Red Sox

Davis returned a week after being dropped to make way for Bock as they were in a good run of form. He had also won a Rising Star nomination the previous week. He played 15 games for the year after debuting in Rnd 4. The clearly rate him. I'd take Walker for Warnock though, not sure the Crows would. The time bomb that is Walker, E is better than the water balloon that is/was Cameron Cloke.

The new 'home' jumper is white WYL. The stars will be red & blue depicting the premierships. The 'away' jumper will be what we, in the past, would refer to as our traditional home jumper. It seems to me that we wear the away/clash/sh!t jumper more & more so they club have made a good decision in reversing the strips in an effort to wear red & blue more often.

Nothing personal at all Ash, but I hear enough crap about your club as it is. Will be interested to see what happens with Mark Williams, Dean Laidley, Alan Richardson - have these 3 just been taken along for a ride and further, Matt Knights shafted once David had confirmed Hird's intentions? I am sure you are all excited about Hird's appointment. It may work, it may not, but there is a very very large percentage of playing greats that just cannot bring that 'golden' touch to the coaches box, especially so at their club of origin. These 'returning of prodigal sons' etc rarely work as one might dream. The odds are in my favor. Good luck to you though. I cannot say the same for your football club, sorry. B)

You all would have just received the email from the club?

E, your not letting any thought slip past being a thread, that's great but what do you see that we could gain out of this? I would suggest that Brad Miller would be deserved to be kept before we even thought of a Cloke. Remember that great we had, Nick Smith? I'd rate him more than Cam Cloke. Obviously we are all looking down the path to Gawn & Fitzy but you just never know, our kids could develop very quick and our shot at a flag could come quicker than we think. If it were to be quicker, I would much prefer to have invested a little more into say a Hale/Jamar tandem than a Cloke/Jamar. I'm concerned that Hale's currency might go higher than it should, being a ruckman and potential forward target but if the price is right we should be all over him.

Stars around the collar? Interesting, first visions in the head don't sit well. Where are you getting this?

No one missed it E but your double dipping with your own thoughts. 'ok not really, but at the same time' and tried to give reason why we would bring in a dud. Geez, next you'll be asking for fake grass at AAMI because it's cheaper than the upkeep of grass!

How about an old one - that they are useless! Mate, a first year player had him covered.

Not much I can add without writing meaningless dribble. Love this guy and yep, just love him. Get the body right Jackie!

I wish Essendon all the best and hope and pray that they reach mediocrity and stay there for an extended period. Can't wait to see them eating their own legends like Hird. Sick of hearing from Watson on SEN, Lloyd on One....I am just sick of Essendon. May a decade of revolving coaches, wooden spoons and false dawns of key forwards await you.

It's a blow but certainly not crippling...we have young defenders that would have struck a decent working relationship with Sean and I had heard a few interviews of late where players have mentioned Wellmans input. Frawley for one. But as we know the world of AFL footy moves pretty quickly, the assistants can be a revolving door. Scott West wanted to help the Dogs late this year when they were in some trouble, all assistants will always have a pull to their original clubs, especially where they have forged long careers or enjoyed success. If he doesn't want to be at Melbourne, he can f**k off. Sorry, but I don't like Essendon and don't like anyone that walks away from our mighty club. And I feel better now! B)

Obviously wrong, thought he had Douglas on the line. He didn't.

Great game to be at 189227, you were part of history! Disappointed Goddard didn't get Norm Smith, pretty stiff & would've saved half my outgoings on the day. Lost the lot with the draw. But, a great day in AFL history, which I think might be the last drawn GF.

