Pates

Very happy for us to play hard ball on him, I felt he had a good year last year but he's had a very average 2015 IMO. Will be ironic if he does leave given he cracked the 100 games and took his best hanger for the year in his last game.

The questions to Buckley on Treloar were actually really funny, you could see his mind ticking over thinking "just tell them, they already know!" He nominated the Pies the next day, jeez the shock it sent through the footy world! I thought Roos played a much straighter bat and there's a lot to go under the bridge with Bennell, boxes have to be ticked before we get him in red and blue.

So just watched the short highlights package on the club website, something that really strikes me about him is that he is always quick to acknowledge when one of his teammates has worked hard to provide him with the opportunities for goals. Maybe I'm reading a lot into it but to me it shows a camaraderie with him and his teammates, hopefully this idea that the young core of this club are truly in it together.

I will not be happy if we get him. Not what we need at all.

If Roos and Co feel confident enough to get him on the right track with the right culture surrounding him then I would be supportive of us getting him. His on field upside is massive.

I stated from the start of the year 7-8 wins would be a pass mark for me. We finished with 7 wins, the year is a pass. Next year Goodwin will start to take over more and more, Roos is there as a transition coach next year and to get the team ready to be taken over by Goodwin.

Had a look at their Twitter handle and couldn't find anything other than congrats to him and Jesse, although they might've deleted the tweet. I think most people agreed that whoever won, Cripps or Hogan, they both had amazing years. Cripps will be a star, Hogan will be a star. EDIT: Gibbs you are a [censored], but I agree it's a joke. It was a joke the it took until round 9 before Jesse finally got nominated. But the other joke is that Cripps and Hogan will both be better than anything you could hope for. Idiot.

Massive congrats to Jesse, this is just the beginning though. He's got many more levels he can go and you can see how driven the bloke is. Can't wait to see what 2016 onwards holds for him. Also congrats to Gus, a very deserving top 5. Had a sensational year rounded out by what I reckon is the picture of the year, chairing off Crossy's son was the act of champion human being and future leader.

Good luck to him. None of us know the background or the reasons so it's stupid to make comments and criticisms without the full story. Bottom line is one of the best current players will be missing this week and possibly for the whole finals series because of a medical condition, compassion and understanding should be shown.

Is it possible it could be a tie? I reckon this would be the perfect year for it, two very different players, both taking on massive responsibility for their teams. It won't be a lowing of either players colours if the other won it.

TMac was in AA until Cloke decided to put in a big one on QB, after that it took him about 8 weeks before he showed anywhere near his capabilities. Vince I would've thought he'd get in the squad, he's had a sensational year. But not a huge surprise given our year.

Injury affected, he had such a great 2014 I think everyone expected him to go onwards and upwards with it but clearly he didn't get a clean run at it this year. I think he needs to have a clean pre-season and hopefully we'll be able to chalk this year up to bad luck.

Would be interesting to know who that was as clearly they haven't done their research. Early days this year I wasn't sure about his position of HB but against GWS he was the perfect linking player with his exceptional kicking. What he also displayed was a bit of flair; several times he backed himself to get past players and did some run and carry. Really liked his game and will be a great platform for him next year.

Their reliance on Reiwoldt and Montagna is a massive issue for them, they are banking on McCartin coming good as quickly as Hogan has but thus far the evidence says he will take longer. Saints are on the way up, I reckon we'll follow similar paths but will be interesting to see in 2 years time who's ahead.

Melbourne's first application, when Roos came to the club, that was the one they stuffed up by not granting us a PP. 2 wins, absolutely woeful %, club in despair. The fact that we got Paul Roos on board was irrelevant, we were a rabble and if we didn't deserve it then then no team will ever deserve it. Even if they gave us a compo pick at the end of the second round they could've saved face from it but they didn't and now they've dug themselves a hole.

Bennell vs Howe for value is a very interesting debate. Who has more value? Howe isn't all that damaging, but he is marketable and pretty reliable. He can play forward or back, I think for GC he would actually suit being a floating HFF. Bennell on the other hand has a lot more upside, he can be very damaging and silky but clearly his off-field issues are a concern. Interestingly I've actually heard he was a pretty good kid as a teenager but it appears the culture at GC has been bad for him. I'm glad to hear that we're enquiring about him, he's exactly what we need on field, and I think we're actually getting a culture in place to deal with those that have off field problems. I would also like to see us get Redden, although sounds like he's looking elsewhere.

Depending on the pre-season I could see Frost and Pederson being ahead of Dawes as the decoy forward. I feel Dawes is better than Dunn at having a physical impact, I also think Dunn's best position is in defense.

