Pates

I don't think there been a more controversy marred final season from a future Hall of Fame player. As a player he had so much great ability and adaptability to the modern game, he was versatile and skillful, and as he showed in the 2012 GF could be a game changer even carrying an injury. It's sad to see that his other side take away from such a great player, some of it I agreed with some of it I didn't. I certainly didn't agree with his final treatment towards the end. I can understand why he has turned down the opportunity to be a part of the motorcade, it could hijack the entire week and my gut tells me he would be booed, even if it was a minority, it would be a bad look for him and the day. I wish he had made the call earlier so he could be chaired off by his teammates and cheered by the Sydney fans, he deserved that much. Well done for a fantastic career. (Also haven't forgiven him for elbowing Simon Godfrey behind the ball! )

I'd be interested to know when this issue was known to the club medicos. Reading the article where he say he'll be playing rnd 1 but in his own words probably won't be 100%, if this issue was known any time before the seasons end I'd like to know why they didn't just put him away for the year and give him the surgery he needs. Not trying to open a can of worms here but I'd be furious if they kept him playing knowing he'd have this long lay up over the off season.

This will sound really selfish but I don't want him to get the senior Bombers job. He is a massive asset to our club and is a big part of our coaching structure for the future. When Roos departs next year Goodwin will need a right hand man that has been with him from early days to see him through his first year of senior coaching. Hoping Woosha will take the deal offered to him, although I wouldn't wish anyone upon that place right now.

Certainly not the ones bolded, I think their different players but probably similar level to Vanders for me.

You don't give depth 4 years. I'm not overly inspired by him and the assertion by Roos at the B&F that we want a team of competitors doesn't seem to fit with him, BUT if we do get him we have to stop this negativity. If he becomes a Demon then support him and back him in. Goodwin obviously would know enough about him so he may see something we don't. Really hoping there's a bigger target in sight.

Just a great piece of groundbreaking news from David King, basically repeating what Paul Roos has been saying all year. Every time he's been asked will Goodwin take on more responsibility and more of a lead in tactics he's said he would. It simply makes sense. Well done Kingy.

In total agreement, if he's not Melbourne bound I'd prefer him stay a Crow. Hate how the likes of Geelong and Hawthorn have continuously been the clubs of choice for any player, keeps the competition uneven.

Not opposed to getting him, he'll be coming to us for nothing, but we would have to have in mind a clear purpose of why we're getting him. Is he depth? Is he designed to be best 22 for 1-2 years while we develop our younger players? Is he there as leadership coverage? He played a brilliant game v Bulldogs so he's still got something left in the tank but for both player and club we would need a clear purpose and plan before signing him. Without knowing too much about him is he quick, medium paced, or slow. He are in desperate need of speed, I think that was one of the reasons we moved Crossy on, so if he is another plodder then it's a no from me.

Sounds like this is his first experience of long rehab so will be a real challenge for him but of course if anyone's up for it it'll be him. All the best Chunk!

A full pre-season will do wonders for him, had a very patchy year and was clearly hampered for much of it. Hopefully 2016 will see a return and hopefully an improvement on his 2014 form.

His biggest barrier appears to be staying on the park consistently, when he gets out there he looks really good. Still don't quite know his best position, I reckon he persist with his off half back as we need someone in that area that's a good user. Liked his game to end the season.

Great pick up; smart, brave, mostly clean, and an absolute competitor. Top notch pick up and future leader. What he did for Crossy's son will live with me forever.

Giving him the no. 11 was a clear indication that the club saw him as our future ruckman, it was just whether or not he would get a clean run with injuries and form. Thankfully he has and has made massive strides this year. For a long time he's shown promise as a tap ruckman but with little follow up around the ground, that has changed dramatically. Cries through the year of "just kick it up the line to Hogan" can now include big Maxy which means Jesse doesn't have to push as high up the ground. I think it was against the Kangas but Maxy laid a massive tackle that was second only to Jack Viney's against the Saints as my favourite for the year. The look on Max's face as he was laying the tackle would've struck fear in even the most hardened footy player!

Wouldn't have thought it'd be quite as easy as that, the bad press he brought on the suns have won him no favours in the footy community and teams aren't exactly lining up to come at him. I reckon GC will try to get their best deal and hopefully he'll have the sense to go along for the ride. Viney meeting with Clayton today is definitely an interesting development.

