Winter Dan

I think we strategically leaked interest in Hill to have all parties think about Melb as an option, without us putting fwd a hard commitment, b/c we're only interested if it's the right price all round, including Hill wanting to come, salary and trade price.

Umpiring - I note there is a general email address on the AFL's website. Perhaps we should all express our objections through that channel? I'm serious. Game v Hawks was awfully one sided too. Game plan - I'm liking it! Defence first, open forward line when we can use the corridor. Forward line - players still mostly out of form bar Hunt, but improving.

So over Oscar. Please put him to pasture.

Don't mind the options of: - Frost on Rohan, or - May playing sweeper in def.

First time l've genuinely felt sympathy for an opposition player. He's more Melbourne than Collingwood to me.

Sam Gray in their emergencies. Thought he was a good player? I worry that philosophy (ie. individuals picked on form) dictates our selections rather than best team to win against the opponent. We have 3 small fwds on bench. Risk being out match in height.

TBH I am struggling to justify a spot for Lewis - but can you drop a guy with his status, is he untouchable? I feel like last year he played the backline sweeper, stepping in for Lever, but I'm not sure of his role given he's not the quickest mover.

Think Trumps been doing Freo's negotiating.

Same, same. Now I'm just anxious for trade period to end, so the door is well and truely shut. Don't want the industry convincing them rightfully so, that they just fleeced themselves, and then offering pick 5 on Wed afternoon when they finally realise Neale can't be convinced to stay of his own free will. 5/6 & 11 would have been my minimum - Hogan's a gun. Think the current outcome is great - Hogan had an itch, we behaved generously, now that option has gone - time to refocus at the Dee's and continue enjoying being at Melb and riding the wave towards success - great club, great team mates, great coach and great success. Managing the Tmac/Weid/Hogan dilemma was my only concern, with the prospect of loosing Weid for opportunity and then Hogan to WA, but I'm starting to warm to the Hogan CHB idea, where potentially they all fit nicely. Makes me think of Neitz back there.

Maybe so. Particularlly as it will influence the Weid situation.

I'd imaging Hogan wouldn't want to come out and say - "I want to go to Fremantle", only for the Dees to knock back the dockers final offer of pick 4/5 and change (which they should). Would it be wise for the Dees to let Hogan's manager understand the situation and effectively act as an intermedary to ensure the right trade deal is on the table?

A top 5 pick I'd give a 1 in 4 chance of being a star, 4 in 5 chance of being a quality player. There are a hell of a lot of top 10 picks who are just good players, nothing too special. Hogan is a star - for a 23 year old. Will be unstoppable when he's 25-28. Unstoppable! Hogan in 3 years time... stop and consider this for a moment. He is a generational player, a young guy who's had a heap of off field stuff to deal with - and yet - what a contribution. Think I would prefer to keep him. Feel pretty confident the FD know his value.

Thats what I think as well. I think its been confused with salary cap - I dont think he articulated it clearly.

I regard the KK recruitment as a wingman for the MFC, with HBF a secondary position and option into the future.

Think we are going to try and turn next years 1st round pick into a handful of later picks this draft. Bit hard to explain how we will fill all the vacancies otherwise.

Love it, love it. Bit of money ball about it and once again a strategic/targeted list maneuvour . Ive been thinking that the likes of Shiel and Kelly are just too costly, in trade and it $. Pay too much for one player and it gets the rest of the players asking for more too. Haven't seen too much of Kade - but he's got toe. His brother Jake is a very good player.

I wonder if the pies have some salary cap pressure and restricts what they can offer May. Read that Langdon's contract neg had stalled due to $. I mean they have been paying overs for the recruits they've brought in from other clubs and their depth would come at a cost - Varcoe, Wells, Elliot etc. Hawks already have keys backs, but they're also a seriously ageing list, the cliff is approaching, I'd stay away if choosing a destination.

What's the deal at Fed Sq. Guess we can't bring chairs hey?

Gee, Howe wld be a huge lose if he misses the GF. Their best defender. Any new on the extent of the injury? I'm feeling appreciative not having Sheppard on the park tomorrow - helps stem the defensive rebound and hopefully makes our weakest attribute a little easier, connecting into the 50.

Agree with this. Smith's ability to cover a Darling, or one of their quick smalls will be more valuable than Tyson's extra midfield skills but has one paced foot speed. Think Smith's athleticism will be invaluable. Weagles like to play fast and are pretty good at isolating one on ones. Hopefully we can also run and carry rebound through the likes of Frosty, Hibbard and Smith. Last weagles game had a fair bit of ping pong.

I just really appreciate how we play physical and tough, but at the contest, no cheap shots and that you can't phase us with physicallity, it doesn't get in our head. Its like we're physical but totally professional and focused. Lewis may be one exception - he looses it from time to time. I guess im saying its reassuring that we are no longer bullied, and yet not arrogant like some other clubs. As a supporter, its one thing to loose a game, but for the players to play the 'brand', I can be proud of them, proud to be Melb. Another point - i thought the dorks played for the free kick throughout the game - tried milking it. They certainly looked to exploit the below the knees interpretation and there was many a flop to the ground. The Oliver free - sure he probably didn't resist the force, but there was plenty of momentum in it and straight into square of the back. Further umpiring - so happy umps didnt get sucked into the Sicily flop v Melky mark in the last. That 'Mmmelbourne...' chant across the whole stadium about 15-20 mins after the siren was amazing. Ethereal. Like the call a huge barbarian lost tribe, revealing themselves through the misty night urban jungle, having slayed the former Roman dynasty.

Melbourne supporters were all over it at the ground - made me proud!

Weid looks like he's taller than his listed 195cm - wonder if he's grown a bit?

Pretty boring game hawks and swans.