ignition.

I must say when I first read this yesterday I completely agreed with you. Although I don't think it's entirely the case. Firstly he left to us to rejoin his old club he played his career at alongside old friends, if say Brad Green or Junior Mac did the same after being recognised as amazing assistants at their retrospective clubs I believe the vast football community would understand if they wanted to come back to the MFC. And now after a year of hell and controversy, having his name somewhat tarnished under his old and trusted friend Hird I don't blame him if he wants to get out of football and have a break.

I'd have him back in a heartbeat. We need to get the best coaches and assistants into the club, he is easily one of the best defensive coaches in the AFL. To do this we need to move on and stop caring about the past, stop relying on past legends of our club and let go of this ridiculous grudge by some. He along with Rawlings under Roos will help the club go forward and will also likely help secure the signature of Frawley post 2014 season.

Owww dear no... needs more what? Isn't that what the Aussie cricket team claim they needed after their first ashes test?

I must say I have seen this thread on the home page feed since yesterday titled with the dou** b*gs name, and only now I chose to click it. I must say i can't stand him, I can't stand his voice, his glasses, and his co**y attitude, his reports and his allegedly intellectual input. I love hearing him get booo'ed when welcomed on the footy show and I can't wait for the day there is no more time for him in the vast world of football.

Ok thanks mate.

Well written dazzle, it will be very interesting to see what he can produce under the likes of Roos - a coach that builds excellent rapports with his players in order to get their best, rather than one that constantly wanted to mentally challenge and break them. As for his speed I must say I didn't see one ounce of it, although like you mentioned his surgeries on his hips and lack of core strength (along with the mental challengers he faced) were the likely culprits. Does anyone know what he ran in the 20 m sprint last year at the draft combine? or didn't he participate?

Agreed! Although from an opposing clubs perspective who must sign off on the deal we would likely be their 1st choice based on whats on offer (remember BL preferred to sign Clark over to us instead of Fremantle as we were offering the better draft pick). Another one of those clubs would have to offer a quality player to persuade the likes of GWS for Adams over our pick 2.

I really don't see the hype behind Adams, although I hope I can see what you all talk about (and I'm proved wrong) if we get him.

Thanks for some updates

If a player is feeling uneasy about the club, feeling homesick and opting leave (whilst in contract) and another club is poaching with something reasonable to offer (like the MFC), the players current club may consider that its best option for its future. Who knows a pick two for the national draft might not be available at the end of 2014 for say the likes of Swallow, it might be a pick 5 or something not as significant. All the options stated above are possible and somewhat realistic based on what the club has to offer to both players and clubs. A contract can be terminated if all parties agree. In regards to the experienced players mentioned, it was rumoured that Rockliff was disgruntled at Brisbane (although under Voss), Selwood may want to come home with the retirement of his brother, Swallow wants to be in Melbourne closer to his brother Andrew and Adelaide would crave the likes of Aish and Sloane was a MFC supporter growing up, so how much will they pay... who knows. Like I said they have just been some of the rumours, so how factual they actually are I'm not entirely sure.

My ideal two would be Sloane and Selwood, I only rate those two above the others based on their immense work ethic, always trying to improve and better themselves and because they are quality clubmen and generally really well liked (by reports). Although I would be over the moon if we secured any two from Sloane, Selwood, Swallow, and/ or Rockliff (I wouldn't complain one bit). If that occurred along with Jones, Trengove and Viney with Grimes moved back to the half backline (where he plays incredibly well) I think the club would improve quicker than many would think.

I'll add them both in.

This is a derivative of the "Potential Forward Line 2014" thread initiated by The Vanilla Gorilla. As most us consider the forward line exciting, the vast majority of us agree the club really needs to bolster its midfield, and doing that holds the key to improving the efficiency of both the defense and forward line. So I ask who would you like to see lining up in our midfield come round 1 of 2014? Who would you like to see recruited to join the likes of Jones and Viney? Is it a Swallow, Selwood, Rockliff, Adams... or other? (please be realistic). EDIT: Poll, Select the general consensus of midfielders you would prefer in the list over others. We will eventually obtain an average of the most desired.

Apologies if it's been stated above, but I've just heard on SEN they believed Melbourne has pulled the pin on its offer to Dustin Martin.

I recall in a player interview that they mentioned Gysberts bragging about his two Rising Star nominees (maybe it was Tom McDonald - in a joking manner), I wonder if it went to his head. Either way getting moved on from his second club should certainly give him a reality check. Its a shame really, he showed so many positive attributes but lacked the work ethic and want to succeed.

