Maldonboy38

My Dad was born in South Melbourne and has follwed the Bloods for 83 years. I would love to be with him watching this tonight. Seriously brilliant football.

I seem to remember some comment from players on a video to the effect that his personal life had taken a turn for the worse in some way, but that he was loved and repse ted among his team mates. I may be wrong, but I have ended up with this strong belief in some way.

How many staff do we have/need? 3 for the Melbourne Lords - Barltett, Mahoney, Jackson. 7 coach assistants in their tracksuits red and blue; 9 other personnel, list managers and recruiting; 1 head coach upon his Demon throne. At the MCG, where the Demons rule. Goodwin to rule them all, Goodwin to find them, Goodwin to bring them all And as Premiers, bind them. At the MCG, where the Demons rule.

I am a huge fan of Dunn, and like Watts, he seems to be one of those heart-and-soul players around the club who everyone admires. Even though I see a huge upside in Omac, I was a bit disappointed that Dunn's form in the VFL never earnt him a recall. He is definitely AFL standard and will provide stability and leadership for a young team, just as he did with us a while back. His trade worth is probably not as high as it could have been, ut his VFL finals series might have increased his worth a bit. All the best Dunny. It will be sad to see you playing against the Dees, but all the best.

I know it is early, but this looks the goods at this stage.

Totally agree. It is probably based on envy, but I am always glad to see a dominant era finish. Blues 79-82, Hawks 83-91, Lions 01-03, and now the Hawks/Cats/Swans of the last decade. Crows v Bulldogs are 2 teams who play the most attractive footy, and means a fresh premier. If GWS win I will be more disgusted than I have ever been at the AFL.

I just said the same thing to my son. O'Meara would have thought he was joining success. He still might be, Geelong were looking over the cliff and have kept themsleves as a top team. But it really does look like the Hawks top players are in decline, and they can't control games anymore. Surely, his manager would be keeping options open now.

I'm barracking like a Dees match!!

And it is their leaders who are the main sooks. Burgoyne, Mitchell, Hodge.

How good has Roughead become!?!?

Poor game from Tory Dickson - is making some basic errors.

It has taken a while for the Doggies to settle, but when they do, boy they play entertaining footy. Their mass tackling, chains of handballs, and risk taking is breath-taking. And Bontempelli - his awareness round a pack and ability to find a way through with enough time to produce an elite kick; he is becoming the kind of footballer I would pay to go and see even if the Dees not playing. But is still goong to be very difficult to beat Hawthorn from here.

If Hunt, Wagner, OMac and TMac Frost, M Jones and Stretch, all develop again like they did this year, Salem gets fit and thrives, another player like ANB becomes AFL ready, and we add Melksham and Hibberd - then surely another half-back is no longer an urgent need. I rate Boyd very highly, but I think we have moved past bringing in a mature 200+ game player from another club. From outside the current list we need 1) an outside runner with pace and skill, and 2) someone to help out Gawn - rotating through ruck, forward and the bench. From inside the current list we need a huge leap in leadership development. I know this point might sound like it contradicts what I say above re Boyd, but we need leadership DEVELOPMENT, not leadership ADDITION. It is internal, cultural leadership that is needed, that is active and effective in big moments in close games.

Goodwin said in his press conference yesterday that they won't "look too far past the draft", so I reckon the list managers will be trying to orchestrate something similar to last year where multi-layered deals with other clubs using picks and existing players improved our first pick. I can't see us getting 2 picks inside round 1 of the draft but 1 pick might be achievable. The risk might be that we have to hand over ANB, Wagner or the like to get it done. It will also probably involve moving one of Garland or Dunn but I can't see their currency being high enough.

Zac Clarke?

2nd round pick for Hibberd I would like to see Zac Clarke at Melbourne - we need ruck depth. Unsure of Freo's needs, so finding it difficult to suggest how to get it done.

I think I am almost at the stage of trading my life-long hatred of anything Carlton, with an emerging hatred for all things Hawthorn. I hope they fall off the cliff very hard very soon and they do a Richmond - no finals for 2 decades, or at least only losing ones.

Definite no to Boomer. He has maintained amazing form but I just can't see him giving his heart to any club other than North. Of all the mature players being delisted and wanting to continue playing, Del Santo would be my pick but I am just not convinced it is our greatest need at present.

Adelaide's play is just so good to watch. Their half-back line is dynamic, quick, skilfull, and great decision makers. They remind me a bit of the Lions of 01, 02 and 03 with Johnson, Leppitsch and co. And a forward line of Tex, Lynch, Jenkins, Betts ....

Bartlett was the best goal kicking rover I have seen but Betts is right up there next to him. Watching him read the play is a pure delight. And Lindsay Thomas gets a free kick from a deliberate free kick. Oh, the irony!

Ok, can I have Shaw's mouth shut by a knock that doesn't knock him out? And Scully gets distracted by the sound of a jingling bag of coins being shaken by his old man?

Swans v GWS heating up, some great footy. But GWS have made a massive mistake firing up Buddy Franklin. Did you see his next play bursting through 4 players and releasing the ball!?!? I expect him to go nuts now. Two things I now want to see. 1) Shaw get flattened or knocked senseless to shut his mouth. Despised his dad, and his uncle and despise him. 2) Scully get monstered by his own ruckman and get carried off.

My finals moment so far. Rioli gets a tiny tap to the stomach and goes down whinging like a Colllingwood cheer squad member at the dentist.

Cats playing poor footy and now only 11 points down. Actually, about to hit enter and it is now 5 points.

I'm sick to the death of seeing both these teams in the finals. Part of me doesn't care who wins as along as they hurt each other. But even for Hawthorn, I have never seen so much whinging for free kicks, gesturing at the umpire, squealing and moaning. Hodge, Lewis and Mitchell - just shut up and play footy. Having said that, it is not the most enjoyable game to watch. A lot of pressure and fumbling but not much clean footy.