Pates

I think was but the issue is that it doesn't leave us anywhere to train outdoors as they won't let us train on the G. We still need an oval so they would still go to Gosch's paddock (seriously can we change that bloody name!) and then back to the G for gym and recovery. Junction Oval could turn out to be a very good result for the saints but I'll believe it when I see it. More than likely they'll just upgrade the facilities at the oval for cricket and not leave much for the saints. They are as nomadic as us, and the issue for both clubs is there isn't anywhere with ties that they can cement a spot with. And there isn't much space going anywhere. I don't mind our base in AAMI, sure it'd be great to have admin right there as well but can't complain about the facilities.

Jack (and the other former captain Jack) has been through a terrible time as captain. Having to have the back of a coach that clearly didn't have the players, dealing with Jimmy's passing, and of course having the front up to the media and explain some truly shocking performances. All while struggling to maintain his own form and fitness. He was the best we had at the time and from what I hear has a lot of respect from the players. He has a lot of things to work on as a player and he's recognised being captain may make it harder, and he also acknowledges as captain he needs to maintain certain expectations of himself. A very selfless and mature thing to do, and I applaud him for it. Jones obviously to be sole captain, but who to make VC? For me Dawes and/or Cross. Speaks volumes that we don't have many others who have been at Melbourne for long who can step into that role. Make Dawes the first choice VC as he has been here for longer and he has a little more of a connection built with older players, but because his body is so fragile have the durable Cross as a back up option. Left field option is Dunn, really took his game to another level last year and loyalty has been reciprocated on both sides for a while. I just question where he's a leader. [EDIT] Also for those saying he's not best 22, while I agree he's not the first picked I think C&B's picture at bottom of his posts is a great example of why I think he's one that Roos admires and will continue to pick. As I said there's much he needs to improve on, but he's a good character I believe he will.

Like so many years before we have the makings of a midfield, nothing more. Just like this time last year we had the makings of a powerful forward line, I don't think I have to go into detail about what happened there.

Ah the never ending debate on where Jones is ranked. B+, A, A+, or star (although I don't think many rate him as star). Jones is an A-grader IMO, he'd be a walk up in any team in the comp and fit in nicely. What he does isn't made better by the fact that we're average, in fact if he had better players around him it would probably (and hopefully will) make him better. He's been paid unders for a while, pay him a bit over or give him an extra year as a repayment for sticking fat and being one of the guys driving the change. Just front end it so we can cover the others when they hit their straps.

Yes forgot about that little detail!

I said this to my brother when he said he wanted the footy back. Off-season is a Melbourne fans favourite time of the year, we have all the hope and optimism in the world! That said, I was looking at our round 1 team (assuming little to no injuries) and it was getting hard to find spots for players that you'd consider hole fillers who were actually regulars last year. Harsh as it is for Peders (who was great for much of the year) I can't see him getting in the side without significant injuries. Matt Jones, who was a very good role player will be up against kids with so much talent and hopefully lots to prove. Bail is in the same camp. We should definitely improve next year.

Good first post and welcome aboard. I think speed out of the backline is something that Roos has identified we lack in, and he has addressed that by getting in HL. I don't know much about Frost or Oscar McDonald, but I do know that Tom has good speed for his size and great endurance so all things going well we'll be looking much better in that department. My other concern though with our backline is a lack of good ball users. HL I don't rate as a great kick, he's got dash and likes to deliver it long but doesn't hit up targets very well. Tom I have my heart in my mouth every time he goes short, so inevitably I like him to go long to a contest and play the percentages. Grimes WAS good, now he really struggles. Garland is the same as Grimes. Again I don't know much about Frost and Oscar, but I don't think I've heard much about their delivery.

Dawes? Although given his history it's likely he won't there for rnd 1. But assuming he is I'd send Dawes to CHF and Hogan into one of the forward flanks and leave Gawn as FF. Kent to the bench and Toumpas misses out currently (although all reports are he's going well so Salem could make way. All of a sudden fitting people in is getting harder!

This really was a freak accicdent, he was wearing a helmet, he took his eye off the ball for a split second and it followed him into the worst possible place. This is so sad and wrong it's hard to comprehend. He had a bright future in the sport, was well liked by so many, and of course was just shy of 26. Hearing the updates yesterday I had a lump in my throat, I knew that in this case no news was not good news. I could feel it coming but like Troy and Jimmy I didn't want to accept it. RIP Phillip Hughes

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

We can't choose our family! Hopefully James is in tears while he watches him tear the Roos a new one!

Shocking news, all the best in his recovery, I hope he beats this thing.

