Good Times Grimes

Crossing my fingers and hoping for the best. Can't say it wasn't expected, but still incredibly disappointing.

Based solely on Saturday night's games I think that the elevation would go to Magner. However, based on what I have heard from all the pre-season reports, Nicholson is likely still the front-runner. Luckily we have the flexibility to upgrade both.

I don't like the format of this year's NAB Cup. I think last years worked better in that every week was an elimination final. Much more interesting to follow, IMO.

Like it or not, he says the 'stache is sticking around for the foreseeable future.

Not to state the obvious, but 11-0 would be our "best case scenario"

I came up with 6. I will be happy with 4 though. We would still be a chance for the 8 with 4-7 going into round 12 based on the fixture for the second half.

I'm with you there. Met him a few times and he's an all-round good bloke. You can't blame him for seeking better opportunities, and GCS seem to be a perfect fit for him. That being said, I'll be even happier if he plays well in every game except for those against us when Mitch Clark gives him a towelling

I wonder if the Eddie is going to go around saying (re: Pendlebury) that "The tom toms are beating very, very strong that the deal is done ... there's no talk coming from management, but in the old days onThe Footy Show I might have been walking out rubbing my hands together saying we've got the best story of the year." Or should I say "The Scott Scotts are beating"?

How could I have forgotten!

I don't buy it. Moloney I think will retire a Demon, while Essendon will continue trying to poach young players such as Caddy. Essendon isn't ready for a premiership push, and Moloney is not in the age bracket that would be beneficial to them when they are ready for one.

Everyone at Collingwood is jumping off the sinking ship. Malthouse, Brown, Nicholls, Pendlebury or Cloke may head to GWS, and even Brownlow Medallist Dane Swan has announced he's leaving! (in 2014). I'm not exaggerating their demise in hopes of it actually happening, am I?

Here is my team for the first game (I have made it with the goal of fielding a team that has a good chance to win while also giving young guys a good run) B: Bartram Frawley Garland HB: Grimes Sellar Bail C: Gysberts Moloney Nicholson HF: Sylvia Watts Howe F: Green Clark Petterd Foll: Jamar Jones Magner Interchange: Martin Bate Subs: Tynan Couch

Good. Neeld's approach reminds me of what Beamer said at the B & F a couple of years ago: "We are on a straight line and we will not deviate". Sylvia has had and example made of him, as has Blease. Our players will learn, and I'm sure our team will be all the better for it.

I love how we are continuing our aggressive approach off the field. Now let's get aggressive on the field as well.

But we wouldn't have been able to afford Clark's salary if we'd retained Scully. So yes, Scully does have something to do with Clark.

I'll take any win. I just want to see an improved attitude from the players.

I couldn't care less about the format of the intra-club. Just PLEASE no injuries!!!

I try not to get too excited by these sorts of rumours/speculation because it is very rare that a player picks Melbourne as their choice team to play for. I think after securing Mitch Clark at the end of last season, though, this may have changed. I think Neeld & Co will be very aggressive in ensuring that we get the best available players that we can afford.

...thanks for nitpicking, it doesn't change the argument I was trying to make. Still probably the best midfielder we had when he decided to leave.

Jamar vs. Martin - Will be good to see how much Martin has improved. Clark vs. Frawley - Give Clark a go against one of the best backmen in the competition. Sellar vs. Watts - Interested in seeing what both of these guys can do Anyone vs. Howe - By all accounts has been training the house down... looking forward to seeing how he goes in a match situation. Anyone vs. Morton - Gets a bad wrap on this site, but has been reported to have done well over the past couple of weeks. Would like to see improvement on 2011. Garland vs. Jurrah (if fit) - Jurrah is arguably one of the toughest players to match up on in the league because of his versatility. Would love to see how Garland goes against him.

Hindsight is 20/20. I think every team in the AFL if given picks 1&2 in 2009 would have taken Scully and Trengove. Morton was touted as a potential number 1 pick by many analysts, and we managed to nab him at #3. Sylvia clearly has the goods but just need to develop the consistency. McLean was great for us and many wanted him as our next captain before deciding to defect to Carlscum. It all seems to come down to luck, and I think that our luck is starting to change.

A change had to happen, and it's a shame that such a long term and loyal player in Green lost his spot in the leadership group. However, it is best for the club, and probably for Green's own footy. I'm sure he'll rebound and prove to his critics that he's not finished and still has some quality footy to play.

Had to watch The World According to Monsanto for one of my Geography courses in my first year. Amazing and terrifying how much control and influence Monsanto has.

I'm looking forward to seeing what he can do, however I can't see where he would slot in in the forward line unless one of Clark/Watts goes down.

That doesn't mean he won't have to earn his games. I expect Bartram to be one of our break-out players this year, but that will rely heavily on his skills having improved.