Good Times Grimes

Thanks everyone for the reports; please don't stop them coming. It is great having multiple reports so we can compare and get different points of view. Much appreciated. Re Jack Watts: I think 2012 will be a breakout year from him. He showed steady improvement in 2011, and I think with a new coach, bigger body and more dynamic forward line this will be the year that he shows us what he's got.

Even if a player is not named captain, it doesn't and shouldn't stop them from leading. Sure, the captain plays a somewhat larger role than other players both on and off the ground, but the main difference is being the face of the club in the media and picking heads or tails before a match. Jack Trengove has displayed that he is cool, calm and collected in the media (see all interviews re $cully) and he plays with his heart on his sleeve; while Frank Grimes has shown that he can lead even without playing (leadership award in 2011) and is also great in the media. Both players are Melbourne through and through, and I expect them both to retire as one club players. Either of them would be a great choice for the captaincy, but even if they don't get it I'm sure that they will continue to be leaders of the MFC both on and off the ground for the rest of their careers.

Jurrah.

Can't wait to see Howe have a breakout season! Also the obvious one in Mitch Clark

I've got #4. I have an enormous faith in Killa, and I think he will be an absolute star for the club. If he never becomes elite, at least I have the knowledge that club greats such as Brent Grgic have worn the same number!

I think he and Bail will be competing for the "best value for money pick" title. I'm very excited to see what 2012 has in store for Howe.

Do you have any idea where info can be found on who's going to be out of contract?

Funnily enough I'm more excited about our rookies (and Sellar) than I am about our ND picks. I think we'll be seeing quite a lot of some of them next year, while Taggert/Tynan will most likely take a couple of years to come along.

I fully expect us to win against Brisbane, just as I'd assume most AFL fans do. If we don't, the media will be all over it. Our team doesn't need that in the first week of the season.

I'd go with: Frawley: One of the best defenders in the game. Can shut down any forward in the game when he's on. Grimes: A full or nearly full season out of Grimes would do wonders for our chances. Not only that, but it would just be great to see him go uninjured. Sylvia: When he's on, he is one of the best midfielders in the league. If he can be in top form for 20+ games this year, we could go a lot further than people think. Clark: He will be the focal point of our forward line. If he is playing, it will free up a bunch of our other options (Jurrah, Watts, Howe, Petterd, etc) and we will be able to kick much higher scores than in 2011. And finally, Liam Jurrah. He has the x-factor. One of the most skilled players in the competition, he just needs to become more competitive. He has won games single-handedly. If he can work well with the other forwards, we will become a very frightening team for opposition back lines to match up on. Unlucky While I think Jamar is a huge part of our team, Martin is a more than capable back-up ruck, so I wouldn't have him in my 5 most important players. I think Watts and Trengove will both have breakout years either this year or next. I hope they will make my top 5 for 2013. Moloney also deserves to be on this list, but I can't justify putting him above the others.

It's hard to believe that I could enjoy reading this so much, despite the horrors of season 2011. Once again, the future is looking bright. Can't wait for the first bounce of 2012.

I was worried Col had gotten himself into trouble again. I'd hope that most of the MFC boys would be too terrified of facing Neeld to misbehave.

Interesting predictions. I think that there are a few definites to be in the eight (Geelong, Hawthorn, Collingwood, Carlton), and a few that are sure NOT to be in the eight (Brisbane, Port, GC, GW$, Adelaide), and it's going to be a dogfight between 9 teams for the final 4 spots. Hopefully Melbourne can nab one of them.

Apparently is due back training by mid January. Take it with a grain of salt though. I believe that Jurrah, according to reports, is also meant to be ready to go after the Christmas break.

I remember this very sad day, and the weeks that followed. RIP, Troy. You were taken way too early.

I think that Davey is probably the best player on our list to play this position at the moment, but it is something that will need to be addressed during the next trade week and drafts. We will not win a premiership until we have a bonafide small forward.

I think the Pies will suffer from the loss of Malthouse/Neeld significantly. Cats will miss a couple of players but have enough talent to remain the team to beat. Hawthorn will be improvers, if only because of the Pies descent. #1-2 Cats and Hawks. Could go either way. #3-5 Carlton, Collingwood, WCE (although I wouldn't be overly surprised if the Eagles slid) #6-11 Melbourne, Sydney, Essendon, Freo, North, Richmond (dogfight for the last 3 spots in the 8) #12-16 GC, Adelaide, St Kilda, Bulldogs, Brisbane Between 16 and 17 (Port), there is a huge gap. Then 50 ft of cow pat And finally, with NO wins is #18 GW$

How did Petterd go? I haven't heard much about him this preseason.

Ahhh that was this game: What a day.

I guess I could try that.....

I don't know how I'm going to be able to get my fix for the next couple of weeks with no training reports. Maybe I'll go into hibernation.

In my time I'd say it's Farmer. Although I was devastated when Woewodin went to Collingwood, but he was definitely past his prime at that point.

I think we DID see the best, against the Bulldogs. I doubt he will get much better than that last quarter. I also don't think he will play more than 15 games in any of his seasons with GW$. Any idea if theres an over/under on it?

I usually don't like to wish injury on players, especially young players. That being said, anything that makes GWS worse is fine by me.

IMHO one of the most underrated players in the time that I have been following the MFC.