Arsene Wenger

Bingo.

Eddie is just grandstanding to keep his own supporters happy, using insulting stereotypes that basic Collingwood supporters would love to hear. Probably the sort of thing most club supporters would like to hear from their president. An aggressive response to a perceived attack. In reality, it is meaningless hubris. Even he knows it.

He just needs some time. His agility for a big man leaves him sooooo close to being able to stooge defenders like a Buddy Franklin would, but he is just not quite there yet.

OUT: whoever needs a rest IN: whoever needs a game

Not fussed that we didn't get him, personally.

What were our biggest deficiencies in 2011? I'd say defensive set up around stoppages and limiting the damage when there are turnovers. The atrocious weather gave us little actual opportunity to practice our skill and ball movement, and fanatically bombing the ball forward without looking to pick out an option seemed to be our directive. Not necessarily because it's how we'll move the ball forward come round 1, but because it allows us an opportunity to focus on fine tuning certain aspects of our game for round 1. Coincidentally, the "bomb-at-all-costs" tactic resulted in more of an opportunity to practice our defensive set up at stoppages and limiting the damage from turnovers. Funnily enough, I think on the whole we did this well. Just some food for thought.

Correct, I didn't realise that. Duly noted.

I don't like this clunky attempt at asserting entitlement. Especially based on the flimsy justification of our name alone. The ambition is correct, but I don't think we won't have done much to deserve that place, until we actually get there.

Anyone got a link for watching the match, pls PM me.

I thought this was a bit cringeworthy from McLardy. While I agree with the ambition, to say we want to be one of the "big 5" along with Essendon, Collingwood, Carlton and Richmond... it's a little clunky to give those 4 and ignore the on-field and off-field success of Geelong and Hawthorn.

I'll never understand why people feel the need to react like this... I'd rather read a little story then make up my own mind about whether I think it is true or not, without the original poster needed to be ridiculed.

I'm quite bemused by the assertions that TV is somehow an inadequate appointment in this position. As the club says, I would've thought there was a natural progression into this role from the one he was originally doing. And the role he was originally in would now have been superceded by the 3 line development coaches. The opposite of TV now being too stretched because he has to perform both roles. Quite logical, really.

Didn't know about Gary Nicholls. Quite pleased to hear it though.

I know it's only the Herald Sun, but has nobody on demonland seen this? http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/free-agents-on-the-you-wish-and-can-get-lists/story-e6frf9jf-1226279957739 I mean, I'm sure most dees supporters disregard it as rubbish, based purely on the fact that Moloney supported us a kid, but how much weight does that really hold? In any case, I'm not aware of him having too many mates at Essendon. He played for Geelong Falcons and is from Warrnambool - not many links I can see there. I'm willing to bet that the Neeld and the club's new approach will have him desperate to stick around for some success with the club. That and the fact he wouldn't have Jamar serving him the footy on a platter. Interestingly, it may make it easier for players to move clubs, but an aspect of free agency that I hadn't yet considered, is that the team poaching a player doesn't actually lose anything. They don't have to trade away picks or players - they part with nothing. The whole league supplies the player's original team with a draft pick.