Nascent

There were rumours of a certain collingwood player serving a ban under the guise of a, somewhat suspiciously long, soft tissue injury last year... although it didn't involve performance enhancing drugs

Can someone clarify the potential bans these players face. I was under the impression that these bans would have to be served in season, therefore a two year ban handed to a player would have to be carried out over 4 seasons (March-August = 6months served). However, a recent article on Ahmed Saad by Emma Quayle stats that he is hoping to be drafted for the 2015 season (would miss some early rounds) after starting his ban late November in 2013. There has been conjecture that Essendon players may only receive 6months ban if they were cooperative with ASADA investigations. I'm not exactly sure on the criteria they have to meet, but my impression from nothing more than the running media commentary would indicate that this would be unlikely. Now for a hypothetical... could we potentially see Bomber players only receiving 6month bans in the offseason from September - February and therefore be ready to go for the 2015 season?

Surprised at the lack of replies to the above comment. Treloar is just about the best midfielder on the Giants list and would be a huge get. If frawely does leave, it would put us in a great position to obtain him. Any more details on this WJ?

I hope the Josk Kelly trade isn't going to be brought up by the greater demonland community (or media for that matter) if he doesn't get 25 touches, 2 goals and a rising star on debut. I'm not optimistic, in fact I'm sure we'll probably see some Toumpas-Wines action for good measure.

I wouldn't worry too much about Jimmy, the kid is motivated as the best of them and has plenty of talent. He was actually named as an emergency for the Suns on the back of two games. He had 22 disposals in the first game and was named in the bests with 29 disposals the following week. Last weekend he had 11 touches in what sounded like a quarter and a bit before being concussed. He will be back soon and our team will be the better for it.

Beams was taken at pick 27 Bail was taken at pick 64. Strauss and Blease are the ones you want to bemoan here. Or Breust and Suckling (re-rookied) making it to Hawthorn in the Rookie draft.

Well he is my favourite action hero since Chuck Norris, so it makes sense

Pretty sure you just cursed him to never get the captaincy

Yep, it's like people have forgotten the games where we were done and dusted by the 15 minute mark of the 1st quarter. We have a long way to go but people saying that there hasn't been any improvements are just plain wrong..

Interesting to hear Roos say it was probably a mistake subbing Tyson and that part of that decision revolved around time management than actual performance. I was very surprised at the call at the time, didn't help my fantasy team either!

Would like to see Kent and Garland back in the team and one of Clisby or Strauss off the half back-line to replace Terlich. I think its more a case of decision making that needs to be improved rather than his skill execution. His 15 metre 50-50 kick to watts inside the defensive 50 was infuriating. Give him some time at Casey to work on his decision making and confidence. Strauss was named in the bests for Casey and seemed to have a promising pre-season before injuring himself during the NAB practice games. I'm not sure Strauss will be an improvement defensively, however I would love the kid to make it. He has great speed and disposal which we could really use off the half-back line. I believe it's his final year of his contract, it's now or never for Strauss.

6. Jones 5. Viney 4. Cross 3. Dawes 2. Frawely 1. Howe

Agree on the second quarter, the midfield comment was more speaking of the year as whole compared to last year. Viney and Jones are quality and I'm a big fan of Tyson (although not his day today), Vince is serviceable and gives us a more consistent output than Sylvia. Cross is playing his role well as is Matt Jones. We are still short probably 3-4 quality players running through the guts. Hopefully Salem and Toumpas can make the grade.

It's good to see our fans are not happy with honourable losses. Still, we have to keep in mind how far back we are coming from and take the positives out of the game. A few random thoughts. Our midfield has improved markedly and our make shift forward line is doing the job. Backline was a weak area today with probably the worst game I've seen from McDonald. Our entire team will benefit from Hogan in and Frawley (despite he's fantastic form up forward) shifted back to take a Key forward. I am looking forward to Garland making a quick return as well. Tyson was down today but not sure I would've subbed him. My candidates for that would've been Watts, Jetta or McKenzie. The one major positive for me. I watched the game thinking we could win and thought we were still in it throughout the whole game. Haven't really felt like that since 2011.

Anyone know where I can watch replays of games from 2010-2011? The ironically named "smart replay" on the AFL website used to let you watch games from previous seasons but don't seem to allow that anymore. I was hoping to watch one of our games with a fit Trengove where we'd randomly smash a team by 90 odd points.

I can barely read those names from here, how is this supposed to help spectators 50-200 metres away in the stands? It wouldn't be any easier on television with the action is so dynamic and the camera angles always chopping and changing every couple of seconds. I just struggle to see spectators being assisted in identifying players. Perhaps during a stoppage or a close up during a set shot for goal? The only reason clubs are pushing hard for this to increase their merchandise sales.

