Pates

There are a few issues at play that makes me feel comfortable that the Russian will stick with the Dees for life. Two have already been mentioned by DL7 Being 28 now and having lived in Melbourne as long as he has this ties to Melbourne (the city) are strong enough that it is his home now, it may be int the future that he might return home but I don't think that will be an overriding factor in him staying with us or not. The other point is that we gave him every opportunity to grow into the role, it took him a while to get there but we stuck with him where others might not have. The point i'd like to make is that the last 5 years have been really difficult for the club, he's seen two coaches go in difficult circumstances, two wooded spoons, and loss after loss after loss. If anyone deserves the chance to see finals action it's this bloke and hopefully this wil be happening soon. I would hope he'd like to see the fruits of those labours come to pass.

Actually that's exactly what they do for SKY RACING at various tabaret's and racing clubs. I work in TV in Harness racing and they simply have the racing channel's available and everything else blocked. If people payed for the installation I reckon making a simple freeview+fox footy package for cheaper would get a lot of takers.

Of those, I would go for Chip. He's a proven performer, young and goes 100% out on the field. The only thing about him is does he have the "presence" of a captain? I don't think either of Trenners or Grimes should have the captaincy next year, JT is still a year or two off IMO and Grimes should start by just trying to get through the year. Both are guns and in a year or two will probably face off for the role, but not yet.

Jurrah 55, followed by Clark with 43.

Personally got #8 last year, felt a good connection to Chip as I watch and heard him get bagged by many Melbourne fans early on but I defended him and felt he would become a good player for us. But mostly I just love his game, he's one of the best defenders I've seen pull on the Red and Blue and he's going to get better. 9 and 13 are great choices, hopefully by the end of the year a few people will want to get 11.

For me it's the three big Jacks. Watts, Grimes, and Trengove. These three (should they stay injury free) will stamps themselves as the real deal in 2012.

I can remember exactly where I was when I'd heard he was missing. I was in rotorua in NZ with my brother and father, both dees fans, and in the scrolling headlines down the bottom I saw "grave fears for missing Melbourne footballer Troy Broadbridge". My heart just plummeted, and it really brought the whole disaster closer to home. RIP Troy

Would be fantastic to see a return of the "classic flash", hopefully he can get his short burst back and terrorize defenders again!

It was shocking but just for a change of pace I think people might be reading a little too much into something. Just a bit of fun with a bit of a reminder to get people involved, and I tell ya what I won't be forgetting it in a hurry! Production values have definitely dropped a lot since they first did this though, probably wisely invested back into the footy department!

Definitely 98 for me, the combo of Neitz, Farmer, Lyon, and Schwartz was unstoppable. I actually think we could've won it that year with a bit of luck, and had Adelaide not weaseled themselves into a better position during the finals. Getting to the granny in 2000 was a great experience, but the match is something i try to forget!

Sad to hear, I hope he's able to come back from this latest setback. All the best Max.

Obviously any knee injury is bad news, but certainly a better result than what could've been. Considering the innocuous incidents in recent years that have turned out to be season ending, i'm glad one's fallen our way. All the best with recovery Maxy!

Is this something you know or is it just your impression from what you have been reading? Don't forget Buddy Franklin went down with a knee injury second week of finals and looked set for a long stint on the sidelines, one week later he almost got the Hawks into the Granny of his own boot. It sounds bad, but let's not get too ahead of ourselves and hope for the best.

Like a lot of articles about Jimmy it was both sad and uplifting. A brilliant piece by Martin Flanagan. It really does sound like he's on his last legs, but as long as there's a breath in his body he will keep fighting. I wish I could have the same appreciation that one single days brings.

From the reports so far it sounds like a very intriguing pre-season. A lot of focus on fitness, something it sounds like we've seriously lacked. I want to get to training at some stage, but thanks to everyone for the reports.

It's interesting you say that because I was a reserved seat member next to the MCC and there seemed to be a lot of free space around me. Was that just people buying the membership and not using it? And updates are much appreciated as well.

Any thoughts on Couch? Did he train today? Hoping to get to Friday, might attempt to return the favour of reports.

As long as he's coming out of contract this will alway be a question from reporters and Eddies swipe at GWS won't help matters.

Enjoy the year of uncertainty, Pies fans (which includes you McChins). If history is anything to go by, once one of the new clubs zeros in on a main target, you might as well pack their bags. Even if Pendlebury doesn't go, they will still have to get through a year of speculation which has proven to be a distraction no matter what the players say.

Wow! We wanted no nonsense, we got no nonsense! I love the challenge he's setting down to various players, I reckon there are some players that will get a lot out of Neeled's attitude.

Yeah I've got this random feeling as well, I don't think he had any confidence under Bailey (not Dean's fault, Bate played poorly for most of this time) but I reckon with a clean slate and a defined role could see him get back in the team. Other than Bate I reckon Bail, Jones, and Petterd will take their games to the next level under him.

Love the random Star Wars reference! I don't feel sorry for him, but it was definitely wrong for GWS to go after Tom. The pressure placed on the kid in just his second would no doubt have made 2011 a bloody tough year for him, but he has made his decision and he'll live with it for the rest of his career. And he'll have to get used to the scruitiny because until he starts returning on the GWS investment he will always be under the microscope.

It's amazing that something can both break your heart and inspire at the same time. He's an incredible man, and he certainly puts things in perspective. Every day is a gift to him. Keep fighting, Jimmy.

FWIW in this exhilarating debate I'm another big fan of our logo, but I can't say I'm a fan of the training apparel. Mind you it's very low on my list of concerns with the club! I imagine they'll bring out a new line with new sponsors.

Newton has been a massive disappointment, looked a likely type early on but never went on with it despite A LOT of chances from the club. I'm very happy with all our list changes, Neeled has made his mark and it'll be interesting to watch how our pre-season goes.