Can't say I'm moved to get Melksham. With the WADA appeal still ongoing and we have no idea what the repercussions are if they are found guilty it's irresponsible to offer such a long deal unless there is a trigger that gets us out of it, however I would've thought his manager would make damn sure there wasn't anything like that in the deal.

I thought his start to the year was decent, he did as expected with lots of run and carry and some good defensive efforts. But second half of the year was terrible and with him combining with Garland and TMac, well none of them are smart or skillful footballers. There was a game (can't remember which one) where it was them three combining with Grimes. It was just a recipe for disaster. Disappointing year.

Is that Cotchin's game from yesterday?

Yep, go for him. Has speed (something we desperately lack) and a bit of flair.

Wanted Weagles to win - tick Sydney to win - cross Dogs to win - cross Tigers to win - cross Some great games of footy but more or less every team I was going for lost (Liverpool lost as well so maybe it's me!). I really wanted to see the Dogs come out in front and they really shot themselves in the foot on that one. So many chances but scoreboard pressure is so important, especially in finals. They are a young side though and I feel this is probably where they are at. I think they'll finish similar position next year and winning a final will be the big goal, still plenty for them to learn. Adelaide had the older heads and steadied when they needed to, I don't think it'll happen but i'd love to see them knock the Hawks out in straight sets. Tigers I wanted to win more because I hate north, particularly after the way they carried themselves into the final round. As soon as north did that though the tigers should've as well and to be honest that showed at the end. I hate Brad Scott, the way he carries on is pathetic at times, like a petulant child. I hope Sydney obliterate them, though I see it being a tight game. Having said all that I thoroughly enjoyed all the matches I saw, and enjoyed hearing at times how much the Hawks were losing by. It's building up to a derby GF.

He lost me big time when he had a mark 45m out v Essendon and chose to pop it to the square instead of take the shot. You're a forward Chris, if you're not going to at least have a crack when the opportunity comes then what good are you? Pederson is ahead of him for me as the 2nd tall forward/relief ruck. At his age next year is definitely cross roads territory.

Interesting that Ty Vickery was from the same draft and has had very similar criticisms over the journey but he has come pretty good this year (albeit stuffed a golden chance for the tigers to get back in the game yesterday). People kept saying time and time again he would be a gun, now I'm not saying he's done that but he's certainly become an important player for them. Time has come for Watts, I personally think he won't be at Melbourne next year, as to what we'd get for him who knows.

I've just started watching the speeches, started with Daisy. We couldn't have picked a better person so be the inaugural winner of a Female B&F at an AFL club. She spoke so well, and she clearly is proud to wear the Red and Blue. It actually gave me goosebumps to hear her talk about how we have been the pioneers of the game and now we have pioneered bringing the women's game into the fore. Congrats Daisy, you deserve it and you're a sensational ambassador for women in footy.

Agreed, every speech should have been on the website by this morning. Why it's taking this long is beyond me.

I agree I wouldn't be happy to see him go, with Tommy Mac our key defender I don't think we have much coverage for him if he goes down. Garland may not be a gorilla defender but he's most good one on one. I feel Watts is on the outer at the club, his round 22 non selection shows that for me. It's sad because I think he could've been a fantastic player for us, but combinations of factors have worked against that happening. I can see him being successful as a cherry on top player at another club, maybe a Geelong.

Congrats to Bernie, very well deserved. He's had a fantastic year. For Jack to finish only one point behind him is a phenomenal effort given the games he missed, we have a gem here, someone that other clubs will be envious of. A few surprises, but there always are, I know Max played mostly in the second half of the year but I would've expected him to poll higher. I also would've expected Gus to finish above the likes of Howe and Garlett, but then Garlett did have a pretty productive year. The positions of Cross and Garland tell me how highly rated they are. I still feel we could've given Cross another year and for me his high finish shows that. Garland I still like, he's prone to a few brain farts that send him back to 2012 but he's still very good defensively. The top 5 is exactly what we could've hoped for; 3 younger players with 2 older players and one older player pipping them at the end. The future was in the top 5 this year and I expect that trend to continue next year, although I'm sure Bernie and Jonesy will have something to say about that!