Undeeterred

There's even less chance than Hogan being a back up ruck, sorry. Clark, maybe, but we'd be putting his foot at risk and came to Melbourne in part to avoid rucking. And we have three specialist ruckmen and Fitzpatrick on the list. When Roos discussed Watts and midfield in the same sentence, I just don't think he meant as a ruckman. That's all I'm saying...

Yes, really. Hope I'm wrong but realistically, don't think I will be. I'd love to have that discussion with you, having been proven wrong, believe me!

Oh, come on. Seriously?? Go and have a look on the 'best line up' page, then have a look at who is next in when some of those blokes are injured. There is not a snowball's chance in hell that we'll be better than any of Richmond, Gold Coast, Carlton or Collingwood. Essendon either, unless they are playing their VFL side.

Says he who put Watts as a back up ruckman.

Sure does, except for the fact that all the players are in the wrong spot...

Am I the only one thinking there is a difference between 'back' and 'running in sneakers in October'?

I'd say Clisby stays a rookie this year - unless they really think there's nothing available at 58.

Terlich Frawley Clisby Garland McDonald Grimes Tyson Viney Vince Trengove Dawes Michie Hogan Clark Howe Gawn Jones Watts Toumpas Kent Fitzpatrick Evans Spencer Matt Jones Pick 9 Thins out VERY quickly after this - we'd want a healthy year...

Yep, agree. Expanded on this above.

Very good point. I guess I was thinking that it seemed our had relatively significant, quite recent histories. But you're completely correct.

Apart from breaking his knuckle, which has meant he isn't as strong a mark, I thought Dawes missed a fair chunk of 2012 with calf injuries and only came back towards the end of the season. Isn't that what kept him out or underdone all of last year? I deliberately didn't mention Clark and never said his injury had anything to do with anything. I was looking at players with previous injuries we have picked up. And in terms of foot injuries, they're often horrible. I'd say Jamar, Evans and Trengove haven't really proved they have fully recovered and I'd also point out it took Grimes the best part of two years to get over his foot problems, although it looks like he has now. Now that you mention Clark, his foot injury has cost him the best part of two years as well. I'll believe he can get back to his best when I see it. I was thinking about Michie's foot troubles in that context. I know nothing about Michie and you may well be right about those injuries being behind him, I'm happy to admit I'm not 100% familiar and if I'm wrong, I'm wrong!

Well, yeah, but we did our DD on Dawes, didn't we, and took him knowing full well he was injury prone and had calf trouble. Tyson might be fantastic, but he played 3 games last year. Michie played 1 and none in 2012, straight out because of injury. Just stating the facts and don't get me wrong, I'm stoked we are landing good players. I just find it interesting that, given our problems getting players on the park in the park in the past, we're picking up players who have injury histories.

I know Tyson is a good player, but what is it with us picking up guys who have missed, literally, whole seasons with injury? Michie and Tyson sound great on paper, but won't be if they do a Dawes and play about 4 games each next year... Just sayin.

I don't need too many more years to tell you we got sweet [censored] all in 2011...

Haha, not that I can see. Too busy getting a kick.

Sorry, but just about every one of those years is a freaking disaster. What a complete shambles. No wonder we are a [censored] up.

Dare I say it, if you watch that highlight reel closely you'll see shadows of Brent Moloney, just in the way he moves, kicks etc. Not relevant one way or the other, just interesting...

Yes. Sorry.

That's a good point! Take an illustrative quote to extremes to attempt to establish it is ok to bash people. Excellent!

You're one of the more sensible ones around here - I'm happy to take on face value.

I'd say we'd give him whatever paper he wanted right now, to be honest. I think it has absolutely nothing to do with it.

Not a great record on that front to date, though, hey Jaded? No, it isn't worse than desperation. It is being hard nosed about the Club's best interests, which are to either secure a player or get something for them. Garland and Jones might be more committed to sign on earlier than the expiration of their contracts. Of course it will be a better deal for Frawley! And he's totally entitled to hold off and get the best deal possible. BUT, if he is willing to play chicken like that, MFC is also entitled to get the best deal for itself, not just take his word for it that he loves the place and will just sign up when he feels like it. I think, generally, the AFL is going to have to get used to a much more Amercian way of doing things. The whole 'play for the jumper' stuff is gone and players quite rightly will move around to make the most of their short time in the game. It is only a matter of time before clubs start catching up on the thinking, and getting more ruthless with their lists and list management.

You are a goose. I hope your boss cancels your annual leave this year - how would that go down with you?

Any sensible person can see this is reading the tea leaves correctly. He doth protest too much and for no apparent reason really.

I think one year is the way to go, if he wants to wait and see what we're like next year. He's gone, in my book. Hope I'm wrong.