binman

That makes no sense at all as a strategy. None. hypothetically lets say they did what you suggest and waited on Kent and other players coming out contract in order to maximise the chances of retaining Hogan. What happens if the strategy fails and in addtion to losing Hogan, other like Kent also leave because they get the club has shown no faith or loyalty to them. Glad you don't have Josh's job.

Yep i have heard him say the same thing. I have also seen him kick set shots with the right (at least i think i have - perhaps i'm conveniently imagining it!). But either way his kicking action looks almost identical left or right which is really rare - usually there is a noticeable difference in technique. Yep, a freak. By the by he is a terrific player but i can't stand his smirk Insert: Rick James Super freak video

Even more freakish in that he is actually a right footer

I hope your mail is good. Though from a semantic perspective even though often a distinction seems to be made between rumour and fact of course there's not necessarily a difference between the two. For example the rumour the Hibberd deal is happening might be accurate, so is in essence a fact.

If all that were true Roos would not select MJ week in week out. Yet he continues to do so and as you concede is likely to do so again. Unlike four of the players you mention he has not once been dropped this season, only going out of the side when injured and coming aback after only two weeks (unlike several other senoir players). What does this tell you? Roos - a premiership coach - rates MJ as a best 22 player and given our low numbers of injured players, clearly rates him as a player. Did Matt Jones actually do anything that justified his spot as a quick outside linkman? Well if you look at the goals on the website he was involved in several scoring chains. Again though Roos obviously disagrees with your assessment. Roos had this to say about the game MJ played last week: "Our wings were really effective today – Matty Jones (30 disposals), Billy Stretch (12 disposals) and 'Grimesy'. Every role is important but I think the wing role has never been more important in football than now." No offence, but the length of your 'analysis' notwithstanding the opinion of one of the most respected AFL coaches carries more weight with me than yours.

So if it is overcast the roof will be open?

I do. Why? Because both players, particularly Hibberd address a very specific need we have - natural defenders who can run, break lines but most important of all can consistently hit targets by foot, including targets 40 to 50 metres away either up or across the ground. Think of how many goals we have given away as turnovers (or indeed times we have failed to capitlise on an attacking move) precisely because we lack players down back with this skill. It is the main reason we have had to play Vince down back and one of the reasons Wagner was promoted so soon. It is also why Salem is down back when it is clear he is not a natural defender. I have no doubt at all it is this specific need that has resulted in the dees chasing Melksham and Hibberd, as opposed to them having a good relationship with Goodwin. Both will make us a better team, not just because of a skill set that addresses a need but also because it will allow Vince to go back into the midfield and Salem play o the wing or in the mid field where he is more suited (and where his skills by foot and hand will do real damage). The other thing worth noting is Hibberd is a left foot kick and it is a big advantage to have a high number of good lefties, particularly down back as it really opens up the field with players covering the right side.

God this rubbish. The dees are run better now than at any point in the 40 plus years i have followed them. Our club don't have the backbone? Sure we can play hardball with a trade but its not up to us to institute grievance procedures it's up to the players. A lack of spine? Typical? What tosh. How about you show some spine and at the next agm challenge Jackson on how weak the club is.

For the millionth time simply go to the article and copy and search the text belwo the headline ie this BANNED Essendon defender Michael Hibberd is likely to request a move to Melbourne in a decision that could trigger a trade standoff between the clubs. The Herald Sun understands the Demons are increasingly confident of landing Hibberd by doing so you will get around the firewall. Funnily enough when you now do it now says at the top of the article: Use keywords to search content on this website

This has been a very noticeable change, particularly in the last 4 weeks or so. With his increased confidence and output there has been a clear increase in the number of times (and confidence to do so) teammates go to him - even when one on one. I assume this is often an instinctive decision and in the past the instinct was to bypass Jack. Not now. Like a virtuous circle.

JW got 7 last week too i think. You'd have to think he'll do ok in the bluey this year. Spot on Nasher - the first quarter was critical and JW was a big factor in our hot start. However he was also involved in a couple of goals that helped keep Freo at arms's length after that. His kick to Hogan where he rag dolled Dawson was a beauty. Looked easy enough but so few of players seem to have that ability to put a kick to a forward's advantage - either weighting it correctly so they can run onto it or putting them in the gun position in a one on one like he did for Hogan. Off one step too. On the conditions it was interesting to hear one of the players compare it to wet weather game in terms of how slippery it was.

