Pates

Was glad Craig called BS on Lloyd, he's been an excellent recruitment.

That is a joke, yeah? Surely. I'm for us going to the Jimmy jumper, reckon its something that would set us a part and will leave an onfield connection to Jim. Will kinda defeat the "red and blue" part of our song, but hey Liverpool are known as "the Reds" and they've played in black, white, yellow, grey etc. Maybe put the MFC logo in green on the front (not our shield, just the M F C thing).

Agreed, how is it that we clash with Port or Fremantle? Essendon and st Kilda there is a slight clash (with the saints it kind of exists with our alt strip anyway), I can see why they make us wear it v Doggies and Lions. All other teams I don't know why.

I don't think Byrnes would be a top player, but he's been at a club that knows how to train to win. He's someone that for a year or two could be a role model for some younger players, and hopefully give him a chance to bow out as an AFL player. As a free agent he costs us nothing.

I'd be really happy for Neale if he got the job, he did a good job for us while he was here.

It is more words, but the ones selected in the video have definitely bought in to Neeld and his style.

How NikNat got in ahead of Jacobs is beyond me, an absolute joke. NikNat and Cox the best ruck combo? Perhaps. AA selection is an INDIVIDUAL honour, Jacobs was the best ruckman in the competition this year, period. Cox was NOT a forward this year, Pavlich was for most of the year and DOMINATED. On AFL360 Mark Thompson, a recently retired senior coach and still in the game was asked how he rated the hitouts to advantage stat, and he said it was one of the most important in the game. They have gone with NikNat because everyone gushes over how much of a freak he is, he may be worthy (in fact he probably will be at some stage) of AA selection, but not this year. The selectors have blinkers on this year.

Not wrong, I was at the game and Sydney fans were cheering it! Mind you they were smacking us at the time so they didn't have much to worry about!

I see his long term position as a winger roaming between both defense and forward. As a one on one defender he gets found out a lot, he's best when he's given the freedom to be an intercept player who then sets up off half back, gradually I think that will translate into him becoming more of a midfielder putting the last pass into the forward line. Start of 2013, defender. Mid 2013 move him on to the wing, with periods in the forward line. 2014 winger with freedom. And get him on the angry pills!

Doesn't work that way, f/s nominations happen before the trade period, GWS/GC bid on what their willing to take him with and we respond. If one of them says, we rate him as a first round pick (1 or 2) then we HAVE to take him with 3 or we pass and he goes to GWS or GC. They must risk that we want him that badly and that we're willing to part win pick 3, if we aren't then they will have paid overs for him.

I love the anthem before a finals match, the only thing that beats the feeling at the end of the anthem in a finals game is the end of the anthem in a grand final. I agree that a re-write of the "girt by sea" wouldn't go astray though.

We would get compensation through the free agency formula (not that anyone knows what the hell that is yet). Give that he finished in the top 5 B&F surely he'd be considered a higher compensation pick, not top but high-ish. I still have hope that we'll retain him.

I reckon he's got himself to A-grade, he's the only one in the midfield who looks like he's got time and space while being a tough nut at the same time. I had my doubts beginning of 2011, glad to say I was wrong.

I've said it once, but i'll say it again. The AFL needs to look at having an independent reviewer of the F/S draft picks for this very reason, clubs shouldn't be forced into this situation where they're choosing between the son of a legend and wanting to pick the best player available to their pick. It should be a very simple situation where the reviewer determines what the appropriate draft position, the club takes it or leaves it and he goes into the draft for everybody. But it should never be a case where a club is forced to pay way overs. It puts you in a lose/lose situation, either you take him and pay overs, or you don't take him and you're considered to be disrespectful to a legend.

Jeez the Herald Sun know how to avoid research, a google search saying "Colin Garland signs" immediately brings up an article that he re-signed for 3 years in July this year, from the Herald Sun.

Webjet should do a marketing campaign with our own frequent flyer, Jeremy Howe. Great stuff Webjet.

Why wouldn't Royal go? I haven't heard anything about him getting the sack.

Could be a cheap pick up for us, offer a late draft pick or we could pick him up in the PSD for nothing.

The poker play continues, as the binman said above we hold the ability to respond and the fact is that we have the upper hand in that they have to act first. Of we truly don't want to take Jack with pick 3 we don't have to, but they will be the ones running the risk that we want him that badly. Who will blink first?

Not that I need it but further vindication for me that he's the right man for the job. I really hope that we give him the full three years on his contract, regardless of next years results (although winless for half the year would hurt his chances) he is not a quick fix option. 2012 he knocked our house down and now he's rebuilding it. Really hope he can convince JR to stay.

I want us to be ruthless, but cunning as well. The way Carlton have gone about their business with Rats is not the club I want to support, quick fix messiah option that I think (and really hope) will blow up in their faces. What Neeld is bringing in is what I want the club to be, professional and determined. Case in point is Neeld and Co flying to Brisbane, staying in crap accomodation and convincing Mitch that Melbourne as the right option. Whatever is takes.

IF we were looking at trade options for Stef (which I wouldn't be) I reckon we shouldn't be settling for anything less than a first rounder. Particularly with Collingwoods situation, it's not so much how valuable he is to us but how valuable he is to them and they need another ruckman. As I said above I wouldn't want us trading him, he'll probably be taking no 1 ruck next year for us as Jamar slows down and we manage him.

Puts things in perspective, we carry on like the world is at an end with how our club is going and this poor bloke has had his life cut short too soon. Very sad.

Jeez it's really sad to here that he's had such a tough time since the bombings, I loved watching him play as a kid and always seemed to have a certain indestructible look about him. I must admit I had completely forgotten that he and Steve Armstrong went through that terrible tragedy, and the thought he had killed his mates by suggesting they go to Bali. All the best to him as he picks up his life.

I've actually also had a thought that he would be good for Blease, they're similar body types and Byrnes could act as a bit of a mentor to Sam as he continues his development. We already know the list turnover is going to be big, so we should expect a few left field signings.