La Dee-vina Comedia

Sorry. I can't agree that he "massively underperformed". Every player in our forward line suffered from poor delivery making it difficult to take marks and score goals. Forget the stats for the moment - my eyes told me he put more pressure on (tackling, chasing down opponents) than any other forward out there.

I think it has to be Jetta, but a special mention to two players. Firstly Dom Barry. He may not make it as a regular, but he looked so undersized I thought he's never play a single game. Well done. And with limited talents but great grit, Rohan Bail put aside any worries about head contact and busted his gut probably more than any other player on the list (except maybe N Jones) running relentlessly back and forward in every game he played.

Agree. And just to put it in the correct language, what Roos is really saying is, "Of course I'd be prepared to trade Nathan Jones, but I expect Lance Franklin, Josh Kennedy, both Jack brothers and Sam Reid in return".

If the voting system is still that every player gets votes from 1 to 7 by the coaches for every game they play, I don't see how he could miss getting into the top 10.

You've obviously been away too long. The prevailing attitude these days is to say [censored] Carlton.

Wouldn't it be nice to see Mitch Clark's name in both the Ins and Outs for Melbourne.

North has realised we play our best football against good teams and our worst football against weaker teams. Ergo, they've weakened their team so as to gain a bigger win.

I'm confident we'll be playing football in September in 2015. It's not that I'm overly optimistic, but I understand the Grand Final will be in October, meaning the last home and away round must be the first week in September. Note: I am in no way attempting to hasten Old Dee's departure from this mortal coil.

Interesting. I note that Roos tried him as a defensive forward for probably less than half a game (Bulldogs at Etihad) without success. He's really going to have to learn to tighten up...but if he can do that, I like your thinking.

I like to see myself as a modern day Voltaire encouraging people to have their say even if I disagree with them. But I think even Voltaire would have despaired at some of the dross posted here. So, I'm no Voltaire and have decided enough is enough with the nuff-nuffs and he's now being ignored.

The being "duped" argument appears to be gaining momentum. I note that it seems to be in the conversation regularly now whereas previously being "duped" wasn't even being mentioned. I see it as the strongest argument Essendon has (unless they can unequivocally prove they weren't given an illegal substance - which it appears they can't). Historically, being "duped" has not been a strong argument in the doping world because it can be manipulated. But IF the Essendon players and club were "duped" and Dank provided them with something outside what the club and players consented to, it becomes an interesting debate. My only surprise is that Essendon hasn't gone with the being "duped" argument earlier (although if I were advising them I would suggest they use the term "fraud" rather than "duped". It has more grunt.)

I'm not sure about Terlich, but if we delisted every second year player who can get the ball but then gets into trouble deciding what to do with it, Nathan Jones wouldn't have made it to his third year. I doubt Terlich will turn into another N Jones, but he's a better chance at being turned into a decent player than anyone selected in the draft around pick 70. The only surprise for me with Riley is that we only signed him for one year in the first place. And Bail is a no-brainer. Whether supporters like him or not (and I do) it's obvious the coach does given he's played all bar one game this year.

Or if you're a bit older, you reminisce about Robert Flower and...err...just Robert Flower.

I think there's an error in #4. Surely it should be: You wonder why you still don't get angry when Melbourne are on the end of another belting.

Four of these six traded in this season. Sure, it's the votes for only one game but Vince, Tyson and Cross have been doing it all year. Good to see Michie is starting to string some good games together, too.

Can't believe after your history of hyper-critical posting about our young players that I've kept giving you the benefit of the doubt. Must work out how to put you on Ignore.

Players often retire while contracted if their body (or mind) is shot. I don't know Jamar's physical or mental state and I'm not calling for him to retire. All I'm saying is IF he plans to retire, he should be given the dignity of playing in the final game of the year with an announcement beforehand so supporters have an opportunity to thank him for his service.

And in the unlikely event Blease kicks 6 and Strauss picks up 25 kicks with 100% efficiency, then what does the club do with its list? I can't see any value in playing those who the club has already decided won't be at the club next year except for any long-serving player who might be retiring.

On the other hand, if Roos and Jamar know that the Russian is going to retire at the end of the year, perhaps they should announce it during the week and let him play his final game. (I stress that I have no information to suggest that Jamar intends to retire.)

Seems I've unwittingly engaged in unsubstantiated hyperbole myself. While I'm guilty as charged, when I wrote "by any measure" I was referring (in my mind) to 2012 and 2013. Adding the 1981 reference was an afterthought clearly better left unthought in this instance.

Unsubstantiated hyperbole. You don't even have to go back to 1981 when we won only one game. Just compare this year with 2012 and 2013. By any measure, we are better this year than either of the last two...or 1981.

I don't think he'd be an excitement machine at Melbourne unless we can get the ball down to him. I'd rather pursue some midfield talent. Not footsoldiers or journeymen. Real talent. It's where we are most deficient.

This decision is about the only thing in this messy saga that everyone - the NRL, AFL, media, ASADA and supporters - all agree with. Appears Dank is completely friendless.

Roos made clear he didn't expect first year players to have much if any game time this year. On that basis Salem and JKH are ahead of expectations...or the rest of the team are way behind. Or both.

We may or may not be fit enough. But our players aren't strong enough. Given the coaching team have had to work on (a) fitness, (b) individual skill improvement © gameplan and (d) strength, it's not really a surprise that there is still so much to be done. We really did go a long way backwards between 2007 and 2013.