rjay

Totally agree 'Macca', it's not reserved for any one generation.

I think we've pretty much got our list now and can't see us making a play for another big name unless one of ours moves on. Maybe with Lewis moving on and Jones nearing the end we might have some wiggle room. To keep this list together would be the primary goal and it's going to get more expensive with Oliver an AA and others like Brayshaw heading the same way. Time to get back to the draft and maybe see how a FA might fit at the right time...but as with Gaff this year the bidding price is going up sharply for these players (desperate clubs like North & the Saints are pushing the market too high)and way over their value to my thinking.

True 'Mach', the technology of previous generations was the mouth & the rumour files always ran hot. This is just an extension of it.

I hope everyone is having a great Christmas... I'm pretty sure we're all looking forward to that other season ahead. Stay safe and enjoy the festive season.

I think you are misreading 'Deemania's' post. He said nothing of high IQ, he's talking footy IQ... Footy IQ is the ability to get where the ball is, to be able to use it when you get it, to use your positioning to assist a teammate , to block opponents, to create opportunity. ...for Pruessy to play hard up forward he will need the footy IQ to position himself, to crash the pack at the right time so as not to give away the free or interfere with a teammate in a good marking position. Oliver may not be a card carrying member of Mensa but he has a very high footy IQ. It's an invaluable attribute.

Pagan is dual a Premiership coach...he got royally scr....d in his time at Carlton with the salary cap sanctions. As for Neeld, I hold no animosity against him. He was out of his depth and should never have been appointed to the position. Was probably on a hiding to nothing anyway with the board and management structure (for want of a better word) in place at the time. Rather than cringeworthy I think it's still the remnants of some gallows humour that got us through a pretty tough time. Good luck to him...

Adding "Expert Track Watcher" to the resume now 'ET'??? Your trade whispering has been invaluable, the bar is set high...

So, should we get a priority pick then????

Forget the AFLX, this is a real news story. Well done to Nev, Matthew Whelan and the club.

No problem with the game 'Macca', from what I hear kids love to play it at school...a bit like touch football. Just can't see the point in using current AFL players to push it. I think they would be much better off using retired champions with current VFL/SANFL/WAFL players...would be a further encouragement for players to stay in the game at a higher level rather than giving up or heading back to the minor leagues. Throw a bit of cash around and get inventive with it...I don't like AFL club players being involved at all. This paragraph is all over the place...if there is no need to rejuvenate the game then why bother. The game is broken in the minor leagues and could do with a kick along...it's a hybrid game, why not a hybrid concept. The stars by the way in the BBL weren't current Australian test players, the big names apart from a couple of O/s players were retired/semi retired champions. No one worried about it as the game itself stacked up. Get a game up, get some star power onboard (Pavlich, Mitchell, Vince etc) with the local league players (state of origin feel/someone real to barrack for) add some marketing $'s behind it and off you go.

Agree with this, it makes more sense to me... So was the Sheffield Shield 'Demonland' and it's been on the back of those players that the big bash has flourished. Many of the current BBL players would never had been heard of it they stayed playing shield or local level cricket. Now some of them are household names in the game. If they get the game right and bring in a couple of ex champion players on big coin to supplement VFL listed players (like the BBL have with the likes of Warne) it could work. I don't like the current concept at all, it brings nothing but the chance of injury to key players.

Only half serious with the 2nd point there 'Red' but we should pick up some funds from outside the club. It might not happen directly but any AFL funding should take this into consideration. Everyone else seems to get an advantage on at times rather spurious assumptions and proposals.

We're victims of our ground being taken over by the rest of the competition. Maybe the co tenants should help fund our new home base.

I think the membership value has diminished significantly since the old pavilion stand was knocked down and numbers increased. They can't guarantee a GF seat anymore and on normal game days there are too many reserved seats sold in the members taking away prime viewing areas. I used to roll up on game day and have a nice little spot in the pavilion up level with where the coaches boxes were. The line up on GF day has always been a pain but at least you would be assured of a spot. There are too many members now and too many guests taking away full member seating. ...but the big draw of being a member is the waiting list. People will always join a line to get into anything and this is just about the biggest line in town. When running the odd show we would always leave the doors closed to draw a crowd out front as the intrigue would be piqued and more would join the line wanting to get in. It was well known certain venues would indeed rent a crowd to start the line and of course the classic door b.... had a prime role. I've been a member for a a long time now and every year it gets harder to find reason to pay over the cash particularly as I don't go to many games anymore because in part of the above reasons...and I don't get to the cricket now. I used to enjoy boxing day a lot, we would meet up with some people every year from the bush that we didn't even really know apart from having a couple of pots and a chat, they were always there... then we would go a find some more new acquaintances. It got too crowded with the party crowd...the same ones that go to events like the cup, tennis etc...boring mob, not interested in sport just want to be seen. Long answer...prestige, no, anyone can be a member if you're prepared to wait long enough. Value, probably not...paying for the club membership and the GF guarantee is probably a more sensible way to go. Are you missing anything. No, the old long room had some character but now it's just another bland room.

Yep, I think the old supporter base has been well and truly exhausted. The talk of converting MCC/MFC members to me is not going to achieve a lot more. Real growth will come from the areas you mention. Also note that the EFC drive came with premierships, ours will be the same.

I hope that not a lot of energy goes into this area as I think it's been well mined...and almost mined out as this supporter base is ageing. For the number of supporters we hold up extremely well even in the down times for attendances at games and memberships compared on a % basis to the so called big clubs. I would also think the ratio of MFC/MCC members will drop right off in the coming years. Picking up 50% now is a pretty decent conversion but in pure numbers it will dwindle away as time goes on. It's how we appeal to new members that's going to be the key to growth. A premiership or 2 won't hurt and providing an attractive club for people to join is going to be paramount. Establish the club as Melbourne in Melbourne and work hard for the new arrivals & converts...

Things don't work that way, it's not quite so simple. Take Hogan out & you get a different spread of goal kickers. We were still getting the ball forward & as some say, we worked as a more cohesive unit without Hogan. The argument could be made that we would kick more goals. As for Weideman, our season is not totally dependant on his success or failure. Of course it would be better if he has a good season.

'tiers' none of them has locked down a senior spot & with the exception of Hunt there have only been fleeting glimpses at senior level. I think Ronnie is not far off the mark with his comments on exposed form...lets hope with another season under the belt some of the above really make a statement and push up along with 1 or 2 of the new draftees. ...by the way, I think most teams would fall away after 24 - 26. You don't get to keep serious depth, if they're not getting a game they move on.

I think this is the issue 'george'... Given the late start to training (and required surgery) and the extra long Christmas break this year I'm not overly concerned with the rehab list. The club wouldn't want to push too many at this stage. The real measure will be after the break. I would expect the injury list to drop markedly after the first week back.

Trac's not going anywhere and can't be compared to the other 2 mentioned. I know you don't see it but he has improved each season.

He's become their link man/designated kicker from defence...a lot of the footy goes through him so I'm guessing his stats are good for super coach... In real footy he's the one you tag now.

Seeing as we have been rated by Champion Data as having the best midfield, 2nd best defence and 5th best forward line some of these teams above us must have amazing interchange players....

Can't see the similarity 'bingers'

No, some of that was tanking...or conveniently bottoming out to refresh the list if you like.

Thought I might post this one here as well...in regard to the Pert interview on SEN.