Someone commented quite rightly that hunt's speed will be a big asset at ethuad and so will his forward pressure. Amazing to think he didnt play last time against the saints and just a few short weeks later he is s crucial factor in terms of our chances. This is a really important game for us. I will be gutted if we lose

No it didn't.........wait, you were being ironic

Yep, fair call

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/teams/melbourne/melbourne-forward-jack-watts-will-resign-with-the-demons-in-the-coming-weeks/news-story/8568c47fcca67f2cf9c3165152767e34

You are to the swiss as saty is to the dees players

Yet his coach did. An excerpt from this artilce: http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2016-07-09/grimes-florishes-in-comeback-match The former co-captain played on the wing and gathered 32 disposals, nine marks and had five inside 50s to be one of the Demons' best across the contest. Coach Paul Roos said the 27-year-old's form in the VFL for the Casey Scorpions had seen him earn selection for his 99th career game at the club, and that it continued to show the Demons' growing depth. "It was good to see him getting a bit of the ball and he took a crucial mark late in the game as well when we were under siege a bit," Roos said after the win. "It's encouraging as a footy club that when our 'seconds' are playing really well you can see that when they come into the seniors they are really well prepared. "It's good for Jack to get a game, we were confident he'd play well and he did."

MJ again showed why he is a valued and important cog in out team on the weekend. 30 odd possessions and ran himself into the ground on a hot steamy night for football. I watched the first half (in the period we won the game it is worth noting) again last night and not only was he an important link man between defense and attack he was was involved in a number of scoring chains. His importance to the team was summed up by Roos post match: "Our wings were really effective today – Matty Jones (30 disposals), Billy Stretch (12 disposals) and 'Grimesy'. Every role is important but I think the wing role has never been more important in football than now." By the by in that same article Roos talks about the decision to change Grimes's role form HB to wing. Perhaps rather than being hard and unfair in not picking him Roos has actually given Grimes a career lifeline given his style of defending (eg holding the ball up, chip it around, very focused, on manning up, kicking not really an attacking weapon) does not fit well with modern footy with its focus on zone defense and attacks coming from HB. Well played Roos.

I shouldn't say this for fear of a mozz. But trying to be as objective as possible I think the dees will win comfortably. From a punting perspective a line of 13.5 looks good value (it as 9.5 yesterday so punters obviously thought that was too short). It's a get on/ We are close to our best 22 and in pretty good form, having pushed a top 4 side all the way last week. They are coming of a bad game and have the worst injury list i can ever recall. We would have to be totally mentally switched off to lose and I just can't see that being the case.

People are being a bit unkind to the author OP. The full title of the thread should have read Matt Jones has played his last game for MFC....this weekend. I have said this before about MJ so apologies for repetition. Roos and the other coaches clearly rate him as a best 22 player. It came as no surprise to me he was brought back last week after only a couple of VFL games. Of course he has limitations but he is quite quick, super fit and gut runs back and forward as an important link man. And most importantly he plays the role he is assigned. When i made these comments a while back (mid of last season IRC) i compared him to Cheney at Crows as a player who has got the most out of his talents, continued to work hard and improve and play a role. Some scoffed, saying Cheney was a journeyman who couldn't cement a spot in what was then a pretty average performing mid table side. Well there he was last week playing a role and looks to be a regular best 22 in a side that will finish top 4. Despite what some here on DL say/think Jones will be a similar player for us and will keep his spot in the side when we are top 4.

Spot on

Thanks WW, great stuff. How is Brayshaw moving. Its funny in a way (and a good indication of our improvement i think) how little commentary there has been (both here on DL and more broadly) about the impact of not having him playing seniors. I mean he was brilliant last year and a real key for us. Easily one of the best first year players in the AFL last year, as reflected in his high RS finish. Will be a huge addition if he comes back in fit and firing. to a lesser extent the same is true of Salem.

Surely a misguided attempt at humour. Winning is critical to our future. We have to build a winning culture. We need to embed our game plan so it is second nature and totally instinctive. All players have to have complete trust in the system. There is no room for trialling anything. I felt like liking this post so i could unlike it as a proxy for a dislike button!

My point though is we need more than 1 big kpd and unless they can't agrre on the money the dees will keep tmac.

Wouldn't shock would it. I mean they must be deperare for quality. And they cant bottom out.