Good Times Grimes

It's hard to not have a soft spot for the Cubs. Their fans have arguably had a tougher time of it than us Dees supporters have. They should clinch a wildcard spot in the next few days as they're 10 games clear of any challengers. The AL is more interesting in that Minnesota and the LA Angels are keeping the heat on Houston for the second WC spot. It looks like the NL playoff picture is pretty well sorted out, with the Cubs and Pirates to play-off with the winner facing the Cardinals. The Mets look set to play the Dodgers. Kansas City are the only team to have clinched their division, though I'd be very surprised if Texas didn't finish on top of the AL West. The Yankees had a win last night, so the AL East is still up for grabs. The Jays should lock in a playoff berth this weekend, however it would be very disappointing to have to play-off for the wildcard if the Yankees can make up the 3 games that they trail us by.

It's almost NHL season again *sigh*...I think it's going to be a very long season for me. My early prediction for the Cup is Pittsburgh. I think that adding Phil Kessel just gives them another very scary offensive threat capable of racking up 90+ points. If Crosby can stay healthy and Fleury can perform strongly, they will be near unbeatable.

Is anybody following the MLB playoff race? The Jays and Yankees have just begun a very important series in terms of the AL East title. The Jays won last night to pull 3.5 games clear, and the outcome of the next two games will go a very long way to giving a clearer picture of how the playoffs are going to look. Go Jays!

We effectively traded Lumumba for Clark. I wouldn't consider that a clear fail, given that Clark only got on the park 8 times for the year and he's clearly not going to fully get over his injury and mental issues. I have been less than impressed with Lumumba, but I think that we at least broke even.

Toump already has to fight for a spot in the team and hasn't been able to cement his place. Not sure how more competition will help his cause...it's not like he's being gifted games on a weekly basis. Do you have some inside info on Aish?

If we get Aish then surely Toumpas is out the door. I can't see room for both of them in the team.

I don't really know too much about him, but based on everyone else's reactions, this is a terrible decision!

The thing that I can see with Jesse is that he's driven to be the best and absolutely hates losing. Paying him big money on a lengthy contract wouldn't change this.

If it were up to me he'd have as much money as he wanted for as long as he wanted, as well as my first born.

He signed a new deal earlier in the season tying him to the club until the end of 2017. They'll probably talk again at some stage next season to try and extend him, but I doubt negotiations are happening at the moment.

I may be mistaken, but I believe that we were prepared to accept said offer but either Howe did not want to move or we ran out of time and were unable to finalize the deal.

GWS let Boyd go when he was contracted. Everyone has a price.

I hope our list management decisions are influenced by how highly commentators rate our players. Would like to see Garland stick around, but I doubt it will happen.

Ha! Yeah...I admit that the same thought crossed my mind.

Most people did. For most of the draft year, Toumpas seemed to be a clear #2 pick, but GWS overlooked him in favour of O'Rourke and Plowman. Most people on here went crazy with excitement when it emerged that he would be available at our selection, and (for the most part) it's just Demonland's hindsight heroes who say they would've picked Wines over Toumpas. See Knightmare's summary from just after the draft: #4 Melbourne (Compensation Pick) – Jimmy Toumpas (SA – Mid/Def) Height: 183cm, Weight: 77kg, DOB: 02/01/1994 Recruited from: Woodville West Torrens Style: Luke Hodge Player comparison: Range: 2-5 Profile: Really damaging player with some versatility. Can take over and influence games as well as just about anyone in this draft and throughout the u18 champs for bursts really imposed himself on games which was impressive. Skill level excellent by both hand and foot, has that combination of hurt factor with the penetrating kick he has and clean ball use that will make him a big time weapon. Very capable of unloading for long goals. Consistently good decision maker. High level athlete and has that combination of explosive speed and agility that will make him desirable as well as in game work rate. Endurance excellent. Also has shown very early on that he can lift for the big games which is I strongly believe is something that he will take with him to AFL level. Can play as a midfielder, forward or back which is a big advantage but long term will no doubt develop into a midfielder. Has the ability to play both as an inside and outside midfielder. One important note with Toumpas is that throughout the u18 champs he was playing with hip problems so to play through injury and influence games in the way he did was very impressive. Unfortunately for Toumpas, he just hasn't been able to transfer these abilities that Knightmare raved about to AFL level. We are yet to see his speed, long goals, or consistently good decision making. I would like to give him another couple of years on the list, however would not be at all surprised if Roos & Co decided to cut our losses and trade him.

What's going to happen with Grimes at the end of the season? One year left to run on his contract, but doesn't seem to be getting much of a look-in at the moment. Should we trade him or hang on to him, and if we trade him, what is he worth? I really hope that he succeeds regardless of where he's playing next year. He's done a lot for this club that has hurt him as a footballer and he is just another product of the poor development that has plagued Melbourne.

Motlop has already requested a trade? Source?

Exactly. You would think that signing with another team is indication enough that he will then request a trade if the RFA offer is matched.

Yes, and what makes you think he wouldn't request it rather than being trapped by Adelaide?

Crows can match the offer that is put to Danger because he is an RFA. After matching it, they can then trade him to ensure they get something in return for losing their best player.

Bontempelli for Fitz please and thank you.

Jay Clark thinks that the Lions should play hardball with Aish, and I agree with him. I hate the idea that a player can select his own club after two years in the system, and the club that drafted him usually receives unders in return despite having significantly invested in the player. He also suspects that Carlton are frontrunners for his services.

I've tipped against us this weekend as I think Brisbane have been in good form of late without much reward. This weekend's result won't impact my belief that we won't finish on the bottom. Bottom four, probably, but not bottom.

We're not a good footy club yet, but we're not the worst in the competition. There is no way that we'll be finishing last on the ladder this year. Demonland is so ridiculous. Last week people were talking about winning 8 of the last 9 and squeezing into the finals, and this week people are talking about winning the spoon.