Maldonboy38

When Ratten was at MFC our midfield looked to be improving. Even when Scott West was midfield coach there were signs of life and improvement. During Royal's second stint there have been diminishing skills, lack of grunt, and being killed at stoppages. I am so glad he is gone.

I wouldn't think so for 2014. North, Brisbane, Gold Coast will join 5 - 8 from this year (Collingwood, Richmond, Carlton and Port) to fight for final 8 spots. Essendon will be somewhere in the mix, and West Coast and the Doggies could do some damage. We are a year or so behind this lot.

Junior was a very good captain, a great team man, and a quality leader. But let's not tangle those qualities up with "deservings". The jobs-for-the-boys mentality stuffed up what could have been a great era under the leadership of Jim Stynes. No-one, not Ox, Lyon, Junior, Ooze "deserve" any position or role in our club or any other because of their football record. They "deserve" to be honoured at our club functions, to be recorded as guns in our history, to represent us in the media etc... I would love to see Junior back at MFC, but only if he is right person for the right role, well detached from his achievements for the club.

If the Bassett rumour is true - I am all for it. His influence at Norwood was immediate, and players who were stuck soon found fresh vigour and unexpected return to form. I think one of Terlich, M Jones and Kent came from there with big wraps for Bassett. Roos is an influence coach also - might be a very harmonious relationship.

If Malthouse can turn Bryce Gibbs into the tough, hard-at-it, stoppage player he was today, I reckon we can hope that Roos can do the same for Watts. Gibbs was magnificent today - a genuine part of a great wind for a team I hate with a deep, ingrained passion. Stinkin' Richmond have messed up my weekend.

Don't delist Taggert. This game is showing glimpses of what he can produce.

Yep. Match winning, big game player.

I tipped Sydney last night and they were poor for a lot of last night, especially the 2nd half. I tipped Freo this afternoon when I saw that McPharlin, Pav, Ballantyne and Sandilands were all in. When I was young Collingwood were hated by everyone. That has changed. All those 20 and younger now hate the Hawks with the same passion my generation hated Collingwood. Why? Because of the arrogance of their supporters after the 2008 premiership. As for Geelong, their supporters now believe that winning is their right and are quickly becoming detested by other supporters. It's great to see Freo, Port and the Tiges in. Next year maybe the Roos and either Brisbane or Gold Coast.

Sloane. Hard at it, young, yet to fulfill all his potential, best and fairest, has learnt from Scott Thompson. Surely we have to sound this out and see if we can snag him. He might have an issue with the Neeld Melbourne, but will he have a different view with the Rood Melbourne? Him and Greenwood from NM, alongside developing Viney, Toumpas, Barry, Evans, and joining N Jones and M Jones - sounds OK to me.

Our current clash jumper is the best we have ever had - leave it be. Anyway, we have bigger fish to fry. Leave the logo, jumper etc... alone until we have a full coaching list, a full list of Board members and leading departmental managers, have been through the draft and trade periods, and have begun pre-season.

Simpson. He has the same calm, direct, strong persona as Roos and his knowledge of footy/coaching is now very strong. Bassett. His record with Norwood in South Australia is incredible. He is known for being calm, ruthless and a great communicator. Voss. His first 18 months at Brisbane - especially his list management decisions - were horrendous. But he learnt quickly, moved on and have a look at the game the Lion were playing in the 2nd half of this year! Inspirational, uncompromising, and his main strength is developing a midfield. One of these three would suit me fine. Tudor's name is a recent development as he was not considered for any of Port Adelaide, GWS, Adelaide over the past 2 years. Doesn't appeal at this stage although my knowledge of him is limited. Ling sounds great - I respect him greatly - but he has no coaching credentials and would not be ready in 2-3 years Kirk. Great player, great captain, but he comes across as a New Age [censored]. His playing was inspirational. His communicating is not.

It means something to get into a GF. It means a coach and players have clicked and we are one game away from success. Or are you suggesting that there is no difference to 2 wins under Neeld or a GF appearance? Appointing Bailey and Neeld seemed great at the time. How about we wait and see what this turns into before we elevate it to being better than a GF appearance.

Just listened to the full press conference and loved Roos' media presence and clarity. But amid all this great stuff I thought PJ was quite rude when he said this is the most important thing to happen to this club since Barassi walked to Carlton in 1965. No. Two grand final appearances in 1988 and 2000 were more important. The Roos appointment is a great coup and I am wrapped but I didn't appreciate that comment from PJ at all. Disrespectful to others who worked hard years before he got here.

First time to get on Demonland since the news broke. Well done PJ and team to convince Rood to this 2-3 year plan. At last I can smile in 2013. Now for the bad news. I wasn't convinced we would get him and recently posted that if Roos was appointed I would run naked down my street in the buff with just a Dees scarf round my neck yelling out "Rooooooos". Being a man of my word I have to find a way to do it. 2:30am this morning is looking good - I hope it stays warmish!

