any success he has with the Cats I wont begrudge him. However if when we overtake the Cats in the next year or two, I may even feel a bit sorry for him.

I am old enough to have been totally gutted by Barassi's move to the Cheaters......and I haven't really enjoyed watching the Dees as much as I did before that fateful summer. But then up until then we played in finals every year I remember, and GFs for most of them, and since then we have had so many cr@p years. But ever the optimist, I reckon Mark Neeld is the next Norm Smith, and the collection of Jacks are our next RDBs.

I may have been one of those guilty of hailing him as "The Red Pav" I will own up to that one too, a Brownlow as Captain of MFC what is more! Sadly we have been let down badly by both - sure it is "circumstances" or "culture" or whatever, but nonetheless teased and let down. As guilty as you on the Colin one; and still am silly enough to think that 2013 may be his breakout year, and the big Charlie.

I would tend to agree, provided that their 2012 problems were not due to fitness / injury issues that have been addressed to the satisfaction of Missen and Craig.