Bimbo

Have sadly for many years had a bottle of Johnnie Walker Black on the Kangaroos game with a bloke who runs a stall at the Vic. Market. Even more sadly, it used to be only a bottle of Red up to about 10 games ago. I cant remember why it changed.

Better kick than Parke.

Switched on TV while packing to fly to Fiji that evening. No noticeable change in security in Nadi on way in or out. Have booked ticket for Ground Zero in June (will miss GWS (so will Scully), Lions, Richmond, Fremantle and Port games but these things must be done.

Those who have been discarded from the leadership group always seemed to have been chosen because of seniority rather than leadership skills - default rather than merit. The new group are by and large (Jamar aside) of a closer age to the bulk of the team and have amongst them players with the skills to be outstanding leaders. I accept it was a bold move but the potential dividends will be all the greater in a couple of years with a settled group of nominated leaders and limited changes due to retirement.

I don't know if anyone has already considered and answered the real problem facing the club into the future. Which Captain is going to make the first speech after being presented with the 2015 premiership cup?

The run up to make the finals in 1987 was sensational. The last home and away game was the only time I went to the Western Oval and we were huddled round someone elses radio listenening to the game at Kardinia Park. When Dunstall kicked the last goal that put Melbourne in the finals the roar round the ground was so great that Flower thought the local game was over and started walking off. Then the trip home in the train and then stopping in at Young and Jacksons to refill and watch the end of the Roos Carlton game which was also in the balance. Then those two fantastic wins at the G. Being a 9 year old in the bush I missed the '64 Grand Final so these were the first Melbourne finals I saw. Memories that may be rose tinted and alcohol fueled but still seem very fresh. My enthusaism has been seriously rekindled over the last month

Greg Wells had a lot of votes over time

Certainly kicks better than his old man (and one with the "wrong" foot)

And of course one may add that from his three picks from 33 onwards last year Prendergast picked at least 2 players (Howe and McDonald T) who Neeld may well feel contented at the moment

3 - 4 hour drive with my father in the early 60's. Accross the ferry at Williamstown. Standing room at the Lake Oval against South Melbourne. Melbourne were unbeatable in those days except the Swans won. Can still remember a huge crowd (probably about 15,000) For some reason Graham Wise and John Lord became my favourite players. (Perhaps Lord in anticipation of my current haircut.)

As soon as you start looking at selecting the forward line next year you realise what an excellent choice he is. Instead of shuffling Watts, Petterd, Green, Howe, Jurrah, Dunn, Bate, Morton, Sylvia and Bennell about to try and fill in the 6 positions, suddenly with the inclusion of Clark there is structure. Selecting the forward line is now more a question of who to leave out rather than who to put in. Will do some forward rucking but will otherwise remain a KPF. If only there was a small forward to stand beside him

As a direct result of GFC-2 the value of a desk to drop to $79,258

I really liked Junior. He was the best available captain. However, it was a weak field to chose from and while he was tried his guts out and apparently is a decent bloke, he was hardly an inspiring leader. He was however, a far better leader and probably much better bloke than Bruce who was not cut out to be and never tried to present himself as a leader or mentor for the younger players. I never had any concerns that Brad Miller was having a go, but he was just not consistent enough (or probably not good enough) to command a permanent place in the team. The only issue in hindsight is that if Junior's body had held up, and it is a big if, he would have taken a lot of stress out of Brad Green's life. Junior played 2 games in the Old Xav Resies this year and was in the best once. He then played 9 games in the firsts and was in the best on 3 occassions. Hardly inspires confidence that he should have been playing AFL this year.

Going through list alphabetically, putting certainties on one side and another list of those to make up the numbers if 10 not reached, found 10 exactly. These to me are the future of the club and thus the most important players Bail (23 yo)- Great attitude. Fills many spots. Breaks lines Frawley (22*) - Clubs current best player Garland (23) - With Frawley makes the basis for an outstanding defense Grimes (22) - If he can actually play out next year may be the leader the following Gysbert (20) - Needs another 2 preseasons and could be one of the games real ball magnets when he can last an entire season Jones (23)- In many ways the heart of the team McKenzie (21) - Every team needs one. Sylvia (25) - The best of the "senior" footballers. Has an enormous amount to give Trengove (20) - The real number 1 draft pick Watts (20) - Will be the best of a good draft. Except Sylvia all aged from 20 - 23 and will form the basis of a potentially top football team. A new coach can really build something around them with the considered list: Cook (19) Gawn (19) Howe (21) Jamar (28) Jurrah (22*) Martin (24) McDonald (18*) Moloney (27) Petterd (23) * - Have birthday in the next week.

The defence has, with the addition this year of Blease and T McDonald (and perhaps Tapscott although he may not remain there), a very solid base. What they need is the return of Sean Wellman or similar quality backline coach. The forwards are extremely immature but growing physically and mentally. Next year there will be a bigger Watts together with the potential of Cook and resting big men. A new and better forward coach might also assist. What though is really needed is a highly competitive midfield to take the pressure off the defence and provide better and more opportunities for the forward line. Notwithstanding useful rucks and a young and improving group of smaller players, it is in this area that Melbourne has been smashed by the better teams in the competition. Until they are able to compete with the competitions best, they will continue to be beaten by harder bodied, harder running and better drilled midfield players. Perhaps Brett Ratten, who had the midfield purring while at Melbourne, may become available tomorrow and resume this position under a new senior coach.

If a good coach (or even an adequate one) is important to TS, he certainly would not look at GWS

He adds Don Williams used to have a [censored] resting on the canvas at 3/4 time

Near neighbour who claims he was there says it is Don Williams. He, like me, loved the replay

players with leadership skills

There is simply no way the football club with the weakest senior (and indeed middle) playing group in the league, who collectively provide effectively no leadership to a talented group of young players, would ever consider drafting a player who would be the second oldest player in the club, provides no leadership skills and has an ordinary behavioural history. The only consideration might be if he could bring with him a (admitedly far lesser) replacement for Pia Miller, sadly lost in the preseason draft to Richmond, but there is even doubt about that.

Quite probably the deciding factor in choice 1 or 2 was the home town consideration. West Coast would have probably chosen Nic Nat if given first choice on that same criteria. Nic Nat will always have the better highlights reel but we have made the correct choice.

At least if Matthews is appointed then it will be easier to find the players he wants to delist at the end of the season. After all he has already expressed more than once to the effect that Jack Watts is only a moderate footballer. Perhaps he could go to make room on the list for Matthews favourites. It is important to consider that Melbourne will not be a premiership contender next year and extremely unlikely the following year no matter who coaches. I would prefer a current assistant coach with good general grounding and an excellent panel of assistants. The loss of Wellman for example showed how important a defencive coach he was and how much better the defence worked when he was mentoring them. Part of Baillys problem I think stems from the failures of his assistants and I dont believe their importance can be overestimated. There are a number of current assistant coaches who could well take over the head coach reins.

Might be the run with player we need. fitness unquestioned and foot skills no worse than Bartram

Schwab renewed - Decision had been made before Saturday