binman

That's interesting. If we offer to trade our first round comp pick (as opposed to our mid 1st round) to GWS for one of the 17y/o's a big part of GWS's consideration will be where we are likely to finish on the ladder next season. I'm guessing lots of people will be tipping us to have another poor year (perhaps even worse). This sort of forecast might help our chance to trade. We trade the comp pick, have a West Coast like turn around, finish 4th and GWS get screwed over. Perhaps that's what Gary Lyon was refering to when he said they should watch out!

Opening quote from the linked article: 'AXED Melbourne coach Dean Bailey says it would be naive to think this season's unrest at Demonland had not played a part in Tom Scully's decision to leave. Scully yesterday joined Greater Western Sydney on a reported six-year, $6 million deal." I knew all that bickering on this site about Scully would cause problems. It was our fault!

This Kim Hagadorn (or whatever)must be on work experience. He is officially the worst writer i have ever read, every piece is utter baloney

I think a big bodied forward is a must. The way the game is being played at the moment (forward press, tonnes of stoppages, bombing long into forward line, rushed kicks as opposed to precise chains of handballs, more packs forming, increase in contested marks etc etc) a big body up front is a key structural component. We also really need one to straighten us up, to create some crumbing opportunities, to bring the ball to ground up forward and to provide some physical cover for Watts and Jurrah - and to smash some packs and make that loose player dropping back into the hole who seems to kill Melbourne every week feel a little less keen to do so. Fevola? I can't believe i'm even considering it, would have absolutely (in fact did) say no way at the beginning of the year. But maybe? He ticks the box for big physical presence who kicks goals, has, i have to admit been pretty impressive the last few months on field and by most accounts off field and to an extent is already in the Melbourne system (and has a relationship with quite a few dees players who he has played with at Casey - and may share a flag with). A rookie contract with strict conditions? Maybe

I heard a rumour Scully is going because he and Bomber didn't talk all season

Yes freo, for this match at least are one of the lower clubs. They had 25 players fit for this match from their entire list. I reckon they have had the worst run with injury this year of any team in the last 2 decades. Shocking run. Blowouts will be a feature of football for the forseeable future when you pit young (or injury depleted sides) against fit strong, well drilled sides full of 100 plus gamers

Well said

Bah! Might as well be some fella's personal blog for all the credibility that site has. Even if true, sad to say but really only Martin and Sylvia are must keeps from that list, and Sylvia only at the right price. We have to turn over at least 4 players anyway to prepare for the next draft and Dunn, Maric and Warnock will all be trade bait, along with bate (pardon the pun) and possibly Spencer (only coz he's behind the other ruckman now) They want to leave? It may not be up to them.

I'm a hopeless glass full fella when it comes to the dees, but for some reason i have good feeling about this match. The last couple of weeks have been crazy but perhaps the boys will be a little more settled this week. I like the look of the team. We're back to having nothing to lose (a position we have played well in for the last decade or so). Davey will be back up to match speed. Jamar's back and i expect Sylvia to play a blinder. Watts is really growing in stature (and showing the intensity he was lacking pre season - more power to him). Maloney's due a big one. Morton will blitz. Howe to take mark of the year. Players re-signed and a big heart to heart by all at the club last Monday night. Yep, i've convinced myself, dees by 38

Have a squiz at the banner across the top of the home page (with the players) if you're in doubt about why Hankook would be concerned. And besides a deals a deal, business sort of depends on it. I reckon SS Schwabb has spent too long in footy and not enough in business land to be top shelf CEO

Are you kidding? A company tips in 1.5 million, has a deal about logo and placement and shouldn't have an issue about the club reneging (and reducing their exposure)? Hankook is not a charity they're a business looking for a return on an investment.

Yep and made it very clear, whilst wishing the club all the best and good luck with a new sponser, he wouldn't have anything more to do with the club (i assume from a corporate point of view) whilst the current administration was in place. I reckon SS Schwabb will quietly sail into the sunset over summer and that will be the last we will see of him in footy. Probably take deck hand connoly with him

We should give up our entire leadership group

yes that exactly what i thought. in fact i reckon that was the most telling part of Dean's press conference (along with the fact he chose to do it by himself - funny not to see him in a bright red polo shirt).

