ignition.

As of 2015 Dunn was announced as the club's Vice Captain. This year he didn't make the leadership group nor the Round 1 team. Have I missed something? Was his pre-season interrupted, did he return unfit, or was he in trouble for some form of misdemeanor? I find it all a little strange considering how solid he's been for us down back in recent seasons.

Please include: Matt Burgan (medial meniscus) 2 - 6 weeks

Have fun mate and hope you enjoy it. I am a MCC member so I'm usually sitting on the northern wing (in the winter the GA southern wing would be excellent also). I find the best view is level 2 as I'm close to the action but also able to see the whole field, I've taken friends and colleges there and they are often blown away by the seats. However, I often have the most fun when I'm on level 1. I consider the crowd and the acoustics a little noisier, especially among Dees fans (as we rev one another up, well I do) . The most important thing to do is find yourself a decent sized group of Dees fans and sit among them. If you find yourself surrounded by Pies supporters move immediately. I for one am always happy to slide down a few seats for other Dees fans, on the basis it doesn't impede my view, I'm sure many others here would act the same. Get among it, rev one another and the players up, as it's the atmosphere (alongside a win) that makes a game truly special. Have fun and I hope you and the family enjoy yourselves!

Anyone know how far along Petracca is at the moment? I can only presume that he'll have a few games at Casey now before getting an opportunity in the firsts considering he missed the NAB challenge.

Excellent get! He and Hogan in the forward line are both something to marvel. I also think Kent is massively underrated. Then add in the potential of Petracca (hopefully he can become what we think he will) and we have a very good looking forward line (other mids and Gawn to rotate through). Currently my number one desire is to keep our list together, e.g. sign Hogan, and continue to develop the serious talent we currently have on show. If this is done along-with another decent off season acquisition say Prestia or O'Meara, I think we will be well and truly developing a list worthy of challenging for a premiership (in a few years time).

Certainly understandable why many here wouldn't want to go to this game - not allowing one cent of your hard earned cash go to the drug cheats. Although I will be going to get full use out of my MCC membership. Hopefully we can belt them as I would love to start/ hear the "Na na na na, na na na, hey hey hey, goodbye" chant. It would be a fitting way to send the scum off after their "March to the G".

Again you seem to be jumping to conclusions mate, when did I state that Wines was rated higher overall, or that he was the "obvious" choice? Go back and re-read my last posts. I suggested they were close and worthy of debate, and by no means was Toumpas the outright choice and general consensus as you elude to. ???? Yes stuie I did, so please remind me what T. Viney's role at the club was in 2012?... Head of Recruiting ring a bell? T.Viney (2012 head recruiter) rated Wines as the better draft prospect, whereas Neeld specifically wanted outside run presumably supporting the opinions of the S.A scouts. In ways yes he was the flavour of the month. I recall people getting their knickers in a knot because "Jimmy goes for a run on Christmas day". Please show us all these fancied selections by all these experts? or are they newspaper clippings a couple days before the draft?

I provided evidence on p.18 that our head of recruiting wanted Wines ahead of Toumpas. Instead of the selective reading, my point was that the top order particularly between Wines and Toumpas was hard to differentiate, and that in no way was it a general consensus that Toumpas automatically should have been selected ahead. That "evidence" you seem to support is nothing more than inside intel as to how the draft will fall by questioning clubs on who they intend to select a couple days prior. NOT the general consensus by all clubs as you seem to suggest. Do you really think that journos would be asking Sydney (pick 22) who should go at 4 or for their top 22 listed prospects? - the same applies for every other club. So please provide a shred of evidence that Toumpas was outright ahead of Wines by multiple scouts (amateur or pro) / recruiters. The only hint available that suggests so is Knightmare's but then he says (which supports my point that you seen to miss): "This top region is much more even than advertised and I see very little separating this group. Crouch, Wines and Stringer to have the most immediate impact. " So no it is not blatantly right.

I like this one. The rivalry has already begun (read the figure legend and comments)

Hindsight is not the case for some. Leading up to the draft I will un-happily admit I wanted Toumpas ahead of Wines, although I liked the risk of Stringer ahead of the two. For those that said Toumpas went or he fell where he should have, unquestionably ahead of Wines, based off newspapers articles are blatantly wrong. Without question Toumpas was in that correct range and the debate between the two was valid at that point in time. The fact is, as S.O.N.S and I have mentioned previously, it was a fierce debate between T.Viney (then head recruiter) and Neeld over the selection of Wines and Toumpas respectively, and Neeld's overruling has proven costly (now hindsight) (see previous links for the appropriate referencing). Overall I would love to know where Harrington stood (then list manager).

Sorry ProDee but you're completely delusional, or you haven't watch the Dees play in the last 4 years. Jones has been bloody good in a very poor side. If you had taken him back then and placed him in the Hawthorn, Geelong, Sydeny, heck even Collingwood line up you and everyone would be calling him a "star". So please spare us the rubbish.

Again Emma's was published 4 days before the draft primarily based off know how, she then published an altered version the morning of the draft (your previous link) where she near nailed the top ten by only have Stringer and Macrae in the wrong order (again by know how). Shifter's who I agree would be one of the most knowledgeable, is not ranked but merely the top 30 prospects in no particular order (the associated link is part 3). The fact of the matter is that T.Viney wanted Wines, whereas Neeld didn't. Why? Because he knew the player that Wines was then, for what we all know today. In 2012 he had the year to match with both a phenomenal championship (runner-up in the Larke) and TAC Cup.

