Red Sox

Anyhow it's TOO close to Moe. Before you generalise about a region, unnecessarily, might want to ensure you are beyond criticism. You obviously work in marketing, WE ARE MELBOURNE must have been your genius. That bought a whole new generation of supporters to the club. Not sure why the club didn't continue down that same path. Maybe your insight could share? Maybe you could come up with something rather than your very average attempt at humour. Using the Moe card? Bogan is as bogan says.

As I've mentioned previously, growing up and living for the most part in the Sth East, I've seen the effects close up on having Hawthorn so closely aligned with the area. Playing out of Waverley and having such an involvement in junior clubs around the Sth East is a major reason that they now have such a huge membership list. Being so successful during the period obviously helped further. MFC can't afford just to walk away from the Casey area. The opportunity to grow the supporter base is there, 30 years is a long time but at 35 years of age it is only the last 5-10 years that Hawthorns supporter base has grown so significantly. The scorps may have backed MFC into a corner but had a decision to make also for them and their club. That is fair enough and it may force MFC's hand to go alone. If MFC make this choice they have to stay in Casey, surely?

I'm all for that...didn't get along to the Brissy game and would've loved to have had the chance to watch. Kudos that Matt Burgan and crew provide live chat updates though.

Good get...need an Indian franchise to take Fev away from Casey perhaps? I hear your points Rhino and I'll leave it now. Look forward to the debate when MFC list him later this year

He has done well enough considering all those distractions Rhino. Even through all the crap and injuries he still averaged 3 goals a game this year.... Yeah that gap is huge?! Playing honours * Michael Tuck Medal 2005 * Coleman Medal 2006, 2009 * All Australian 2006, 2008, 2009 * Carlton leading goalkicker 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 * 3rd - Most Career Goals For Carlton - 575* * NAB Cup Premiership Player 2005, 2007 * Australian International Rules squad 2006 (did not play for disciplinary reasons) * VFL/AFL Italian Team of the Century 2007 * Victorian State Representative In Hall Of Fame Tribute Match * Allen Aylett Medallist Years Team Pld G B 1999–2009 Carlton 187 575 377 2010 Brisbane Lions 17 48 25 Total 204 623 402 Representative Years Team Pld G B 2008 Victoria 1 6 2

Fair call, looked in good nick in Adelaide and against Essendon.

What's up with Trengove?

You've turned it all around and added Sobers and Lara into your point. This was not required as I did not address the degree's of off field or personal issues Fev or for that matter Warne had. What does the degree of 'greatness' have to do with it anyway? Or are you condoning behavior due to talent as Carlton did? You could have added Keith Miller and others, but that is not my point. My point was that when he plays or played the game, Fev's form hardly suffered unless injury played a part. Even being accused of missing goals on purpose wasn't a distraction. This is why I used Warne's name. I could easily respond to your point about Fev destroying internal relationships and add back in Warne and Lara to that because they were far from harmonious when it came to relationships in the dressing room. In isolation it is easy to point to him being overweight right now and you've got me on that. This doesn't mean he is a lost cause and if he looses that 12kg's and is in a fit state, he will play good football. He always has.

Worth responding to.....that is more than merely bugger all. Thanks. Back on topic, it could be deemed unrealistic for sure, but certainly not naive. If they are good enough they will prosper anyway. Besides, what evidence is there to suggest that he would play well below his capabilities? Many would argue that this has never been a problem for him. Next you'll tell me Shane Warne was distracted by off field issues.

The door opened there didn't it? A great idea by the club all the same...

Slack descriptive writing there fella's. Poor terms when 'bad influence' will suffice. FWIW, and it's bugger all really, Brendan comes home to an area familiar and one that he spent his childhood, the years before alcohol and the punt etc took precedence. Just maybe that might help the guy. And what is so wrong with that? The moral compass surely allows for redemption? Besides the moral and ethic standards/codes, whatever, that he has breached. Who are you/we/I all to judge? He plays football. His let those football clubs down in many ways but so did they let him down by condoning his behavior due to his talent. So are football clubs as selfish as Fev, when it comes to their 'talent'? His wife and children are owed plenty by him. I'm sure he is not the only AFL player who is having marital problems. Are they all lost causes? I live in the Casey area and some of the short sighted comment in this thread is just plain ignorance and moral chest beating. The MFC have done the right thing for the club and it's sponsors by distancing themselves from this. That is all they have to do, it is then simply a decision for Casey. Yes, it is frustrating that developing forwards may get stymied by Fevola's presence, I'll give that, but whoever it is Cook, Howe etc, if they are good enough they will find room anyway. Whether at Casey or at Melbourne.

WYL has a white design ready to go!

Cook has to be worthy though. He had two touches last week but I do understand the merit and like the look of Cook. I'm dreading both Warnock and McDonald chipping across the face of goal to each other!

1. Western Bulldogs 2. Collingwood 3. St Kilda 4. Hawthorn 5. Geelong 6. Fremantle 7. Sydney 8. Melbourne 9. Carlton 10. Adelaide 11. Essendon 12. North Melbourne 13. Port Adelaide 14. Richmond 15. Brisbane 16. Gold Coast 17. West Coast

Another positive: A good move by MFC not to draft this bloke, it seems: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/west-coast-recruit-jack-darling-punished-for-arriving-late-to-training/story-e6frf9jf-1226017164023

Positives: Not much can be gained from Saturday, if much at all. The Hawks game will be a pointer towards having further concerns. Just cannot judge from Saturday. Geelong lost to Port by nearly 15 goals....what does that mean? Probably the same as the tripe at Royal Pde that was dished up, nothing much. We play Lions in Round 3 - only 6 weeks away and if the same eventuates, PANIC!

Quality guy is Cale, had my two little boys sitting behind him eating some lunch yesterday and just viewed Cale for a good half hour. Speaks well and really GAVE his time to everyone that came to him. Re Sam Blease..Does anyone have a report on Casey at Pakenham Saturday?

Hypothetically if Bail is relieved, can MFC afford to pay the salary Malthouse would command? I highly doubt that would be the case. I'd just be happy with an actual defensive coach that has some experience in defence!

The Herald Sun will expose Robbo for being part of Scientology next. They are investigative journalism at his best. I hate bagging the HUN etc but gee they sink lower and lower. What a non story this one is. Robbo is one of many ex players this year from clubs whose current coaches come out of contract and the media (see Herald Sun) will be all over these guys to rent a quote about the potential shadow of Malthouse. Average

Yeah thanks for a great day again MFC. My only criticism with the day is that the speeches and player into's are quite drowned out due to the park still operating in tandem with the end of the family day. My boys loved the day as usual, Dad would like to hear a bit more gold from CC though. Having said that they picked a better spot for the intro's than last year. All players were receptive and even Addam Maric smiled when I told him he was certainty for round 1...

A blowout against Hawks next week would not be good. Need to be much much better.

Hawks next week (most likely). With a few to return will be looking for some much better signs. Maric will play rnd 1 and Petterd made a nice comeback for another forward option. Tapscott was great early. Had double figures in the first half and hardly wastes one. Interesting he played off half back.

Maric kicks his 3rd.

Another lions goal. 100-65

Maric goal after Lions behind. Maric will play rnd 1. Terrific pre-season