PaulRB

Hey Old Dee, my two brothers follow Essendon and over the journey (numerous Don Flags, 2000, etc...) I have had to suck it up and suck it up and ... So the prospect of ASADA shutting them down for drug cheating, fills me with an irrepressible urge to smile and look forward to my next family do. Sorry ;-))

Agree, my biggest worry about JW is that he's still waiting for others to lift and lead the team into better times. Those players you mentioned seem to be taking public responsibility for turning it around. At the same time JW publicly laments our lack of selwood, hodge type players... makes me think he's painting himself to be a fringe player... Which we'd all hoped he'd be more than.

Every Auction needs a couple of bidders to up the price. We can say to GC and the other Vic clubs we'd take Caddy for Pick 13 (if GC play ball on JV). This would mean for Caddy to go elsewhere that the club would need to offer GC batter than Pick 13. GC get a good deal for a so so player.

I'd pass on Caddy for the sole reason that he wanted to go ONLY to the Dons last year and made too big a fuss about it all for a player with few credits in the AFL player bank... Over valued and we'd be likely to pay too much if we tried to out muscle other clubs ... for a so-so midfielder whose value has diminished since he was drafted, i.e Drafted at pick 7 & now struggling to justify pick 13.

Hold on. Gold Coast get Tippet for pick 13 and a second rounder, and we get Caddy for pick 13 (and some change). I'd prefer GC's deal for Tippet.

To use a PK line, Caddy is "all tip and no iceberg".

Caddy hits me as a young player who has done little more than others of his year, but generated enough headlines that he is known to all and thus assumed to be better than he is. Bit like our Tom.

He may be OOC but not a FA so he goes where GC trade him to.

not active - http://www.afl.com.au/tabid/208/default.aspx?newsid=131093 Yet still tradable.

To do the trade you gotta have the picks and the Cats (pick 15+) and Bombers (pick 30+) don't. So who are they sending to GC in exchange for Caddy?

I think your are objecting to a practice (loose Journalism) that has always gone on. The difference is now we can track their "journalistic" sources via the internet, where previously they'd be getting quotes and ideas over a beer at their local. The internet and time pressure on journos to produce more with less time, make the shift in sources and journalistic practices inevitable. Not sure it equates to s decline (it may), but it is also more transparent...

I think a journo using a club discussion board to get the pulse of what the collective of Melb obsessed fans think is wise and more likely to reflect some truth (if such a thing exists) than alot of the traditional alternative sources, even former players, etc ... There is alot of research that collaborative groups generate superior results to individuals in most circumstances.

I think Cale and Jack are being developed as our rebounding/switch/ kick to boundary line contest/ kick long options and Cale muffed it. The sting of humiliation is a more powerful teacher than a private video correction exercise two days later... Cale will grow or wither, I hope the former.

I was at the game and when Morton turned it over, approx 30,000 MFC fan collectively howled/cried/moaned. Cale knew he'd just humiliated himself. Being pulled and having the coach give him one is about Neeld clearly establishing standards and Cale dealing with failing to live up to these standards. Standards that every successful elite sporting team has. Babying him or having a go at MN for being too tough on him is OK for boys, but not for men, and certainly not for an experienced professional man as Cale is aspiring to be.

Cale was not alone in costly turnovers, Jack Grimes had a patch too. I liked Cale's game up to the clanger. I think he is developing well under Neeld. However, he still has a way to travel to fulfil his potential.

In any behaviour change campaign, making a public commitment increases the likely hood that the thing committed to will be delivered. The fact that MN has publicly stated his goal to make the MFC team harder, and has publicly stated his desire for the players named to lift their game will increase the likely hood of these things happening... Hence it's all good. Go Dees

Watched Tom's games with interest and he has a cool head, strong body and hands, reads the play well and delivered ok under pressure. With another pre-season he's a good third tall back option and should free up Garland for more creative duties. I'd hope he'd play at least 12+ games next year. I suspect with a bit of confidence he'll be a beast.

Totally agree. Clarkson was always going to stay, but it is a nice way to let Mick know whats on offer without causing MM headlines.

Interesting how Mitchell has flourished without the captaincy. Has Hodge been diminished by it? Have to say the best captains come from within the group, any player who'd walk on their current club is automatically not captain material at new club (unless new club is on their knees , i.e. Carlton when Judd moved)... the MFCs next captain is at the club, question is who?

I reckon the players have been given a timely reminder that they need to grow up. And soon. Coaches play a part, but it's players that win flags. As my daughter would say to a number of MFC players at the moment, "Suck it up Princess!" And that message is bringing the best out of the new stars, Watts and Trengove. And it is this new attitude that will inspire others to stay and play for the MFC. Go Dees

Looks like this year is a transition year or course correction in three parts. 1. Older leaders struggle + Coach struggles and is sacked. 2. New generation of leaders emerge (Watts & Trengove) + new coach is appointed 3. Club emerges stronger than ever in 2012. Perhaps this was a year we were always going to have, just happened earlier (and was uglier) than we thought it would be... Phoenix like from here ;-)) Go Dees

You are right about stats showing anything... An alternate view Games won by 9+ goals and total games won Years - 9+ goal wins - total wins 2008 - 0 - 3 wins 2009 - 1 - 4 wins 2010 - 2 - 8.5 wins 2011 - 3+ - 7.5+ (10.5 likely) wins Looks like the glass may be half full... Go Dees

Out Campbell in Fevola

When is the last time a MFC player kicked 11 in the reserves? To ask the same question another way, would Fev add to our team assuming a proper pre-season and a professional approach from him? Could Fev help us win games of over the next 2 years? See above re his "current state", and can't we have a good present and a good future? I think the yanks call it "chewing gum while you walk". Who would we be happy to lose to have Fev in the team? How much do we hold a persons past against them? Can a person Change? How fun would it be for Fev to help us beat Carlton? Wouldn't Fev be a recruit?

When is the last time a MFC player kicked 11 in the reserves? Could Fev help us win games of over the next 2 years? Who would we be happy to lose to have Fev in the team? How much do we hold a persons past against them? How fun would it be for Fev to help us beat Carlton?