Look at the dates, excluding Knightmare's, they're are all one or two days before the draft. Each and every year they seem to change from what was previously touted as they are given the inside word regarding the way in which it will fall. The journos don't have them independently ranked via their own talent identification, they are simply in the know how a couple days prior. For example Cal Twomey's changes drastically over the final month from his own identification to the inside word. As for spirit of norm smith's original quote and your's and C&B's question, David Schwarz presented on SEN radio that Viney wanted Wines whereas Neeld overruled his decision - and I sure as hell believe the direct nature of his sources. I had also independently heard something similar a year or so prior regarding a dispute between the selection of Wines and Toumpas but wasn't sure who supported who. REFERENCE FOUND! LISTEN TO THE POD CAST, STATED AT 2:50 min/sec http://www.sen.com.au/news-archive/08-15/schwarz-dees-fans-not-copping-blame#SCLOzfo4hld1vaEv.97

That would explain it. Thanks Ethan.

Hi all, Sorry for the new thread but I'm curious if the MFC handed out a scarf in 2008 for members? I have a slight recollection they may have handed out a hat? I have got all the scarfs to date since 2007 but have never been able to get one from 2008. I purchased my first membership in 2007 and began to attend a couple games in 2009 and far more heavily in 2010 and on wards. My fiancees mother is going to knit all the old scarfs together to make blanket and I figure what better way to use the scarfs from those miserable years than to keep our asses warm at games and to serve as a constant reminder where we came from and where those years belong. Cheers!

I don't understand how that could now happen as Cross is contracted in a developmental role at the club. Understandably he wanted to play on last year and I'm sure he is still top-notch from a physical stand point, but he would be sacrificing an on-going job if he decides to play on for one more year the Essendon.

Good on him. If he wants it, I hope he gets another year out of himself. Will be interesting to watch he and Gawn go head to head.

I've already been on the front foot and convinced one of my best mates not to buy his Dons membership and come to the MFC games with me this year. I just hope I can properly convert him if the season goes well.

Hahaha yep much better idea.

May be a good year to introduce a lottery system as seen in the US. Bottom 4 teams are in a lottery for the 1st four picks with the team finishing on the bottom having the best odds of obtaining the no. 1 selection.

I've done both, but I generally pretend I'm one of theirs that will no longer be buying my membership and that can no longer support my once beloved club.

I'm with you on many fronts. I've hated that putrid club since copping (unprovoked) the "ski club" like remarks and jibes 8 or so years back on the train following our loss. For all I care that club and its supporters and rot and feel the full brunt of their now tarnished brand. For the next 50+ years I will enjoy hearing them referred to as "drug cheats", "methadon" and whatever other colourful names people come up with. As for their players and Jobe specifically, I do however have sympathy. I think Derm on SEN this morning summed it up brilliantly as to how much trust players must put into their teammates and club to function as a good player and club. I hope the players can overcome this and do not encounter any form of mental illness as a result. I also hope a large portion of these players take that putrid club to the cleaners!

My predictions: Hawks, Swans and WC (+ J. Redden) should finish the H&A in a similar spot and fight it out come September. Freo should decline, will struggle without a dominant forward and dare I say Pav isn't up to it anymore. Port (+ Dixon & T. Menzel and 2014 form/ game plan) and the Dogs (+ Libba & one more pre-season on their young list) should rise, I believe both will be pushing for a spot in the top 4. Cats will also be up there with their off season acquisitions and will be pushing the top 4. The Roos will decline, I don't believe they have the list or game plan. Their top end is also aging. I doubt Richmond will climb, nor do I think that they'll fall. The Pies should push the 8 or at least push it with the additions of Treloar, Howe and Aish (if he can step up, I think he's currently overrated). GWS (loss of Treloar) should fall slightly, their gun U18 recruits won't cover for him in the short term. The Blues should slide or remain in the bottom three after the loss of T.Menzel and Bell (two of their proven and best youngsters). Let's face it their new U18 recruits won't have an immediate impact nor will their sub-par GWS recruits. The Lions will either remain in the same position or elevate slightly. Rockcliff should play more games, and the addition of Bell is nice. However they did lose Redden. Can't see the Dons rising, I really don't rate their list, but maybe the new coach may give the playing group a boost of confidence. GC should be on the up slightly with a return of O'Meara, Swallow, Prestia, and Ablett free of injuries, despite the losses Dixon and Bennell. Crows will be on the decline with the loss of Danger and can't really see the Saints climbing anytime soon but they have the right pieces in place for the long term. As for us I believe we should see an improvement hopefully with the return of an injury free Jones, Tyson, Kent and Petracca (to debut in the forward line), and like the Dogs another pre-season into our best-22 youngsters like Viney, Brayshaw, and Hogan. I think T-Mac will come back even better again and the inclusions of Bugg and Melksham off the back line should be a sigh of relief. How far will we go, I doubt we'll make the 8 this year, but I also don't see why we can't.

Is this the start of another Collingwood ploy to recruit Hogan in a couple years time whilst throwing his missus, family, and friends jobs at the 9 network alongside Eddy? SCUM!

Hi I'm Sam McClure (the articles source), You may remember me for pledging if Melbourne beat Geelong today (Round 12, 2015), for the rest of the year I will do the stats in a Collingwood jumper.