Return to Glory

You're kidding right?

Big statement but close to the worst umpiring of the year Bris v North

Norf are being crucified by the umps here. I know the commentators are raving on about ill discipline but no question they're being stitched up

The important thing with Nathan Jones, for mine, is that the club don't treat him in the manner which we treated another great servant, James McDonald. I always felt that set the club back. Regardless of what decision is made re next year, he simply should not be lost to the club but embraced as one of our greatest ever clubmen.

It's for this reason that i suspect Gold Coast may take him.

My kneejerk reaction is that Brayshaw is tradeable and ANB certainly is. FFS play Bedford and see what he can do and Petty had a break out game.

Not sure i agree there Jaded.

We'll win this. Has that feel to it. (ready to be bombarded)

We're singing from the same hymn book here Napster.

I've watched the Bummers last four matches and no other team has got a better run with the umps this year than them (I don't include West Coast with umpire Dean Margetts as that's the gold standard)

I occasionally listen to SEN, or at least try, and it's hard going. There's a group of them (nights) who sound exactly the same as each other.

I preferred it when SEN had Finey and Stephen J Peake. It was babble, sure, but at least it was occasionally funny babble. I'm pretty sure North Korea played half an hour of Kane Cornes to Alex Sigley. All it took.

Jones - some disastrous turnovers Petty - showing positive signs

Thanks Clintosaurus. I did forget about that. Started with Spotless Catering and the old Ron Evans connection.

Hasn't the AFL bent over backwards to push the druggies redemption story. Started off with an incredibly soft draw and, being a conspiracy theorist, I'm bemused by the free kicks they receive weekly when looking out of a contest. I'm sure someone will suggest I'm being paranoid and they would be right.

Bingers, it's not that far away except that Carlton wants to win but Adelaide want them to lose. Maybe I'm reading to much into it.

This really is the Noah Anderson Cup.

Bedford?

I actually regret posting that PF as I didn't mean it to be a 'click bait' comment. I think Cale had his moments.

Really PF. I can think of a past Melbourne player who may have him beat.

Clearly we are making decision based on the long term future.

For what it's worth re Toby Bedford. this was written on ESPN end of last year: Bedford's point of difference is his pace and agility with ball in hand; he can often be found running 30m at a time before disposing of the ball. He is in the conversation as one of this year's fastest and hardest to catch with ball in hand. His tackling is a strength also, racking up at least six tackles in each of his past four matches. With clubs showing in last year's draft they'll pay a premium to acquire players with speed, Melbourne will need to nominate Bedford in the national draft with a bid likely to come in the second half. Bedford's game bares some likeness to Lewis Jetta with comparable speed, agility, slipperiness and desire to take on the game with his pace. I would love to see him get a run before year's end.

Inclined to agree in respect to Lever and Gawn. What's the upside?

Ta BBO. You're being overly generous. And it is tricky this week. I would like to see Bedford given a run (I don't think he will be) but I'm not entirely sure who makes way. I don't think ANB was as bad as what others thought but I probably was more critical of Hunt's game. I just know that once the ball hit the ground in the forward half Brisbane routinely waltzed it out. And someone mentioned that it's been a long while since we had that manic forward pressure. They mentioned Ricky Jackson and Farmer but my first port of call for forward pressure is probably Aaron Davey. You could make a case that he changed the AFL in terms of that containment of the ball in the forward line. I'm hoping Bedford (yes, indigenous and with the innate awareness that seems to come with it...forgive a bit of stereotyping) can replicate those traits. Wouldn't be the worst thing to have Aaron mentor someone like Bedford or Spargo for that matter. I don't think I've quite meandered as much before so forgive me.

If we are in a position to land Anderson then that's a no-brainer. If we have picks 2 and 20ish then that should enable us to go for that 'forward with tricks' (right now I'd settle for a forward who can kick straight). And hope that Toby Bedford comes through as well as that lively forward who can eventually add speed through the mid-field.