Good Times Grimes

I may well be wrong, but it seems that in the last few years we didn't have this many players coming out of contract at season's end.

You're right. As much as I would love high draft picks, it's quite uncommon that the first player picked turns out to be the best player in that draft in the long run. I'd be just as happy finishing the season with a few wins and getting later draft picks, even if just for a bit of joy in what is looking like a very long season. Enticing free agents would be a bonus.

I agree. We need to be VERY active this offseason otherwise I fear we'll be in for a few more seasons with similar results. As much as I would like to see Cloke in a red and blue jumper, I don't think he would be the best available player to target. I'd be more interested in chasing established midfielders. We've already got quite a strong forward line IMO...maybe missing a genuine small forward. If I were in charge, I'd be targeting players like Stanton, Mitchell, Hodge, Sewell, Goddard, and maybe even Milne.

According to the MFC site he'll be back in next week. Still recovering from an injury.

I can only assume that you're talking about young Jamie Bennell?

The word is that a new deal for Cloke with Collingwood is imminent.

The number that are out of contract does seem alarmingly high, and I hope we start hearing about some re-signings soon. In order of preference, I'd be signing up: Jones, Howe, TMcDonald, Jurrah, Blease, Garland, McKenzie, Bartram, Rivers, Bail, Cook, Davis, Strauss, Petterd, Jetta, Fitzpatrick, Nicholson, Moloney, Spencer, Dunn, Green, Jamar, Bennell, Bate, MacDonald.

Valenti didn't get put on a list this year after winning the Liston Medal.

Because he might not be put on another AFL list.

I completely agree with you, and I'd love to see him replace Moloney or Sylvia. THis is probably just the angle that the selection committee are coming from.

I agree that earlier in the season he deserved a game, but he hasn't played for the past 3 weeks.

I doubt they'll line up like that. J Mac shouldn't venture up the ground.

Yep, posted on the MFC site's live chat. I'm happy with the outs, but not so thrilled with the ins.

Round 10 Melbourne team B: James Frawley, Jared Rivers, Tom McDonald HB: Jack Trengove, Jack Watts, Colin Garland C: Jack Grimes, James Magner, Nathan Jones HF: Rohan Bail, Mitch Clark, Joel Macdonald F: Jeremy Howe, Brad Green, Luke Tapscott FOLL: Mark Jamar, Brent Moloney, Jordie McKenzie I/C: Colin Sylvia, Lynden Dunn, Sam Blease, Daniel Nicholson EMG: Matthew Bate, Jamie Bennell, James Sellar IN: Macdonald, Sylvia OUT: Sellar, Bennell

On the topic of retirements, you'd have to think that Brodeur might call it quits after the end of this season. It would be a dream to end a career by carrying your team to the Stanley Cup one last time.

Kings are now 9-0 on the road. Unbelievable record. Also, apparently Red Wings captain Nicklas Lidstrom is set to announce his retirement tomorrow.

Finally, an A-Grade midfielder!

Here's the highlights from that game: Wouldn't it be great to see Moloney hit some form this weekend and finish them off like that for a second time? I can dream...

I'd also like to see that player brought back (in his prime, of course)

Scully should have an asterisk beside his name. Was he injured or was he "injured"?

I agree. Mitch Clark should fetch us a second rounder. Maybe we could put him in some sort of package with Watts and Jones to get a mid-first round pick.

I don't think Jamar + Dunn would land us Boak. It's not about quantity, it's about quality. By the time Port are on their way up the ladder Jamar will be finished. They'd more likely be interested in Martin than Jamar.

Those are things which I believe he can learn. Last season he wasn't flying for marks as much and he ended the season as our leading goal kicker (even though he wasn't in his best form). Having a player with the ability to play the role of a tall or small forward effectively is a very rare asset for a team to have.

I think Green peaked in his 2010 season. He was still valuable to us last year, but was clearly on his way down. He hasn't been great so far in 2012 and has missed quite a bit of footy so far due to injury, but I still believe he has something to offer. It was great seeing him put his body on the line on the weekend and it really gave the whole team a lift. I think that Green has been a great servant to our club and if he can put together some form over the last half of the season he should be given another year.

I think this idea has been raised before, but we could certainly do a lot worse. I would be thrilled if we signed up Lingy.