PaulRB

Thats fair, I want the first two to be true. But there is no logic in leaving a team playing finals and GF for another that currently struggles to play finals (Carlton) for the difference of $100,000 p.a. after tax. Big decisions are made on emotion, instinct and passion. Not logic. With his decision I'd be meeting the coaches (Ratten vs Neeld) hearing their plans, and chatting to friends I may have at both clubs. Then I'd imagine what success would feel like at both clubs. And pick ...

If Cloak's motivation was to play finals and GF why would he leave the Pies? He would seem to be seeking a a new challenge, and a new scene, as well as more cash. I'd suggest we are still a strong possibility given the Neeld and Leigh Brown connections...

On average 5 of the top 10s above have been out of the team for a while (Jurrah, Clark) and /or currently (Watts Frawley, Jamar)... Maybe a good sign for next year.

Don't want to deal with Bombers at all.

Priority pick crackdown

Tanking to win finals is accepted. For example Fremantle in Round 21 (2010) sent a second grade team to Tassie to play the Hawks (they lost by 116 points) to allow some players to freshen up for rd 22 and finals. Most blatant example of tanking... First elimination final vs Hawks they win by 30 points. Big reward.

or 11,809 per win.

Unfortunately in my definition of an "elite player" I include Elite players are consistently good, Colin is not. Elite players are best practice in the way they prepare for the game, Colin is not. Elite players turn it up (or turn it on) when the team needs it, Col lacks the ability to control when he turns it up. Elite players have the strength and drive to play at an elite level when injured, Colin does not. Colin has played some great football games, and as a result, has teased us into thinking he could be an "elite player". But he's not. And every year that passes lessens the likelyhood that he ever will be an elite player. That siad he could still be a good player in our team. Just not an elite one.

He seems stuck struggling with the new regime. He need to have a revelation, accept the new demands/roles at Melb (if indeed he has been struggling with these) in the next two weeks... Or leave. He's not alone in this regard, I'd put Col in the same boat (with fewer B&F credits to his name).

If by "best player" is "most potential if all planets align, they are super fit and mentally able to deliver" then I'd rate Liam Jurrah, Mitch Clark, Jones and others before Colin. Sam Blease strings a couple more performances like the weekend and he'll be in front of Colin...

Turning point in Dunny's career. He's a keeper.

Melb by 10 goals + Maybe more if we can fit Watts and Frawley back into the team. Sheesh Let it end.

Well bombers fans are certainly getting sterilised now, playing home games at Docklands. Like going to the dentist's.

Are you implying that Giro is inside Neeld controlling him via an entrance only accessible by crouching? Sweet. Explains our performance this year too.

I'd have said he was the glazed pineapple.

Given our list of injured or out of form players we appear alot closer to a team fighting to get into the eight than we may have thought previously. Add these players back into our 22 and we'd give the Saints a run... So perhaps the worst is over. I reckon the Saints have yet to bottom out, as their talented older players retire.

What is the deal with Freo and Adel, and us? We beat Fremantle and they don't make finals. We beat Adelaide and the don't get top two and most likely to be bundled out in straight sets.. Need the Doggies and Port to win one so we have space to play

If he is, we play finals. Fingers and toes crossed that Col comes good... Be awesome.

Watched "Money Ball" last night after all the talk about it's influence on footy and I hope we have a team at the MFC working full time on the coming trade and draft period. That and the emergence of the new gen players, the latest of which is Blease, and I am not depressed about season 2013, which is a start.

Agree, "Betty" was great today in the ruck. Although he seemed to go off for about 20 min half way through the first..?

Nev is a perfect small forward in the Mosquito fleet mode. They are critical when the forward line is wide open. Not convinced about his ability in the packs and at the feet of the tall forwards.

He played like he was carrying something, rarely ran at full tilt.

I think he looks unhappy because he is at the limit of his physical capacity for much of the game. He'd be blowing most out of our players when he was off and walking the boundary. Reckon he is stepping it up and it's hurting. Good to see.

So of the uncontracted players today. Playing out the season Liam Jurrah - hoping to do well tomorrow for Casey. Brent Moloney - not alot on display, subbed of at 3/4 time. SELL Jared Rivers - solid game suited his ability to read play , BUY Ricky Petterd - hoping to do well tomorrow for Casey. Joel Macdonald - did some good things but skill tester... HOLD Lynden Dunn - some good body work. HOLD Matthew Bate - made good space early, some kicks were not to advantage HOLD James Sellar - Versatile big man who spent time in ruck, forward and back. HOLD Troy Davis.- hoping to do well tomorrow for Casey. Out for year Clint Bartram, Jamie Bennell

And Melbourne have been flying these last 8 weeks. Colin continues to be an enigma, and under performed. Gary Ablett at GC our Colin Sylvia is not.