"It's something a bit out of my control. Obviously I'd love to play for Melbourne but there's still so much to go yet and I'm just trying to keep the enjoyment up in my footy," Stretch told AFL.com.au in London on the AIS-AFL Academy's European tour. "Whether it happens or not, we'll just have to wait and see. No stretch for billy

Do we deserve a priority pick? Some would argue that we've had our chance already with the draft and our performances are a product of our own mismanagement. Do we need a priority pick? Absolutely we do. Let's forget for the moment that our management, scouting/drafting personnel and coaches (those presumably involved in our mismanagement and poor drafting) have been completely moved on since our last PP was awarded (2009, that's right, 5years ago). Claims that we have mismanaged our players and/or drafted poorly may give an insight into why we are so poor. but in no way should that exclude us from access to a PP. I'd like to see what exactly a deserving team would look like, one that has managed their players well and drafted adequately. Somehow I don't see them churning out 8 years of solid crud. The new special assistance rule has a "formula" (not made public) for eligibility which would be awarded at the commission's discretion in exceptional circumstances. This would take into account the teams recent on field performances and other matters deemed "relevant." It was argued last year that we have sufficient talent on our list to not require a PP. It would be interesting to see what their analysis of our list looked like how that compares to the list changes made at the end of the season as well as B&F performances of our alleged talented players. Now, you would not find a single AFL fan that would say we have been anything better than exceptionally poor in recent times. 34 games won 2 draws and 121 losses since 2007 attests to that. No other team comes close to the record. We have been compared by journalists numerous times to Fitzroy before their demise. The mere mention of our name is usually accompanied with derision or a joke. Here is a comparison of our recent win loss record to the fledgling teams, it makes for depressing reading. Since the Gold Coast entered the competition in 2011 GC 16 won 53 lost Melb 14 won 1 draw 54 lost Since GWS entered the competition in 2012 GWS 5 won 42 Lost Melb 6 won (3vs GWS) 41 lost We aren't competitive, we are an embarrassment to the AFL and a joke of the entire league. We need to avail ourselves of any means to improve our list and on field fortunes (Essendon supplement style regime excluded). We need a PP. To not explore this option would be to exhibit negligence to the interests of the MFC. P.S. I hope we win 8+ games for the year and removed the need to have this dreary debate.

Well I thought he got toweled up by Pavlich and was guilty of some pretty poor defending, particularly in the first half, that resulted in scoring shots for the dockers. Some melbourne-like errors in fact, just disguised by a well drilled hawthorn team. Bit harsh maybe. He is a competitive player though, strong in the air and commits to the contest. Could use a few more of those.

Anyone have any info on how Kent is progressing? Did he play in the VFL practice game on the weekend? I understand he had some knee issues earlier on in the pre-season but hasn't been named on the injury list for a while. Hope to see him in the senior team soon as he was fast becoming one of my favourites last year and will be a real weapon for us on the half forward line.

I'm all for having a more prominent and recognizable demon represented somewhere within our club, whether it be through merchandising or a logo. However I personally wouldn't like to see it on our away jumper. Cartoonish designs such as the hawks, crows, lions and eagles jumpers just look tacky. And who could forgot the hideous/constipated demon face accompanied on a red or white background we had a few years ago. More than happy to see a change in our away jumper design though, however I think that discussion has been done to death elsewhere.

Quote from Demetriou. "It is a distraction to the core issue which is that there was a regime occurring at this football club-systematic-of young men being injected with substances that in many cases were banned for human use, some of which are unknown, some of which could potentially have long-term health effects and it was imperative that the AFL put a stop to it for the integrity of the code." Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/james-hirds-future-under-a-cloud-20140321-hvl0s.html#ixzz2wZAxl1IY"

Bump. State-government-investigation-reveals-afl-can-do-more-to-protect-punters/ While there were no adverse findings against Melbourne, the commission said in a statement: "The VCGLR identified measures where the AFL could enhance its current policies and procedures to strengthen its integrity framework and provide further assurances to betting patrons." I remember this investigation (a by-product of the tanking fiasco) by the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation caused quite a stir on here, with some fearing for we could potentially lose our gaming license which would have financially crippled our club. It seemed the investigation largely focused on AFL policy rather than our club itself. As the last post was in February, I don't think 'landers were too concerned (or had forgotten), but for those that were you can now rest easy.

I agree with the sentiment but they might like that. Unless it was in an uncomfortable place... like the back of a Volkswagen.

Anyone think there is an outside chance that Scharenberg could slide to us? Group think and arm chair experts like myself think the top 5 are locked in place with Bontempelli touted as pick 6 (I'm not so convinced). I don't think it's outside the realms of possibility that Scharenberg could slip through to us depending on individual club rankings. I personally think Scharenberg would be a good fit at the dogs and could see Aish slipping out of the top 5. Man I'm going to be so bored after November. 1. Boyd 2. Kelly 3. Billings 4. Aish 5. KK 6. ?? 7. ?? 8. McDonald 9. ????