Moonshadow

I'd rather see Neeld develop Spencer, Fitz and Gawn than see more game time given to Martin. His biggest value to us IMO is as part of a trade with pick 13 for a quality midfielder or small fwd. He's Gawn.

Has suffered from OP throughout the season, apparently. Not an excuse, but a factor in his slowness. Was not slow in first year.

A very big call. Either that says our's and the AFLs ruck stocks are terrible, or Martin is wildly beyond nearly everyone's opinion of him. Is he a friend of yours?

I too have noticed that Fitz is filling out more and still kept his speed. Boy he was skinny when he came to us. Kicking can be iffy at times. If he has a big pre season, builds up his fitness and works on his kicking, we may see the start of something really good in 2013. Good on him.

Would like a big play for Caddy. Pick 12 + player? Not sure who. Has Montagna signed? If not, maybe him as a FA. Maturity and leadership added to our midfield. Given that we will more than likely select young mids in the draft, experience from another club would be vey useful. Worth noting that our needs may be influenced by who leaves the club (for whatever reason) at the end of the year. For example, if Beamer or Davey were earmarked to go, Neeld may want to look for an FA mid or 2, rather than Cloke. Similarly if Rivers or Sylvia were to go, a similar replacement could be a trade or FA priority for Neeld. Not saying that I want these guys to come or go, just examples.

Just remember being blown away by all the excitement of grand final week. Woey on Brownlow night, GF parade, etc. Great feeling, despite the flogging. God, I want to see the Dees in more GFs. I have mates that support Geelong and Hawthorn and they seem to take grannies and premierships as being expected. Would be good to feature more times at the top of the premiership ladder than at the bottom.

Unfortunately for Martin, he does his best work solo, or at least being no1 ruck. I think in time, Spencer and Gawn may overtake him and even Jamar as our senior big men, with Clark assisting occasionally. I can see him requesting a trade for better opportunities elsewhere and I believe he may hold some trade currency. Some on the trades board have suggested we pick up that young big guy in this draft. Haing said that, I'd prefer we kept him. Still relatively young and has been in the system for a few years now.

Wonder if Neeld sees him as a chance to fit into his game plan. Like the rest of the team, he'd be put through a gruelling pre season, which is not easy to do if you've had a year off AFL level footy. By the fact he's turned up at training, it sounds like he might want back in. Did he participate in training or was he a bystander?

And importantly, those blokes that did well with endurance work in the preseason have generally done well injury wise (soft tissue). Their body appears less likely to tire early, fatigue and get hurt.

You are too right there OD. I've thought that over the last 6 or so years we've had too many players on big coin who would struggle to get a game elsewhere, let alone a big pay packet. Cam Bruce found this out the hard way, unfortunately.

And Clark sure wants to do the no 11 justice. Going to be a big year in 2013 for Clark. Wonder if he wants another big forward playing alongside him next year. Any suggestions?

Egotistical pot shots? Point scoring? No. Bit harsh mate, if you're going to cast stones, you'd better be sure you've never gone remotely off topic yourself.

And perhaps he is the perfect fit for GWS this year, in terms of experience and leadership, whereas he may not have been suitable for us last year or this year. Can you imagine how his hammy would have coped with Neeld's gruelling preseason this year? Ouch! While perhaps we didn't handle it as well as we would could have, it was the right decision at the time. As was Bruce's, Robbo's and Whitey's. Bruce's struggling form at the Hawks vindicates his departure from MFC. Wonderful servants of the club, all of them. But the decision was the club's, not the individuals.

Ok, deep breath... Before I end my part in this pointless conversation (but you can certainly continue to bang on on your own), I need to spell out to you Mr Peter Kirkham, Member and Volunteer of the MFC, that you again should read what was said, and not make up what was not said. At no point did I take it upon myself to rule what should and shouldn't be posted on this board. In fact it was you who told me to shut up. At no point did I tell Harrison rules he could not have an opinion. At no point did Harrisonrules offer to not hide behind his user name, as you indicated. At no point did I claim that you do not back up your information with, as you put it, the circumstances from which you got it. What I did say in my first post and tried to explain to you more simply in the second post was that if Harrisonrules had inside knowledge, he should back it up or not mention it at all. And as for the sarcasm and lambasting bit, well, you need to get out more and not be so precious. Good day, Sir.

Welcome AD. Try and keep away from MFCSS. And good luck finding out what that stands for! Go Dees!

Is it compulsorary for newbies to 'Land to start a thread that goes through our list in the most obvious way possible? If so, I missed my turn. Drats!

Get off your precious high horse Mr Peter Kirkham, Member and Volunteer of the MFC. Perhaps you should read what I wrote and look at the context before telling me to shut up. At no point did I bag or denigrate Cameron Bruce in my post to Harrisonrules. My comment was in reference to Harrisonrules claiming "you won't know the real story.....you only know half the facts". I laugh when I read people on here saying that they have the inside information on players, administrators or anyone connected with the MFC. It's simple really, if you have the info, reveal it and it's source, otherwise keep it to yourself. Anything else could only lead to speculation and rumour mongering. For example, the comment "you won't know the real story.....you only know half the facts" about Bruce's circumstances could leave some to speculate inaccurately that he had personal problems at the time, or had a major falling out with the club. Far fetched as this may be, implying that there is much more than meets the eye (at least the other half of the facts, the 'real' story) does nothing to respectfully acknowledge Bruce's time as a player. Of course, I'm sure that's not what Harrisonrules intended, but thats what regularly happens on footy forums, if you cared to explore. FYI, I have high regard for Bruce's career at the Dees. Except for his last couple of seasons where he struggled with injury and form, he was a great servant of the club.

From what I am hearing, there are a lot of people on here that talk up what they know, but actually have nothing to back it up.

Geez, that was HARD work to read...... I guess you're calling us a bit SOFT, then?

Was a very passionate player. Too early. http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/he-was-a-great-mate-who-loved-a-beer-and-loved-to-be-around-his-teammates-20120823-24ots.html

Is it possible to start afresh? Sacrifice the data and start again? Or is it worth the bother? Too much hard work, by the sound of it.

*tear falls from eye* So enlighten all of us, or your statement counts for zip. We are all anonymous keyboard heroes here.

EXACTLY the same as most other non-finals clubs do at this time of the season. Even earlier for some teams, relative to how low they are on the ladder. If the rules reward lower ladder positions in terms of draft, then teams with no finals chance will inevidively not worry about where they finish. In fact, as Hardwick has pointed out, it's a great chance to try out new players in new positions. Experimentation with nothing much to lose. Sounds familiar?

Bad thread. Race based. Close please.

Good lord, no! He be snapped in two by Big Cox's right knee. Let the kid continue doing what he's succeeding in. If it ain't broke...