Pates

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.

True, that one we were so close to breaking this year too (probably should have). If we can knock those two off they would be the two most frustrating records broken on the list.

You have too much time on you hands....

Big chance to knock another couple off this week. 3 in a row + Port + Port in Adelaide. I'm just so stoked that we've got over the Hawthorn hurdle, surely next year the St Kilda one has to be smashed into the ground.

I gotta say, this one coming up this week is one of the big ones I want irradiated! Beating saints at Etihad can't even remember the last time, and it's been 10 years since we've beaten them anywhere. 10 years FCS! I've got a fair few saints fans as well so they don't let me forget it! Also when was/have we ever won a match the week after a game in Darwin?

Something I have noticed the umps have forgotten is the rule change from last year where if a player ducks his head and gets tackled that is considered prior opportunity. Someone is going to really hurt themselves until the AFL start punishing players when they do that.

Yeah an in play decision review seemed pretty strange, particularly as the umpires rarely call touched off the boot unless they're sure. The point of defenders potentially acting differently is another issue as well. The AFL review system would probably be one of the most flawed in world sport.

The major difference between the Mick/Buckley handover compared to our is that it is of Paul's own making. He is willingly handing over the reigns this year and doing so with more emphasis on Goodwin taking more of the lead. Whereas the Mick/Buckley was of Eddie's creation and Mick was the full senior coach right up to the end and he didn't want to hand it over at the end. If Roos does hand around I think it will be in player development and transitioning the younger players from U18's to AFL players. I will say this though he won't have much to do with coaching I would think because it does have the potential to undermine Goodwin's leadership.

Be great if he saw something really special building at Melbourne with the likes of Hogan, Viney, Brayshaw, Petracca, Oliver etc and he just couldn't walk away from the club altogether. I reckon he'd want to be there when it all came to head. That said I think he is genuinely looking forward to not being "the messiah" and "the man", and just letting Goodwin take over the club.

I said this at the start of the year last year with Brayshaw, we've got ourselves a gem here. Looking forward to seeing him out there round 1!

Roos has asked for a team of competitors, Oliver screams this. That said, first year player, he should be cherry on top instead of expected to tear through opponents. That's what Roos has built the last couple of years, so let's just sit back and let him develop.

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.

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 know......don't you love it?!

Toms had a poor 2nd half of the year but I reckon would've been leading the B&F prior to the pies, I would say 5th would be between himself, Dunn, Cross, and maybe Brayshaw. Would love to see Gawn heading the to pointy end of the B&F but I think his run will have been left too late.

Tackle of the year, by anyone.

What a gem.

He looked proppy all game and I reckon if it hadn't been Maddie's match he would've been 50/50. By the look of him at the end of the match he'll be 50/50 again, seven day break will help him though I reckon he'll be underdone.

Next week is a chance to break two, but one in particular for me. Winning two games in a row is one of the records I really want to fall this year. Even the Blues have managed to win two games in a row this year. Also a chance to knock off the saints.

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.

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

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.