La Dee-vina Comedia

There was a lot not to like about the Mark Neeld era. But he did change one thing for the better. Quality players - ie, Mitch Clark and Chris Dawes - decided to come to Melbourne. Prior to them coming, the last name player who had a choice and chose to come to Melbourne was...who? Kelvin Templeton?

Perhaps there's been some confusion and the 17 other clubs have agreed we can take Dustin Martin as a priority pr1ck.

That's a good question.

Where do these numbers come from? And how do they compare with a genuine midfielder, such as N Jones? Also, do you know how much is sprinting and how much is jogging to position?

My concern about Martin is the amount of internal resources used up to keep him on the straight and narrow. That would diminish development of other players. And how would the other players feel if they saw the mount of effort being put into him while they are (relatively) ignored? He's a great on-field talent but I question whether the amount of ongoing effort which seems likely to be consumed would be worth it, particularly as he's not the only player who could be recruited.

Richmond needs another ruckman; we have a surfeit of ruckmen (although of questionable merit). I don't think we should recruit Martin, but I'd be quite happy to participate in a three way trade of Spencer to Richmond, Martin to team X, such as GWS, and decent player from team X (who wants to leave GWS?) to us.

Better than what Dusty's father has on his http://twicsy.com/i/QDY9Sb Interesting genes

Chuckle: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/martin-to-stay-with-tigers-20130823-2she5.html

Agree.

Isn't there a rumour somewhere suggesting Martin wanted to move to NSW?

Might not be leaving for money. He may be unhappy for other reasons such as how he's been managed. He's clearly a player with talent but high risk. The question to ask is whether that risk is worth it.

In absolute terms, disagree. However, Jack F came with much lower expectations and exceeded them; Jack W comes with higher expectations and is yet to reach them. And every player has demands. Sometimes they're called hopes or wishes, but the rules state all players must have player managers and the managers and the club negotiate contracts. Each contract is where the player manager's demands and the clubs expectations meet.

Thanks. Immemorable bunch, although Barassi significantly improves it.

The Father-son story in today's paper suggested Melbourne has had poor returns from this form of drafting. The topic was briefly touched on in http://demonland.com/forums/index.php?/topic/35040-bringing-the-game-into-disrepute/ According to the story (can someone please post the link, I can't find it online) Melbourne has had 5 father-son selections who between them have played only 62 games. Whether Ron Barassi should be included in the list has been debated briefly in the above-mentioned thread. But clearly he's not one of the five. So who are they? Chris Johnson and Jack Viney presumably are two. But the others?

So, why does the rookie list exist? The only reasons I can see are that (1) players rookie listed get shorter initial contracts with clubs able to contract for 1 year whereas drafted players must be offered two years (2) it allows some number balancing with veterans which I don't really understand. What else?

Surely the best solution is for Cameron Schwab to go back to his roots and become CEO of Richmond.

Hmm...you sound suspiciously like Craig Thompson. Except you have excellent taste in football teams.

It is often reported that Assistant Coaches have a clause in their contracts which allow them to leave (break their contract) if they get a senior coaching gig elsewhere. As a matter of interest, is there any evidence of something similar in reverse which allows clubs to terminate contracts of assistant coaches if the senior coach is removed? Just seems a logical step to me given the assistants are so closely linked to the senior coach who chooses them.

If you compare his first couple of games with his last couple, he probably had the greatest percentage improvement of any player on our list for the year.

Not even nominated, but I would have gone with Luke Hodge for GOTY for his smother of a kick which he then converted into a long goal without breaking stride. Hard to know which it replaces - perhaps Walker?

Your Dad's a [censored]?

Smells like Dee's spirit

Nicholson to dominate.

Maybe I've misunderstood, but do you mean one of the other Jacks, ie, Viney?

It was Matthew Lloyd on 3AW. (He also said during the same game that Jack Watts needed an "intensity coach")