I'm going to put up my hand and admit I actually watched it. If it was anything close to a fair competition he was always going to win, he always killed it in the GF footy show revue and he ended up blitzing the competition with perfect scores at the end. The guys as close to a professional dancer as you can get. But what really got me was how low key and humble he was, even when they announced he won he barely even moved! Left it all to his partner to be excited! And yes AFL "legend" is a bit a stretch.

What I like about him is that he's been compared to Wines as the most ready made mid in the draft. We passed on Ollie (still hopeful on Toumpas) but now we need to shore up our midfield for years to come with a guy that knows how to find the pill and do something with it. Great to see he's got some speed to him as well, something we seriously lack (although improved with Garlett and HL).

Either way whoever we get, I hope it's the situation of commentators saying, "I can't believe the saints passed on ______, he's absolutely killing it for Melbourne!" The good thing is that I believe we're in a win/win situation. For months Petracca has been rated as no. 1 by a fair margin and from the sounds of it has all the hallmarks of being a gun mid, and on the other hand we have Hogan just (finally) getting into competitive footy next year and would be good to give him a partner in crime for years to come so McCartin would be a sensation inclusion to have. Those two under the guidance and coverage in early years of Dawes could make for a lot of headaches for other teams. The bigger and more important issue is that I feel more confident in the people charged with developing these guys, and they all seem to like the idea of being coached by Paul Roos (who wouldn't?!) so there's quick buy in by the player.

Hearing these stories makes me really glad at the people we've currently got in. Peter Jackson is a very good operator, and I hope he'll extend his time here. The key for our expansion and financial improvement is heavily weighted on us finally delivering on the field. There's only so much they can do when the fans are supporting a long time poorly performing team.

I would've happy to give 11 a rest given some of the recent history with it, but Gawn's a good bloke and well liked in the club so I hope he does it proud.

Neeld was a poor manager of men, and clearly not the brilliant coach everyone had him pegged for, but there is zero doubt in my mind he raised the standard of training in his time at Melbourne. 99% of the people on here hate the bloke, but that is something we should be thankful for. Great to hear the boys have returned in good nick, Toumpas will be my one to watch in 2015 (aside from Hulk Hogan of course!). Really want him to do well.

My thoughts on the "smokey" conversation is that 90% of players drafted have the goods, whether they make it or not is dependant on attitude and the club's ability to develop players. Hawthorn and Geelong are great examples of this, yes they have brilliant recruiters but they also have implemented a great system for development and recruiting.

Shannon's arrival at the club was little to do with what he could offer on the field. It was always about teaching the younger players about training standards at a top club and improving general culture/moral. To me it sounds like he succeeded in those things. I've heard several reports from younger players saying he was good to have around as a sort of mentor, which it sounds like is exactly what he'll be doing now in a more official capacity.

Interesting that he's taken on a defensive role. I never really saw that as the best part to his game, then again there were a couple of years where he'd play HBF and use that deadly left foot to release us through the middle. Good luck Ooze, though I hope you get it terribly wrong when you play the Dees!

I'm a big fan of Howe's (shouldn't admit that, as a lot of those players seem to go or get injured!), and I saw 2014 as a learning curve for him. With Chips likely defection I think Roos took the opportunity to develop a different part to Howe's game (ie a defensive part). Getting him to play on forwards that were similar to him would've given him experience in positioning and also working his tank to a higher standard for when he needs to drop back. I'm definitely seeing a return to the forward line for him for 2015. As for this last minute offer from GWS, someone said it earlier I think it was designed to destabilise and make him re-think his position long term at the club. Hopefully we put in an improving year and Jeremy also has a good year, you put those two together and I think it's unlikely he'll go anywhere else.

The Adelaide Oval is a sensational venue but unless they can find a way of making it financially viable for both clubs it's pointless playing games there. The crowd figures both clubs were getting were brilliant, I don't think I saw one single game that wasn't at least 80% full, so there is no excuse for them not being allowed to make a tidy profit from almost every home game. This is exactly why Geelong will forever be the strongest financially, they own the ground and make a massive profit on every single game there. And it's only going to get better as they upgrade Simmonds Stadium.

I feel confident that the two parties will meet at a point that both will be happy. I think he has every right to look at what we paid Clark and what we pay Dawes and say ask for what he feels he deserves. I also feel that as he has been paid unders for a while, whatever extra we given him would be recognition for how much effort he has put into the club for so long.

Good reports from everyone, interesting hearing Tappy's comments. Everyone here had him a lock to get a rookie spot, but he's certainly not taking anything for granted. Barry's decision will increase his chances but I think don't see a realistic future for him with us. Looking forward to meeting Frost through the year, I reckon he sounds like a really good pick up. I'm happy with how we've gone about the trade period, I feel I can say we've improved our list.