Pates

I feel like it could be one of those big complicated deals if it goes through as hoped. The Crows are in a premiership window so picks aren't aren't as important, could see a 3/4 way deal that sees the Crows receive a player as well as our pick 10 and we get Lever plus a pick/player. Who really knows though.

Still only a youngster so before we proclaim him a future gun pick up let's just see how he develops. (Having said that some of my earliest and best memories of AFL are watching the Wiz electrify the MCG!)

I hoped he would be valuable but I didn't expect it to be in the role he's in, on that score he's been a real surprise packet. I was thinking he could be valuable rotating through the wing and half back line, but he's been bobbing up for goals quite regularly. We've managed to find multiple avenues to goal, that is massive for us.

But wait I thought he was certain to be a demon! Didn't his body language clearly state he wanted to play with his brother? Just having a laugh, knowing how loyal Nathan it's hardly surprising to find out his younger brother is the same.

What do we give up for Zac? What's his worth to the team? There is a definite romantic idea of him playing with his brother, particularly given Nathan is coming towards the twilight of his career.

That was a clutch goal at the end, killed any notion of Port winning. Never thought he'd find his place in the forward line but well done to him.

Disgraceful by those clubs. Both teams with traditionally low drawing numbers, maybe that's why their crowds are looking lower this year. Raising them against GC is absolutely ludicrous. As for us, I'd say we're an interesting position where we have enough fans coming out to get solid enough attendances to our games but are still not smashing it. So the powers that be have obviously decided for a little less revenue it's better the keep the fans coming out happy. That said maybe next year a cheeky extra $2 on each ticket except children's tickets for Queens birthday would give us another $50k-100k, it would be tempting. For that matter we'll also have the ANZAC eve match. But for all that I do say, keep tickets affordable. It's one of the best things about our great game that most people are able to go.

I know what you mean. When he went off the first time and I saw him grimace I thought, "he's been huge but if he's in pain you know it's bad". Then he came on and was big but restricted, then he went down to the rooms and with no coincidence we faded. I thought, "even with him being on he will be something of an inspiration, but realistically he won't won't be on his game" I was so wrong. I was a kid when Todd played and he was the first Melbourne player I remember thinking, this guy is indestructible. Jack has taken the Viney name to another level, and he was massive. I get this feeling that there would've been a lot of people feeling proud; his dad, Goody, Roosy, and players/coaches that were with him at the beginning like David Rodan. Nothing was going to stop him.

So we keep ticking them off, as someone said earlier in this thread we hadn't won at Traeger Park before and that's gone. But next week comes a very big one that I'd really love to see us break. Winning in Perth! Round 1 2004 was our last victory in Perth, let's knock this one out!

Hasn't put a foot wrong all year, one of the best recruits I've seen since following the Dees.

Respect. Best game I've seen from him, only one "McDonald" kick for the day. Everything else was spot on.

I was happy but cautious about us getting Hibberd, there was always that unknown after the year off as to how he would go. He would have to be up the pointy end of our B&F count, he hasn't put a foot wrong and again was a calm head down back. As many have said, Watts gets the plaudits (rightfully so it was a clutch goal) but it would never had happened without Hibberds desperate spoil. One of the recruits of the year for any team.

I'll put my hand up one that was less than impressed by OMacs decision making and disposal in the first quarter and I don't think I'm guilty of anything there, there were three passages of play I can remember that just simply weren't good enough. But credit to him, he shook it off and had a very good game after that (under injury duress apparently). His grubby kick to Harmes at the end was very clever and exactly the right decision, which shows he may develop more poise in the future as the heat was never higher than that moment.

Why'd they have to choose the goal against us after the siren first up?! I was shattered when he left, him winning the game against us with a kick after the siren was just the dagger in the heart! But they definitely got the rest right. He was the wizard at Melbourne but Jeffery Farmer at Freo. His 9 goals in one half springs to mind first for me, but 8 goals in a prelim is phenomenal. There are very few who could say they have done that. I was at the game but still in the corridors when he took that amazing mark, he was totally robbed of MOTY but he got GOTY for that run against the Hawks. I think back then you got a car for both so they couldn't give him both!

He's yet to have a game that he takes by the scruff and destroys a team. It'll happen, hopefully against Fremantle. But he does enough for me to suggest he will be an absolute gun for us. Brayshaw I feel could have a bit of Salem's luck about him. We were patient with him and it's starting to pay off, Brayshaw has it in him and I see him being a valuable mid for us in the future.

Really I thought the highest we ever got under Roos was 9th, always just missing out on the 8.

As an aside when was the last time we were in the 8 at the end of a round? Did it happen in 2010, it didn't happen at any time during Roosy's years as far as I know and it definitely didn't happen during Mark Neeld's tenure.

Well apart from beating North Melbourne (god I want that one gone this year) we're into the business end of the records. With finals and things that have us at the northern part of the ladder. I say we keep ticking them off until we get to the all important one.....

This is a really good pick up in my opinion, something we have lacked is some polish out the half back line (Salem was meant to be that this year but had his Thyroid issues). Now we've got Hibberd, Melksham, (Vince as well), and Salem as options back there plus Hunt with his run and carry. Welcome to the Dees Michael!

His whole speech is like a stand up roasting routine! Love the guy!

Haha by creeping I mean I know it's not going to happen this year, and probably not next year!

Think we'll have to do that again this week, we're the away team so I'd expect us to wear that thing. 4 in a row, 2006 the last time that happened (we actually won 5 in a row twice that year). We're starting to creep towards the most important record of them all....a premiership.

Well on the other hand it's probably a lot easier to continue a downward trend in W/L!

Don't forget there were periods in our history the WE were the dominant team! Pretty hard to improve when your the best team in the comp. And it is also actually very difficult to continue having an upward trend for improvement in W/L ratio. At some point you either get to the top, get your teams ceiling of improvement, or you just get some bad luck. Would be interested to know the all time AFL record for improved consecutive seasons.

I'll quibble over cost if it costs us Hogan. I believe we are already building a very very good midfield, obviously Fyfe would make it better but I don't want to lose the big forward we've already invested so much into for Fyfe. Inquire but also think of the bigger picture.