You obviously don't watch WCE games, he just had his breakout year (the stats i've shown above support this perfectly), he's also super impressive on the track and an ideal bloke you would want around your club.

Ow yeah as others have stated Cross would also be a great FA get.

My ideal trade/draft period includes us obtaining a priority pick (#1), which of course is ideal. Firstly I would like to say I am generally against the thought of trading first round picks, although this year is an exception as we need to bolster our midfield to match it with the rest of the list, particularily the defenders and forwards (Frawley, Garland, Clark, Dawes, Watts, Howe, then Jones and potentially Sylvia). Obviously this is wishful thinking but I would love to see it eventuate. Pick 1 (Tom Boyd) is used in a three way trade between us, West Coast, and Brisbane. We the MFC lose pick 1 (Boyd), and exchange our 2nd round pick with WCE 2nd round pick and gain Tom Rockliff and Scott Selwood. Brisbane loses Victorian Tom Rockliff (possibly disgruntled) and pick 8 to gain pick 1 (Tom Boyd to replace an aging Brown). West Coast loses the Victorian Scott Selwood and gains Brisbane's pick 8, and upgrade their 2nd round with pick to our second 2nd round pick in an exchange. Alternatively WCE could obtain Boyd and give their pick 7 to Brisbane, we would then exchange later picks with Brisbane. Pick 3 traded or drafted: Is traded to either GC Suns for David Swallow or Richmond for Dustin Martin, some form of deal sweetener from our end will probably have to be thrown in if its pick 3 rendering the much hyped pick 2 James Aish unavailable. If the trade (being pick 3 instead of 2) is not possible use it to draft Dom Sheed. Round 2: Pick #... (20ish) previously downgraded in an exchanged with the WCE for their 2nd round pick. Draft Zac Jones. .... Todd Viney works his magic on the late picks in the draft (more Kent types please). Late ND pick or pre-season draft: Is used on Liam Jurrah, with the appropriate support network and structures set up at the club to aid his transition back into the AFL. Overall the club would significantly bolster its midfield with the inclusions of Rockliff, S.Selwood, and one of D.Swallow, Martin, or Sheed. The additions of Liam Jurrah and Jesse Hogan will make our forward line incredibly exciting (again). Further obtaining the fresh reliable hard at it youngster Zac Jones would be a real plus - his inclusion would also likely secure his brother Nathan’s future as a one club player. As for the later picks in the draft, in Todd Viney we trust… please bring us another Dean Kent like player. If all this is possible we would be seeing the club turn things around much quicker than many think.

One of the main issues was the lack of support and structures around the club; if the club was set up accordingly and he was managed better he still may very well be playing for us. By saying that Josh Mahoney appeared to build excellent rapports with the indigenous players, so I don't want to take anything away from him. Of course there were something’s out of the clubs control, but there were plenty well within. Hopefully he's mentally matured and the right structures can be employed to support him. If so I'd welcome him back with open arms because his football again will likely do him and us wonders.

I too would love to see it, if he is re-drafted to us I hope the club employs an indigenous assistant (ex player) to help and aid LJ's transition back into the AFL life style. Someone he will feel he can approach and will understand any matters on his mind. Yet also someone who will give him a grilling if he belives he hasn't done something to the best of his ability. A bit of a father figure really.

On that note I must say I'm struggling this year to rank the players, and like most years - well practically every year, one of the best top 3 players (long term) are in the late 10's or early teens. I’d be happy to trade say pick 2 for Scott Selwood and their pick 6 OR for Tom Rockcliff and their pick 7 AND with an exchange of later picks, with that pick we could very well get either Crouch, Sheed, Bontempelli, Billings or Freeman as one will slide and one I'm sure in a few years everyone will look back on and say "why didn't we get them" like every other year. Which one will it be... I have no idea I don't watch the recruiting tapes.

Beautifully put! Skills can be taught and perfected, but you can't teach someone to put their head over the ball or their body on line. On field mongrel and a fearless attitude to win the contested ball can only come naturally (genetically), it can't be taught to that "classy", "skillful" or "Rolls Royce" of a player.

Sorry mate, but do you mean David Swallow? I would love to see Andrew Swallow at the club but I don't think it will ever happen. If you meant David Swallow, I couldn't agree with you more

This time last year Oliver Wines was also big for his age and a bit of a plodder. Toumpas had similar traits to that of Aish. In regards to talent, skill set and need I would take a Sheed or Dunstan over Aish any day.

Hahahaha and not as good looking either (Kate Upton)