Spot on, was going to post something very similar but didn't have the energy. Was just saying the other day to a mate that we don't have any A graders in that crucial age bracket 24-27. In fact we don't have one, full stop - Frawley perhsp but just, maybe Jamar?. When was the last time we did? Perhaps as far back as Lyon before he went bung, perhaps Viney also? We are not likely to be able to draft any and yes we just have to be patient. We also have to help like hell that are youngsters do develop into real a graders. If they don't we're in trouble. There's no gaurentees. Morton was talked about early as top liner but looks along way off A grade atm. However i would like to see us go after a big forward as i reckon we need one for the next couple of years while we wait for Cook, Watts etc to fill out. We need one to help our structure i reckon. On sunday too many high balls to just inside 50. I'm sorry to say, having been a fan, Bate should have played his last game for the dees on the w/e. To slow, not big enough. Sorry Bater The margins against top sides? Yep a worry, but i reckon the sub rule really disadvatages the younger sides and conversely is a big advantage to the older more mature bodied sides, partic. late in quarters and games. Haven't seen any stats but i reckon all Melbourne's real peers (north, rich, essendon, - sad to say but Gold Coast, in terms of their age anyway) all have been touched up by the top sides

I think his knee issue is a really intersting one. I agree, surely GWS would baulk at a long term contract for a fellow with a potentialy chronic injury, the same one apparently that Cooney is struggling with (and that has really curtailed his running in particular) and has said he will just have to "manage" for the rest of his career. As a mid this would be a schocker for Skull to carry

Is it time for a Demonland poll? ie will skull go or stay? might end this thread finally. Thoughts? (a poll on a poll?)

I can't begin to say what trashy journalism both the Sheean and Clark artilces were (Herald Sun can reveal... - oh come on), i mean journalism is pretty weak in footy these days but surely things couldn't be this bad? Could they? Yes unfortunately. Check this link (from the online HUN Sheean article about sculls to GWS mind you). Same article more or less but on Foxtel, but check the headline! But of more interest is the video grab. Hilarious how the drivel in the article is stated as complete and utter fact by the news reader, without there being a shred of evidence. Crazy how the media is feeding of itself these days with the constant 24/7 need for content - now matter how spurious - and how if rubbish is repeated more than once it becomes media fact. Just shocking journalism. Anyway view and weep: http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-premiership/melbourne-demons-should-concede-the-race-for-tom-scully-because-hes-off-to-greater-western-sydney/story-e6frf3e3-1226098763049

What i like most about Jones is that he has really worked on his deficiencies. He isn't getting caught near as much, not barging through packs to the same extent, does not cough it up as much (though still could work on this), has added distance to his kicks, makes better decisions and is now kicking some goals (and is a good set shot). To me that sort of improvement refelcts lots of hard work and a great attitude. It also means at 22 there might still be upside.

Betts Davis

So does Tarrant

Saturday: Partly cloudy. Light winds in Darwin. Darwin Current Conditions (at 8:26pm)Current temp: 26.0°C Recorded min: 22°C Recorded max: 32°C Feels like: 27.4°C Humidity: 72% Rainfall since 9am: 0.0mm Wind: NNE 13km/h Wind gusts: 17km/h Pressure: 1011.5hPa (lots up forward for the dees) Moon: Waning gibbous (my new hippie album)

I wonder if there's any correlation between global warming sceptics and Scully sceptics.

But has the sub rule caused more blow outs in the last q? I don't have any stats but my feeling is that there has been a lot more blow outs this year and i suspect it is because the older clubs with more mature, strong bodies are able to absorb the impact of the sub rule more effectively, whilst the young clubs like the dees, north , rich and gc tire more easily. Blowouts should be a concern for the AFL (and channel 7 and Foxtel) as it makes for alot of crappy games whih don't hold the interst of neutrals.

I have to say i'm with Wolfmother on this one. There seems to be an extraordianary amount of character assasination on this thread of a young fella who is hailed as a rock solid citizen by by anyone who actually knows him. Q: why on earth should he sign or decide now? to placate a bunch of nervous demons fans and to fall into line with a media who seems to have worked itself into a frenzy whilst he has remained streadfast? (one amazing example is John Ralp writing an article yesterday claiming a third party deal will help him stay and another today saying the rule change spells doom to our chances of keeping him- what crap, particularly on top of his traitor bs) He has said he hasn't signed anything. Good enough for me. Will he stay? Who knows, but if he leaves i for one won't be baying for his blood. What does he owe Melbourne? Loyalty comes with time and shared expereince. Just beacuase we drafted him two years ago doesn't mean he has to swear undying loyalty to the dees or that he does not have a right to make a potentially life defining decision at a time of his choosing. The suggestion he is holding the club to ransom is complete rubbish and an unfair slur on the young man. Good on him for not bowing to pressure. I respect that. Hope he stays but come on. The sort of anger being hurled at him on this site by his own fans is out of kilter and a bit bizarre quite frankly. Let the media froth and swing about in the wind. They just can't handle not having a resolution to their self propelled saga. I for one will focus on supporting Tom when i watch him and avoid buying into all the other palaver (apart from the odd post here i suppose!)