Yes, he is in. Not sure if he wanted to be or was just going for the best handicap

All great Hills! B)

Wow!! A bombshell. Judd actually started speaking with Carlton in 2007. Does anyone believe that any player or at least their manager doesn't start to talk to others, even before it may become public knowledge? Since when does he owe the MFC a damn thing? It is his right to look for the best deal financially. He spoke well with his acceptance speech and the only reason he mentioned the "I barracked for the Demons" was because of the night dedicating much time to Jim Stynes, which they did very well I would add. The fact that Stynes mentioned the importance of family, friends etc in comparison to football and the fact that Judd won on the night, it allowed for some synergy from Judd's comments earlier in his career about footballers being role models. If Stynes wasn't there, Judd would not have made a single mention of MFC. But he had to, to explain to some extent how he felt about Jim. An out and out star of the game, I enjoy watching him play fantastic football. Good luck to him that he secured the most fiscal deal available to him. As as been pointed out, it was never going to be good for either Judd or MFC to come together. Can't people just accept that he is a great player to watch and let him be? At least he accentuates how average the rest of the filth are!

Nicely put JCB, he looks a beauty Jack but did come back looking to lack a yard after his injury. A long first year that leaves not much doubt he will be a star for us for another 10.

The ying and yang of the Judd comments today! GNF, you are spot on. He is a champion footballer. He was always going to poll well. I never thought he would win it, but there you go. I have very little time for the filth but it is far too easy to say the rest are duds and Judd hogs the vote, he is a star and plays inside football that DESERVES to catch votes. I can't understand why people want to slag Judd. Jaded, spin? What spin is he throwing? You seem to be sure of Judd's reasons being purely monetary? Is that wrong that he looked to seek the most financially rewarding offer? Wanting to be able to set himself and his family up for life? Is that selfish? To who? MFC supporters? And who does he owe any right to, to tell the full truth behind his move and choice anyway? His wife and family and that is about it, to a lesser extent maybe even some at WCE, other than that he owes you and everyone, nothing.

Well said Billy.

So far off the mark here Jaded. As many seem to be here, it is really very embarrassing. Judd was one of a handful of players who had good seasons and poll well. The fact he plays with the filth means there is no one else to take votes off him. He stopped and said to Jimmy, 'your are true inspiration' on his way up the stage and was completely sincere when referring to Jim and him being a Melbourne supporter as a kid. I think the Jim speech made him take a bit of stock on his comments regarding footballers/sport stars being role models and good on him for admitting as much. He is most deserving of the accolade of dual Brownlow medalist.

http://plixi.com/p/45398025

Collingwood to win, they play with the same pressure & intensity as St Kilda but in a much more exciting fashion, hitting the scoreboard frequently. St Kilda don't get beaten too easily, very often. But think Collingwood will hold them for most of the day and win by 5 - 6 goals. Norm Smith Medal, Alan Didak looks to be in decent winning form, sadly. No Presti, Pies defence good enough to do the job & back themselves with the forward pressure.

As much as I can't stand Collingwood, I would prefer they win. St Kilda winning means that, besides Fremantle I've had the misfortune of seeing everyone bar Western Bulldogs/Footscray or my beloved Demons salute as premiers.

St Kilda & Collingwood both use zone's but in different ways. Collingwood's is more a full press where the defence push up past the wing and form the last line, their forwards are the first line of defence and they make it hard to get it past their own forward 50 let alone the wing. The pies then use the wings to hit up targets and make sure they keep the ball with quick leads & ball movement. St Kilda play more of a zone across half back and spread the ball or attack up the middle depending on the best option, as opposed to Collingwood who always go wide. St Kilda will pick targets that keep the ball similar to Collingwood but are alot slower with the ball as leg speed is an issue for them, holding it remains even more important if they are to score. Collingwood score more freely and thus will win the flag. Hopefully when we are challenging, it is the start of a dynasty for us & whatever game plan we have will be what others implement. Collingwood & St Kilda both rely on pressure more than anything rather than being reliant on a few stars. That can be replicated with similar talent if the desire is there. He will play more often at Kardina Park than the 'G as a GC player coming to Melbourne B)

Not sure any second year blues are to be of concern. 3 games, you could hardly call that a 'season'. Did look very good around the stoppages. Moved in & out of traffic quickly. I believe he & Blease both have very strong attributes around the stoppages, both have different strengths in the way they go about it but are just as effective as each other. Hopefully we see the best of both these kids. Moloney, Jones ared great clubman, Blease & Gysberts could be that as well as great, great footballers. Time will tell.