Trying to understand Watts' mental application in a game is confusing but I find it stems from his basketball excellence. The main reason he does not chuck himself at the ball (in the air or on the ground) is because he makes the choice of keeping his feet in every contest, even if that contest demands that he fling himself at it. The same principle exists in soccer, where you rarely fly in with a bold tackle. You sit 1 - 2 metres away and keep the opposition player from being able to attack where they want to. Jack often appears to be controlling a space, or hanging back to defend a space, but rarely chucking himself in to get the ball. This surely can be taught. Also, his brilliance in the 2008 under age championship where he caught the eye of all the recruiters were - this is fair dinkum - his pack marking and goal kicking. Because the defensive pressure is underage footy is poor, he was able to run and leap over packs without physical pressure being a hindrance. Neither Bailey nor Neeld have been able to help bridge the huge physical gap and he still plays like an U18 footballer. His tackling really is woeful - but I firmly believe this can be taught. Give him a KPI of at least 4 tackles (that stick) a game and see if this changes his understanding of physical contact and going hard for the ball. It is his pack marking / contested marking that is the main worry. Out on a lead no problems. But jostling and pushing off, blocking for others, steady core strength all seem to evade him constantly so he goes back to being 1 -2 metres off every contest waiting to respond to a play rather than making the play. Having said all that, I am still in the 50/50 mindset with him regarding trade or not. One thing I will say. When he gets the ball in his hands his decision making and skills are sublime. Best kick at MFC since Trav Johnston. Just wish he would go and get it more often and make the play.

Kade Simpson very unlucky not to get in the 22 let alone the 40. Liberatore not getting in the 40 shows the selection panel focus on media attention and TV show favourites, rather than actual output. Hodge should not have got anywhere near the list. Garland was great this year but a lot of other backmen were better than him.

Anyone who wouldn't consider him needs a frontal lobotomy. He is a high performing, goal kicking, strong marking, hard as hell, successful, big-game player who has spent the last 10 years tearing the Dees apart like no other individual footballer. His injuries over the past 2-3 years are a worry, but he is everything that we are not. He will play until he is 33, and he is the type of player we need - even more than a Sewell or Del Santo. If Geelong don't offer him a contract, just go and get him and don't let him say no.

With Gawn, Spencer, Fitzpatrick and at a pinch Clark, we do not need another ruck option. And that is with the understanding (and hope) of trading Jamar and pick 2 for Adams from GWS. But regardless, Frawley is the most important and valuable player on our list and is worth 2 of McEvoy.

You are 95% on the money Demonof1994. Your trading possibilities work for me but I am unsure about Aish starting round 1. Jamar and pick 2 for Adams is a winner as I rate Adams very highly. The only downside is you have neither Fitzpatrick or Spencer in to help out Gawn: are you suggesting we swing Clark in and through the ruck? I hope not. Also, could Barry be a starter in 2014? He may compete with Evans for a place but Evans showed a fair bit until he got injured (again). If Watts leaves, Taggert comes into the 22 on the interchange and Trengove goes to the wing. FB: Clisby Frawley Garland HB: Grimes McDonald Terlich C: Toumpas Viney Evans HF: Kent Dawes Watts FF: Howe Clark Hogan RR: Gawn N Jones McKenzie I/C: Trengove Fitzpatrick Adams Greenwood

Jones, and Garland a very close 2nd. A huge gap - and then Terlich, M Jones and Grimes. If it was Brownlow counting Sylvia will score a lot of 1 votes so can't see him winning but will poll in many games especially around the time Neeld departed.

I agree, Chook. Some of the recruiting looks very attractive at the moment but sitting next to them are Gillies, Pederson, Rodan etc... Kent, M Jones, Terlich, could actually teach players like Watts and Sylvia about application. Add Hogan and Barry and the recruiting looks passable.

The difficulty with Dunn is he is both excellent and horrible, with no middle ground where he is consistent and reliable. Some of his kicking yesterday against the Doggies was sublime, while others were so pathetic it is difficult to understand his place in the team. At the end of last year I was 50/50 on Dunn and still am. But I am of the strong opinion that the rubbish player development at MFC has stuffed up a really good young footballer. In his first 10 or so games I thought we were looking at a great 3rd forward option.

6. Frawley. Passion, dash and touch of arrogance. Umpires almost killed him tonight. 5. Grimes. A hard running four quarter game 4. Watts. 4 goals great effort. Ran his guts out and at least ten times was one versus 2 or three alone in our forward 50. But his attempts at contested marking are often laughable and his defensive running is usually non existent. 3. Kent. Not a great game but he took the game on. 2. Davey. Some of his plays tonight were the Flash of old. 1. Trengove. Not a great game but he was creative, and was a big part in stifling the Doggies stoppages in the 3rd quarter.

Trengove - patchy but creative Grimes - a steadying presence N.Jones - given some freedom Watts - good night's effort Toumpas - just ok game Viney - not enough flair Frawley - very strong game Sylvia - very lacklustre game McKenzie - in and under Dunn- brilliant and horrible Garland - rare poor game McDonald - great individual battle Sellar - ok and horrible Kent - cause for optimism Davey - flashy and consistent Gawn - is a ruckman Howe - worth every cent Jetta - grunt and mongrel Spencer - a passable game M.Jones - not his best Terlich - many dumb moves Tapscott - should've kicked goals

That 2nd quarter - a 30 minute cameo of our season. The rest of the game was really enjoyable. One thing I did note - many of our midfielders's first touch of the ball is a fumble of some sort. When / if they do take possession, they are tackled or hindered in some way. For the most part we got murdered in close. Some of the running through the middle by Kent, Davey etc.. was superb. Loved the noise of the Demon Army - especially after the half time melee - well done to all concerned. Watts ran his guts out tonight, ends up with 4 goals, and people criticizing?!?! His one-on-one marking and pack marking are close to the worst I have seen for a big man, but don't question his effort with the ball. Still not sure if we should keep him.