Pates

I'd like to add a record that I'd like to see broken. Last time our leading goal kicker had 50+ goals was Brad Green in 2010. Since then we've had: 2011: Jurrah (40) 2012: Clark (29) (after 11 games) 2013: Howe (28) 2014: Dawes (20) A slow decline, but obviously it is being turned around with Garlett and Hogan.

Yeah knocking it down early is always a good thing, sometimes you hear families of players say stuff like "we just want what's best for him but it would be nice to have him home" sort of throwing out there the idea of a return. But that really just sounds like Jesse's enjoying his time here and his family are just as happy for him.

If Jesse scores the first goal he should celebrate something like this.

Very happy to land him. He has all the talent in the world, c'mon Roosy unlock it and turn him into a star!

Honestly for me the only way this could possibly work is if there was a second training ground created somewhere next to the G, for that to be viable they would then need to probably create underground car parking under Yarra Park (something I believe is planned) but as said above a lot of work would need to go into flattening the ground as there really isn't anywhere that flat as it is. To me for all parties to be happy it would cost a lot of money and in the long run have very little commercial or community benefit (something that has been a carrot with the Western Oval and Arden street). This is all coming to the point where we review the AAMI park situation, it must be pretty crowded there with four teams, especially with three of those teams having matching seasons (winter for Dees, Storm, and Rebels) which means I reckon it might get cramped during summer when it's a lot of weights and core strength building. Of all the ideas being thrown around (aside from staying at AAMI) I would say the Docklands idea provides most of the positive aspects, although it takes us away from our spiritual home. It will be built from scratch to specs that fits with us, provides a park and training area for a new community, still keeps us in "Melbourne" and in fact pushes us further into the CBD of Melbourne (something Bartlett seems keen on). We can also look at the potential of a social club that can be used for post-game functions, particularly when we're scheduled at Colonial/Telstra/Etihad/whatever stadium.

Moving back to the MCG definitely appears be a positive, but I have the same concerns as Earl Hood. If we're still having to train at our same outdoor location then what benefit is there to the players? AAMI park is an elite facility so whatever we do, or wherever we go it must be to give the players the best opportunity to improve themselves and not just be a fluff story designed to give us good press and perception.

I've been one to try to disassociate the Wines vs Toumpas decision, just focus on our player make him the best we can. But jeez I was devasted reading his stats from last night.

Fitzy is my 2014 disappointment, I honestly don't know where his career is heading. With the lack of forward options available I would've expect him to be bashing down the door, but he's been mostly unsighted for the entire year. His recent form at Casey has been solid though so perhaps he'll get a game or two in before the end. It sounds like whereas last year he was predominantly a forward they've been focusing on getting him ruckwork better.

He won goal of the year that year so I reckon they have it to Abraham because he couldn't get two cars! His goal was great but his mark was incredible. I've never been more shatters to lose a player since the Wizard went to Freo and screwed up his career.

Early on he made some errors but he settled into the game big time and became BOG for us. He has a class about him that haven't seen in a Melbourne player for a long time. He's continuing to make that recruiter who criticised our trade look like a muppet!

Tyson will create his own name, he's looking like one of those player that just rises to the top.

He's going to be on FC this week, I hope Lyon calls him on it because it was such a short sighted simplistic view he put forward with that trade. Did not actually open his eyes to the bigger picture, just wanted to create more controversy about Melbourne.

That goal at the end was class, and a real clutch moment as well. Love the kid, we have done VERY well out of that deal throwing Salem in as well.

JKH will be one of the steals of the year, Georgio will be the unexpected handy pick up, but for me Dom Tyson has shown he is already taken a leap with his development (I have a feeling Roos and George Stone will do great things with him) and he will step in to being one of our best mids this year. It's important to remember he is still developing but he looks like he'll be a very good player for us.

Normally when a player is out of contract I'm either concerned he will go or will be happy to see the back of him. With Jack I genuinely don't care either way, I just don't think Jack and Connors have handled this in a way that sees him in a positive light. Every comment on "how much he loves the club" or how "loyal he is", seems to be followed with a but and thus what is said is irrelevant. All indications seem to be he'll stay, when he does I don't want hollow comments I want him to state that he wants to be one of the guys to make the MFC great again. That's the sort of person I want.

Peter Jackson said it on OTC last night, we have relied on getting high draft picks and these players just realising their talent rather than developing them properly. Toumpas is a great talent, you've got to have blinkers on not to see it, but he is not someone that will just get there because he's that good, we must make sure that he works his butt off and really wants to get there. His game vs Lions shows that he has a long way to go, but I felt he responded relatively well vs the Kangas (in the grand scheme of things). He's got plenty of potential, and I really think he and Viney can become a lethal combo.

I'm shaking my head at these comments of people calling him soft. He went in hard many times vs Geelong and he showed some very good inside work which is totally against what he is known for. There is nothing about him that reminds me of Cale Morton. He's showed some real confidence in the last few games, and I expect that confidence to grow.

Great work 45, I'm all for putting her on the D-land banner on their match day.

Perhaps this is the real reason behind the 100% Demon campaign. I'm already donating, if we get Clarkson I'll double it.

So the mighty Reds are actually staking their claim this year, so many times over the last 4-5 years i've thought "maybe we'll actually challenge for the premiership" and now we're looking the goods. Winning 2-3 over Man City when they've got the deepest pockets in the sport at their home AND after being 2-0 down is an awesome result and i really think the player have the belief, the key will be whether they can maintain this over the whole season and the games against the like of Chelski, Arsenal, and Man U must yeild points. Torres you are a star!

Tell ya what mate, that is an excellent point. That doesn't mean we shouldn't be grateful for them allowing us to take the reciepts every year, but the fact is they don't need that extra money, it's a great PR thing for them to be shown as giving a leg up to a struggling club, and as you stated, they get another match at the MCG. Gary's comments shouldn't be taken litterally, he was showing the passion he has inside for the MFC, and when you're a passionate Dees fan, hating the Pies and laughing at the hole they've dug for themselves this past week comes with that. Perhaps in hindsight not the smartest comments, but funny none the less!

Brent Grgic (spelling?) looked very good for a while then went to crap. I was soooo glad when Geelong picked him up, i believe we even got Bizzell in that deal.