Win down in Geelong is number one for me, I went down there fearful of another massive hiding and resigned myself to a day of drinking beers and copping abuse from the cats fans. What we did that day was the best I have seen us play in a very long time, the shock on the cats fans faces was awesome! Number two is Hogan in general, way exceeded my expectations for his first year of going up against AFL defenders. Not only was he matching it with them, he was beating them! His game on Rance, with everyone saying how Rance will give him a lesson, was poetry! Number three is Brayshaw. Although all reports were he was a ready made gun I try to hold myself back from getting too excited. He'll finish top 5 in the rising star for sure. Four would be beating Collingwood. Wish I was there but I was working. It's a good one to knock off. Next year we've got to get them on QB. Finally, and this is a strange one, but I will always remember the way the Melbourne faithful received Cross in the final game. He really deserved a bigger crowd but every single one at the game gave him so much love and respect as he was coming off the ground and when he came off the ground. Glad his final game was a win.

Shocked that more people think Tommy Mac will win than Jonesy. Vince Jones TMac Viney Hogan

Ok so some quick thoughts on the game from my point of view. I felt like we played 4 quarters today, within those quarters we had drop off but I felt like for the most part we were on top. Finishing of good work is still an issue whether it's goal kicking or forward entry but we were putting ourselves into positions to have shots on goal. Great that our last game of the year we crack 100+ again. For me today it was the future on show supported by the older guard. TMac, Hogan, Viney, Brayshaw, Salam, and Harmes were all impacting the game in a big way. Jones and Vince (BOG for me) were doing a great job in the centre and Gawn who's in the all important 24-28 age group was awesome in the ruck. I feel Grimes is done, brain is not on the wavelength as where the team is going. I think a trade could be good for him, that said if he stays so be it. Really sad but oddly fitting Cross went out with concussion, the reception from the crowd gave me chills. We accepted him as one of our own really quickly and lovingly, I hope he sticks around. I called it early, I felt we were going to win this one! So glad I was right!

Say what you like about him but I think he has a strength of character that most probably don't realise. As Sue said, he cops it from everyone. Opposition fans, Media and Commentators, and of course Melbourne fans. He's been the worst handled top draft pick ever which has contributed to it, and Melbourne fans will never get over the fact that he's just not going to be the player we want him to be. That said out on the field I wouldn't say he's mentally or any kind of tough.

I was definitely surprised by his omission from the team, I honestly don't think he's had a bad year. I don't think he's had a bad year but it's been a very typical Watts year where his good has you thinking he's turned the corner and the bad being head scratchingly bad. If he's meant to be part of the future I don't agree with the dropping, if the club is looking to move him on then this is definitely the correct move to get some new blood in the team. Does he qualify for the Scorps finals campaign? Maybe it's a tactic from the club to strengthen our 2nds team.

Following Freo's request to rest players for their match, the Kangas are looking at doing the same thing. This is very interesting because it may well be in their best interest to lose this match, the only way for them to face an away trip to Adelaide is if they beat the Tigers, Adelaide beat the cats, and the dogs lose to Brisbane (unlikely but it is at the GABBA). Therefor could this be seen as a form of match fixing/tanking? If they win all they do is open the door for the possibility of a trip to Adelaide, whereas if they lose they almost guarantee at least a Melbourne final. Sydney could potentially drop out of the 4 but they would have to lose to GC at home and the Tiges would have to thump the Roos. This also poses difficult questions for the AFL as they have already granted Freo's request to do it. http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/north-melbourne-poised-to-rest-8-10-players-against-richmond-ahead-of-afl-finals/story-fni5f986-1227510514665

So just reading the club website the club decided to move him on not the other way around. That is even more surprising. Even though his last couple of weeks have been pretty average (name me one player who hasn't) I would've thought his year had been very consistent and he'd earned another run around. Now you can say that might've been taking up a young guns spot but I feel like we need more guys like him driving the young players to take over. Great, sincere speach from Crossy. Now I really wish I could be there on Sunday.

I wasn't expecting this so it has come as a surprise, but good for him going out while still being competitive at the highest level. His preparation and professionalism is second to none and I know he's been a very positive influence on a lot of the young brigade, particularly Viney and Gus. I really hope he sticks around the club in a coaching/mentoring capacity, congrats on an excellent career Crossy! Now boys, let's make sure we're chairing him off with a winning smile on his face! And for what it's worth I can't go to the game, but if anyone was trying to decide whether or not to go I hope this tips you over. He's a champ and deserves as big a crowd as we can muster for him.